Rewinding a little

7 days and counting, until I am on a plane and out of the country.  Things are slowing down quite a bit, spending time with the family and getting things together for the trip.  (I'm pretty proud of myself for having a suitcase that only weighs 36lbs...and yes I've already packed.)
But today I want to rewind a little bit and talk about my graduation.  I can honestly say that for now it was the absolute best day of my life.  It sounds a little silly to me because it's a long drawn out ceremony that tortures you with the constant pomp and circumstance (if that's the correct spelling) played over and over again just to walk across in from of a bunch of people that you don't know (save for a few family members of course), but it was actually quite enjoyable.  As much as ceremonies are not my thing I had a lot of fun, mostly because I sat next to people I knew and cracked jokes the whole time.  I was also pretty proud of my accomplishments.  School isn't everything, but I was still pretty glad to have made it through quite well.  But the most remarkable part of the evening was being able to have dinner with my family.  All of their sincere words were... well they simply left me speechless.  It was wonderful to see how proud they were of me and how much they supported me.  Of course I had a lot of grad school talk but for the most part my family has begun to understand my passion for people and missions.  Though some of them still don't understand that it is motivated by a passion for God that's okay because I know that day will come.  Their understanding of me has already come leaps and bounds and for that I am thankful.  It was also pretty lovely to see Nick fit in so nicely with the family.  I'm pretty certain everyone loves him.  I think he has become more popular with my family than me. ;]

Though the most touching moment of the evening still has me caught up if I think about it too much.  My dad sat me down at the end of the table and talked to me about the "VERY" distant future.  (hehe)  And told me about how when he has grandchildren that he WILL be a part of their lives.  To some people that may not be a big deal or it may be something that is a given fact, but when I felt God calling me to missions the most heartbreaking part of it was the fact that I would be thousands of miles away from my family.  I grew up within walking distance of almost all of my grandparents/great-grandparents and they were a huge part of my life and so are my parents.  I value the relationship I have with my parents but even more than that I value the relationship that my parents will have with my future children.  My dad was very stern when he spoke that night.  He assured me, "I WILL be part of their lives... Even if we have to travel across the world, as long as we can afford it...Even when we can't afford it.  I will be a part of their lives."
It's just a reminder to me of God's faithfulness.  He's just waiting for us to say, "I trust you, even if it's going to hurt, I trust you.  Not my will but yours, Lord."  In the grand scheme of things, the things that I will have to give up are nothing in comparison to most.  I have a wonderful life, a wonderful family, and a wonderful home.  I'm very thankful for the things that I have and am allowed to keep, and I am grateful for the things that I have to give up in the process of answering God's call.  Though there were moments of cold feet towards this summer I am very pleased to be moving forward.

And it begins... With only a week after graduation I am heading ever closer to what people like to call, "the real world."  Though I am a little concerned that it is very different than the schooling that I've known for so long and held so near and dear to my heart (I am not the biggest fan of change, by the way), I am quite pleased to be moving on to bigger and better things.  And the first stop?.... El Salvador!

I had that opportunity to travel to El Salvador last May to team up with a ministry called King's Castle.  It was a short ten days that positively changed my life.  This year I'm going back for their two month internship and couldn't be more excited for the plans that God has in store for this summer.  I will get to see familiar faces and new ones as well as formally meet people that I'm already facebook chatting away with about our new adventure.  I can't deny that it will be a little difficult being away from family, friends, and my boyfriend for two months with very limited communication, but I know that this is where I need to be this summer.  I feel very privileged to be used by God to reach out to the children of El Salvador.  We will be doing street programs and school programs.  We will be interacting with the children and showing them the love of Christ through our words, hugs, and smiles.  We will also have the opportunity to lead teams of U.S. citizens who are also traveling, just like I did, to help the children in impoverished areas and to unlock more understanding of what God has called them to do.
With all of that said.. Blogging away!  I figured if I am unable to stay connected through other forms of communication I would attempt to keep a blog and post about once a week on my adventures in a foreign land.  It seemed fitting enough.  Just as a disclaimer that I felt may or may not be needed, I'm not a writer.  I never was and I never will be.  I'm sure by now you have figured this out, but just in case this is all public and people I don't know read it I wanted to insure you that by no means did I assume I had skills.  :] Just a warning ahead of time.

Bendiciones,
Claire