¡Diga Queso! is "Say cheese!" in Spanish

Can I use the term "overwhelming" without it sounding negative?... Why am I asking? I'm an adult, I can do whatever I want. Dictionary.com says overwhelming means to "overcome completely in mind or feeling"- I'll take it and run...

I went on the most overwhelming trip of my life. My husband and I, along with a group from our church, went to ChiChiCastenango, Guatemala for 8 days. Let me just list the things that overcame me completely in mind and feeling:

• How amazing the trip was for my marriage. Though my husband was constantly occupied with the responsibility of youth pastor, his attentiveness to me was full and overflowing. Yes, that may sound selfish, but it was so powerful for our marriage. A pastors wife cannot go on a church trip with her husband and expect him to "put work on hold".
• How amazing these students we took are. These students worked hard every day and did not complain (sans the one drama queen). I was so impressed with the go-getter attitude that the students had for Vacation Bible School and construction. They (no matter the gender) showed the same enthusiasm toward both. It really brought me so much joy.
• The incredibly real conversations I had with the girls who were in my room. These girls were not afraid to bare their hearts and seek wisdom. I was so impressed with their desire for truth.
• The UNBELIEVABLE couple, Steve and Shyrel, who run the orphanage. I didn't get to meet the wife until the last day we were there. But the husband and son helped us all week with transportation and translation. My conversations with Steve were inspiring. It was so refreshing to meet someone who is actively serving on the front-lines of this battle we call life, but isn't wrapped up in this garbage we call church. Him and his wife were the most Biblical Christians I've met! I got to have so many side conversations with him about church and Christianity and how they have become something the Word has so not intended them to become. Every time he spoke, scripture flowed- in context! Imagine that?! It was SO refreshing and exciting to both my husband and I... we are already planning a return trip...
• Most of all- the children at the orphanage. The best way to describe my experience with these kids is that I was where I wanted to be. You could have told me my house was on fire, my car had been stolen, and I dog had run away (yikes!) and I wouldn't have flinched. These kids enraptured me. Each little face so grateful to be smiled at. Each little hand so excited to be held. Each little person so happy to be hugged. I could have stayed there for the rest of my life! The stories of these kids were heartbreaking. Each one, unwanted. I teared so many times. Leaving was the hardest thing I've ever done.

Here are some pictures. The first little kid with the bubble, didn't talk. He would just hand me the bubble wand and point the direction he wanted me to blow bubbles. It took me a while to figure out what he wanted. The second little boy lit up like a Christmas tree every time someone would pay attention to him. The third one is Mr. Independent. He did not enjoy help, but thrived off of helping. He was one of the smartest little kids I'd ever met. The next picture is Monica, she was a waterfall of drool and laughter. The last one is just me being enraptured by these little guys.


These are the things that flooded my mind and my feelings while I was in Guatemala. Have you had any similar experiences?