Something happened Monday that I had nearly lost all hope in happening during my time in DC…

…I finally got to go to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class! It had been a long process of finding somewhere near my commute, that was open, and that had class times that fit my schedule. After many weeks, I finally got in touch with EvolveAll and got to attend a class!

Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming, but also knew their stuff. It was great getting to meet new people, get some rolls in, and just generally be back at doing something athletic that I love.

I will admit, in a way, it made me miss my crew back home. Yet, for the short time that remains here, I want to maximize on my time with these peeps.

Friday, we said goodbye to Jill, one of the other travelers working at the department. We took her out to a nearby restaurant, matchbox, and enjoyed each other’s company over some delicious food.

I am loving getting to know El. She is a great combination of sweet, yet intentional. She asks great questions and even in the short time we’ve had together, I’ve got some takeaways to bring with me when I return to Rio.

While the Bean’s have been having me over for dinner on Wednesday evenings, they had a dinner/game night Saturday evening. So, I got a BOGO on Bean time!

That being said, I’ve tried to spend time with them, even if for an hour, as much as possible outside of our Wednesdays. It’s becoming more apparent with each passing week how numbered my days here truly are.

Great people. Great family. Great times.

A staple of my Sunday evenings has become the Hudalla’s cooking out and welcoming me and others over to their home. The size of the group fluctuates, but the high quality of hospitality, food, and conversation remains the same.

This was the week where I arrived at, and passed, my having a month left here. It’s strange how quickly one can adapt to their surroundings. I think some thing that has made the adapting that much easier is how overwhelmingly, blatantly good God has been to me during my time here.

To leave will call for a transition of its own, but if going to all the places I have has taught me anything, it’s that God is at work everywhere. Like a cloud by day and fire by night, God goes with and before me, guiding when it’s time to go and protecting when it’s time to stay.