by Kimmie Liette | Apr 11, 2014 | Writings |
The past six months that I lived in Guatemala felt like a lifetime.
(In a good way)
I’ve been blessed to have met women like Veronica.
She has a beautiful heart and a radiant smile that always left me laughing.
She began as my Spanish teacher and quickly became a dear friend.
Since being back in the States,
(I’d like to say back home, but I’m still confused where home truly is)
I’ve come to the awakening of the gaping hole in my chest.
It’s difficult to leave your heart in another country with people who became apart of your story.
When your lives collide and you realize that you are more alike than you could’ve ever imagined.
That despite cultural differences, and sometimes (a lot of times) language barriers, we are human.
We all possess the deep longing to be seen and to be loved.
I came back to Florida and knew that the wild world outside had changed me.
My eyes couldn’t see things the same, though at times, they tried.
I longed for the warm embrace of a beautiful Mayan friend that I’ve met on the street.
The woman named Thomasa that I’ve adopted as my abuelita (little grandma).
She sells mangoes, papaya, and watermelon every day at the age of eighty-seven.
It’s these kinds of people who leave a lasting impact on the heart.
The ones who are content with the little they have, and encourage you to share in their joy.
They are the ones who changed my eyes, and I’ll forever be grateful to them.
by Kimmie Liette | Jan 1, 2014 | Writings
December 31, 2013
Location: In the sky
Once again, Brady and I are flying.
It seems that we spend more time on planes than on ground, but that’s not necessarily true.
It was a good run- the past month; Being able to surprise our families and come home for Christmas. Two-weeks in Ohio and two-weeks in Florida. We are now on our way back to Guatemala, where we have lived for the past three months. It’s pretty unusual, our life, but it’s great.
With teary eyes and a heavy heart, we said ‘see-you-later’ to my parents and little sister at the Tampa airport just a little while ago. It’s hard because we never know when the next time is that we will be back; it’s always just hoping that it sooner rather than later. And here we are, on New Years Eve, turning a page and starting a new chapter: back to Guatemala, but beginning a new season.
It’s very hard to say good-bye to our families, but we have to do what God asks us to do and we have to trust Him, no matter what.
To the ends of the earth, I will follow. Through every hardship and every storm, I will trust you, Lord. You are my strength; you are my source of joy.
Let my life not be ordinary, but lead me into your will, and guide me all the way through.
I am yours and you are mine. I love you.
by Kimmie Liette | Nov 16, 2013 | Photography, Writings
Happy Day, Friend!
Brady and I are sitting in a little cafe here in San Juan, Guatemala. We have been staying out in the middle of nowhere for almost a month at an old retreat center type place.
We are fortunate enough to be around one of the most beautiful lakes in the world: Lago De Atitlan.
There are three volcanoes located around the lake, creating an even more breathtaking view at any time of the day. It’s an hour boat ride to the other side, and all travel from village to village requires way of boat. It is here in these villages that the people dress in traditional Mayan attire and speak the ancient indigenous Mayan language, Tz’utujil.
What a beautiful life they get to live.
