Deep Blessings

Im sitting on a bench in Honduras. Gracias, Honduras. The name means thanks, and I am thankful. I am thankful for the opportunity to be the only tourist in a town in a county that is said to be the most dangerous non-war country, and yet out of everywhere I've been, the people smile the brightest. Every child waves and with a huge smile says, "bye-bye!" They give the warmest welcome, and I feel so FULL. Why can't everyone be so loving? These people give me something to strive for.

In just eight short days, this journey will be over, and I am overwhelmed with the goodness of God and people. The world is full of opportunities, and the Lord has blessed me with one after another. I think He loves to show us his beautiful creation, and he loves to show us his love.

My whole life, I've been so blessed. I was blessed into a loving family that works hard, plays hard, and prays hard. A family that loves to adventure. I was blessed with siblings and friends. I was blessed to be born into a family of teachers and then homeschooled to learn at my own pace instead of forced to conform.

Why was I so lucky? My parents are my biggest fans - they're the reason I travel the world. They are the reason I love and know love. They were the reason I know what I want to do, the reason I love people so much. They are the reason I was a camp counselor so many years, the reason I taught in 4-H, the reason I went out of my comfort zone to give speeches and share my passion, the reason I capture moments through pictures and words, the reason that I choose to show love, to let little things go, to encourage people to follow their dreams like I am priveledged to do.

I am a teacher because I have the ability to shape a life like mine has been shaped. One kind word. One kind gesture changes so much - how much more can I impact students in a school year?

I want people to see the world with the same wonder and excitement that I do. I want them to love to discover and know they are special.

I want to make a difference...I wonder if I've made a difference.

Did teaching in Colombia make a difference? Did those kids in drug rehab grow up to be successful? Do they remember me as fondly as I remember them?

Did playing with the five year old orphans in Costa Rica fill them with love and joy for more than the moment? A friend from Honduras told me once a volunteer from Canada gave him a piggy-back ride when he was a kid and it made him so happy...I think of the millions of piggy back rides I've given and ask God, "Please let that show them they are loved."

Did I make a difference tying kids shoes in Guatemala? Teaching them to count? Writing their name? When I chose the little four-year-old girl as the top horse rider and she grabbed my face in her pudgy little hands and asked, "why me?" Did that impact her like it did me?

I don't know that we can ever know, but we can do our best. I feel so unworthy of this life - so I'm going to make the best of it. I know how people have helped me, loved me, encouraged me. The best I can do is try to do the same.

I can only pray that the Lord uses me to bless others the way I have been blessed.

This is a beautiful life.