Hello to All!
I am officially 10 Days away from my departure to Latin America and decided it's a good time to start documenting all of new/interesting/crazy things that will be happening! I leave for Nicaragua on Feb. 3rd and will be attending classes there at the Universidad Americana in Managua. Hopefully this page will be a way to share my adventures with all of you who have helped me get to this point, and will also help keep me accountable to actually writing it all down. For the last week I've been making list after list (shout out to all of the Type A's reading this...) in hopes of getting an idea of everything there is to do before I leave. However, so far this has just lead to an overwhelming feeling that I'll never be ready and should just leave with whatever I can fit in a backpack... I've luckily decided not to do that, but am trying to push through the temptation to worry about everything and freak out. I was finally placed in a home-stay with a family in Nicaragua and I've been in touch with my roommate, Jessica, over email and Facebook. Praise and Rejoicing was lifted high when I found out that she is a YoungLife leader from Tennessee and that I'll have a companion for the next four months to walk with through the transitions and adjustments. I'm currently trying to balance the excitement and anxiety of imaging a new way of life; one that is filled with a different culture, different language and plenty of sunshine. I'm looking forward to the warmth, as it hasn't been above freezing here in Salt Lake for a few weeks now! In preparation for the trip, I've been trying to practice Spanish everyday and my roommates have graciously allowed me to sticky-note our apartment with an exorbitant amount of labels and signs. Prayer for the gift of tongues is most appreciated at this point... As nervous as I am, I know this is an incredible opportunity and I'm so thankful for the chance to broaden my world and understanding. Nicaragua, Vengo aqui!
Love Always, Maggie
