Preparing for Guatemala

I am one that likes control, schedules, predictability, a well thought out plan. I have realized while that is a fine way to try to live life, it rarely happens. I agree with Eisenhower's quote regarding planning D-Day invasion, " In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable."  While the process of planning, thinking through possibilities, preparing for several executions of the plan is valuable, life does not read the plan. If one has a plan, one is able to adjust quickly to the unexpected. Also, if one stays in the mundane routine of day to day, one can miss so much joy, wonder, beauty that God created. The balance, however, is the necessities of responsibility, financial prudence, living godly moral life. Finding that balance is an ever changing act. 

The past few years my balance has been a journey of freedom: Freedom from fears, self-imposed limitations, cultural expectations, perfectionism.  Most recently, I have made a job change, tried new activities that I have always wanted but was too afraid to fail ( pottery on the wheel, archery, crossfit, skydiving, working prn as a PT). Now, I am traveling to Guatemala on Monday for 6 weeks.  

I am in a stage of life unlike any other. A season of learning trust and thankfulness on a new level. While I have peace about all the changes and opportunities, I have some reservations, occasional anxiety, and wonders. These two verses have been running aroung in my head lately. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Philipppians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Along the way, God has provided everything I needed. Even little things that in the big scheme of things don't matter. I am leaning into him. Trusting him for the unknown. Being outside of time, He is already there ahead of me, yet simultaneously walking with me.   

I will be taking language classes at the same school I attended three years ago in the afternoons. I will be doing physical therapy with a two and a three year old at an orphanage in the next town in the mornings. I will be using local transportation and living with a local family. At this point, you now know as much as I do about my time in Guatemala :)