becomingbrave6

[becomingbrave6]

50 Days

50 days since I moved back home from Ecuador after two years of teaching there. 50 days filled with a lot of processing, adapting, and confronting new challenges- including a world pandemic, as I’m sure you can empathize. I’ve quickly entered a new season of my life. I’m sure I’m not alone in that. For me, and probably for others, it’s a season of waiting. I am grateful for it, as hard as it may be, because it’s forced me to pause. And pausing has been something that is not always easy for me to do with the constant ebb and flow of life.

I think that this time is teaching many of us a lot about ourselves. Maybe it’s helping us to pay attention to things we don’t normally pay attention to. Maybe it’s making us realize we need to change what we are investing our time into. Maybe it’s enabling us to try things we’ve been putting off for months or years. Maybe it’s inspiring us to give more. Maybe it’s causing us to appreciate that which we have been taking for granted. Maybe it’s making us rely more on our faith than we have in a while. Regardless of what it is, I think we all are in a common season that has forced us to pause. But if there is anything I have learned in my life, it’s that God meets us in the stillness, in the waiting. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” When we are in the middle of the process, it’s the best time for our faith to be strengthened. It’s the place where we are forced to depend and rely on our trust in the God who we know. The God of MIRACLES that we read about in the Bible. The God who has brought us this far, providing for us over and over again. It’s the best opportunity to test the truth we’ve always believed. And this is what I am having to remind myself, so maybe you need to hear it too.

Before I get into it, I want to first say that in the four months of 2020 so far, I have already seen God’s hand at work in my life. Through encouragement, protection, and provision. Not to mention the THOUSANDS of times before 2020 that he has consistently shown up over and over again for me. But right now, I want to focus on what I’ve seen from Him recently.

Encouragement

First, I felt deeply encouraged when I left Ecuador (if you read my last post, you know this). I was very blessed and encouraged by my friends who helped me to accomplish everything that I needed to in order to get home. I felt very appreciated and encouraged by my staff, students, and friends. I received many gifts and letters that deeply ministered to my heart and reflected the impact that I had made there. God also blessed me by giving me the opportunity to host friends and family who visited me in my final month. And finally, Galapagos, which had been a dream come true. Maybe this sounds dumb, but it truly felt like it was a reward for the triumphs.

One day, there in Galapagos, when I on the ferry traveling between islands, I remember a specific moment, looking out at the turquoise blue waters glittering under the reflection of golden beams of sunlight, watching peaceful islands hovering on the horizon, listening to the splash of ocean waves, and feeling wonderfully alive. You know those moments? Where you feel free and invincible? They’re rare and therefore, memorable. In that moment, I was overwhelmed with contentment about all He had led me through up to that point in time. I felt a sense of empowerment, closure, and completion. And I knew in my heart that God was blessing me.

Protection

Furthermore, my transition out of Ecuador could not have been more timely considering the turn of events. Originally, I had considered staying in Ecuador through the end of March in order to plan more traveling experiences. In fact, I would have definitely stayed if it hadn’t been for a job opportunity that was presented to me (it actually FOUND me). Because of this reason, I came home earlier to start my new position. If I hadn’t left when I did, I would have undoubtedly been stuck there, and I can’t even imagine being away from my family in a time like this. It is such a major blessing that I arrived to my home safely and on time, and I fully believe that was Him protecting me.

My welcome home sign from my family

Provision

Finally, the temporary position that I obtained has been such a huge blessing during this time, giving me a source of income. I was teaching in the school for one week before the pandemic hit, and we went into full-on digital learning mode. It was a huge learning curve, but I learned so much. We had to get creative with instruction through technology, and I even got to put my Spanish to practice having to communicate with some parents (my Spanish teacher would be so proud). I was able to work with an extremely wonderful group of teachers, who were so considerate and supportive as well as a sweet group of students.

Thank you basket from my awesome team.

A gift from one of my teammates.

On my way to a job fair!

Waiting

All that being said, my temporary position officially ended yesterday, which means that I am now looking for employment. I have been actively looking for a full-time teaching position since I came home and still am. If I’m being real, this part is hard for me. If you know me, you know I like to have a plan, and to be in control. So when I’m not, I really feel tested in my faith. And I’m feeling that now. I think that’s why God brings me to these seasons of waiting, because He knows that I am force to really depend on Him. So, here I am, being open and vulnerable about it. I had a few potential opportunities that I had been hopeful about, but they ended up not working out for various reasons. That was hard because I felt discouraged. But I’ve been reading Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Collins, and in one of her chapters, she talks about not taking no as the final answer (no, that does not mean demanding a job haha). There was one part I read that really got to me. She wrote, “I am successful because I refuse to take no for an answer. I am successful because I have never once believed that my dreams were someone else’s to manage. That’s the incredible part about your dreams: nobody gets to tell you how big they can be.”

Then, she wrote, “What if life isn’t happening to you? What if all of it is happening for you?...You don’t see things as they are; you see things through the lens of what you think and feel and believe. Perception is reality, and I’m here to tell you that your reality is colored much more by your past experiences than by what is actually happening to you...Every single part of your life-your gratitude, the way you manage stress, how kind you are- can be changed by a shift in your perception.” And so- I’m shifting my perception. I’m fighting the lies, the fear, and the let-downs to fully trust that God is going to bring me to not just any position, but the right position. One that will allow me to thrive in the ways I need to. That doesn’t mean I won’t have hard days. That doesn’t mean I won’t wrestle with those negative feelings and thoughts, but at the end of the day, I am choosing to believe that God will take care of me just like I have seen Him do over and over again. I am choosing to believe His plan is bigger than my plan, and I will praise Him before my breakthrough.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD your God with all your heard and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

I share this hoping to encourage anyone else who may be in a similar place. I know life has been hard, especially in this pandemic, and hopefully, we can come together to get through this. If you are feeling similar, I would LOVE to pray for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and send me a private message on Facebook, and I’d love to pray for you. I would also appreciate your prayers as well. 

We are all in this together.

[becomingbrave6]

End of an Era

At the beginning of this formidable journey, I listened to a song with lyrics that were very meaningful to me regarding the decision I’d made. They represented my process. First, the beginning: “...breathe in, breathe out. At the foot of this mountain I only see clouds...” Then, the struggle: “...each brave step forward, I take three steps behind...”, and then finally, the change: “...slowly, then all at once. Dark clouds depart when the damage is done. So pardon the dust, while this all settles in. With a broken heart, transformation begins.” I loved this song because it recognizes that transformation happens when you experience tribulation, and this is what drove me to press on even when things were hard. I recently read a quote, “You’ll never be brave if you don’t get hurt. You’ll never learn if you don’t make mistakes. You’ll never be successful if you don’t encounter failure.” People ask me, “Why did you decide to go to Ecuador?” This is why. I knew that God was leading me into a transformation that He knew I needed, and that I knew that I needed, even though I didn’t exactly know what that meant or could see how it would unfold in the beginning. I had been living in comfortability for a long time, and I wasn’t ever satisfied by it. This was the beginning of me stepping into deeper waters, where my trust was without borders. This was the beginning of me becoming brave.

And now, this part of my journey ends here. Never really thought that the day would come, but it’s really, actually here. Today officially marks the end of an era in my life. One that has been radically monumental in shaping me. Today, one of my friends said to me, “You did it.” And I don’t think those three words have ever meant so much before now. In this moment, I’m sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight back to Atlanta, and it's still not real for me yet. Every time I’ve done this flight in the past, it's been roundtrip. This time, it’s one-way. It’s crazy that this place has been my world for the past two years, and all of the feelings I’m flooded with are definitely bittersweet. I am totally humbled by how blessed I’ve been to be able to do all that I have done. 

This period of time in Ecuador has changed my life for the better in so many ways. It’s enabled me to establish myself as a professional in my first contracted position. In becoming confident in myself as a teacher. It’s enabled me to develop new skills and approaches to my instructional practice. It’s made me have more grace and respect for myself than I used to. It’s taught me that rest is imperative and that I’m worthy of breaks. It’s enabled me to serve others and impact lives in my community. It’s also given me so much perspective in regards to culture, travel, teaching, and loving. Just to name a few ways. I’ve gained so much from this experience. I can now say that I truly have been stretched, challenged, and shaped into a braver version of myself. Some days were really trying, but every tribulation allowed me to become more resilient and reliant on Christ. I have learned and am definitely still learning that there are some things I cannot control, prepare for, or fix, and that I’ve just gotta let God take care of it. At the end of the day, I have to be content with the fact that if I gave my best, that’s enough. I am proud of the way that I have pushed myself, and I’m still far from where I want to be, but I’m grateful for the triumphs I’ve gained through this experience. In my heaviest moments, God always carried me into the morning of the next day. And I know that He is not finished with me yet.

One of the things I’m most thankful for is the people that I’ve met during my time here. I know I’ve said that before, but it’s true. In the beginning and at times, it was hard not to feel the weight of loneliness. But eventually, I gained a circle of genuine, kind-hearted people who supported me and were always willing to help me. Words cannot express how deeply grateful I am to every single person who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself, in Ecuador, and at home. Each of you are important to me in a unique and deep way. I see you all and am deeply grateful for you all. Many times the encouragement of those around me helped me to push myself, and I am so blessed that my path crossed with some of the people I’ve met in Ecuador. I’ve made meaningful connections that I will cherish forever. It will be hard not seeing some of those people so often, but I know that we’ll stay in touch. I will miss my precious students, and I will never forget them. They were my first students! Some of them have already sent me some emails telling me they’ve been doing tiktoks or are visiting Disney hahah. I have so much love in my heart for them, and I hope I get to see them grow and prosper one day. A piece of my heart now belongs to them and this country, and always will.

  Just a brief update as far as to what I’ve been doing... I finished the school year early February and had a month off of work, so I spent the month of February traveling to some of my favorite places in Ecuador: Baños, Cuenca, and Montañita. My parents and sister came out to visit me, and I had the privilege of showing them around where I’ve been living, and some of the places I just mentioned. They were able to get taste of Ecuador. I showed them my stomping grounds, took them to the highlands, and then we finished the trip at the beach. We more or less ate our way through Ecuador from bolón, to locro de papa, to ceviche. It was such a blast being their guide, and my Spanish was for sure put to the test! Haha. Pero todo estuvo bien! ;) I also got to travel with some friends, which has been so special.  I spent five days in Galapagos, something I’ve been dreaming of doing since day one. It was absolutely breath-taking, and the perfect way to finish my time in Ecuador, just soaking up the incredible natural beauty and wildlife. Like there are truly no words to describe it I felt so content being there in awe of God’s creation and artistry. Nowhere else compares. We saw sea lions, giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, sea lions, blue footed booties, crazy-looking fish, and more sea lions. We also swam with sharks which was insane and terrifying but soooo cool!!! I had an incredible time experiencing all of that with my best friend, Anna. I then returned back to Guayaquil to take care of some final errands and to say goodbye to all of my people there. I was so fortunate to have so many people help me finish out things I needed to do in a short amount of time. It was a bit stressful, but with the grace of God, everything got done, and my apartment was emptied in time! And now, here I am, on my way home. What. a. ride.

All of that being said, I have so much excitement for the brink of this new chapter. I know that even if I’m home, adventure awaits. I can still be brave being home too. I look forward to where God will lead me next, ready to walk into new challenges and trials with stronger faith. I’m looking forward to having more quality time with family and friends back home. It’s been hard to be so far from them, and I definitely feel the need to invest more time in those relationships at this time. As far as a job, I don’t have everything completely figured out yet, but my plan is to hopefully teach at a school close to home. I have not yet had a contracted position in the U.S., and I am hopefully looking forward to that experience in order to grow even more as a teacher. I am so blessed that I’ve already been given an opportunity to fulfill a temporary long-term substitute position, which I will start first thing when I get back on Monday. God is already taking care of me. I’m about to hit the ground running, but I’m so excited for what the new future holds, and can’t wait to be home again. For good this time. I may not know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.

[becomingbrave6]

Two Years

It’s all coming to an end. And it’s starting to hit me. Half a week left of working at the school. One day left with my little ones. This chapter of my life is abruptly coming to a close, and I can’t seem to keep up with the speed of it. It’s surreal. This place has been my normal for what seems like so long now. I’ve been so consumed with everyday life and responsibilities that it’s so hard to believe the fact that this season is really ending. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven).

I’ve been processing a lot at the moment, with this transition being on the brink. I’m feeling a lot of emotions at once. Along with that, this week my dog Maximus passed away. While I knew that it was coming, I still don’t think I could have ever prepared for how hard it would be. He was my best friend since I was 11 years old, and it has been difficult to accept that he won’t be around anymore when I go home. All of these things, all at once, have been a bit heavy, but I know that this is just the season I’m in.  I’ll be officially leaving Ecuador in a little over a month to come back home, for good this time. I can’t believe that it’s already been two years. 

I remember the start of it all, and feeling a pull to come to Ecuador. There were so many signs that pointed me here. I didn’t fully understand why, but it became clear that this was a door God had opened for me. Something drew me in. Now, looking back, I believe that God knew that I needed it. In so many ways: A fresh start, independency, new challenges, the solitude (as hard as it was), personal growth, experiencing new aspects of life, and most of all, I needed to walk in faith.

The decision was hard then, and I only had a few days to make it. I remember praying fervently and feeling the weight of it on my shoulders. The commitment seemed huge. I went back and forth, weighing pros vs. cons, imagining life without my friends and family so near. Life outside of what I considered comfortable. Everytime I would start to think of not going, my mind would start to wonder about all of the things that I would miss out on if I didn’t go. The purpose God was calling me to. The people I would meet. The potential growth. The experiences I would have.  Opportunities I’d never know. The adventures I’d be turning down. I felt a prompting that I couldn’t deny, and though I was terrified to say yes, I was even more terrified to say no... And so, I went. 

The first day that I arrived in Ecuador, my dad was with me, helping me settle, and we sat down for lunch in a cafe. Out of nowhere, I just.. lost it. I became totally overwhelmed with the reality of the decision I had made. Thoughts of doubt that were seeping in, “What have I done?”, “I can’t do this.”, “What will I do when Dad leaves?” And in the midst of all these thoughts, I can honestly tell you that God met me in that moment, and He covered me with a sense of complete peace, comfort, and love. I felt His whisper, “I have you. Walk with me.” I knew then that He would take care of me, despite every uncertainty that I had, and I knew that He had a purpose in me being there. I decided then that if I was going to do this, I would need to depend on Him completely.

Now, two years later, I’m on the other side, in complete awe of the grand scheme.  I am humbled that God has carried me through this season to this point. In the thick of it, I struggled through some dark moments and heart-aches. There were days where I felt pushed to my limit, but God always met me at my lowest lows and gently carried me into the grace of the next morning. Being real, there have been moments where I struggled to find validation in my purpose, over-criticizing myself. Regardless, He continuously solidified my purpose into the core of who I am and into the depths of my heart. He used the right sources and voices to point me back to Him when I found myself drifting. And in every moment, good and bad, He has always been there with me and continues to be. 

Looking back at who I was two years ago, I’m so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and came here. It has brought so much joy and purpose into my life in ways that I never knew I needed. It’s molded me into a more perceptive, appreciative, and braver version of myself. I know this experience was essential to the personal growth that I needed, and furthermore, to the future plans that God has for me (whatever that will be). What an incredibly humbling journey this has been. My faith has been stretched. I’ve learned so much, gained so much, and am so immensely thankful.

While I’m on the brink of an exciting new season ahead, I’d be lying if I said this transition was going be easy. There are so many things that I’ve come to love here in Ecuador. Things that I wish I didn’t have to leave behind. I am going to miss the people who I do everyday life with. People who I have grown to care deeply for and admire. I am going to miss the little faces of my students who will forever hold a special place in my heart, being my first group. I will miss the culture, food, music, traveling on weekends, and more, but I know that God has a new season ahead for me, and I look forward to what’s next. 

I’m also looking forward to a well-deserved break (if I do say so myself), and some adventures that lie ahead. I have a few visitors coming out to see me in the next month before I return back❤️, including some of my family who will be coming in a little less than two weeks. I can’t wait to show them my stomping grounds. I will also be spending some days in the Galapagos with my best friend Anna (I can’t wait!!!!). I plan to soak up all my favorite parts of Ecuador in my last month here and live life to the fullest. Too many blessings to be thankful for.

Thank you for your continuous support, encouragement, and love throughout this journey. I appreciate your prayers as I finish strong at CM in this last week 💪🏼 and begin this transition to come back home. You can be praying that God clearly leads me into where He has me next, and gives me strength in this emotional time.

Thank you for believing in me!

[becomingbrave6]

Heartstrings

I’ve tried to write out this post more than once (I have multiple drafts...), but I haven’t really been able to find the words to express everything that has been on my heart over these past months. Sooo much. And while there have been so many things to say, I feel that I haven’t had much time to be still and just- process and find the words. You know how it goes. You just go and go and go, In your day-to-day routine.. For me- even when I get ‘down time’, it seems to get filled up in seconds with things on things to do. It’s hard to find time to pause, reflect, and process. So now that I’m on break, hopefully I can finally express what I’ve been wanting to say.

I’ll start with a general update. Right now, I am home in Georgia for Christmas for two weeks. This is the first time I’ve been home in 9 months, which is the longest I’ve ever been away. I’m relieved to be reunited with family and friends. This time has been much-needed. I have really been enjoying spending time off with loved ones, and I’m looking forward to catching up with friends in these next days before I return to Ecuador.

This upcoming February, I will have completed my two-year contract with the school I have been working at in Ecuador, Colegio Menor. I will have accomplished my original mission! It is absolutely crazy to think that those two years have almost come to an end. Time has flown by, and it’s surreal. If you had asked me a few years ago if I had thought that this would have been possible, I would have probably laughed and told you, “Not a chance”. I never would have envisioned making it to this point, but I am grateful to say that I have done so only by the goodness of God and the relentless support of my people. 

Furthermore, I have decided not to renew my contract. My experience in Ecuador has been totally invaluable to my personal, spiritual, and professional growth. However, I know that it is time for me to begin a new chapter. People have been asking me what my plan is for what’s next.. The truth is that I don’t really have one all mapped out yet. I know that I definitely would like to spend some time being closer to family, and I have a few ideas in mind in relation to my profession. But still not a set plan, and if I’m being real, I don’t really like that I don’t have one. If you know me, you know that I like to have a plan and be in control (to a bit of a fault). I’d definitely never advise anyone to leave a job before finding another. However, I will be returning to the states towards the end of the school year, and so, the timing is not completely ideal for finding a teaching contract.

Nonetheless, despite my own worries and uncertainty, I completely and totally trust that God is going to show me what’s next in His good timing. He has always done so in my past, and He will now. My faith in Him helps me to dismiss those doubtful thoughts when they come- and that is what I’ll continue to hold on to. Mark 9:23 states, “..Everything is possible for one who believes.” I’m sure it won’t be an easy process, and there will be a lot of kinks to work out, but He will show me the way- I am sure. I know that teaching in Ecuador has already positioned me for my next job, whatever that will be. I think that God is uniquely equipping me and enabling me for wherever He has me next. I want to remain completely attentive to His plan for me. Sometimes He strips us down to nothing in order for us to depend on Him for everything. Sometimes that means a season of waiting. And if I must wait, so be it.

Naturally, I’ve been starting to process this change little by little before it has even begun. I’ve had to start telling people about it and doing some necessary tasks. Crazy how those moments solidify the decision and make it more and more real each day. I know that it’s going to be hard to transition back, and I’m already mentally and emotionally preparing. I’m starting to recognize the things I’m going to miss about Ecuador. People who I have grown to care deeply for. Places that I go frequently. Restaurants (the fooood in general). Things that have become my new normal. I keep thinking, “Wow, I’m gonna miss this.” It’s hard to grasp the fact that soon I won’t be near them anymore.

That being said, this year has been satiated with so much to be thankful for. Living on my own has shaped me immensely, embracing dependency on Christ in many ways. I’ve learned a lot- sometimes by failing, sometimes from the words of those wiser than me, sometimes by taking a risk. I’ve been working on being braver, stepping fully out of my comfort zone. I think that this required me detaching myself from what I had been used to in order to really push myself beyond what I knew I was capable of (with Christ, of course). In that, I’ve been learning to love who I am presently while recognizing that I still wish to refine myself in many ways: like seeing rest as imperative and non-negotiable, being more intentional about being kind, having compassion for others, letting go instead of over-analyzing; the list goes on. I’m blessed to have had the constant and consistent support of my family and friends, even though I’ve been away from them for far too long. I have worked through many challenges, and ultimately, I am especially proud of how I am evolving as an individual and as a professional. I know that I still have much to learn ahead of me, but this experience has shaped me and molded me in countless ways that I hope God will use in the near future. I’m so thankful for my family, my friends, my coworkers, my students, my growth as a 2nd-year teacher, my job, my country, living in Ecuador, the friendships I’ve developed, the opportunities of travel I’ve had, my accomplishments, and much more. To God be the glory.

One of the things that I love about teaching is that I also get to learn. Learning never stops, and I am passionate for learning about the world.  Nelson Mandela said it well: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”I looove getting to learn from my students. Their little minds teach me so much about life and perspective. They keep me young and remind me to never lose my passion to explore. I have also loved having companions from other parts of the world. We often have thoughtful, authentic conversations about life that have brought insight and perspective from international points of view. I’ve fallen in love with the Ecuadorian culture, and have loved learning about other cultures that I’ve had glimpses of through traveling (Netherlands, England, Italy, Aruba). 

My placement here has enabled me to experience a deep appreciation for my own country combined with the appreciation of other countries. I know that I have so much more to learn ahead of me, but I love expanding my perspective of the world and developing my own beliefs through it all. I know I’ve said this before, but it brings me a sense of closeness to God- seeing all that He’s created and how his love for us is woven through all of the intricate, complex fabrics of life. It’s also made me more intuitive, considerate, and confident in who I am than I was two years ago. I hope that I continue to become someone who makes changes, takes action, and stays brave. A powerful weapon is something that you use.. something that requires action to function properly. I want to put to use what I’m learning by being a contributor wherever I am; being someone who influences their surroundings through actions- demonstrating integrity and serving others, serving the community and environment to the best of my ability. I also hope that my story might inspire others to be brave, no matter the circumstances. You never know until you try and push yourself beyond your own self-constructed limits. I firmly believe that God blesses those who step out of their comfort zone. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” From my own experience, I can testify that it has already blessed me in countless ways, and I believe it will continue to in my future. While it hasn’t always been easy, I know that it has been worth it.

I really strive to teach my students the importance of caring and respect for others. It’s not always an easy task, but it is important to me. Lately, I’ve been trying to teach them about being kind to others, even those they don’t know. We recently started a random acts of kindness project, and I loved seeing how they became so excited about being kind towards others; holding doors, complimenting others, helping someone who dropped their books, writing encouragements, etc. I hope that I can instill a mentality of compassion in them while they are young, care and respect for others, a desire to learn, and an aspiration to change the world through small actions. Showing each of them that they matter, have a voice, and can use it for good.

So, all of that to say that 2019 has truly been a year that I am proud of and will never forget. Yet, I am thrilled for what 2020 will hold. I know that this upcoming year will bring with it new challenges ahead, as well as new opportunities. I want to finish well in Ecuador, giving my very best and soaking up this experience in full. I hope that I can apply all that I have learned in these two years to whatever position God will lead me to next. I plan to further expand my understanding of this world, while serving others to the best of my ability. The 1920s had a pretty good reputation, so... let’s make the 2020s exceed expectations. 

[becomingbrave6]

Year 2

Hello all you lovely people! It’s been a few months since I have had a chance to give an update, so I wanted to share with you how things are going. I had an absolutely incredible “summer” break during February and March. My friend Anna came to Ecuador to see me. I went to Florida with my family. I traveled throughout some of Europe with my friend Kayla for two weeks, and I spent a month home visiting friends and family, and my dog/son Maximus. It was the perfect amount of time spent sight-seeing, adventuring, and rejuvenating. I fell in complete love with Italy, and also with some of the major cities I was privileged to visit, like London and Amsterdam. Here are some photos from my time. What a time to be aliiiiive!! Total bliss.

At the end of March, I returned to Ecuador to begin my second year teaching abroad. I had a week to settle in before we hit the ground running with training and prepping for the year. I am absolutely loving my new living space! I am enjoying the location of my new apartment. I can walk just about anywhere that I need, and I am right next to a park, where I love to go running.

At school, our administration made some changes this year, so our grade level (4th Grade) became departmentalized. This means that I am teaching less subjects, as opposed to last year when I taught all. This year I am teaching Language Arts and Social Studies only. I am also teaching more students! I now teach two groups instead of one; students rotate throughout the day (that’s 45 little people!!). In the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect with the change because I had never been departmentalized before, but I liked the idea of having more students and less focus on content. 

I am now five weeks into my second year, and I am already feeling a big difference overall with the workload and management of my classes, in a positive way. There are a lot of great benefits to this layout that I am really enjoying. I feel that I have more time to focus on my students’ needs, and that is something that is so important to me! Last year, I found myself spending most of my work days working two extra hours (sometimes more) in order to keep up with the work load. This year, I am finding that I am able to be more prepared and organized, which has helped me to minimize a lot of stress. Nothing is perfect, but the alleviation is tremendous. 

A few of the friends I have made here have left / are leaving, which has been a little bit hard, but I am so happy for them and the directions they’re heading in. I am grateful that I was able to meet such amazing, encouraging people over this year. I am not sure what I would have done without their support, and I wish them the absolute best in their future endeavors. They are incredibly kind, ambitious people, and I am fortunate that I have met them. I know they were placed in my life for a reason!

I have started to make some new friends this year, which has been a blessing already. I have been able to do some traveling to the beach, which has been so lovely. I told myself that I wanted to visit the beaches in Ecuador more, and I have already been able to go three times since I came back in March!!

During the new year, I told myself that this year my goal and focus is to be more others-oriented. Last year, I felt like I had to focus a lot on myself in order to get through many of the challenges that I faced. It was definitely the hardest year of my life thus far, but it also brought with it so much reward and accomplishment that I could have never been capable of if I hadn’t taken the risk to come here. I have learned so much about who I am to the CORE, and God had walked me through some of the darkest and most lonely moments that I have faced. He placed people in my life who I needed in order to get through it. I learned just how passionate I really am about this work, and he has instilled in me so much love for these little people.  It was hard feeling unable to give as much as I wanted to give to them, and that weighed heavily on me since that is what I came here to do. I had to learn to take care of myself before I could take care of others. I learned to be flexible (an understatement - (iykyk)). I am learning to be patient (still working on this one). I learned that I was doing the best that I could have done with my situation. The lessons I learned were invaluable to the development of my character and profession.

So, this year is about giving it my all. I want to focus more on my students and helping others. I have already started doing this little by little. I feel like I already know my students more than I did at this point last year, and I have twice as many students! I can see how God has provided for me, is providing for me, and I know that I can do all things through Him, who strengthens me. I am excited to see what He accomplishes through me this year. After this year, my contract will be finished.. and I will need to decide what is next, but for now, I am grateful for the opportunity I have to grow professionally this year. I’m ready for this year’s adventures, challenges, and growth. Here we go!!! 

[becomingbrave6]

First Year Completed

And just like that, the school year is over!! Time has rapidly flown by, and my first year teaching (& abroad) comes to a close in the blink of an eye. Unreal. Many people have been asking me, “How do you feel having finished your first year teaching?” I’ve contemplated my answer, and there are truly no words to describe this feeling. I have been immersed in my day-to-day routine for a while, so focused on my job, and to step back and reflect on the vastness of all that has been accomplished is truly eye-opening. To say the least, I feel accomplished, in a very humbling way. All the glory of anything I have been able to do goes completely and totally to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. He has 100% enabled me to do what I had believed was unthinkable. I know that I also couldn’t have made it through this year without the constant encouragement, support, and love that was poured on me by so many people. Thank you to each in every one of you. You don’t know how much you have impacted me and helped me through this year. I have been so honored to have been on this journey of exploration, growth, and discovery, as well as getting to lead little young people on their own personal journeys of the like. I have learned so incredibly much about myself, my profession, my strengths, my needs for growth, and the world. It has truly been so enriching and enlightening and humbling, and it’s not even over yet!!!

Update

I have recently decided that it was time for me to have my own living space. I have been wanting my own private space, and with some help, I was able to find the perfect little place for me at just the right time. I was unsure about how I would feel about living by myself, but so far- I have loved it. It’s so nice having my own place of peace. I am living alone, and I am honestly in love with my new space and so excited to host friends and family there in this next year. God is good. I already had my first guest!!

What has been the most humbling part of your experience thus far?

I am a person who likes to be organized, well-planned, and prepared. I believe that structure is essential in order to teach successfully. However, there were times during the year when it was impossible for me to be those things for reasons that were not in my control. I had to learn that I am not always in control of what happens, and that if things do not go as planned, I cannot place the burden of that on my own shoulders and my own abilities. I tend to over-criticize myself and my abilities because I am so passionate about my work. It was easy for me to blame myself. Obviously, I know that I have room for growth, but I have learned to reject obstacles as a reflection of my own capabilities. The Lord has been teaching me that he Has enabled me to do this work and to rely on Him in these moments. Also to not let my frustrations steal my passion and joy. He placed specific people around me who consistently reminded me of truth and of my purpose, which enabled me to press through obstacles on my most discouraging days and recognize that there is joy in times of struggle. I have learned to not let obstacles define me, but to face them with the faith that God always has provided and will provide for me since He has instilled in me my ability, purpose, and passion. All that I can do is my best, and humbly, I can honestly say that I have done that. 

What did you like most about teaching this year?

I absolutely loved when my whole class laughed together. There was something so special about when I would do something silly and make them laugh or when we were just all laughing together at someone or something. There was so much joy in the moment and we were all enjoying each others’ company. I really loved that. 

I also loved when my students would become passionate about learning. You can see it in their eyes when they become engaged and excited about a subject. Most of my students loved learning and were engaged during lessons, which made it so fun to teach them! I also loved learning from them. They would participate and share their ideas and experiences, which made teaching them so much more enriching and applicable. I once taught them a lesson about MLK’s life, and they were so inspired and intrigued by his life and bravery. They didn’t want to stop learning! It was one of my favorite lessons.

What’s next?

I am now halfway through my contract, and I have one year left at the current school I am teaching at. After that, I plan on returning home for some time, and then eventually, probably venturing out again. We will see where God leads me next on this adventure.

For now, I am enjoying a well-deserved, if I do say so myself, two month long vacation. I’ll spend some time traveling as well as visiting home, which is the perfect combination. For the first week of my vacation, my best friend Anna visited me in Ecuador and we traveled around for the week. She got to see where I am living, where I work, and some of my favorite places in Ecuador. We even enjoyed a massage spa in the mountains of one of my favorite Ecuadorian cities. Every time I get time to travel in Ecuador, I feel so blessed to be able to have the experiences that I have. There were so many cool things that we were able to do, and it was very obvious that God was smiling down on us. I also got to practice my Spanish!! ;)

Currently, I am back home enjoying some time off. This weekend, I’ll be enjoying some vacation with family in Florida. After that, I’ll be spending two weeks in Europe because in the words of Tom and Donna, “Treat Yo’self”! I'll be visiting my best friend, who is living out there, and traveling to The Netherlands, England, and Italy, and I could not be more ecstatic to broaden my travel horizons and relish in new experiences and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned for photos!

Please feel free to ask me any questions about my journey, or share with me your thoughts! I love hearing from you.

At the end of March, I will return to Ecuador to begin year #2 of adventure, discovery, and growth. Bring it on. 

[becomingbrave6]

Halfway Through a Year

Wow. It feels like I blinked and 6 months went by. I am already halfway through the school year, and I cannot believe that. Time is flying.

In July, my brother Caleb got married to the love of his life, Leslie. I was extremely blessed to take a couple of personal days to fly out to Colorado and celebrate them with my family. While the time was short, it was so special to be able to see my family. The wedding was beautiful, and it was a refill to be back in the Colorado Rockies, one of my favorite places. So excited to have a brand new sister officially join our family. She is a wonderful woman of Christ, with great integrity and grace, and I could not be happier to have her be a part of our family! 

I then came back and jumped right back into the grind of the school year. I have truly been learning so much in my job. I really love my little people. My class is my mission field. We had a meeting where we talked about our why, our purpose in the profession, our reason for why we do what we do every day. My students are my WHY. I love them. I’ve been learning so much about my profession, the culture here, my students, and who I am as a teacher. I am thankful for the learning experience that this is for me even though it has its challenges. I know that I am being forced to grow in so many ways, which makes the hard days worth it in the end. 

I’m thankful to be apart of a staff who is passionate about the profession and is innovative in approach. It is great to be able to work for a school who is passionate about critical thinking, integrity, and creativity. I am already seeing so much growth in my students, which is so wonderful. Those little ones are truly my family, and I am passionate about them becoming successful little individuals in every way possible. They are deep in my heart, and they keep me going!!! We are learning so much together. I am excited to see what the rest of this year has in store. 

And of course- I’ve managed to do a little bit of traveling here and there, but as always, I’m craving more. Looking forward to what’s next.

I recently had a week of vacation, and I decided to come back home to Atlanta. I could have spent the week traveling around, but I knew that this was what I wanted and needed. It was my first time back home since I left at the end of March, and I am so glad that I decided to come home. I was able to see all of my family and closest friends. It was a special time of refill and encouragement. It was a breath of fresh air to spend time relaxing, conversing, laughing, praying, and spending time in person with my favorite people. I am so fortunate to have people who believe in me and support me through everything. There is no way that I could do this without you all. I love that we can always pick up right where we left off. I love you guys. Also- you might notice that I switched mi pelo over to the dark side. Needed a change.

Recently, I have been learning to change my outlook on a lot of things. God is doing a work in my heart. Just being real, it is often times easier for me (and others) to focus on the negative things that happen. I am hard on myself. I believe we have a tendency as humans to do this. We lose sight of the beautiful things that are happening around us. I am learning to change my focus to see the good things that are happening. There are so many beautiful things that you are capable of! Things that are happening as a result of what you are doing. 

Which goes along with the other thing I have been reminded of lately- that our decisions are so, so important. I have been noticing how so many people nowadays make careless, impulsive decisions. It’s like we don’t think that our decisions really matter anymore. It’s disheartening. People have this YOLO mentality (you’re laughing, but it’s true), and we just act thoughtlessly. But what if we were a little more careful before making decisions? What if we thought through who our decisions are impacting, who we are benefiting or hurting? What if we realized that our decisions carry weight- that they make us, break us, enable us, or disable us. That they make others, break others, enable others, or disable others. Our decisions are really capable of great impact, and I think that they are more important than we realize. One decision can affect thousands, millions of people. 

One of the things that I try to teach my students is that they have choices. They can either make the right choice or the wrong choice. I try to make sure that they understand that their choices have positive or negative effects. 

This is causing me to do some inventory in my life. I’ve been seriously considering who I am, who I want to be, what needs to change in order to get me where I need to be, who needs to stay in my life, and who doesn’t. This season is about making the necessary changes in order to drive me to be better. I want to be someone that contributes to a better world around me.

More to come.

Con amor,

Kelsey

[becomingbrave6]

24

I’ve been thinking a lot about where I was a year ago, and it’s amazing to think about how I had no idea that I would be where I am right now. I had no idea that I would actually be doing what I’ve wanted to do for years. That this opportunity was going to come into my life, and that I would be capable of actually taking it. Rewinding back to where I was then, I think about all of the things that I was experiencing. How I was upset because a door had closed, and I wasn’t able to do my student teaching abroad. How I was preparing for my last and most challenging semester of my undergraduate degree. How alive I had felt when I went to Ecuador on a missions trip with my family and church last summer. I remember all of these pivotal moments, and I remember thinking about my future and wondering what would come next.. entering the real world. I knew it was coming. I'd have to get a job. I would have to support myself more. I would start having more responsibilities. And it was honestly kind of scary. I couldn’t see what was around the corner. Couldn’t pinpoint exactly where I would be next or what I would be doing. I remember the pressure of finding a job. But I also remember the restlessness I felt living in an ordinary way. I wanted a challenge. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to get away from what was comfortable and constant. And one day, this opportunity just fell from the sky.

Sometimes it still doesn’t feel real. I’ll be walking, and I’ll just look around at my surroundings in disbelief that I’m here. It’s surreal. I’m doing it. I’m almost still convincing myself of that. And sometimes, no... a lot of times.. I still ask myself, Am I capable? And I think I can honestly say that my drive to continue and to push forward comes from my vision to grow as a person. To become someone who is more aware of the world. To learn from and appreciate another culture. To care for and teach my students. To desire for and grow in my relationship with Christ. To be dependent on Him and nobody else. It’s hard and sometimes lonely. And there’s no way I could do this alone. The encouragement, support, and prayer from my family and friends have been my safety net. Having people believing you, rooting for you- gives me strength.

When I reflect about everything that has happened in the past few months, I can already see the growth that is happening. I am learning what it means to be a teacher. I am falling in love with the 23 little humans that I get to see 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. These little people are my mission field. I believe in them. I want the best for them. I want them to learn things that nobody else is teaching them. I want them to change the world someday when they’re older. I want them to be leaders, and I want them to be loved. I am bonding very much with my students, which has been such a huge encouragement.

I’m learning a lot about the culture. The food is incredible. I’ve probably told you that before, but I mean ittttt. Ecuadorians knows food!! I am loving trying new things. Did you know there’s like 10,000 ways you can eat a plantain?? (Okay, not actually. But probably somewhere close to that number)

I just had my birthday, and I've now completed 24 laps around the sun. 23 was an incredible year, and I can’t wait to see what 24 has in store. It was my first time having a birthday out of the country!! I learned that culturally, here birthdays are a BIG deal! Since it was on a week day, it was fun getting to celebrate with my students. I remember growing up, I was always bummed that my birthday was always during the summer, and so it wasn’t ever celebrated at school. So, since the calendar is different here, it was fun getting to be celebrated at school for the first time. They made me feel SO special. I received so many gifts, special notes,  lotssss of chocolate cakes, and warm hugs. How lucky am I?? 

--

Travel

I’ve also had the privilege of getting to explore more and more around this beautiful country. The more I see, the more I love. Ecuador really has so many incredible places to see. Here are a few places I’ve been able to travel to in the past month.

I can’t wait to see more, more, more.

I am looking forward to coming back to the states to celebrate the marriage of my brother and his fiancé in LESS THAN A MONTH!!!! I can’t wait to be reunited with my family again. It’s going to be such a special time, full of love, laughter, and beautiful views of the rockies. AHHHH, I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. I’m thankful that I have that to look forward to. 

As I always say, I appreciate your prayers. You can continue to pray for strength, patience, and vision as I continue on this unwinding journey. The Lord is working in my heart, and I want to trust Him more. I covet your prayers, encouragement, and support always.

I’ll share more soon.

Mucho amor,

Kelsey

[becomingbrave6]

Growing Pains

Wow. 7 weeks. It’s crazy to think that I’ve been here longer than when I studied abroad to Paris in 2014. Five weeks seemed so long at the time. I arrived here exactly 7 weeks ago today, and I am blown away by how fast everything is moving. 

Where to begin? I finally met the 23 little humans that I get to teach for the next year. We’ve spent the past few weeks getting to know each other, adjusting to new beginnings, and getting into the swing of things. I’m not going to lie and say that everything has been easy breezy because there have definitely been challenges with a lot of growing pains. Especially since I am working through the unfamiliarity of newness with the school, the culture, the language, having my own classroom, and much more. I am learning how to be patient with myself, which is very difficult for me to do. However, I do believe that each of my students is in my classroom for a very intentional purpose, and I already am developing a deep care and passion for their success and well-being. I am determined to grow as a teacher, and to see growth in each of them this year. In this job, not everything runs smoothly and not everything goes as expected, and sometimes it is too easy to feel discouraged. However, I am learning to see the small victories of each day, and let those fuel my vision and passion for this profession. 

I will share one of those victories with you that happened this past week. With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, we did a Mother’s Day card activity. One of my students lost her mother a couple of years ago, and I was told that she doesn’t talk about it. I was nervous about how to approach the subject without upsetting her, and so I decided to have a discussion with the class. We discussed how there’s many people who can be mothers. As a class, we made a list of who can be a mother i.e. grandmother, mother, big sister, aunt, step mother, animals, plants, fathers, teachers, principal, etc. The discussion was very good, and the student I was concerned about even participated. I told students that there’s many people we can appreciate for being a mother, and I allowed them to choose someone to make their card for. I think that this made her feel more comfortable. The counselor pulled her out of the room to make her card. During that time, she opened up to the counselor about her mom and cried. This was a breakthrough since she hasn’t done this before. When she came back to my room, she gave me a hug. She was smiling and happy, and she remained that way for the rest of the day. She proudly showed me her card that she made for her mom. This was an extremely special moment for me, and I was so happy that she was able to talk about her mom, cry, and be in good spirits afterwards. I think that it was huge for her to know that she can talk about it. The counselor and I were extremely happy, and she told me that she believes that I am her teacher for a reason.

Days like this make the challenges worth it. I see the hand of God at work in the little moments, and I hope that I will see more of these breakthroughs throughout the year.

My students drumming away in music class!

Our classroom is named after Frank Sinatra, who is one of my favorite old-time musicians. I have been playing some of his music in our classroom.

I talked to my students about how we are a team. We discussed about how in soccer, in order for a team to score a goal, each player has to be doing their part. I compared that to our classroom, and we talked about how each person matters and each person contributes to the success of our classroom. We had a great discussion about how we can contribute to our team in order to create a positive learning environment. At this grade level, students tend to become more concerned with the opinion of their peers. This can be a challenge when being funny or liked becomes more important to students than doing what is right. We have more work to do as a class, but I am determined that this year I can teach my students the importance of respecting others and putting others first!

Moving along to other updates... I finally made my way to the beach in Ecuador, and it was as beautiful as they've told me. It was a long weekend of rest and relaxation, which was exactly what I needed. I can’t wait to go back. There is something about the ocean that speaks measures about the vastness of God. There is nothing that is comparable to it.  

The beaches here are complimented by the mountains.

The sunset this night was breathtaking, and it reminded me that God is near, and He makes all things more beautiful.

New friends!! :)

Adri and I ate breakfast at this amazing place called Tiki Limbo in Montañita Beach. It was delicious!!!!

The food is amazing. So tasteful and fresh. I am still obsessed with the fruit. Everytime I try a new fruit, I am amazed. There are so many things on this Earth that are so incredible that I don’t even know about. 

There is something so invigorating about exploring. Something divine about it. Like I’m getting to understand more about the Creator- about the complexity of his design and creativity. Even in something as minuscule as a piece of fruit. It’s fascinating to me. That he planned all of the smallest details. That his imprint is everywhere, even somewhere that is foreign to me. I love that. It makes me realize that he is near everywhere. It makes me feel close to Him. There are more adventures on the horizon, and I can’t wait for them!

I am learning Spanish. I still have a long ways to go before I am fluent, but I am slowly improving and picking more up. I have gotten better at doing some things alone like going to the grocery store and telling the taxi driver where I’m going haha. I still have a lot of work to do!!

I miss my family and my friends very very deeply. It’s hard to miss out on celebrations and happenings back home. There are days when I wish that I was there. I am thankful for facetime and phone calls so that I stay updated on what is going on with everyone. I’m excited that I get to see my family is 2 short months for Caleb’s wedding. I am absolutely thrilled for that, and I’m thankful that I have that to look forward to.

Thank you for all of you who have been constantly encouraging me and supporting me. This has been definitely one of the most challenging and stretching times of my life, but I know that God is with me. On the days that I am frustrated, He is there. You can continue to pray that I will surrender the fact that I can’t control everything. I need to learn to be patient with myself. Also, pray that I live out my purpose here to the fullest capacity. I truly want to make a difference, and I don’t want to hold back.

All my best,

Kelsey

[becomingbrave6]

Settling In

This post is long overdue, and I apologize for the delay in providing a substantial update! I have been extremely busy as I jumped right into work, went on my first weekend excursion, and have been focused on settling into my new place of residency. So much has happened in just a little over a week!! I cannot believe how fast everything is moving. I am so excited to share with you all the great things that are happening.

The first thing I want to share with all of you is that I found a safe, comfortable place to live in the short time that I needed to do so. I want to thank those of you who prayed for me because I can tell you that it was so evident that God had hand-picked this place for me. I am living with a wonderful family who has offered me a room in their home. The home is absolutely beautiful, and the family has been so warm and accommodating, offering me meals and taking me to places to get acclimated to the area. Despite my desire to live on my own eventually, I feel that this is where I am supposed to be right now and I am happy that I am here with a loving family who have been so quick to help me in any way I need. Here are some pictures of my room!

The next thing I have to share is that I traveled over the weekend to the beautiful city of Cuenca, Ecuador. This place is very well known among the locals as a popular spot to travel to on Holiday weekends. The school generously made a way for some of the new teachers to go, and I absolutely loved my time there. It was a great opportunity to learn about the culture and get to know some of my team members. It was refreshing to explore a new city with new faces. We did a lot of fun things- like swing over the city, eat delicious meals, and visit markets. I had my first nutella-ccino, and it was absolutely marvelous. The drive to get to the city was breath-taking. We drove through a series of magnificent mountain peaks wrapped by white fluffy clouds. Here are some pictures from my trip!

After my adventure-filled weekend, I jumped right into work this current week. We have two weeks before the kids arrive, so our days have been stacked full with things to do to get ready. I have been learning so much each day. Officially, I will be teaching 4th grade CORE (that means all subjects). Things are moving fast as I begin to prepare my classroom for the start of the year. Already this week, I have been assigned my classroom and students! I am extremely excited to meet my students, but I have a lot to do before then. You can be praying that I will get all of the materials and supplies I need in order to make my classroom ready for my students because I do not have much!! Here at Colegio Menor, each teacher gets assigned a name of a historic famous person, and their whole class is named after that person for the entire year. I just so happened to get assigned one of my favorite musicians, and that is Frank Sinatra. That made my heart happy because my Nana and I adore him!

You can be praying that I feel prepared as I enter into my first full year of teaching. I want to be confident, and I don’t want the language barrier to get in the way of me doing my job well! Pray that I begin to learn Spanish quickly so that I can communicate efficiently because that has been frustrating for me. I can’t wait to share more with you soon, and thank you all for the encouragement and love you have sent me!!

Kelsey

[becomingbrave6]

Arrival to Guayaquil

¡Hola!

I have just arrived at my hotel in Guayaquil. It’s weird to think that I am here already!! It feels surreal. Just yesterday I was with my family and friends, and now I am on a whole other continent. It’s amazing. My dad is with me, helping me navigate decisions and making sure I settle with everything I need. He has been wonderful, as always, and I’m thankful I have this time with him- that I have a piece of home with me going into this. Our breakfast this morning was delicious. The fruit in Ecuador is the best fruit I have ever had!! I’m so excited about it. Their coffee is fantastic as well. 😋 We have already begun looking for a place to live. We hope to find a place that I will enjoy and feel comfortable and safe in. I appreciate all of your prayers.

I am feeling a whole lot of things at once. Nervousness, anticipation, excitement, sadness, happiness, and more. I’ve spent the past two weeks saying “see you later” to the people I love. There have been many moments of sorrow and many perfect moments. It’s a strange, foreign feeling to be separated from the people I care about for some time. It’s a type of heartbreak that brings sadness and joy at the same time. It’s hard to put into words. While I will deeply miss all that I know and those who are close to me, I have a peace in knowing that good things are to come of this. Not just for me- but for others too. I am learning that change, though it is hard, brings beautiful things- like joy and love and growth. When we feel sorrow, we learn what joy means. When we are scared, we learn what it means to be brave. And when we are apart, we learn what it means to be together. It is my hope to grow so much from this. To trust in God. Please continue to pray for me as I adjust and process this change. I will be posting soon with more updates.

Mucho amor,

Kelsey

[becomingbrave6]

The Journey Begins

About a month ago, I made the hardest and most thrilling decision I’ve ever made. In a little less than a month, I will be moving to Guayaquil, Ecuador to pursue my dream to travel and to teach abroad. I was offered a teaching position in January of this year, and I have decided that it is the perfect time to tenaciously chase after what I am most passionate about. In this decision, I am facing many fears and learning to exercise new depths of faith in every fiber of my being.

Welcome to my blog! If you are reading this, you should know that the purpose of this site is to share my story with others as I become brave. It is my hope that as I take this great leap of faith in my own life that maybe I could encourage others to do the same in their own lives. To make bold changes, whatever they are, big or small, pressing through fear in order to achieve something valuable. I know how fulfilling it is for me when I see others boldly chase after their dreams by stepping out of their comfortability. It moves me greatly deep within my heart, and it inspires me to do the same in my own life. It is my hope that through this season, I may become a better version of myself by relinquishing that which is comfortable to me. I long to be stretched and to grow in a way that will force me to learn about the world, about God, about becoming excellent in my profession, and about myself. I am using this blog as a way to document my journey and experiences through pictures and writing. Before you continue to read upcoming posts, I suggest that you read the About Me page of my blog so that you have a better understanding of who I am and how I got here.

Prior to Departure

I feel like I have so much to do and so little time. It is overwhelming! Every day my mind is running tirelessly over all that I have to do before I step foot on that plane on March 23rd. I don’t know how someone can really prepare for something so big like this. Mentally, emotionally, physically. The people I need to see.. the things I need to do.. the doors I need to close. It is all moving so fast, and it’s scary. Like how am I going to pack??? (Seriously, let me know if you have any ideas because I am at a loss…) I have days where I feel afraid. Fear of the absence of those I love most. Fear of not having access to things that I am used to. Fear of many other things. And of course, I have days where I have so much excitement, I can hardly contain it. I’m excited to learn about a new culture. I’m excited to have my own classroom and my own group of students. I’m excited to be stretched and molded as I try new things. I’m feeling so many things at once, and it is truly difficult to wrap my mind around all of it. Each day is a part of the process, but I keep turning to one thing- and that is the truth that no matter what happens, God is going to sustain me. When I remind myself of that, peace surpasses all other things.

As I attempt to prepare for this big move, I am learning a lot already. One thing that has stuck out to me recently is that I am realizing the importance of time. I think that we tend to take time for granted in our day-to-day routines, but the truth is that time is absolutely precious. With each day, I am realizing that the moments I have with the people I love are so important. I am learning to cherish every ounce of time I have here with each person I love. Not only with people who are closest to me, but also the people I interact with daily. I’m being reminded that time is not something that is promised, but something that is granted. This reminder is causing me to think twice about how I act, what I say, and what I think about. It’s causing me to make the most out of the little things because I am seeing how significant they actually are. It’s also making me want to be a lot kinder if I’m being honest. It makes me want to be selfless. We’ve all heard the quote, “Live like there’s no tomorrow.”, but what if there actually was no tomorrow? Would it make you want to change how you spend your day? I know that I would want to. And what if we actually made those changes? If we didn’t act in our initial feelings, but thought about the weight that we carry in our day-to-day decisions. In our thoughts, words, and actions. I think that it would make a bigger difference than we can understand, not only to ourselves but to others. Obviously, none of us are perfect, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to be the best versions of ourselves, right? So, in this last month before I leave and when I get to my new destination, I am determined to do my best to make every second count for greatness.

[becomingbrave6]

[becomingbrave6]

[becomingbrave6]

[becomingbrave6]

[becomingbrave6]