We’re at the less than one week mark!

Everything feels so surreal, I cannot really even imagine that in less than one week I will be, Lord willing, up North… This year has gotten off to such a speedy start!  It’s exciting and right now I am a mix of emotions.  I’m nervous to be away for so long, sad to miss out on this time with my new missionaries, however, the joy of being able to see all my friends and family in the lower mainland is slowly surpassing the nerves!  I know the 6 weeks will seemingly fly by, like these past two months have, it’s so fun to have so much to do!  I’ve been LOVING having my pollitos (that’s what I call the girls I’m responsible for- I feel like a mother hen with her little chicks)
Since you last read my rantings I’ve been to, and froze, in Guatemala.  We had our annual Central American conference which went really well …aside from the 10° weather!  I’m not going to lie, I wore like all my clothes, and wrapped myself up in a blanket for the majority of the time there.  It was a great trip,  I went a few days early to see a friend and we took some of the short termers from Nicaragua with us to do some touristy activities.

Highlights of the conference:

• I gave my presentation/review of 2015 and what’s planned for 2016 in front of the group (with a microphone) and didn’t throw up on anyone!

* Spending time with the other Latin Link members in Central America and Mexico!

• I found and quickly snuggled a baby goat!

• The gentleman who did our morning devos nailed it each morning!  He had great insight and awesome anecdotes!  My favourite was about this blind man who was at a friends house visiting and just having a blast and then once it was time to head home (in the dark) his friend gave him a lamp to walk home with.  The blind man of course could not see and questioned why he would need a lamp, his friend explained that the lamp was not for him but for others to see him to avoid crashing into each other.  So the blind man took the lamp and started walking home, during his walk he was hit by someone, the blind man angrily demanded to know how the other guy managed to run into him when he had a lamp and was clearly visible.  To which the other guy responded by saying that the lamp was nearly out and it was very difficult to see. 
  Then we were asked how our lamps are.  The lamp was a metaphor for faith/relationship with God.  We may think that our lamp is strong and bright but reality may be that we are just barely shining and not lighting anything up. 
  There was also another one with a man hanging off a branch over a cliff – he prayed to God asking to be saved.  God told him if he let go of the branch and he would be saved.  The man, couldn’t let go- he had to cling to the branch.  The branch is a reference to anything of this world vs. Christ. 
  These two stories stuck with me I pondered over branches that I have in my life and the brightness of my lamp.  No profound responses came from these ponderings but it was definitely beneficial to take time to think about :) 

There is so much to be grateful this month!  I have seen so much growth on the work front, deepened friendships, felt more at home… ah how the list could go on!  BUT I must pack!  I only have 5 more days left to prep everything :)
Which leads us to some prayer points to wrap up!
Please pray for my trip, that all my luggage comes with me, that nothing gets lost and that I don’t get sick and am able to rest.  Please also pray that I meet with and see everyone I need to see that my time is restful, productive, and just excellent!  AH!  I can’t even believe that this is happening!

“We put our hope in the Lord.  He is our help and our shield in Him our hearts rejoice for we trust in His holy name.  Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord for our hope is in you alone!”

Psalm 33: 20-22