On to new adventures

Welp, the time I've been anticipating has finally come.

We had our closing program yesterday morning, and I was able to say my last goodbyes to the children and fellow staff. I'll miss them all so much!

Last photo opportunity of the year.
Left to right: Beatriz, Eduardo, Samuel, Paola, Teresa.

This is the group of people I've had the pleasure of working with this year.
Left to right: Liz, Samuel, Paty, David, Bethany, Verónica.

The typical knot in the stomach hasn't hit me yet, but I expect it will after I settle in at home for a while and realize I won't be able to listen to my students' stories and sign to them, or that I won't be having any more rice, beans, and tortillas (sorry Mom) for supper along with a healthy measure of Marie Sharp's habanero hot sauce.

At the same time, I'm really looking forward to what lies ahead. I've been looking forward to going home for a while now. I haven't seen my family yet, since I'm staying in San Salvador until it's time to fly out, but I'm really excited about that prospect. And I can't wait to go back to church, the youth group, and my job.

You know, it's a blessing to be able to have two homes and two groups of friends, but that feeling is bittersweet sometimes. But it's worth it, and I thank God for having given me the opportunity.

I can't wait to see what the future holds, but whatever it is, I'm sure God has a lot to teach me! These three years in El Salvador working with the deaf have taught me many valuable life lessons. Granted, I'm stubborn and it's taken quite a few lessons, but God has been good and I feel like I've been learning about as much or more as my students have.

And to all of you faithful supporters, thank you so much for praying for me! I wish I could thank each of you personally, but I guess this will have to suffice. Thank you for your support and prayers. I couldn't have done this without you. May God abundantly bless each one of you!

That said, I don't mean to say that I don't need prayer anymore. As friends have reminded me, coming home doesn't mean I'm done being a missionary. I can be a missionary to my family, my friends, my church etc. I don't need to be in a foreign country or even another state. So please continue praying for me. Pray that God would continue to work out his plan for me in my life. Thank y'all so much!

Trying to get all our "teacher stuff" done before the end of the year.

Enjoying some quality staff game time that had
been seriously lacking at times.

Solomon anointed as the new king.

Solomon and his faithful servants/soldiers.

Solomon's dream.

"This is not my baby!!"

"No, don't kill the baby! Give it to her instead..."

The queen of Sheba decides to visit Solomon.

A short update

Hey guys! I know it's been a while, and I do apologize. I just wanted to let you know what's been going on recently.

Since I wrote at the August we had our interviews with Nata and Becky. I informed them that this would be last year and that although I enjoyed my three years working at CICS, I wouldn't plan to work next year.

So this month is not just the last month of this school year, it is also the last month of my work here at CICS. I'm going to miss El Salvador and the deaf a great deal, I'm sure, but I feel like it is time to let others continue the work I'm convinced God will find others who can carry on the work at the deaf school. Right now, I'm really looking forward to going home more than almost anything, but ask me next February, I'll probably be wishing to come back. But all good things usually need to come to an end...

Pray for all of us staff as we get closer to the last days of this year. Pray that we could finish strong and do our best. These last weeks are usually terribly hectic, and sometimes it can be hard to stay focused on God and not let our to-do lists beat us over the head. Thank you very much for your support and prayers!