This past week I've heard horror stories about living in Guatemala, everything from giant spiders, to unwelcoming host families, and a myriad of other downright terrifying situations. While these stories left me feeling a bit unsettled about the upcoming year, they also served to amplify my desire to live and work in Guatemala. As an optimist, I am able to make the best of pretty much any situation and I am confident that this will carry over into my year of service. Mother Theresa said it best when she said,

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. 

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

In the coming year, I know I will encounter life in all of the above manifestations and more. Spiders as big as my face may run across my floor, it might be difficult to get to know my host family, and I will certainly encounter bumps along the way, but I am ready to take those challenges head on. 

Here at orientation, I've come to realize that I have an amazing community of YAV's, family, and friends supporting me and I'm excited to share my triumphs and my struggles with you all. My first struggle will be getting up on Monday morning at 1:30 am to leave for the airport. Our flight is at 5:30 am and we will land in Houston sometime in the late morning. After a short layover, we will board our plane to Guatemala city!!!! I've heard that the atmosphere at the airport in Guatemala city is pretty intense, but I'll have Jensen, Kate, and Annie (my fellow YAVs) by my side. 

Please continue to pray for me in the coming weeks and months! I love you all! <3