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!

Straight out of Haiti

It seems as though I've had the best trip of my life.... yet again. I think every time I leave the country and come back I end up saying that, but it especially rings true this time around.

Before I jump into the crazy incredible week that happened a couple of weeks ago, I just wanted to take a moment to dedicate this post to a very special person who the Lord recently called home a little over a month ago. Aunt Betty Jane - you will always have a special place in my heart, and I'm so grateful that we were able to share a passion for travel together. I wish I could share this experience with you in person, but I know you were watching the entire thing unravel from above!

A couple of weeks ago I went on a missions trip to Haiti with an organization called Adventures in Missions (AIM for short).

Hasta que todo el mundo escuche

This is by far the toughest blogpost I have written. I've been staring at this screen for the past 45 minutes trying to figure out how to even start to write about the awesome experience I just had in Africa. What a humbling and gratifying two weeks. I feel really blessed to have had this opportunity. When I last wrote in this blog, the thought of visiting Africa seemed like a far off dream. Sure, I had mildly entertained the idea when I read a blogpost from one of my co-workers, but at the time I was still off adventuring in Spain and didn't give it much thought. Needless to say the seed was planted and that whole "not giving it too much thought" lasted all of about 2.5 seconds once I got home to the States. This really shouldn't surprise anyone at this point!

June 30th I took off for a little African adventure to Maputo, Mozambique.

Despedidas y el próximo capítulo!

Casi no tengo palabras otra vez. What a whirlwind the past week has been! I feel like my trip to Barcelona ended as quick as it started, and it's hard to believe that already two months have come and gone. Last week I said my goodbyes to different people almost every night, and then capped off the weekend by crossing an additional item off my bucket list: hot air ballooning! As I'm sitting here in NJ (with 70 degree weather today mind you!) I can't help but feel a tremendous sense of gratefulness for this experience. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of people during the past week between friends and coworkers. It was somewhat sad to say my goodbyes, but nonetheless I don't doubt that like Buenos Aires, I will be returning to Barcelona muy pronto! Barcelona is such a great city with a vibrant culture and wonderful people!

Força Barça! Visca Catalunya!

Wow, time flies when you're having fun! Queda muy poco tiempo! I can't believe I am leaving Barcelona tomorrow!!!

I've done so many cool things the past couple of weeks, I don't even know where to begin. For the purpose of keeping my readers entertained (as if they're ever NOT entertained!) I'll keep this post short and sweet. I can't make any promises for the one after that though :-)

Parlez-vous anglais?

I had a very cool experience in France last weekend. Glad I can officially "check" France off my list of countries in Europe to visit, but we'll say I'm "unofficially" checking it off because I still have to go back! Normally when I visit a country I am a typical tourist. That's not to say that I don't try to blend in because I try very hard to appear as a native (although the blonde hair doesn't usually help me... in Spanish countries that is!). However, you can normally find me taking pictures every 15 seconds and lurking around tourist shops buying postcards, magnets, and flags to add to my collections. I usually pick the most obvious destinations with the most tourist attractions, but I decided it was time for a change this time!

VAGA GENERAL

A day to remember

Today is a special day and one that I will always hold near and dear to my heart.

IVA = no bueno

Before I go into my economic rant, first things first: the important subject of this post.