Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The End of the Road ~ El Final del Camino



English: 

As many of you know, I arrived back in San Diego at 11:30 on Friday night. My brother and sisters, Angela, Elizabeth and Billy, came down to the airport to pick me up. Then we drove straight to my parents’ house…Okay, so we may have stopped at In-N-Out on the way, I was really hungry! But then we were on our way for the big surprise! I had told my parents I was coming home a week later, and they had no idea what hit them when I woke them up in the middle of the night. I had a wonderful weekend seeing my family and church family, and I was able to be here for my mom’s birthday on Monday. Now, after the excitement of the weekend, I’m just beginning to settle in. I wanted to write one final post from Honduras, but I did not want to spoil the surprise. So it’s almost a week late, but here’s what I was thinking about an hour before I left for the airport in Honduras:

I’m not exactly sure where to start with this post. I feel like I just stepped off the plane in San Pedro Sula, wide-eyed and eager, unsure of what would lie ahead. Reflecting back on this year – working at the bilingual school, helping short term mission teams, preaching, translating, traveling around Central America, meeting incredible people from all over the world – it’s hard to put the experiences into words. They were at times both terrifying and exhilarating, heartbreaking and joyful. I have been emptied out and filled back up in ways I never imagined. Over the past few weeks I have experienced all sorts of conflicting emotions: excited anticipation of seeing my family, sadness for leaving the second family I’ve become a part of in Honduras, anxiousness about the future. But at this moment, I am at peace. I have come to know that God really is with me wherever I am, and in the end that’s really all that matters. This has been an amazing year full of crazy adventures, unique experiences, and beautiful friendships. And while this may be the end of my year in Honduras, I know that Honduras will always remain in my heart.


I am so grateful for this opportunity I was given to see and participate in the work of the body of Christ in Honduras. Thank you for all your support and prayers along the way. 


Español: 

Muchos de ustedes ya saben que llegué en San Diego a las 11:30 de la noche el día viernes. Mis hermanos, Angela, Elizabeth, y Billy, vinieron al aeropuerto para recogerme. Después, fuimos directamente a la casa de mis padres…Bueno, posiblemente paremos a In-N-Out para hamburguesas primero, pero yo tenía mucha hambre! Pero después seguimos en el camino para la gran sorpresa! Yo había dicho a mis padres que iba a venir la próxima semana, y ellos estaban muy confundidos cuando yo los desperté en la medianoche. Pasé un fin de semana maravillosa viendo mi familia y mi familia de la iglesia, y tuve la oportunidad de estar aquí para el cumpleaños de mi mamá el día lunes. Ahora, después de toda la emoción del fin de semana, sólo estoy comenzando a establecerme. Quería escribir un blog final desde Honduras, pero no quería arruinar la sorpresa. Entonces es casi una semana tarde, pero aquí está lo que yo estaba pensando una hora antes de salirme por el aeropuerto en Honduras.


No estoy exactamente segura  por dónde empezar con este blog. Me siento como si acabara bajé del avión en San Pedro Sula, con los ojos abiertos y con ganas, sin saber a lo que había adelante. Pensando atrás en este año – trabajando en la escuela bilingüe, ayudando con las brigadas, predicando, traduciendo, viajando por Centroamérica, conociendo a personas increíbles de todo el mundo – es difícil a poner en palabras las experiencias. Fueron a veces aterradora y estimulante, angustioso y gozoso. Se me ha vaciado y llenado de formas que nunca me imaginé. Durante los últimos semanas he experimentado muchos emociones conflictivas: anticipación emocionada de ver mi familia, tristeza de salir mi segunda familia en que me he convertido en Honduras, ansiedad sobre el futuro. Pero en este momento, tengo paz. He llegado a saber que Dios realmente está conmigo donde estoy, y al final eso es la única cosa que cuenta. Este ha estado un año maravilloso lleno de locas aventuras, únicas experiencias, y hermosas amistades. Y si bien esto puede ser el final de mi año en Honduras, yo sé que Honduras siempre permanecerá en mi corazón.



Estoy muy agradecida por esta oportunidad que yo he recibido para ver y participar en el trabajo del cuerpo de Cristo en Honduras. Gracias por todos sus apoyos y oraciones en el camino.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Graduation Festivities!


Well, my year in Honduras is drawing to a close. The last couple weeks of school were full of paperwork, organizing, and lots of celebrations. And, as a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm going to let them tell the story!
The seniors pledging allegiance to Honduras over the flag.

The preparatory students getting ready with their parents.


One of the preparatory students directing the national anthem.


The seniors getting ready to walk down the aisle with their parents and guardians on either side.



The valedictory speech is given in English...

...and Spanish by the top two students.

The senior song: "You can count on me like 1, 2, 3. I'll be there."


Congratulations class of 2014!

After the ceremony, the students and their parents dance the traditional waltz.

The teaching staff and administration of Holy Spirit Episcopal Bilingual School all dressed up for graduation!