Monday, August 20, 2018

Mexico, Idaho, and Everything in Between

Rewinding to one year ago - August 2017... 

I'd just found out we wouldn't be continuing with another year of school. I'd abruptly lost what had been the focal point of my life for the past 5 years. I felt disoriented, but not necessarily disappointed. It'd been a difficult year up until this point anyways. I was tired...ready for change. I did a lot of crying, praying, and more crying. I don't like not having a "life mission". I still had my church responsibilities, but it wasn't enough. I was restless. Dad told me one day, "You're just in a time of transition. God is about to do something, there's going to be a change in your life. You just have to wait on Him." I think we could all feel things being shaken up. 
Two months later, Nicole surprised me on my birthday and came down to Puebla. A couple times throughout her visit she mentioned me moving to Idaho. My response was the same each time: "Absolutely not, never in a million years." Besides the fact that my sister had moved there 9 months prior, Idaho might as well have been Alaska. Budapest. A foreign land, populated mostly by potatoes and some strange people at Walmart. The one perk I knew of: there was a good church. 
The day after my sister flew back to Idaho, Dad called and asked if I could do school with Austin for the day since they had errands to run. It was raining and muddy outside so he came and picked me up. On the way to their house, Dad casually mentioned something about me moving to Idaho. I remember the annoyance I felt and what was going through my head. "Are you being serious? What would I do there?? I don't want to leave Mexico and especially not for Idaho." I loved Mexico - my church, my Mexican family, my little house, especially. My little house brought me so much joy. 
Dad didn't say any more on the topic. I went into their house, upstairs to their room. I sat on the bed to think for a minute. I don't know how to explain what happened. I was completely against it in one moment and in the next, I wanted it 100%. Those of you who know me know I can be impulsive, but it was more than that. In an instant I felt a burst of inspiration and courage and my mind was made up. I was moving to Idaho. All of the confusion, frustration, and despair I'd been feeling five minutes before had gone. Instead I felt excitement, expectation, hope...peace. It wasn't a decision that I had to spend weeks praying about. The prayers of many days, weeks and months before had brought me to this point and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was right. 
Theeeeeee MOMENT


My Dad got home later that day. I walked into the dining room where he was seated and told him, "Dad, I'm moving to Idaho." Then burst into tears. 
Looking back, I see God's hand in it all. My family had already bought tickets to fly to California that month. We were to be leaving in 25 days. I had twenty five days to pack my house up, say goodbye to everyone, and pack for a permanent move to the States. It was a busy time. I ended up moving out of my house and back in with my parents for my last few weeks in Mexico. In the daytime I was busy - I had something to throw myself into and occupy my mind. At night, the weight of my decision would hit me. I cried myself to sleep every night that October. I dreaded telling my church people I was leaving. I didn't want to cry, I didn't want them congratulating me, I didn't want them trying to change my mind. I ended up putting it off until the week before. 
I'm including these pictures because they are special to me. My sweet little house. It was my hobby for that last year and brought me so much joy. 


It was my constant project! 

My tiny little bedroom. 

My house soon was turned upside down...boxes everywhere..




And just like that, I was out and the next people were in. 


Our people threw me a going away party the night before we flew out. It felt more like a funeral, in all honesty. Each person got up and talked about their favorite memory with me, said something nice. I recorded it all, but it is hard to listen to. It was so sweet and so sad. One of the ladies stood up and said I'd taught her how to laugh. Bro. Juan talked about a Christmas party we threw for the people some years ago and what it meant to him. One lady thanked me for teaching her boys in school. One lady who'd been with us from the very beginning talked about the conferences - how she, and the church as a whole, felt proud when Nicole and I would sing and do the music. They bragged that we were from their church. My friend, Lucy, was to my left clenching her husband's hand and taking deep breaths, on the verge of losing control of her emotions. 



Everyone had such nice things to say - my whole family was moved. My dad got up and spoke at the end. I remember him getting choked up and saying, "We had no idea..." I knew what he was feeling. 
My new-convert friend, Lucy, came home with me that night. We sat on the couch at my parents house until well past midnight talking about little Perlita who would be born in a few months, about our friendship and the good times we’d had in such a short time...and tried to avoid the topic of leaving. It was a tough goodbye.
Trying to hear the baby's heartbeat :P

I milked those last weeks for all they were worth. I spent a lot of time with my brother, went to the dentist a lot - haha - and stocked up on some things I wouldn't be able to buy in the States. I also made my brother lots of food. I had some stuff to use up from my freezer :P 












Finished up the last of my piano and guitar lessons...

Slept in the top bunk of my brother's bed...about 2 feet from the ceiling. 

See? Haha :) 
I tried to turn over one night and scraped my knuckles up on the ceiling. 


Austin and I went downtown for ice cream on one of my last days...
All of a sudden it was important to get plenty of pictures with my brother. 

We ate our ice cream and watch an anti-capitalism parade in the street below. 
The state of the roads and downtown area because of the earthquake a couple months before...


Stephanie trying to keep calm in church withOUT carrying on! 

All my things packed into boxes and covered by plastic so the leaky roof wouldn't ruin anything...

One final family dinner at Gramma's house...

A $2 dollar haircut...

And off we went to U.S.! 



I packed as much as I could into 6 suitcases - that's 300 pounds of stuff :) I moved to Idaho on November 17, 2017. Just in time for winter. BRRRRR! 

As it turns out, I was meant to be a Twin Falls girl! :) To say that I love it here is an understatement. I love the town, the people, Twin Falls in general. I love my pastor and all of Bethel Temple. The church has been amazing. I have more friends and family than I know what to do with. I think I cried through every service for the first couple of months - it's been a time of refreshing for me. I've been able to stand back a take some deep breaths. I'm just happy. I got a job working for an attorney and that's been a whole 'nother adventure. I LOVE my job! It is an adventure every day. It has definitely provided me some "bloggable" stories, but unfortunately people here speak pig-latin so I can't tell you guys!! HA! 

As I said before, I arrived here in the winter. Snow makes for beautiful pictures, but it is sooo cold! I'm not crazy about that, but the spring and summer have made up for it a thousand times! There's so much to do - fishing, camping, BBQ's, feeding horses, hiking...Oh! And I mowed my first lawn ever this summer! There have been a lot of firsts. A few times muttering, "ugh...Americans"...with an eye roll. I just text my friend Allana in Honduras and we bond over how strange white people can be. For example: they have a thing for vacuuming. Even if the carpet is totally clean. HA! I actually could do a blog post on that. 
Anyways - I'm about to experience my first Idaho fall! They say it is beautiful and I can't wait to see for myself. 

This little blog site has reached its end. I think only my nearest and dearest even read anymore, but I felt I owed it to you all and wanted to update for my own sake. To end an era. Putting that thought down in writing makes me said, but I don't really have another option. My mom should have had a couple more kids. LOL. Some people have asked if Austin could pick up where I left off and that might be a possibility, but I'll need help persuading him. He definitely has a lot to say - but right now it's mostly about parachuting, survival gear, flashlights, and climbing trees. Ha! 

Alrighty folks. Comment down below if I skipped anything important or if you'd like additional details. Talk to you later :) 

~Bethany~ 

27 comments:

Mary Frances said...

Girrrrrllll...I don't see why you can't just CHANGE the title of your blog and pick up where you are!!! Missionary to Idaho! Or life as a Spudder!!! There's NO NEED TO CLOSE IT!!! About the vacuuming, my mom always told Sis. Abbott(Bishop Abbott's wife) that she was wearing out her carpet with all the vacuuming!!! LOL Anywayz, I'm apparently not the most American myself cuz, my room is in desperate need of vaccuming!!! Perhaps this isn't really a fault of mine, perhaps this is JUST GOD preparing me for the mission field!!! BAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

MARY! I'll be a missionary if you will too! HA!
Love the vacuuming quip! I'm going to use that :)

And as for the ending of the blog...we shall see. At the very least it is going on a hiatus. I can see myself picking it back up if there is a change in my life...
Blogging my life here in Idaho though...you're not the only one to suggest it. Maybe I'll address this in a later post but here are my thoughts on it...

Twin Falls is my little treasure. My cozy little cocoon where I'm hidden away from everything... If I start blogging, I'll take that away from myself. For right now I'm enjoying being unknown, living an ordinary life. I'm enjoying having my privacy, cultivating friendships with people I can see and touch instead of ones that live in my phone and computer that I see once a year. I love it. I want to fill up on it before something changes - ha!


~Bethany~

LaLa said...

Im still reading the blog! Ive been wondering where you’ve been. Welcome to the U.S. ;-)

Amy Bailes said...

Umm, yeah, as you can see I didn’t proofread before hitting publish. So very sorry about that!

Amy Bailes said...

Well, I pray you have many more happy days in Idaho. Whoosh, I can’t even imagine going from Mexican “warmth” to Idaho’s cold. I’m sure you could find something up there to blog about and if you do decide to shut down your blog, please know that I’ve enjoyed reading about yours, your parents, and grandparents work on the mission field.

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

LaLa - Yayyyy! Thank you!!

Amy - Thank you. I appreciate that!

~Bethany~

Unknown said...

Bethany,

Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

We missed you so much when we were there in Puebla last May/June! You did a wonderful job in Mexico. We're hoping to see you soon now that you're closer to Washington! Take care and may the Lord continue to bless you in your new endeavors! We love you!!! 😊🙏🏼💞

Love Stefy said...

So happy you finally blogged this.
So sad you finally blogged this. Haha!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh sweet Bethany.... this post made me laugh and cry and soooo proud of you!!! I’m one of those silent readers until you do something so dramatic that pulls my heartstrings and then I can’t resist responding. Well as this chapter closes know that we are praying and cheering you on in your new adventure.
Lots of Love,
Mama Munchies

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Sis Diaz - I didn't know how to feel about you guys visiting Puebla without me being there! That just ain't right! :D
Thank you for your sweet comment and for all of your encouragement throughout the past few years. Your family has meant a lot to me. Always a positive and uplifting word...I love you guys!!!

~Bethany~

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Steph - I know.
HAHA!!

~Beth~

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Sis Marchbanks - Thanks for letting me crash at your house before coming to Idaho. You gave me that last little bit of confidence I needed before my big move. Thank you for your prayers! The Marchbanks family fingerprints are all over my life and I'm grateful.

~Bethany~

Jane said...

Hi Bethany!

I'm just one of those invisible readers -- but I did just want to say how much I've appreciated your blog and your faithful reporting on your family's work in Mexico. Your attitude and the stories you chose to share were always so encouraging (and exciting and often hilarious)! It's been a privilege to get a peek into how the Lord is working in different parts of the world.

Have fun in Idaho! I'm sure you'll be forever busy and doing many things... for the Lord, with friends, for curiosity's sake. But, it makes perfect sense that those stories might not be for the wider audience.

All the best!

Jane

Unknown said...

Another silent reader here.. So sad you are ending the blog! I always looked forward to your post and have been missing them. But I’m happy that you are where you are happy!
God Bless!

Renea Chamberlain said...

Hi Bethany! I am another silent reader. lol. I just recently started reading your blog a few months ago and have been wondering when the next would be up! I am sad you are ending this blog, but I hope you find contentment where God has you now! I pray God blesses you for all the work and effort you have put in in Mexico!

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Jane - thank you for your sweet comment. It means a lot to me!! I love hearing from our “invisible readers” :D Thank you for following along on the Wakefield adventure these past years. Goodbye for now :P

-Bethany-

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Sarah - I’ve missed blogging! I love to write...it makes me feel good. :)
Thank you for being happy for me!!!

-Bethany-

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Renea - thank you for you kind wishes! That touches my heart.
I’m glad you have enjoyed the blog...I’ve enjoyed blogging all these years, that is for sure!

-Bethany-

Miranda Maddox said...

Hi Bethany! Idk if you remember me, but I met you last year at West Coast Conference in Fresno, CA! I really enjoyed reading your blog too and I'm sad that it will be ending.. but I hope you enjoy Idaho! That's a big step, but also a really exciting one! Now that you're living in the states, I may be seeing you at more conferences! Take care and God bless :)

-Miranda Maddox

Cherelle | The Inspired Prairie said...

Bethany! So glad you blogged about this! I am happy to hear how well things are going for you in Idaho. And that new job working for an attorney.. super COOL! You might as well start a new blog about your new life in Idaho so you can keep us all entertained with more stories :).


Now that you live close to Washington, you might as well come to our anniversary services in Tacoma at Pastor Dunlap's church next weekend! People from your church usually come, as well as your pastor too :). I'd love to meet you and your sister!

Cherelle German
www.TheInspiredPrairie.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Bethany, I have enjoyed your blog with stories about the mission work and your family for many years. I have great memories of the Burbank crowd missions trip to Mexico. The puppet shows, fried crickets (which I did not try), you girls piling in our hotel room and making me laugh, etc. Bless you on the new chapter in your life. Sis. Cynthia aka Rachel's mom.

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Miranda - of course I remember you! I'm glad you enjoyed the blog!!! We'll see ya around!

~Bethany~

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Cherelle - Thank you! Yes!!!!! My pastor is at your church right now!!!!!!!! So cool! I wish I could've gone. Maybe next time!! :)

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Sis. Cynthia - awwww! SUCH GOOD MEMORIES!! We have had a lot of fun together. I hope to see you all again soon!

~Bethany~

Tiffany Bracken: said...

Ah! I'm going to miss your blog! I usually come by once every few months and catch up. And when my kids need to leave Taiwan and move to the US, I'm going to send them to you to talk about how to deal with the emotions that come with that!

The Wakefields: Missionaries to Mexico said...

Tiffany - I wish you'd update YOUR blog! I looooove your blog!!!! You're such an entertaining writer.
Hey, yeah! Send them here :) Twin Falls is the place to go! We can start an MK club :P

~Bethany~

Anonymous said...

Hello Bethany, I just wanted to say that I found your blog a few years back and have enjoyed reading your blog. It has “opened my eyes” about certain things and how God guides us if we allow Him too do so. All in all a sad ending of an era but, a new and exciting era ahead lies before you.
P.S. Remember the Red Window Paint.
- Your Idaho friend
P.S.S. Welcome to Idaho!!!

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