arriving in ecuador.

I always knew I wanted to study abroad, but I never thought I'd end up in Quito.  It's been about two weeks and I already recognize blessings that will come out of this semester.  

I came into my freshman year of college adamant on studying abroad during my four years at Trinity.  I immediately began to schedule my four years around the idea of studying abroad in the spring of my junior year.  I've always had a heart for missions and knew that if I worked hard, I would be able to "take a semester off" and spend a semester abroad focusing on ministry and growth.  When I heard that Trinity sponsored a semester abroad to Ecuador, I knew it was the perfect place.  Since then I have been working like crazy to get my major requirements and countless teacher-aiding hours out of the way so I could pack up and spend this spring experiencing Quito.  

So here I am, two weeks in.  Already this semester has blessed me and tried me.  I found it a lot more difficult to leave behind the wonderful loving community I had at Trinity and at home than I thought it would be.  I have found, during these first two weeks, that it's hard to feel loved and supported from thousands of miles away, even when I know I have the best friends in the world who made a daily calendar for me, sent me with notes and gifts, and stay on Skype 24 hours a day in case I get the chance to call.  But after two weeks, I have already been blessed by the relationships forming with my housemates and semester abroad staff.  I'm nervous that this semester is going to drag on yet fly by at the same time.  I'm nervous that I'll have trouble balancing relationships here and relationships at home. I am, however, excited for the adventure and kingdom work God has in store for me this semester.