"And the second is like it," Love your neighbor as yourself." -Matthew 22:39

When first stepping off our truck the first week here in the small village of Bethel...All I could could see was poverty. Little kids running up to me absolutely filthy covered with dirt, and snot. I see flea-infested dogs, and dirt roads. I see trash on all corners of the streets-it's all my eyes can pick up on. I see tatered, worn-out clothes on people who've never left this small village. I  feel unbearable humid weather. I feel dirty.

Not until this week, I realize how much my perspective has  completely changed.

Stepping off the same truck, in the same exact place 2 & a half months later....

I see joyful crazy kids jumping up on me with the sweetest smiles. I see community. I see a beautiful volcano in the background, with gorgeous scenery every where I turn. I see my friends. I see-I feel Happiness.

I can not express in words how much of a blessing Nicaragua has been to me, and how much my heart has changed. 

Before living here, before this trip I had different priorities. I was living for myself. I had right intentions, but my heart wasn't necessarily in the right place. When something didn't go my way, when something wasn't planned how I wanted it to be. It frusterated me. I had anxiety-Always looking ahead, not living in the NOW.

My eyes are opened to so much. And like Bethel, I am in the same place, yet everything looks different.

I never want to live for me! Something will always bring me down. I LIVE FOR THE LORD. "..We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."- Isaiah 64:8 I let God mold me into the NayNay He wants me to be. It happened here in Nicaragua.

 It stil remains a mystery, and I can't quite specify a time and place. However, I am transformed. Never again, will I see through the eyes of my past. I no longer live in the past. I no longer live with, "what-ifs"

It's almost like everything is a  bit clearer.

I had a period here, where I was confused, frusterated, and I did not think I could enjoy being here for almost three months. However, it ALL turned around. Once I really prayed. Once I really looked at what I was frusterated with. Once  I realized that I let minor nonsense things distract me. I found my joy. My joy in loving The Lord. My joy in loving everyone here. I am so happy, I just want everyone to feel how I do! I want everyone to know the joy they can have, when it's from The Lord.

I could definitely be doing this the rest of my life :)