life updates

I haven't posted in forever. That is because I have been SUPER busy. Time is just flying by! We are already in June! I WILL BE HOME NEXT MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finished up after-school three Fridays ago, and finished up at Pace two Fridays ago. It was really hard for me to leave Pace because I love it so much there, and it really has become my home here in Immokalee. When things are hard and everything is chaotic here, that was my the one constant place that made me want to get up every morning. I was honored the day I left by being named Employee of the Month. I started to cry as I was walking out. The executive director as well as some faculty and staff took me out to lunch and it was really nice. I loved being there and it will forever be in my heart. 

I've been working at Guadalupe Center in the office preparing for summer program. Tons of copying, binder assembling, supply gathering, nametag making, etc. etc.  It's cool doing the behind-the-scenes work...never knew how much work really went into preparing for it. 

We had two days of orientation, and tomorrow we set up our classroom. Wednesday we start :) I have 22 kids in my class, and 4 of them are ones I had in after-school program so I am excited :) I am also excited about all my new materials and supplies people have so kindly sent me. The kids will benefit so much from them and I feel so blessed. I have some more packages being sent as well and I am just so grateful for the support I am receiving from family and friends. :) 

My dear friend/soro sister Laura came to visit last weekend, I love her she is just the best. Some highlights of the visit were our trip to the beach and getting some delicious pizza. Mmmm mmm mmmm. And buying melons at the side of the road. :) It was so nice seeing her and catching up. Her visits mean so much to me. This weekend my program director Sr. Mary and my dear friend Carrie came. It was so nice having them here. We explored the town, they went to different organizations and met with people, we had a cook-in (was supposed to be a cook-out, but it rained) and had some HM alums over as well. We went to church, brunch and beach on Sunday for a bit before we got rained on. And we played a three hour game of cards. We watched Sister Act 1 AND 2, and had ice cream. We went to the market. And we got locked out of my car, and had 3 strangers help us get it open. They turned down the money I offered them, and it re-affirmed something I already knew. There are BEAUTIFUL people here in Immokalee, and in the world. I love the moments like those. I will also mention, that, in total, it took three  hours to get that car open. And these three people came to help us, literally one minute after Carrie and I decided to pray. God is good. :)

Got 38 days left here...which just seems crazy. My year is almost over. I'm ready for home but will miss Immokalee a lot. It's changed me. I've grown so much. And I've fallen in love with the people here. There are two immersion groups coming down soon---one this weekend! Eeek! I hope everything goes smoothly. Immokalee is a beautiful place and I want their experiences to echo that. 

Anyways...I'm super tired as I type this, so I am going to wrap it up. :) Thanks for reading, I will write more soon. :)