For I know the plans I have for you

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Amen? Amen!

My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude as I sit here typing this. In fact, gratitude is not even the word. Words fail me at this point if I were to try and describe the feeling after having this experience, and every other experience, where I've been able to go and see this beautifully created world that we live in. I'm feeling particularly nostalgic this week as my timehop is reminding me of all the super cool events that took place in years past. This time last year I was in the amazingly beautiful country of Haiti making new friendships that I can't imagine my life without now. FIVE years ago (no lo puedo creer que ya pasó 5 años) I was in Paraguay, and well, I definitely don't have the words to describe how hilariously awesome that weekend was. And now, as I get the chance to go back and read the many stories I've posted in this blog, I'm grinning from ear to ear at each experience and smiling because life is just good.

No more excuses

God is so good. I just got back from an amazing week in Guatemala, and I haven't been able to wipe the smile from my face since returning. I'm so grateful for these incredible experiences I keep finding myself in, the wonderful people I am continually crossing paths with, and the opportunity to just love people from all over the world. I feel like I'm still smiling from the amazing time I had in Africa in January (sorry - been slacking on this blog and will update for that soon!), and here I am six months later with another amazing story to tell. I had been to Guatemala once before (remember that time I wrote about swimming with sharks??!), but my time seemed so short there and since leaving I've just had a tug on my heart to get back there. Funny how things work. My friend Lyndsey asked me back in December to join her on this trip, and I was thrilled to jump at the opportunity. Y'all remember Lyndsey....keep scrolling and you'll find her when reading about Haiti!