where has the time gone??

HELLO!!!!!

Yes, yes, i have paused my quick-paced life in order to catch everyone up with what has been happening. Ever since the mission trip, i've been trying ever so hard to get back into the lull of things and just when i was about to blog about my awesome experience, an assignment or dag gone essay was due. but now, easter break is upon us and tomorrow is Good Friday, so i'm able to stay up a little later and blog!

Allow me to regail my El Salvador mission trip:

First off, thank you all who contributed to my Rock-A-Thon. The money you sent was most definitely a blessing. I was able to take the week before i left, off of work and thank Jesus i did because there was so much i had to get done! Shopping for skirts that were below the knee was a difficult task but my mom and i were able to snag 3 gypsy skirts (LOVED THEM!) and then bought a dress and another skirt, also some cute shirts.

So that friday, we left the school for Newark airport around 2:30am. i was pretty nervous about the plane because i've never flown before but the boarding process wasn't bad at all and my seat was with justin and timmy so i was in good hands (hahaha). no seriously, timmy tried ever so hard to freak me out without success HA! wouldn't you know though, it started snowing as soon as we left the school and by the time we boarded the plane, there was about 2 inches on the plane wings. So, they had to de-ice them which was a pretty cool process to watch (i scored the window seat!!) about 30 minutes later, we were up in the air.

We arrived in Houston about an hr later than expected and thankfully, our 80+ group of people made the majority of the plane heading to el salvador so it had to wait for us to board. we all hurried on and took off in this little jet. A rough landing in el salvador made me sick for a couple minutes but we were on the ground and just had to get through Customs. After that, we went outside and Garret, Castillo Del Rey's coordinator for the week, met us up, helped us load our luggage into the luggage truck. In two buses we went, climbing a mountain to Castillo Del Rey (our headquarters for the week).

How gorgeous it was! It's located in the middle of a volcano (don't worry it's done erupting!) and on this hugeeee hill was a prayer tower. Saturday night, we all went up there to pray. we formed a prayer line and i got such a touch from God, it literally felt like He wrapped me in His presence. No answers about college or anything were revealed but i got a sense that He was going to move in me that week. And He most certainly did. I was able to pray for people, pray in a way i've never prayed before. such strength in words and encouragement that were only through God. I was given courage, was actually led to pray for people. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and ultimately, i got what i went there for. I didn't go for answers, didnt go for fun, i was hungry for a closer, more mature relationship with God and I'm blessed and happy to say, I received just that. The children were amazing and i wish i couldve taken each and every one of them home with me, cleaned them, and given them a prosperous life. however, i know God will take care of them because they are His precious little ones. He provides for the birds, how much more will He provide the needs for such as these?

And now...PICTURES!!

poor living conditions in el salvador (on the way to Castillo Del Rey)

yes, we had horses at Castillo Del Rey!! i was in my element

SeRy dressed like a clown =)

He was so utterly adorable!!

Sonya and me--she was about six years old and she accepted Jesus into her heart that day ♥

Tommy (he's so crazy!) and me

brother and sister-oh they were so CUTE!

oh these girls were my favorite group!!

yes, we also had a monkey on campus named poncho!!

this little boy hugged me and would not let go so i took a picture with him ♥ ♥

Noe--he was one of our translators for Zone 6! WOO! (if you're wondering, this was taken our last day when we all went to a resort for the entire day!!)

Josh (Master's Commission student) and me--he's cool =)