Nostalgia...

Nathan almost always spills but he does not worry because it is for "the birds"

Sno Shack girls!



That's right, nostalgia has set in... BIG TIME...

I know I only plan on being gone for 6 months, but I have been feeling super nostalgic about everything lately. I went to Frank West School, where I used to teach, yesterday and I teared up. It is going to be weird not going back to work this year. In fact, it will be my first year since kindergarten not going back to school. Weird, really weird. Just the other night I was hanging out with my sister and she just said, "I am going to miss you, Susan" and I wanted to bawl like a baby right then and there. Now, don't get me wrong, I am super excited and cannot wait to be in Guatemala, but it is just going to be hard to leave behind this life as I trade for the life God has for me for this season. The thing that made me most nostalgic was an event that happened last night...

As some of you might know, I have a Sno Shack passion that goes beyond the occasional summer refreshment. I have made it my goal to try every Sno Shack flavor on the list and have been an avid fan for years. This summer I started something wonderful with my niece, Elisabeth. Every Sunday after church and lunch we would swing by Sno Shack on our way home. We dubbed this event Sno Shack Sunday and both looked forward to it every week. I talked to my sister Leann yesterday and she told me that her and Elisabeth had talked about how I would be going away to a different country for a while. Elisabeth quickly said "So no more Sno Shack Sundays?!?" I know exactly how she felt. I got the chance to hang out with Elisabeth and Nathan yesterday night so we swung by Sno Shack after dinner. First of all the one that we always go to was closed. Panic began to set in as I quickly drove to the next nearest little blue hut. Thankfully it was still open because the sign on the window said that today, August 18th was the LAST day it was open for the season... booo hooo... so we enjoyed out last snow cone of the season while I enjoyed my time with these two precious children. I am going to miss this!!!

Patience is a virtue

I borrowed a hiking backpack for my DTS and as soon as I brought it into my room I was ready to fill it up with clothes and other collected items. I am getting so excited and honestly had to talk myself out of packing since I have four weeks left and the "left over" clothes would be slim pickins to make it through. I have been getting things that I think I will need little by little as I shop and have acquired a decent sized pile of stuff in my room. I am beginning to think that I should be diagnosed as an overpacker. Unfortunately, they do not have a cure or prescription readily avalible for overpackeritis so I guess the next best thing is to bring 2 suitcases instead of one... hope the airlines give missionary discounts on checked luggage!