I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me...

When I left home in August, I wasn't planning to be back for Christmas. Actually I was kind of hoping that I wouldn't have to come back at all. Not because I hate home or anything, there's just so much to see out there and I want to see as much of it as I possibly can. But plans change. Life happens. So now I'm sitting in a hotel room in San Pedro Sula anxiously awaiting the arrival of the shuttle that will take me to the airport.

I don't think it's any surprise to anyone that I wasn't all too happy about this decision when I first made it, but I've come to terms with it. Like I said, life happens. Sometimes that means that things are thrown your way that you'd really rather not face. Those things still have to be faced. You can't run away forever. So I'm not going to run, I'm going to deal with everything so that I can eventually be healthier and ready to take on whatever life my send my way next.

Sure, I'm not exactly following the path I thought or hoped I would, but that doesn't mean it's the wrong one. I've learned quite a bit on this journey and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I got to spend 4 months teaching some amazing kiddos. We shared so much laughter and also so many moments for frustration. I already miss them all so much. I made some new friends in getting to know the other teachers. I'm so thankful for the times we spent together talking about everything from teaching to politics to just life in general.

I got to visit some amazing Mayan ruins and visit the beach. I found out that I can, indeed get by in a foreign country on my own. I can live in a world that's kind of hard to live in without all of the luxuries of American life that I am so used to having. And, as it turns out, my Spanish isn't really all that terrible! I can easily communicate with people in most situations.

It's actually going to be quite strange to hear English all around me. I cannot even imagine being able to just go to the tap and get a drink without having to walk to the store to buy drinking water. And driving a car again is going to be just delightful. Not that I mind walking places at all, I actually rather enjoy it. But going anywhere of any distance will be so much easier with a car. And I won't have to see my family and friends on a screen anymore! I am so looking forward to time with my loved ones.

At 8 tonight, I will be back home. Home. That word means so much more when you've been away. It's just so comforting. See you all tonight!

Until then, one last time, much love from Honduras!