These little ladies came to wish us farewell... and even shed a tear. I was so touched.
It always happens this way.
We knew it was going to happen sometime. We thought it would have happened a lot sooner than it did. When we arrived in Panajachel in February 2012, we never imagined we'd be in Guatemala for a year and a half.
"A few months, at most," is what we thought. We never dreamed we'd buy land and start an organization teaching self-reliance to the indigenous people.
Despite all those good things, I mentioned recently how I've felt discontent with life... not in a bad way, just in a 'I want to do more, be more, achieve more' sort of way.
Discontent isn't always bad. It leads to dreaming, which results in action.
In reality, I was prepared to stay put at the Homestead until after the baby was born (in February '14).
I was 'comfortable' (I also mentioned that before). I'd returned from a recent trip to the States with my baby clothes and my slow cooker, prepared to do some nesting for the 'winter'.
But then something happened...
It's interesting, the dichotomy of feelings you can experience... a desire to travel and expand, contrasted with the love of comfort. Discontent for what you have diverging with your acceptance of what is.
Just when I'd finally said to God and myself, "Okay, I'll stay here for awhile longer. Yes, I'd love to see Ecuador or Peru or Thailand or anywhere different after a year and a half... but for now, I'll stay here and enjoy it until maybe after the baby's born..."
It was just at that moment that He said, "Okay, it's time to go."
"Really? Now? It's not really good timing, is it? Okay, I guess we'll go."
And so we did.
One of our last meals at the Homestead -- we ate our pig, Wilbur
Packing up, organizing and storing any stuff we weren't taking (I did bring the crock pot), on October 31, 2013 we hit the road again, after one year and eight months in this country, this time to leave Guatemala... for good?
Our intention is to head to the beach in El Salvador, find a nice little place to rent for a month or two, until heading further south to Nicaragua, and then Costa Rica (where we might have the baby?)
What about The Homestead? What about our humanitarian project? Our long term plan had always been to set it up, then continue traveling. It's been left in good hands where it will continue to grow and flourish, and we'll still be sharing it's success with you here on my site.
Before leaving Guatemala for good, we did some 'tourist' stuff, like:
- the Gigantic Kite Festival
- the largest market of Central America in Chichicastenango
- a three day stop in Antigua (a place I LOVE)
- the 'extreme bungee catapult'
It was so great! Many times, Greg and I looked at each other and said, "Isn't it nice to be 'out' again?" (even if we did get kicked out by the Guatemalan police.)
After Antigua, we continued south toward the Guatemala/El Salvador border, music blaring on the speakers, windows down, wind blowing through our hair, alive and exhilarated to be 'on the road again'.
Life is good, and travel is awesome!
Little did we know the inevitable challenges that lie ahead...
2024 UPDATE!
We’re excited to share that we’ve made a big move! We are now living in beautiful Portugal and have taken ownership of the Worldschool Family Beach Resort. We are now known as the Extraordinary Family Life, where we focus on coaching and mentoring moms, dads, and teens to create fulfilling, joyful, extraordinary family lives. With over 20 years of experience traveling the world with our seven children, we’re passionate about sharing the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
Check out the links below to learn more about what we do!
ABOUT GREG DENNING
Greg left home at the age of 16 and difficult circumstances forced him to find a way to find happiness and build his own happy family life.
Discovering the answers to some of life's biggest questions has continued in a lifelong pursuit of learning and personal growth.
He's married to his best friend and they have seven incredible kids. He's traveled, adventured, and taught in 49 countries on five continents.
ABOUT RACHEL DENNING
Rachel is an ambitious mother of seven children. She homeschools, manages a multiple six-figure business, and organizes trips for her family and friends.
She loves to read, learn, travel, and create resources for her children to get the 'best education possible' which often includes incredible experiences around the globe.
Rachel provides the 'logistics' behind the program -- from tracking to curriculum to trip planning.
Learn to save money on travel here!
Visit us at the Worldschool Family Beach Resort in Portugal!
Looking for a place to stay in Guatemala? Check this out!
Check out these Trips and Adventures!
Listen to our podcast.
Check out Rachel's YouTube Channel, Raising Well-Adjusted Kids.
Take Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for moms.
Join Greg's Formidable Familye Man Tribe.
Tune into Greg's Formidable FAmily Man podcast.
Visit Greg's Formidable Family Men YouTube Channel.
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On the road again!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TD_pSeNelU
Ha ha! We always sing this when we back ‘on the road again’… learned it from my dad.
But what happened? Why are you heading on? It would have made sense to wait in Guate for the baby, no?
Well, I was never really sure if we would have the baby in Guatemala, at least where we were… I didn’t feel comfortable doing a home birth at the Homestead (too remote, and plus we were house-mates with friends, our now ‘Managing Directors’ of the project.) We were always considering either Guatemala City, Antigua, or Costa Rica.
It was just time to move on… we’d been there to long, and we’d been ‘roomies’ with our friends longer than we’d all planned on 😉 One of us decided to go, and since that was always our long term plan, we decided it would be us. 😉
You guys always catch me out! 😉
And she is back! Rachel is writing again and leaving us hanging, waiting for the next adventurous chapter! You go, brave one!!! May God’s love protect you guys and overflow your lives! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Enjoyed the story! I’m sure at the time you didn’t enjoy it! Love You All!
Thanks! Miss you guys!