School...Check...Unpacking...Check...

I'm done with school...almost...I still have 4 art lessons to do, but I'm hoping to get those out of the way tomorrow. This semester was one of the most demanding semesters I have ever had, and I'm so relieved to be home and almost finished with my junior year. I moved home yesterday afternoon and finally finished unpacking/throwing away unnecessary things today. It is crazy how much stuff I have accumulated over the years! I was going through boxes of letters that I have had since I was in 5th grade. Somehow I thought I would read them again or they would have some importance in my life later...but I was finally able to part with them yesterday.

I've set aside tomorrow for studying/finishing my lessons/reading/researching more about Guatemala. With the busy semester I haven't had a lot of extra time to brainstorm and get excited about Guatemala, but I am getting excited. I should be getting my placement within this next week, and I'm interested to see where they place me. I was reading over my handbook and found the page on what volunteers in Quetzaltenango are involved with: Caring for infants and children, teaching children, caring for the elderly, and caring for people with disabilities. I think that any of those opportunities would be amazing! My first preference would be to work with the infants and children, but I think that each opportunity would stretch me in so many ways. I'm getting excited thinking about it!

Here's a map of Guatemala/Quetzaltenango:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/guatemala/western-highlands/quetzaltenango-xela

When I went on a spring break trip with DiscipleMakers to Wycliffe Associates in Orlando, I got in touch with a woman who had gone to Guatemala and had the contact information of families in Guatemala. Today, I unexpectedly recieved an e-mail from one of the families. They're going to relay some information about travel and hotels that they have stayed in, as well as get in touch with the people serving in Solola. My Guatemala trip has come together, and it has been so neat to see the connections and provisions that have been made.

Before Guatemala, I'm looking forward to spending time in LA with Ryan, and Ben and Lauren. Laundry is on the list for tomorrow so I can start packing for that! I can't wait! :)