- I will be living in a new country, a new state, a new town, a new community and a new house.
- I will be joining in the family life of Irlanda (mom), Jorge (dad), Andrea (15) y Jorge (12).
- I will be relying solely on the 6 years of Spanish I have taken since 7th grade to communicate.
- I will be pledging to speak Spanish at all possible times in order to improve my linguistic skills.
- I will be rejoicing in the reunion of a team of 16 amazing Westmont in Mexico friends.
- I will be embracing the Mexican culture while better understanding my identity in my own culture.
- I will be "uplugging" from all forms of social media- including all but Skype, Email and Blogging.
- I will be studying 16 units worth of Mexican art, history, culture, dance, and language.
- I will be devoting my heart, soul, mind and strength to the will of Christ in this four month journey.
- I will be beginning a new and exciting adventure abroad.
I cannot believe that in just 7 short days I will be leaving for such a radical journey abroad. As I have been preparing myself mentally and spiritually, through talking with close friends, praying and just losing myself in my own thoughts, I realize just how BIG this adventure is in my life. A year ago, around this time, I was preparing myself to go to Westmont, to start a new chapter in my "grown-up life" by moving two hours away to Santa Barbara for school. I once thought Santa Barbara was far from home, but now, instead of just 129 miles, an entire 1,693 miles will be separating from the place I call home. Crazy...I know.
But yet again, I have no fear in leaving for Mexico, nor being in Mexico for four months, because I think God is going to do great things through my time abroad. God knows how much I love to control my own life, as I am always planning, planning and planning some more. Yet, I cannot plan this trip, nor how it is going to turn out. I have no idea what my time in Mexico will look like, how it will effect me or how it will shape me. But hey, even better... because the smaller I become, the bigger God can be in my life. That is what I look forward to: letting go and letting God.
So, pray with me, pray for me, and follow me in this adventure as I learn about myself, my God, and about the Mexican culture and people.
Con un abrazo grande,
Emily
También//also: I plan to update this at least once more before I leave for my trip, with more details about my location, my schooling and my family... and weekly when I arrive in Mexico.
