My husband, Tobin, our three-year-old son, Micah, & I are stepping off the proverbial treadmill, and spending a sabbatical year in Nicaragua.

2012 was one of the hardest years of our lives. I underwent (and successfully completed!) breast cancer treatment, and Tobin lost his job. Yet, as so often happens, misfortune and crisis gave birth to opportunity and grace. After a long discernment process involving much prayer, weekly mind-mapping sessions, and a clearness committee, we determined we were being called to the central highlands of Nicaragua.

We've now been living in Mataglapa - a town of 140,000 that feels much smaller - for 1.5 mos. It's been amazing, wonderful and sometimes very challenging. I learn things about the culture, the people here, and about myself everyday.

Tobin speaks Spanish fluently having lived in Mexico City for several years running the Casa de los Amigos. I speak un poco. But I've been in Spanish language school since my arrival, and am improving slowly but surely.

While Tobin and I have a shared blog meant for our wider communities including family and non-Quaker friends (tobinmarsh.wordpress.com), I wanted to start blogging here to engage in the writing/reflection I most love. That is, reflecting on the spiritual dimensions of this exceptionally special time in our lives; finding meaning through examining my experiences from a Christian/ Quaker point-of-view.