August 2023

I fell in love with the traditional woven satchel or tote bag known as a “morral” the first time I spotted one in Guatemala when Olivia was a baby. Designs vary according to theme, town, and weaver. Each is striking and beautiful in its own way.

But my favorite morral is the one carried by men in Sololá—complex, bold, and colorful—and this year, at the municipal market, I finally bought myself one.

I don’t plan to carry it, though. This work of art will hang on my wall.

Guatemala Guatemala

August 2, 2023

Feels strange to be in Guatemala in July and August without Olivia and Mateo, but they’re young adults now, busy working and living their lives. Even without them, I still want to go! Lucky for me, I’m surrounded by other Guatmamas and Guatmamas-adjacents as we travel through towns around Lake Atitlan with its breathtaking backdrop of volcanoes.

My husband Tim and I sponsor 3 nursing students in Chichicastenango through Guatemala Service Projects; I’m grateful to my friend Patti for visiting with them in Chichi and sending our best wishes when I wasn’t able to make the trip.

Never could I have imagined how profoundly adopting our kids from Guatemala would change my life. Guatemala is their homeland and also my heart.

Two of the three nursing students Tim and I sponsor, with Guatemala Service Project’s Diego in Chichicastenango

With Leceta Guibault, founder of OUR Guatemala heritage trips, adoptive mom and forever friend at Hotel Atitlan

With my frequent travel buddy Susan and her husband Stephen in Antigua Guatemala before we set off for Lake Atitlan

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The Guatemalan morral

Guatemala Guatemala