Headed to Guatemala

If I finish packing I will leave in 4 hours...that's if I finish packing. It's a little different this time, with the passing of Joe so fresh in my mind. Actually one day after his funeral. I am looking forward to seeing all the FHTH employees and share our sadness together, and our joyous memories, reflecting on this gentle giant that led that the charge to change so many lives, especially my own.
Marissa and I had planned to leave on July 3rd, however, as I knew Joe's passing was close I changed my plans. So we are off tomorrow, and so looking forward to it!!
Originally, we were going to stay with a host family and immerse ourselves into the culture and study spanish, however I have had to change that a little considering the circumstances. I am planning to stay with my good friend Kate, who is already there. Kate and I met at a Guatemalan adoption   function a number of years ago. We both have sons who are adopted from Guatemala. It is a deep connection and over the years we have developed a great friendship. She has rented a house in Antigua and we will join her and her family tomorrow, and Bob and Sam will join us in a couple of weeks. I am really looking forward to some relaxation. The last couple of weeks have been extremely emotional, to say the least.
Tomorrow, a mass is scheduled in my favorite church in Antigua, "San Francisco Church," in memory ofJoe. That is where the tomb of Hermano Pedro is located. He was the first Patron Saint of Guatemala. It is a wonderful place to go to reflect, pray and meditate. I am sure the mass will be very emotional. The last mass I went to there was in April after the school dedication. The staff of FHTH had a mass for Joe to honor him after the school dedication. He was able to be there, although he was very exhausted and was experiencing deep pain, he still made it to the mass. He was deeply touched by the staff for doing this for him.
So, I guess I should finish packing if I am going to be ready to go in 3 hours and 45 minutes.  This trip will be different, someone will be missing, but I know his spirit will be felt as he has left a legacy that will carry on.
As Joe got closer to passing his ability to communicate became less and less, however one of the last sentences he said to me as he laid in his bed was this, "I am going to pray every day that the children of Guatemala get what they need."  
So, as they say lets, "Keep calm and carry on."