"It doesn't seem possible..."

So many people have made this statement in the last week, voicing my sentiments exactly. It doesn't seem possible. Really, it doesn't. I'm a senior. And I'm leaving home this week to head back to college to finish my last year. I guess it's always seemed like time flies, but at the moment, it's going about the speed of light.

Today was my last Sunday at church for a while. A blessing as always. Worshipping God together with an amazing church family, talking to some pretty awesome people, and playing the organ again. :) I love playing the piano, but there is just something about an organ that I just can't get past. Changing the volume with the pedals, playing around with the stops, it's a pretty cool instrument. And I'm gonna miss getting to play it for church while I'm at college.

Now, the week of packing, goodbyes, and last details is upon me. Once again, I'm brought back to the words of James - "life is but a vapor." Truer words could not be spoken. Time marches on. And we only have one opportunity to use that time. So the question is, how will I use the short bit of time I have? How will you?

August 1...

Why was today different than any other day? Well, for one, I got to be in church. And that is special... even if I did get a headache and find it hard to concentrate. Going to church has always been important to me, but the last few weeks have served to give me a renewed gratitude for being able to be at church. I don't go to church because I have to. I go because I want to. Because I need to.

And God answered my prayers. I should be at all the rest of the church services between now and the day I leave to head back to Greenville and my senior year of college. From the stories I'd heard about scheduling at work recently, I didn't know what to expect. I asked off both Sundays to be involved in the music at my church. But you know how God is a really good God and just likes to show us how good He is? Not only did I have both Sundays off, but I will be able to be at church the next two Wednesday nights, too!

Second reason, roommates!!! I laughed to see all the Facebook posts and know that all the student body (well the half that lives in the dorms, anyway!) was as eagerly awaiting today as myself. Why? Today on Student Central, they finally posted the info about who our roomies will be for the next year of college. I'm outnumbered. One senior, 3 freshman. But that's okay. Because we are going to have the best year ever together.

Home from Honduras

Monday morning found me at the airport getting ready to leave the wonderful country of Honduras. After checking in and paying airport taxes, I had my last Honduran meal - a baleada - with the Conovers before heading out through security. 

My first flight was delayed, so I missed my second flight and then had several more delays on the new flight they put me on. However, I finally landed in Dulles at 2 A.M. Tuesday and made it home safely early afternoon, Gracias a Dios. 

Although I've finished my internship (other than an 8 page paper due in 1 1/2 weeks!), life's not back to normal. In some ways it is. I'm back at home and working again. But in other ways, I've been shaped by my time in Honduras. I left some of my heart in Honduras. I want to go back. I've learned a lot of things during my 9 weeks living in Honduras. And right now, I guess I'm sorting through all that. How is all that I've learned (about God, ministry, and more) going to change my daily life? How does it influence my future? This post might be ending now because I've run out of time, but somehow, I don't believe I've finished...

Boda y last Sunday

I'm very thankful for the chance to be able to stay and play piano for Hector y Paola's wedding. What a lovely ceremony and a lovely couple!

 My last Sunday at Faro de Luz. I'm so thankful for the chance to serve here and be a part of this church family for two months. Tonight I'm giving my testimony and also sharing about my experience here in Honduras. I still don't know what I'm going to say about my time here. How can I put into words and sum up all that is in my heart from my time here these last few months in just a couple minutes? And in Spanish?

I'm flying home tomorrow! Bittersweet... I want to be home again, but saying goodbye is always hard.

Last week in Honduras

Our next few days will be filled with practicing music for the wedding, wedding rehearsal, and the actual wedding. And that means that I have only a few days left here in Honduras. And as much as I'm looking forward to being home again, I'm really gonna miss this place... And these special people. 

 My 9-11 year olds sang in church last Sunday morning. I was supposed to accompany them on the piano (teclado), but the power went out 15-20 minutes before the service, so we practiced and sang without accompaniment. They sounded great too. It was wonderful to hear them singing the hymn and see them serving in the church through special music. I'm going to miss all these wonderful kiddos.

Siguatepeque trip

Wednesday we left San Pedro to go for a short trip to Siguatepeque. During our time there, I got to stay with another missionary couple. It has been interesting to meet several other missionaries here in Honduras and learn how God has been using them and different lessons they have learned through life. I think one of the many blessings I've had here is getting to listen to so many first-hand accounts and insights from different people about different life-lessons, ministry, living in a different country, and much more. On Thursday, I got to go to the Open Market and learn about buying produce and the skill of trying to get things for lower prices. 

 This is Siguatepeque. It's up in the mountains and a lot cooler than San Pedro Sula. Wednesday evening in the rain it got down to 66 degrees. COLD! For the first time during my internship, I put on a sweater. A lot different than the 100-115 degrees in San Pedro...

 Friday we went to La Esperanza, a town higher in the mountains. We visited Baptist missionaries up there and had a wonderful time talking with them. We also got to ride their horses a little bit. My first time ever!

 This is their church up in La Esperanza. Beautiful place and wonderful missionary couple.

 A Catholic shrine at the top of La Esperanza. They have all this outward beauty but lack the true beauty of a place where the Gospel is preached.

Copán

Hermano Carlos and his family took me to Copán to learn more about the wonderful country called Honduras. We saw the beautiful Mayan ruins on Monday and then Tuesday went to Macaw Mountain before heading back to San Pedro.

 

 They had some macaws and parrots flying free that we were able to hold.