Mostest.

About a week ago, I had that moment of wow, I am under two months of completing my 6-month QUEST Internship.. I honestly am in awe of how fast the time went and how much has happened just in the 4 months time period. Then I reflected even more. Just a year and half ago, I went on my first mission trip to Esperanza Viva. I knew when boarding that flight back to Chicago that God was just showing me the next chapter in my story that He has so carefully written out for me. After praying about it for a year, God made it so clear that He was calling me back this year to serve long term.

The day I received my QUEST submission letter was the very day Wisconsin went into quarantine because of COVID-19. That moment back in February when I was at Naciones Worship Night and I heard God tell me so clearly You are Home. Say yes to me and I will provide for you. That peace that I had when I say Yes, was the same peace that I had throughout these past nine months. Sure there have been challenges along the way but I wasn’t in the driver’s seat. It was all part of God’s plan. I had the peace and comfort that I was going to be there in August. No matter how many people told me I was absolutely crazy for moving during a pandemic.

I had an idea of what I wanted to do after my QUEST was completed but I know that whatever is in His plan for me, He will weigh it on my heart. I was unsure and nervous of being an English Teacher. However, I knew that during this time it was to serve where I could and where was needed. Learning a new language is difficult and gets you out of your comfort zone. I decided to go to every class having three goals. I want my students to leave the classroom feeling:

• Excited to speak a different language

• Comforted to make mistakes because we all do when learning something new

• Loved

After my first week of classes, I felt that weight on my heart. I loved it. I loved teaching them and it was even better when they started coming to me after school saying “Miss Karlee, How are YOU?” or hearing them practice their english in the dorms. The thought of leaving my students in January when my QUEST ended made my heart sink. Even on the days with challenges we learn, grow and strive for more.

After school, I spend time with the 11 Mediana Girls. My weeks consist of laughter, smiles, prayers and yes, some tears. Throughout the past couple of months I have really learned their hearts. What makes them happy, what they need when they are sad, how I can help them during these moments and how we all can work together. They have some of the biggest hearts.

SIDE NOTE: When I was younger, my Nana was a huge part of my life. She taught me that there was no time than the present to tell others how much they mean to you and how they impact others lives. She would write letters to people like the grocery store clerk or my YMCA CEO (that she never met) because she saw all the good people were doing for this world. & most importantly – she never failed to end the conversation or letter signed mostest. My Nana wouldn’t sign it “love” or “love you so much” but Mostest. Meaning I love you mostest. No matter the circumstance and she wouldn’t want you to forget it.

As much of a coveted word it is in my family back home, these girls have turned in my family. While there can be hard moments with the girls, I have connected with them. I have learned how to work through the challenges with the girls. I don’t have it perfect and I know it won’t even be close to perfect. So each night before bed, I never fail to tell them I love them mostest (It usually turns into a competition of how many times we can say mostest to each other).However, the girls see the love I have for them no matter what because love has no language or limits. Even when they are testing me, they see that I will always love them. Mostest.