Transitioning

Well, it's been an awesome year!

And my time here in Quito is now actually coming to an end. It still feels surreal, and I cannot believe how quickly a year can past, but really I cannot complain. I have been so incredibly blessed this year with God working in the most amazing and often unexpected situations. I know now that God put me here to grow. I have made amazing relationships, but also relationships that might be difficult to maintain even though they have made such an impact on my life. I've learned a lot about myself, relating to other people, and accepting another culture. Not everything was easy this year, but I can say that I have been genuinely happy. One of the greatest examples of this to me was Christmas. Wow, so far away from home and my family, but also I can honestly say it was one of the best Christmas times of my life. It was very different and I was sad at first, but God brought our community together that week to create a family - playing games together, going ice skating, watching Christmas Classics, etc. I'm definitely going to need time to process more, but I want to tell you all thank you for the prayers and continuous support. I am blessed!

Moving on...

This Friday "la aventura" continues for me as I leave for Colombia. For the next 2 months, I will be backpacking home through Central America. My friend Lauren has already made it here to Ecuador safely, and we are about to begin this journey, meeting our friend Jen in Panama City on August 12th. We are doing it 'no reservations' style...aka we have no real plans made, but we do have a tentative schedule and a couple hot spots. We are going to see a couple cities in all 7 Central American countries, as well spend time in Colombia and Mexico. In the beginning of October, we will be ending in San Diego, California visiting my Aunt Kitty and Uncle Scott! I cannot wait to start and see where this new adventure takes me.

I ask again for your prayers! Beyond my excitement, I am nervous and asking for prayers for an open mind. I pray for good fellowship with Lauren and Jen as we embark on this journey together. I also pray that I can live in the moment and be excited and ready for each new day and place. Finally, I pray for safety. I have confidence that God is good and will protect me as His child these next couple months and beyond.

Thank you in advance!
Much love,
Taylor

PS I will be trying to update this blog every couple days as we begin traveling. I don't know how available internet and computer access will be all the way through, but I promise that I will try to do my best!