December 2008

Follow my journey on a separate blog. It can be found at http://www.guatemalaproject.wordpress.com

Since my last post, life has come at me fast. It seems as though once my intention to go to Guatemala was set, everything has moved into position almost magically. It is sometimes unbelievable, yet undeniable.

Thinking it would take some time to lease our house, I posted on a rental site and then the perfect tenants called the next day and wanted possession in about 10 days! Yikes! So I called my husband and we circled the wagons by calling in the sons-in-law crew (and I’ve got 4 wonderful son-in-laws) and my daughters, our friends and maybe a few strangers. It was nothing but action for a week.

This was a fortunate turn of events with one small caveat. We were 8 weeks or so away from moving to Guatemala and needed to find a temporary home. This is where the adventure began and reality set in. I admit I had a sinking feeling as I realized that I had actually committed myself to live and work in another country of which I do not speak the language and that there were many things that needed to fall into place in order for me to do that such as leasing the house, renting an apartment in Guatemala City, selling a vehicle, buying a vehicle there as well as a host of others. From my own limited perspective, it actually seemed impossible. Thankfully I remembered that I am not the general manager of the Universe and that I could, indeed be open to any possibility and attached to no particular outcome. As the last box was loaded, I calmed myself and embraced the thought of where we were going to spend the next 8 weeks…on our 43 foot 1969 Nautaline houseboat on the lake!

Fall is a wonderful time to take up residence on this lake. It is quiet because the summer lake crowd is gone and it is peaceful because natural beauty is all around. Watching the sun rise over the dam has been a very special daily event. Seeing the western sky grow warm at sunset has been deeply moving. In the early morning and late evening, it is not unusual to see deer. At times it may only be a doe and her baby grazing along the shoreline, while other times there is a large group. They are stunning creatures and they always make my heart smile. Watching the ever changing characteristics of the water provides endless opportunities to really enjoy the lake. I took to running a three mile course from the marina where our boat is to a nearby campground and took in every piece I could of the exquisite autumn days.

Then there was winter.