Guatemala: Dia Uno

(the view from outside our motel balcony...)

To sum it up: Guatemala was incredible.  I could not have spent my spring break in a better way with a better group of people. And something as great as this requires lots of blogging (wooooo, I know you're on the edge of your seat :P)!! I think I will spare you to only 7 posts or a snippet and thought of mine from each day, although I could go on for days about my time there.

Day 1:
We definitely made a jump start on the day, by waking up at 2:45 in the A.M. to get to the airport, through security, and all that jazz for our bright and early flight. Around noon we arrived in Guatemala City, to be greeted by our ride to the Mission in San Lucas.  The drive was about 4 hours and included some gorgeous scenery along the way paired with some pretty bumpy roads.  We came across some pretty fearless drivers, an ostrich (that you could feed for 5 Q!) at a gas station, and a "mystery spot" or paso misterio.

Our driver stopped at the mystery spot to explain it to us.  It appeared that we were on a downward slope in the road up the mountains, but when he put the van in neutral we started to roll backwards.  It was completely against what you would intuitively think would happen, therefore getting the nickname from the locals as "the mystery spot." Some called it an optical illusion, others think it can be attributed to the magnetic pulls from the volcanoes, and others still claim it is simply a mystery.

At the time, I did not think much about this quirky spot, but later in the week and when returning home it gained much more significance for me in hindsight.  It was a great way to start off my adventure in Guatemala because it showed me that everything I saw could be not be explained, but must be experienced.  It was reminder to not make judgments after first glances because that rarely tells the whole story, and I may be missing out on something incredible if I let first impressions have too much of a say. Finally, it was preparing me to be up for anything God was going to have thrown my way because He works in such beautiful, and mysterious ways! Originally, I know I never would have thought about the significance of a mystery spot, but I believe God was teaching me a little lesson through it and I am sure glad it planted these thoughts in my head.

So here's to experiencing and appreciating all of the mystery spots in my life...they sure do keep it interesting!
cheers.

Love, AL

#ashtag

Happy LENT!

I am pretty pumped for the Lenten season that is now upon us.  I am ready for the opportunity (paired with a slight dollop of obligation) to grow closer to Our Lord through a good bit of sacrifice and a recognition that I need to spend more time in prayer.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

As St. Paul said it, Lent is a golden opportunity to renounce the things of this world that hold me back from growing in holiness.  It is a time to allow for the Lord transform me. Yesterday, I watched a short video of Scott Hahn explaining a new perspective we should take on the season of Lent in order to open our hearts more to God.  In making sacrifices, spending more time in prayer, or whatever we choose to do, we are truly experiencing the weakness that comes as a result of our imperfect humanity.  The sacrifices aren't easy, and they shouldn't be (because what's the sacrifice in that? ha)! But it is in the difficulty, we acknowledge our need for God's unending grace. In accepting my brokenness, I realize my need for God.  This Lent, I am committing to spending 40 minutes in prayer whether in Mass, Adoration, and another form of prayer.  I am taking 40 minutes out of my day and offering them up for this beautiful transformation of the Spirit.  This is definitely a season of hope because God is ready to dump a hearty scoop of grace all upon us! Pretty cool, right? :)

I must admit that although, I am not jumping up and down at the thought of no sweets for quite awhile (what can I say? I like my sugar), I am thrilled that through it I will be reminded daily of the many blessings that I have been given. I will be going without a regular treat that I am able to indulge it, and hopefully will be learning to appreciate that I have been given more than enough.  In 8 days (eeeep!), I will be travelling to Guatemala on a service immersion trip, and I hope these small sacrifices will help prepare me to live in solidarity with the people I will be serving. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for me! So more on Guatemala later!

So here's to a purifying, grace-filled, and renewing Lenten season! cheers.  

AL.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." Romans 12:12