Currently trying to re-assimulate back into American, first-word culture. The struggle is real.

L.A. is so fast. And everyone’s so grumpy.

I’m still smiling. But no longer making eye contact. The poor checkout girl at Trader Joe’s must have thought something was wrong with me. American food hurts my stomach. And I could barely make it through SoulCycle with Steph.

But holy moly it was worth it.

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED PRAYERS, SUPPORT, & LOVE. THANK YOU. 

Because of you, 13 of us were able to venture to Central America and love on the beautiful people of Guatemala.

T R A V E L  D A Y.

First a 5 hour plane ride.

Then a four-ish hour bus ride.

The first stop once we’re there is ALWAYS homemade ice-cream. Sold for $.50 in a plastic bag you have to rip open and suck out. It’s phenomenal and life changing-ly good.

Needless to say, we were here a lot. Daily. Sometimes twice daily.

V I L L A G E  B A B E S.

This sweet boy dressed up to say goodbye and broke my heart. He may or may not be my current boyfriend… er novio.

T H E  D U M P

So much joy.

G R I N G O  A D V E N T U R E S

Andi and I made up this really cool new dance move.

Mom, Dad, & DJ Tanner.

(These accidental bangs are killing me.)

Futbol.

The Cafe.

Exploring.

Preach.

Church on Sunday.

Shopping.

El Tigre.

#TravelingWithPKU

I dunno. Just thought it looked rad.

The best worship. Every night, outside, fireside, under the stars –

(which were hidden under clouds but whatevs. We knew they were there.)

Coffee with every meal

Daily allotments of time with God.

Thanksgiving Polaroids

Snuggling my water bottle until I’m able to come home to Grayson my Teddy.

H O P E  O F  L I F E  C O M P O U N D 

BABY HOSPITAL

If you look closely you can see Michael playing music for babes.

The sweetest boy named Junior with Down Syndrome.

ELDERLY HOME

KELLY’S HOUSE

(My favorite)

T H E  O R P H A N A G E 

So full of joy and camaraderie.

Last time we were here, Andres was barefoot in a diaper in the baby hospital. Now he’s a big kid who goes to school and church and wears shoes!!

P L A N T I N G  T R E E S

(So much more wonderful than I ever could have imagined)

Toothbrushes!

Pan Dulce.

B E A U T I F U L  G U A T 

L I T T L E  M O M E N T S

1. “Let’s be a cappuccino. Cappuccino without Jesus is just anxiety.” I don’t even know but sounds accurate.
2. Realizing how blessed we are to have so many loved ones at home supporting us.
3. When someone would tell me that my eyes were glowing neon blue for no reason other than pure joy pouring through.
4. Confusing what the Horse sign said for something much more vulgar.
5. Accidentally hash tagging “DosAnos” without the tilda. Which means “TwoAnus.” Apparently. Yikes.
6. Sleeping in the room next to the boys bathroom. Which had indoor open windows for some unknown reason.
7. Listening to them pee (so hydrated).. and plunge when worse was committed.
8. Listening to the boys sing duets in the shower every night. (Specifically the night they tackled Greece The Musical.)
9. The circle story. Horribly curated around Jordie and WhaleMale.
10. Talking about our celeb crushes, and Michael goes, “This table has such low standards. Guys we may actually have a chance.“
11. Prayer. Lots and lots and lots of prayer.
12. When someone asked the sweet elderly woman, “How are you?” And they responded with, “I’ve been sitting here. Waiting for you.“
13. Learning obedience. Pray & Obey.
14. The yellow vanilla pine tree air freshener on the bus.
15. Influxuating Guat.
16. How wonderful it was to have an American in the kitchen. Who understood Thanksgiving delicacies. And what Gluten Free really means. Blissful.
17. How loved the orphans were.
18. Seeing how much all the babes had grown and learned and improved since last year.
19. Snuggling with tough boy Carlos. And then hearing him shout “Chica Loca!” Worth it.
20. When we asked 17 year old volunteer, Marsala, if she had a boyfriend and she responded with, “Nope. YOUNG AND FREE!!” And fist pumped the air.
21. Playing soccer in the pouring rain the last night we had together in Guat.
22. And then lighting fireworks with an 80% success rate… due to said rain.
23. Singing. And more singing.
24. Getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport. More singing. And Kohler rapping.
25. When everyone would pet El Tigre and I’d freak out and ruin it.  And sometimes Elder would hear my screams and come running over.
26. Carlos, the founder, accurately and wise touting “We preach a practical gospel.”

We love on the beautiful people of Guat. We fill their bellies, facilitate schooling, teach them games, snuggle them, and help provide the necessities. Thereby enabling Heaven to collide with Earth through simple acts of love.

Kingdom work.