Goodbyes and Notes

It's that time. Tearful smiles, laugh-filled exclamations, last glances, and many hugs. How do you say goodbye to friends like the ones that The Lord blessed me with? Well, first you bake all day. Seriously. Tonight was my goodbye dessert, so naturally I baked four desserts -- the most loved being a triple layered chocolate cake that had frosting made with one and a half pounds of dark chocolate. If that won't drown some feelings I don't know what will. After my lovely day in the kitchen, friends poured in. Actually a lot of friends poured in. I wasn't expecting the turn out, but was blessed mightily by it.

For three hours I talked, laughed, and brushed hearts with people that I love and love me. After the last goodbyes, a few especially hard, I gathered up the cards that people handed me through out the night and went back to my room. First, I opened Laurie's (Yes, Laurie I know you're reading this and I am very thankful for your generosity, you are too good to me! Love you!). But, before I could read the words I paused. From everything people have said, being away from home is hard. Especially for ten months. Sometimes I am not sure I can do it. Every one of these cards is a vote of confidence. A hand in the air, a tally next to my name, all with one message of Truth, "you can do this."

So I opened all the envelopes and put the notes in my favorite envelope (it says "Regular Attender Erin" on the front and it makes me smile and get leaky-eyes all at once). I think I'll read the letters through out the year. On the days that the Enemy says I can't. On the days when even chocolate cake won't cut it. Because really, how do we keep on? By every Word of The Father; I know those are the words of The Father through the pens of lovely friends. Soon I'll need a hand raised in my favor, a vote cast for me, a tally next to my name, and I know where to look. Praise God!

Healthy Dad, Healthy Plans

For those of you who were not aware (and don't feel bad if you weren't, it wasn't big public knowledge), for the past month my travel plans went on ice. My family found out the end of June that my dad had a tumor on his thyroid, most likely cancerous. While we waited for surgery to tell us how serious it would be, I stayed close to home and decided to hold off on things like packing in case I was needed at home next year. It was a wild ride. I literally opened my hands to God, to His will, His plan and laid Portantorchas on the alter. Then, I opened my arms realizing that I would have to not only lay this next year on the alter, but also my father. If he took it all, what would I do? Would I still praise? Yes, I would praise through the tears.

Yesterday my father had surgery and it went perfectly. The tumor and thyroid came out, he is really well and coming home today. He most likely will not even need any follow up treatment. God is faithful, He is gracious, and He lavishes beyond what we deserve. I am praising through the laughter and joy.

I am learning that no matter the diagnosis, the result, the plan for the next year, it is my joy to praise and to carry on no matter what. So I as wake up in a sweat, mind racing about packing and missing my flight and all the things that scare me, I simply cast my eyes on Jesus, the one who brought my father through in perfect condition, and I claim that on my life. Do I think nothing bad will happen, no destruction will find me, I will never have my heart broken? No. I believe wholeheartedly that bad things could happen. But, I believe that my God is bigger and that my faith will not be shaken.

For all you who want the plan, I will leave my house around noon on the 1st of August and get to SFO for my 8:30 pm red-eye flight. I get to San Jose on the 2nd and will be at my school all of August through November. I am applying to Orphanage Emmanuel in Honduras for my Christmas break. I plan to be there all of December and January. I will get back to school for my last semester, and home the beginning of June. So that's the plan, phew.

I will continue to update this blog as I travel as often as I can. You'll be seeing pictures, hearing stories, and meeting the people I meet through words and photos. Here's to a great year! Cheers and blessings!

Here is my address:

Student Name
Portantorchas 
1291-2150 Moravia
San José, Costa Rica