letters from panimaquin pt 1

November 23, 2008 after 2 PM

(long, long entry about going to church in El Tejar)

...On the way back to Panimaquin, we stopped and stood on some ledges. We also took pictures. I really just enjoyed standing there and being overwhelmed by the bigness around me. Of the land and of God and of life. I felt very alive, as I usually do when here. Then we drove up to San Diego, on a road that goes to the peak of the mountain. It was so beautiful. I wonder what it's like to live here and feel like this every day. I wonder if it ever diminishes or disappears. Speaking of today, it is a gorgeous Sunday. The sun is shining bright, and though the breeze is cold, it's really nice out. Sometimes I wonder if my dream is to live here. But I know, in the end, God has the final say. And I trust Him. At least, I'm learning to. All that matters is this beautiful, almost silent (roosters and wind!) moment in the most peaceful, life-filled place I've ever known. It just came to mind- "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures... He restores my soul." This moment, for me, is that exactly. The Spanish verb bastar means "to be enough". This right here is bastar. I feel... infinite.

[sidenote: I remember this moment perfectly. It is one of my favorite memories of Panimaquin, and a feeling I get while there daily. This photo is the view walking up to San Diego (the city above Panimaquin on the mountain)]

[this is part of the "letters from panimaquin" series, which you can read about here.]

letters from panimaquin

I've decided to start another series! I said: Let there be "Letters from Panimaquin"!(And God saw that it was good.) Oh, my humor is endless.

With my upcoming trip to Panimaquin, Guatemala in August (my fourth time there in 2 years, yet not nearly enough); it's been on my heart a lot. Even in my dreams! And in celebration, anticipation, and excitement for the 13 days of wonderful that are to be spent there, I am reading my old journals from previous trips. Unfortunately there are only 2 journals because the first one mysteriously disappeared mid-trip...hmmm...

While in Panimaquin, I have made a pact to write in my journal at least once daily. I document the things that happened, as well as the things I felt, and what was on my mind. Reading them again is incredbily inspiring, and makes me long to be in my favorite place on the planet again. Reading them brings back the memories in full life detail- I can almost see, taste, and feel the moments as if they were real!

I wanted to share some of these entries with you! So as I read them, I will post the really cool (and less embarrassing) ones.

Let us begin this journey together! :)