DISQUS

DonRyan · 5 months ago

No one is disappointed in you or angry. We are extremely proud of you. Talk to you soon.

Jana · 5 months ago

I have to agree with your Dad on this one..and most people within this thread. No one is disappointed if you come home early. One month trial period is fair. You gave your best and that is all that matters...We love ya and are praying for you... and your family.. as I know that they are struggling too....

Cherie · 5 months ago

Believe me, Becky, you're experiencing what we ALL do ---
no matter where we are or what the situation, we're all trying to "be brave" [in spite of the fears], so don't let yourself think even for a moment that what you're dealing with is causing any disappointment. I've had to apply 1 Peter 5:9 & 10 in the midst of many things [and pray for the Lord to "settle me!" and keep me from the craze of circumstances that I couldn't handle] and I'm sure every one of us could tell you a time or two when we went through much the same as you are now [whether at 18, 38, or a later date!] :o) ...don't be so hard on yourself --- you stepped out there [no matter that you stay or go], which is something that many would never have been able to do. So keep "stepping" for now and see where it takes you... [eventually that will be off to college and a life of your own] there's much to see and do and you'll soon find that you didn't have enough time to take it all in during the short or long season of being there. One step at a time, one day at a time is how we all make it through...and some day you'll be saying the same to someone you love. Eat, my friend, and ENJOY for now! [help your Dad get through this! LOL]

Okay now, done with the bad, let's get to the good! :o)

Oh! so surprising to see where you're living! [so NOT the "hut" I had imagined] ...very nice, AND you have your own room? So Paraguay is a big city? [well, I'm relieved to see that this is way different than what I envisioned you getting yourself into LOL]...seems to have all the comforts of home, so that's a good thing! Are you putting together a scrapbook or something for a keepsake? You'll have to show some pictures of the classroom and kids where you'll be teaching. Hugs - a universal language! :o) Wow, you have such an opportunity to make an impact here! So what's the day-to-day agenda like? So much we're waiting to hear about! Find a moment, fill us in!

Give it all you have...you have a lot to give!

Missy P. · 5 months ago

Hey chica! I know how hard it is! I really don't talk much about my last Costa Rica trip because of how terrible it was. I had to study there for 3 1/2 months and the first family I stayed with ended up having MAJOR problems and I had to move in with another family. That other family ended up hating me (because I wasn't Latina, then called ME racist!) and I was there for the last 2 1/2 months. I counted the days to go home too. But I was stuck! I HAD to be there for the duration. But that's what I had to do, make small commitments or goals for myself, pray for courage and strength to go on. Because when your'e surrounded by a family that doesn't treat you like you're family or even anywhere close, you get really homesick too. I think the first and biggest difference between us is that my first trip out of the country was when I was 16, and it was for 2 weeks. Granted, I was with a group of people that I knew every time I left the country, but I think that eased me into the whole idea of being away from family for that large of a distance. So, by the time I was stuck doing the 3 1/2 months, I had already been to that country twice for 2 weeks at a time, once at 16, and another at 18 and here I was 20 and feeling helpless as a 5 year old. I just tell everyone that hears this story that I'm glad I was the one it happened to because none of the others in my group had ever been out of the country. I'm not really sure why I told you this story, but I thought that it might help to understand that even though it seems like the world is crumbling around you, God is still there to help you reach your goals. I think the best advice I can give you is this: 1) Get the closest relationship with God that you've ever had. 2) Try to immerse yourself in the newness of everything around you. I know it's TOTALLY different from home. Nothing like Cancun, Mexico either. But if you can stay focused on seeing all the new stuff around you and get to know the people and accomplishing your assignments each day, your mind slowly gets off of home (Sorry Donnie & Charity) and gets on your new world around you. This first month is definitely going to be the hardest month, because it's all an adjustment, but God will carry you through. You're doing great Becky! I'm proud of you! Oh, and your Spanish will improve like crazy! I know it seems really hard to communicate right now, but the more you're surrounded by it and use it, the more you'll pick up and not even realize it. I know I've written you a book, but I love you and am praying for you. Chin up! Later!

Chantell · 5 months ago

Poor thing. You're wouldn't be disappointing anyone if you came home early. Just forget that.

It's going to be really really tough at first (as you know), but I think things will change as you get settled in. I think you're doing the right thing by setting the goal of a month for yourself. I think in a month's time you will be able to fairly say that you gave it your best shot if you ultimately decide to leave, OR in a month's time you will be able to say that you love your new life in Paraguay! :-)

Praying for you and hoping for the best!

Chantell

NinjaJohn · 5 months ago

I remember going to basic training... the first few days were the WORST! Sleep, food, and other routines were completely alien. I wanted to go home to my bed. That was not an option though, and now looking back, it was actually not a bad time. You will continue to miss family, but you will make many new friends. Trust that God is not only your shepherd, but also the shepherd of your family and friends here up north.

We all miss you, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that I want you to stay your 6 months. I swear, it will be the time of your life. If you come back too soon, you will regret it for the rest of your life...

DonRyan · 5 months ago

I would offer two comments. First, I don't think you speak for everyone and second, this whole regret it for the rest of your life stuff is a bunch of non-sense. I had a district board member tell me I would regret leaving Minerva for the rest of my life after such a short time and you know what, two years later and I'm not feeling it. I am not (overtly) advocating any particular time frame for this trip but over generalizations like this are both ill-informed and unhelpful.

Theresa · 5 months ago

((HUGS)) You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you!!!

jewelcavinee · 5 months ago

Being 57, it's easy for me to say....Oh, you can do it! Tough it out! Hang in there! Come on!.....BUT if I were the 18-year-old me? Oh my....I would be having all of the same feelings that you are having, Becky. I appreciate your honesty and transparency. I really do. It helps us all to pray so much more effectively for you.
And while, on the one hand, I would just love to come and get you and bring all of your favorite foods for us to chomp down on on the way back home, if you can just take it one day at a time for the first month, as you've said you're going to do, I think you will find that it will get better, Becky.
AND I am impressed with your Spanish skeelz, girl! *smile*
AND quit worrying so much about everyone being disappointed! We love you, are proud of you and, my goodness, you're doing something that I find absolutely amazing!! I didn't take my first trip on a plane until I was 23! AND I've never been outside of the US! Well, okay, we went to Niagra Falls and to the Canadian side. Big whoop. *grin*
((HUGS))