Family

So, I told myself before I moved here that I would be better at blogging. And I’m not. When I was preparing to move I thought that a lot of other things were going to change too, most people do when gearing up for big change. But in reality you’re just the same ole person that you were before you decided to do whatever you did. Be it impatient, quick tempered, bad at blogging, whatever the case may be, wherever you live, whatever you choose to do with your life, you are who you are. That being said, I’ve learned a lot about who I am personally over the past 7 months. I blamed a lot of my bad qualities and habits on living in the States; overstimulation and stress, I said. But really, no matter where I am, or how many kids I have, I lose my temper over small things, can’t keep up with laundry, am terrible at blogging, and have to say sorry a lot of times a day.

The past 7 months have been some of the best and most difficult of my 22 years on this earth. Things happened that I expected, and that I could never have imagined. I discovered that teenage girls are the same in every country, equally as hormonal and endearing (at least I think so). I found that splitting myself equally between all my kids takes conscience effort. I’ve uncovered little hearts of gold that hurt and hope far beyond their years, and care for each other better than most adults do. My family has grown in both size and unity in the past 7 months. There were times of frustration, doubt, and confusion as to whether I was doing this right, or screwing it all up (more often than not). There were times of celebration, joy, and moments where everything felt perfect and whole. There was vomit and fevers, and late nights with sick kiddos and a sick mommy. There were moments of loss and moments of triumph. Soccer games, parades, school dances, and graduations. There were days of fighting and bloody noses, and nights of cuddling up, all 8 of us, and watching The Little Mermaid. There were boxes sent from people that we love in the United States, birthday parties, and the piecing together of a house that has turned into a home. But overall, more than any of this there was love and there was family. On the good days and the bad days, we loved each other, and the family that was waiting 4 years to come together has done just that.

The holidays tend to make people reflective, and expectant of the New Year and what it will bring. These past few days I have been grateful for my little kids and their patience with me. Grateful for my two teenagers and the fact that I couldn’t do this without their help. Grateful for people in the United States that don’t even know us, but believe in the Miskito people and their potential. Grateful for my parents and sister, and how much they sacrifice to make this project happen. Grateful that we have an incredible board of directors that dreams big, and puts the work in to make all of this come together. Grateful to serve a loving and forgiving God who picks me up when I’m at my worst. Grateful for Christmas and cheery songs and lights on our house. Grateful for you, whoever you are, reading this and (maybe) caring about what I have to say.

We love you all so much, and hope that you have an incredible holiday season and New Year. We send you all of our love and good vibes from here in La Moskitia. Also, I included a few Christmas card outtakes for your viewing pleasure.

Look forward to the next blog November 2015… just kidding. I will try and do better.

Kayla Austin