Why do I do what I do?

Part 2 is coming I promise! I have lots of thoughts, lots of stories, and lots of fun pictures to share on the subject. But, God put this post on my heart today so I thought I would share these words with you instead...

I am often asked why I do what I do...or how I do what I do. I am not always exactly sure what they are referring to, because to me, this is my life so it doesn't really feel like I am "doing" anything. That being said though, I know that what they are trying to ask is, "Why did I leave my family, my friends, my church, my home, my job, my security, my culture, my country, my language, really my life to come here to Guatemala....to a country that is poverty and crime ridden, a country that sees more than one natural disaster every year (and often times has major ones like the volcanic eruption that happened just over a month ago), a country that still struggles to have a stable government and to overcome all the boundaries that were put up over their 36 year long civil war, a country that battles to convince their youth that gangs, drugs, etc. are not the answers to their problems...yeah why did you do that?" Forgive my incredibly long run on sentence, but really that is what is at the heart of the question "Why do you do what you do?"

Well, some of you probably know why I did it and why I am doing it. But, maybe some of you are still wondering. I am not going to lie...I sometimes even ask myself that question after a hard day here. But, the answer is simple...God called me to do it and there is no where else on earth I would rather be. Sure all the aforementioned things are hard. Sure, I have cried lots of tears over all that my kids and I are missing out on. Sure, I am scared sometimes. But, I do this because God called me to do it and because I love it.

Last night the youth group had an "Oscar's Night." They all had to dress up like they were really going to the Oscars. 11 out of my 14 girls are in youth group, so this house was a little on the crazy side yesterday afternoon as 11 teenage girls were trying to get beautified! I loved every second of it. I was the official stylist for the day, and I loved being able to love on them in that way. Before they left, Hubby whipped out our little Flip video camera and we had them "walk the runaway." Then, he drove them upstairs to the event in a limo "aka a 15 passenger van." Not gonna lie...I was super misty eyed as I watched them all go. How proud I was (and am) to be their Mama. What a blessed woman I am! It is why I do what I do!

One of our awesome missionaries here made a short video featuring some of our kiddos beautiful faces. I cried as I watched it, so be prepared! Anyway, I am sharing it here with you. Please watch it, and think...

This is why Sara is doing what she is doing.

And then pray for these beautiful children...for their future...for their families...for their hearts...for healing...and for God to show Himself in such a mighty and powerful way to these beautiful children of the King and that their lives may make a mark on their country for eternity.

So in case you were wondering, this is why I do what I do!