It’s time for half 2 of my Guatemala recap + a peek into this previous week)! I nonetheless can’t recover from what an unbelievable journey this was and I hope you’ll take pleasure in studying in regards to the second half of my journey. (If you happen to missed the primary recap, you’ll be able to discover it right here.) 

Day 4 in Guatemala began like all of the others — down by the lake earlier than most everybody was up. I might run a mile on a tiny path forwards and backwards and forwards and backwards after which take in the surroundings and skim my Bible and pray.

One factor I used to be not ready for was how completely lovely this a part of the nation was. And the way quiet it will be (nicely, aside from the karaoke each evening after we have been making an attempt to sleep!).

We drove half-hour to a extra distant village faculty the place the younger folks led a VBS for the children whereas the 4 ladies on our staff met with the mothers.

There have been round 30 mothers who got here. We had been informed that the mothers would probably be shy and reserved and lots of wouldn’t know Jesus. That was undoubtedly the case. We performed a sport to heat them up — which they beloved.

I acquired to share my story of how Jesus has impacted my life and so they really listened very intently. However after we requested them any questions, it was crickets.

We ended up pivoting to a coloring web page after which we went round and individually talked with them. I discovered that asking the query, “Inform me what your day appears to be like like” was an ideal springboard to discovering out extra about their life and asking extra questions and attending to share encouragement with them.

They beloved the coloring web page and spent virtually an hour coloring intimately. We talked about how, identical to every of their coloring pages was distinctive, so God had made every of them distinctive and particular. Girls usually don’t have a lot of a voice and work so onerous on this tradition, so I needed them to every really feel seen and valued by their time with us.

We ended our time by enjoying just a few enjoyable video games.

Since there have been 3 languages represented, we needed to get inventive with video games. This one was the place every individual would add one motion after which have to recollect all of the actions from the individuals who had already gone. Their laughter made me so pleased!

Within the afternoon, we drove again to Santiago to show the ladies we’d met with on Days 1 & 2 tips on how to make chocolate chip cookies – one thing they by no means had earlier than since they don’t have ovens and among the components can be fairly onerous to come back by of their space.

They have been so enthusiastic about it and beloved how they tasted! (And we have been excited to have them educate us to make one in every of their favourite meals the subsequent day!)

Day 5 in Guatemala began out eventfully — first off, I wakened with an allergic response. My eyes have been all swollen and it felt like I had a nasty head chilly. I used to be depressing and wasn’t certain how I used to be going to get by the day — and I used to be alleged to be sharing the message once more with the ladies on the faculty that morning.

Then there was a mishap on our drive and one thing occurred to the tire. Apparently a screw fell out… gratefully we have been all protected and just a few blocks from the varsity so we walked the remainder of the best way there.

Then, we acquired to the varsity and never one single mother confirmed up.

It was loopy. The day earlier than there have been mothers in all places and that day there have been no mothers. Whereas we waited the opposite three ladies on our staff went and prayed over the totally different rooms of the varsity and I ended up sitting in a classroom and crying out to the Lord to please assist me not really feel so depressing so I may give attention to one thing apart from blowing my nostril.

I additionally googled what different meds I may take and ended up taking a combo of Mucinex, Zyrtec, and Zicam. I not often ever take meds, however I used to be fairly determined!

Guess what… Not solely did the med elixir revive me, however we ended up getting to satisfy with the lecturers of the varsity and spend a morning simply listening to about their lives, encouraging them, performing some enjoyable actions with them (they mentioned, “we by no means get to do stuff like this!”), and sharing Jesus with them. It ended up being so particular!

Later that day, the candy girls we had spent a lot time with on this journey needed to show us tips on how to make Tamelitos de chipilin. We had the BEST time studying from them!

I used to be chosen because the designated individual to place all of the tamalitos within the pot — I used to be the one one who may contact them after which it was my job to stick with the pot the entire time till they have been absolutely steamed.

They mentioned that is their native custom and if anybody however one individual touches them it’ll make the tamalitos offended.

The women did come and examine on me commonly since they mentioned I wouldn’t know once they have been accomplished — which is totally true!

The completed tamalitos have been scrumptious!! I’m planning to share how we made these quickly, with all of the step-by-step particulars, as a result of I’ve a bunch extra pics to share!

This was undoubtedly one of many highlights of the journey — particularly as a result of we knew the women fairly nicely after spending hours with them on this journey. We have been teasing forwards and backwards and laughing a lot — regardless of the language barrier!

Amongst many great issues about this journey, I additionally fell in love with fried plantains. And dragonfruit was in season so we ate quite a lot of it!

After I acquired residence, Jesse purchased me these candy plantains! I made them within the air fryer and it was SO straightforward and so they have been actually good. I believe they tasted sweeter in Guatemala however they have been nonetheless good. And most of my household hadn’t tried them earlier than so I beloved attending to introduce them!

On our final full day in Guatemala, we took a ship throughout the lake – it was attractive!

I discussed this earlier, however the views in Guatemala have been simply so beautiful!!

We then spent a while in Antigua — which was completely lovely! I need to come again right here to spend so much extra time!

We stayed in Antigua in a single day after which acquired up tremendous early (needed to be on the bus at 2:45 a.m.) to drive to Guatemala Metropolis to fly again to Nashville!

My final image in Guatemala! What a particular journey it was and I can’t wait to get to return once more! It was deeply significant for lots of causes, however particularly as a result of David’s household is from Guatemala!

I acquired residence Thursday night and spent the subsequent two days recovering from my journey and getting caught up on enterprise work and hanging out with my household!

We left on Sunday afternoon for Georgia and spent the entire week there for a baseball match!

As I discussed final week, Silas broke his hand at a baseball sport whereas I used to be in Guatemala. So he wasn’t capable of play in any respect within the match, however he acquired to educate first base for a number of video games and cheer on his staff. I used to be so happy with him and the character I noticed in him this previous week.

These three did SO nicely in any respect the video games — and all of the driving this previous week! The video games have been at quite a lot of totally different places throughout Georgia so we spent 5-6 hours within the automotive most days!

We additionally beloved getting to take a look at a number of native espresso and a doughnut store!

We normally watch David 24/7, however I left the boys for two minutes whereas I used to be engaged on one thing and thought they have been being so quiet — after which got here out to see this!!

I solely acquired to run a mile a day whereas I used to be in Guatemala, so once I got here again residence, it took me an excellent week to get again into working. I needed to construct again as much as the tempo and distance I had been doing, however I slowly acquired again to it!

Jesse and I had one of the best power coaching date evening this week! However this man pushed me onerous and I wasn’t certain if I’d have the ability to transfer my arms the subsequent day (fortunately, I may!)… nevertheless it was so enjoyable and I believe we’re going to start out doing this commonly!

Additionally, I did the InBody scan for the primary time in 10 years! I used to be so excited as a result of my numbers are SO a lot more healthy than they have been then.

And sure, I’ve gained 10 kilos since then however I additionally gained 4.5 kilos of muscle! I used to be fairly stoked about that! Hoping so as to add not less than just a few extra kilos of muscle this subsequent yr!

What I’m Studying…

I’m at present studying Rooted in Surprise, Soul Care (this has been so good!), and My Pals (this one I’m nonetheless unsure on – however I’m persevering with to learn it as a result of it has had some lovely components in it thus far… however I simply don’t know what I’m going to assume when it’s accomplished! Have you ever learn it?)

What I’m Watching….

Kierstyn and I’ve been watching the most recent season of America’s Sweethearts. I discover it actually fascinating how a lot goes into making it to the DCC staff. I additionally love how a lot they’ve acknowledged the Lord within the seasons and it’s been an ideal springboard for lots of fine discussions with Kierstyn.

She and I’ve additionally been watching All Creatures Nice and Small (thus far, I’m not stepping into it as a lot as I as into When Calls the Coronary heart however I’m solely on season 2 so possibly it’ll develop on me!)

And Jesse and I are watching season 4 of Particular Forces: World’s Hardest Take a look at.

What I’m Listening To…

Within the hours and hours that we spent within the automotive this week in Georgia, we listened to the Annie soundtrack on Spotify time and again! 🙂

Walmart has some wonderful offers on skirts and attire proper now — with costs beginning as little as $10!!

Wow! For a restricted time, Sew Repair is providing $40 off your first Repair to all lecturers!

Simply go right here and join (or log into your account), then confirm your instructor standing with ID.me to get your $40 off coupon!

This can be a nice time to seize some new garments for an ideal deal.

In Case You Missed It — Hyperlinks from Latest Weeks: 

• 25 Methods to Save Cash on Groceries — With 6 youngsters and the ever-increasing value of groceries, I’ve discovered rather a lot through the years about how to economize on groceries. On this put up, you’ll discover 25 of my finest, most sensible concepts —  those I really use each single week, whilst a busy mother and enterprise proprietor.
• 7 of My Favourite Fiction Books — One of many adjustments I’m most enthusiastic about this yr is that I’ve fallen again in love with studying fiction. This put up has among the finest fiction books on my bookshelf that I extremely advocate!
• My Favourite Non-Fiction Books — These are 14 of one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever learn. I hope you’re keen on them as a lot I do!
• 10 Genius Facet Hustles for Teenagers — Most teenagers solely hear about mowing lawns and babysitting…however there are such a lot of different inventive (and higher-paying!) methods for them to become profitable! This freebie suggests jobs that can assist teenagers develop necessary expertise and earn vital cash this summer season.