The thoughts in my head

Dearest Readers,

Let me say I am so sorry for my hiatus! I have wanted to blog several times this month, but every time I sat down at the computer my fingers wanted to talk about what's on my mind. And what's on my mind has been quite boring.

Today, however, I bit the bullet and decided to see what words I could come up with and cross my fingers that it satisfies you, patient readers. So here goes.

What's on my mind??

The fact that this is my last year of high school. Although Pre-Calculus and SAT practice have made me long to just be accepted to a college already, the reality is that I am not even close to being ready for this. And, quite frankly, I find it ridiculous that society asks 18 year olds to make such a huge decision. Maybe I need to go into law or something and change it to 21 years old. That seems much better, don't you think?

I know, however, that I will never feel ready for this next step--even if I changed the age of incoming freshmen to 30.

But this is all very boring reading because practically every high school senior has felt the same exact way. So I'll leave that there and move on to one of my favorite subjects.

I hope you're not tired of hearing about Argentina, because I'm pretty sure I will never run out of things to say about it.

It's been a year since I was there. That seems so strange to me. I can still feel the trembling excitement and disbelief I felt as that plane touched down in Buenos Aires. It was so surreal to be back.

The bus outside La Puerta Abierta

I didn't know when I would be back last year, so I took lots of pictures like that one--scenery that I want to remember for always. That knowledge led me to embrace every single moment, unwilling to go to bed until I literally fell into it in exhaustion. This summer, the summer that's missing that view, I'm thankful for all of those minutes I had. 

Another shot of the church--hey, I know those people! :)

I'm so glad I took these pictures. So many sweet memories were made inside those buildings. 

Last Saturday my whole family gathered to watch Argentina play in the World Cup. We easily got swept away in the fervent passion of the game, shouting and cheering and celebrating when Argentina won. We swapped stories of our time there during the commercial breaks. I put on Mason's Messi jersey when it looked like Argentina was going to lose and needed a little more good luck. :) 

The school connected to the church

After the game we got on Facebook to find dozens of posts from Argentines we know and love--literally cheering online. We joined in, and as I sat there, surrounded by my family loving this country from afar, and connected to loved ones over there by social media, I was just amazed. Three years ago we didn't even know anything about Argentina. And yet here we are today, with so many dear ones and wonderful experiences in that country I love so much. 

That gives me hope for this whole college thing. I know that my plans and desires are not the same as God's. I'm stubborn and so I will most likely kick and scream all the way to wherever He wants me to go next year--but I know I have to trust Him. When we went to Argentina the first time I thought I knew what I wanted, too. I wanted to stay in the same exact house as my mom and brothers, and when I found out that wasn't happening I kicked and screamed and was a stubborn mule. 

But then. You all know how much I love the family that hosted me. I love them so much I went back and stayed with them another year. I love them so much I know I will be back again. 

God's plans are good. They're more than that--they're infinitely better than anything we could possibly dream up.

So I look at my pictures from Argentina, and I remind myself that He knows what He's doing. I don't have to be a stubborn mule this time, because I know I will be fine once I get there. I'll just keep reminding myself of that. 

In the meantime, I have a fútbol game to watch. :) Vamos Argentina!!!! 

Hugs to you, dear Readers! Thanks for sticking with me through the end. I hope your summer is going well, and I hope you are cheering for Argentina in the World Cup! ;) I promise not to desert you for so long again. 

Your blogger,

 Claire