Another week has passed...

It's funny the way people influence your life. Words they may say, how they treat you, whether or not they keep your trust, etc. But sometimes, a person can say something about their own life and without even knowing it, they touch your life. Sometimes the words they say, make you think more about your own life and how you are influencing others. It isn't a direct influence on your life by what they said, but an indirect influence by making you take a step back and look at the bigger picture that is your life, and in looking at it, gives it more meaning.

That is exactly what happened to me this week. There were some visitors that came to serve for the week, and I believe that they were here for the staff just as much, if not more, than for the kids. They couldn't communicate with the students directly because they didn't know sign, but they did ask how to say some things, and they spent a lot of time talking to us. The one women was sharing some things about her own life and what she does/how she spends her time. It was only a few sentences that was said, and shortly after she connected it with my life in the fact that I am doing what she does, which is influencing lives of young people. The way she said it, and the words she used, really made me realize even more, that my role here is very important. Even before she said anything about me personally (because later she reassured me in what I am doing), I was inspired. I made that connection in my role here. And then she encouraged me in the service I am doing with the children.

I was taken back for a minute. I just sat there and thought about how right she was, and about my time here so far, and how much of an influence I really AM to these kids. It makes my life seem of more importance now. Now, I know/knew that what I am doing does have an influence on their lives, but sometimes, in the everyday routine of things, you look past it, or you wonder if what you are doing really is working, changing them for the better. But hearing it from someone else, and how they are working in children's lives, made me evaluate my life, which then made me see how much of a change the kids have had since being here and that I had a part in that. :)

This week was a busy week!! But I am so glad that it happened the way it did! The visitors made lunch all week for us, painted our laundry room, cut our hair (the one women is a professional), did other miscellaneous stuff, and most importantly, encouraged and touched our lives. It was hectic, but it was lovely, and very much needed and appreciated. It was hard to say goodbye today, but we promised that it wasn't goodbye, but see you later. It's amazing how a person/people can touch your life in just 5 days. They weren't even here throughout the whole week! They stayed at a hotel in San Juan, so their service to us wasn't an all day thing like some visitors/teams that come and stay here are. And even still I feel as though they were here for longer. It's amazing how Christian's can feel like family or as though we've known each other for quite some time just a short time after meeting them. We really are family, brothers and sisters in the Lord. We share that common bond of knowing Him, and that is what makes us feel so close. My heart is blessed from having them here.

Today was even a more hectic day as we had more visitors- a group of children from a small Christian School on the other side of the island. There were about 12-15 people in all, filling the cafeteria to the max. It was lovely! But it definitely set our normal school day out the window. ;) I think a good time was had by all, needless to say. It was great to have more kids, and being able to interpret for all of them, hearing kids to deaf kids, deaf kids to hearing, was just an added bonus. I loved all the questions from their young, curious minds.

After saying "see you later" to the visitors who were here all week, they invited Kathryn and I to the rainforest for a short trip to one of the falls. It was a great way to end the week with them. Now I am just sitting on my porch looking at the sky, kind of wishing I would have went to the beach with Amanda when she left ;), but reflecting on the week and enjoying the 'silence.' I use quotes because it is never silent here. There are sounds of planes, cars, music, bikes, dogs, birds, coqui (little frogs), crickets, etc. But it is a sound that I have grown used to and hadn't even realized how loud it was until I went home a few weeks ago for one of my closest friends' weddings and laid in my bed and heard virtually nothing. The sounds, most of them, are part of the beauty here also.

The serenity of this place is awesome. It's been a while since I sat on the porch and looked at the sky. I have forgotten how beautiful it is. And being in the rainforest today just gave me another minute perspective of God. I wish we had more time to just sit and enjoy. But the small amount of time that was spent there was very rewarding, and a visit will happen again.

Tomorrow is busy with a 3 hour drive to the mountains for a 2 hour visit/baby shower for a deaf teenager and her family and then a 3 hour drive home. Monday is a holiday, so we get an extra day of rest!! Yay!!! And that is how the rest of my weekend will be spent-with rest. No real plans, and sometimes that is nice. :-)

Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your Holiness and Faithfulness. You are so worthy, and greatly to be praised. Father, I praise You for the way You use others in our lives, to help encourage us, to help us realize things, and to just be a listening ear. Lord, I thank You for the visitors that we had this week, and also the ones we had a few weeks ago. Thank You for their willingness to serve You by serving us. Lord, I pray that You bless their lives, as they have blessed ours. Thank You for the reminders of different things that You send our way throughout the days, weeks, months. You are just so Good!

Wow. How blessed I am!

Most of this was written on Sat, Oct 5:

I just continue to stand, sit, lay, whatever, in awe of my God. He is just so amazing and so awesome. I wish there were better words to describe Him, but He is indescribable. Right now, it is 8:19 in the evening and I am sitting on my porch just watching the sky light up with lightning. This is one of the coolest sights I have seen. It isn't raining and I don't hear thunder, but it is behind the clouds, displaying them when it lightning's. I love this place. I really seriously do. Although I am missing my dear family and treasured friends, the fall weather of PA at this time-well, maybe not that much, but I am missing the changing of the leaves and the fall foliage- I don't believe there is a better place that I'd want to be. I love being able to SEE God. When I look at things like this sky I am looking at now, and the wonderful display it is putting on, I can't help but not see God. How can anyone who is a believer not see Him in things like this?? It is just such a wonderful thing. I love just sitting and marveling at His creation, and at Him. I've seen some pretty amazing things in my life, and each of them have just caused me to marvel at my Awesome God-even if it is the same thing, like watching lightning fill the sky, or the clouds up above, or just watching the ocean. It may be the 'same ole same ole' for some people, but for me, I see something different each. and. every. time!

This week, I feel as though I did that a lot. Last Saturday night (9/28), Kathryn, Amanda and I went kayaking on the bio-luminescent bay (if you're not sure what that is, go look it up-it's pretty cool).  I have been there before (last year when I was here) and Amanda went when Nate was here, but Kathryn had not, so she wanted to go and asked if we'd go with her. There was no argument from us! We got there a little later than we would've liked, thus having to kayak out to the bay in the dark rather than light or dusk, but it all worked out ok. When we finally reached the bay, it was just as beautiful if not more than what I remember the first time. I didn't have the same reaction to the bay as I did the first time, which was close to tears with amazement, but I still stood, or shall I say sat, in awe of Him.

The sky was cloudless, full of stars, and the water glittered with bright green sparks when agitated. It was more noticeable and bright this time than last year, and also more beautiful. We paddled out to the middle of the bay and then just stopped. We pushed/pulled our kayaks together, put our oars down, and just sat there for the longest time just staring at God's creation. We talked about serious things then not so serious things. We talked about wanting to stay out there all night, and wished we could just lay in a hammock, or float on an air mattress, and stare at the beautiful sky. ;) We talked about life, and our day. We reflected. It was great.

I just sat there in the silence and thanked God. I thanked Him for His creation. I thanked Him for the stars that were so beautiful and noticeable on that clear, moonless night, for the special water we were floating on, for the fish that were gliding through and jumping out of the water causing bright green streaks to be seen across the bay (and prayed that none would land in our kayaks), and for allowing me to have that experience and so many more while being here. I thanked Him for being so Good to me.  

After a while, we had to leave since it was getting late. I was a bit sad, because I love to just sit in God's creation and take it all in. But we had to leave at some point!

Then in the middle of the week, while the kids were in school, I decided to go to the beach to spend time with God. It's so much better than doing it in my bedroom! ;-) It was so lovely. I had the beach practically to myself. There was a family, whom I am assuming was on vacation because they didn't look Puerto Rican, that was on the opposite end of the beach, and that was it! There were a few people who walked by, but it was mainly just me. I loved every minute of it. Just sitting there, staring at the things around me, reading from the Bible and other devotional book I have, writing in my journal, and just praying. While lying on my blanket, writing, I stopped and took a look around me. As I did, I saw a few crabs come out of their holes and head toward that water. It was so cool! Hopefully, I am able to do that more often!

And then, of course, tonight, just watching the sky light up every few seconds. And to think that God created all these things for His children to see-for ME to see. He is just so Awesome. To think that He loves us, loves ME, that much, that He created all these things just for US to enjoy. Thank You, Father!

Last week was busy, as every other one seems to be. It started way too early on Monday morning with a water pipe leak that caused a flood to occur in our dorm, but thankfully, it didn't reach the bedrooms.

Wednesday I was up late again with a crying teenager. Normal teenage drama, but I have to remember, how I react and respond to her will affect her for the rest of her life. These are the years that start to shape you into the person you will become, most times. How people treat you and react to you stays with you for a long, long time. But I also have to remember my role in her life. I am here to counsel her, and if she is in the wrong, I have to correct her.

This week (10/7-11) was a short week. We had a 4 day weekend since today is Columbus Day. Nothing too exciting happened this week, except the fact that we have a 4 day weekend!!!! :) Friday, I just relaxed, did a few things I've been wanting and needing to do, went to the beach, then to the movies with the girls and Betsy.

Saturday, Kathryn, Amanda, and I got up early and drove 2.5-3 hours to the other side of the island to a beautiful beach called Crash Boat. We were looking forward to snorkeling and hoping to find things that we've never seen before, like sea turtles! But, the water was too sandy and despite having a tour guide (a man named Manny who had a knife strapped to his calf that randomly came up to us to tell us where the best places to go were, then decided to show us them), we still saw nothing; only a few sergeant major (zebra) fish. Even though we didn't have a good snorkeling day, and we got chased out by a thunderstorm, it was still a good day and enjoyed by all.

Yesterday was a rainy day, so nothing too exciting happened. I went to church, took the new girls (who arrived Saturday and are here for two weeks. Yay!!!!) to the store, came home and did a few necessary things, then went out with Betsy and the new girls for a drink and appetizers. Although I would've liked to had gone to beach just to read a book, I was perfectly ok with the fact that it rained. Sometimes, I really enjoy rainy days, and today was one of them. I sat out on the porch, with my intent to read a little, write some thank you notes, and work on my blog, but I found myself, as I often do, just looking around me at this beautiful place I call home. Even when it's raining, it's beautiful. I saw some lightning spark through the trees and again, just thought about how great God is. I had some instrumental music playing, and in between writing, just took a look around me every so often. "Wow, how blessed I am," is a common thought of mine. Needless to say, I didn't get half of what I had planned to get done finished, but I am ok with that.

Today we had a prayer meeting this morning, and Kathryn then took Autumn and Mandy (the new girls) to Old San Juan. I'm just hanging out re-energizing for the week ahead and enjoying my last day of freedom before the students come back! I may go to the beach in a little to just relax and enjoy some more of God's creation. It has been a lovely 4 day weekend so far, and I'm glad that I was able to have some adventure as well as some time to get some things done.

I forgot to mention, Betsy got a new puppy!!! Bazooka was her other puppy's name, and he was a great dog, but got too over protective and aggressive when new people came around. And with as many visitors and people he is not used to coming fairly often to the school, there were times where he went after/actually bit a few of them, and after the last one he attempted to get, Betsy decided the best thing was for him to be in a place that didn't have as many visitors and where he wouldn't be tied up so much. So she gave him to some friends that live in the country. Bazooka seems to like it!

Betsy looked for another Great Dane puppy, and came home with a beautiful girl Dane that she named Delilah. She's so cute! She's black and white, really laid back and chill, and quickly learning the things that Betsy is teaching her! I love playing with her and watching her run all around like a puppy does. And especially getting puppy kisses. :)

I also forgot to mention I was responsible for making staff dinner on Monday, September 30. I made a cheeseburger casserole, potato salad (my dad would be proud ;), and vegetables. It seemed to be a hit! I was proud of myself. I'm kind of looking forward to doing it next time. But that feeling could change by tomorrow! ;-p Haha.

Thank you Father, for being so Amazing. Even though I am in the same place, You still continue to show Yourself to me in different things, and sometimes in the same things only in a different way. I thank You that I am able to see You in many things and that I give You the glory that is due to You. Let me always remember to do that. Continue to show Yourself to me however You please. Thank You for the times that I am able to just sit and experience You. You are so worthy. 

3 weeks of stuff!

Well, I can't believe that it has been over 3 weeks since I last wrote! It feels like it was such a long time ago. I feel that way about my whole time here actually. It feels like I've been here for years!! Maybe I said that already, but it's the truth. So much happens each day, it's hard to keep up! I will try my best to get you up to date with my life here!

Labor Day weekend was full of Krispy Kreme donuts, a trip to the airport so Rachel could catch her flight home :(, exploring one of the forts at Old San Juan and enjoying the afternoon there with Amanda and Kathryn, and then visiting my family for the rest of the weekend. My Aunt and Uncle live in Bayamon, which is about 15-20 mins from Old San Juan, so my Uncle picked me up on Saturday before the other girls drove back home.

On Sunday, I went to church with them, then went to visit one of my dad's other brother's that I haven't seen since I was a little girl and I don't even remember it. I enjoyed church. Even though I couldn't understand it, I still could feel the presence of God there. It only made me want to learn Spanish that much more. I really wished I was able to worship Jesus the way everyone else was. I mean, I worshiped, but I didn't get much out of the message since I didn't understand any of it.

After church we drove an hour to my Uncle Eddie's house where I met him and his wife. While there, I met 2 of my cousins and the one's wife and son. Since I was the only one who didn't know Spanish, I spent the day either sitting there not knowing what was going on or being said, or by myself. I took some pictures around his house, and then later in the evening watched Tangled...which was in Spanish also. How frustrating the day was, but also how determined I am to learn. It really gave me a different perspective of things. A different look at my life and what I want from it, and a better understanding of what it may be like being Deaf.

Sept 3-6

Before I knew it, the weekend was over and it was time to go back to school to get ready for the week. This week was full of the normal activities and some incidents that weren't so normal. We got rain Tuesday night and Betsy likes to 'shower' in the rain. So guess what we all did?!? That's right! We joined her!

Wednesday was church night, and since Kathryn wanted to join Betsy and the kids at her church, I figured I'd tag along too. It is so cool going there. I find it awesome that the message is done in a language I don't understand, but am still able to understand what is being said since it is interpreted into Sign Language. I was also able to interpret the message for Kathryn so she could understand! Once again, I was surprised by how much I understood. Sometimes though, it is hard for me to put into words what the interpreter is saying. I understand it, but to voice it is just hard to do at times. Needless to say, Kathryn understood a lot more than what she would've if she didn't have me! :)

When we came home, Juan was already in bed (he doesn't go with us to church. He doesn't have the skill to pay attention), and I helped Francis with her math homework. Helping them both this week with their homework has really allowed me to see why teachers teach. It is all about that moment they get it, and helping them figure out for themselves how to find the answer. I sat in the kitchen just watching her figure out the problems on her own, and just had a huge smile on my face, and even bigger one in my heart. I had to tone it down a little because I knew if she looked up and saw me smiling, she would give me a funny look as if to say "what the heck are you smiling about!?" I've had moments like that with Juan too, and each time it warms my heart and brings a smile to my face, and sometimes, tears to my eyes. I can see already, the work that Amanda is doing with him is paying off. In the middle of a song during chapel, he will see the word 'on' or 'in' in the middle of another word and he just has to point it out. I'm not even teaching the kid and it still makes my heart smile!! And working with him in the evening with his homework and seeing that he doesn't need much help, does it on his own, and/or does it without crying/whining more than before is just wonderful. :)

Sept 9-14

So Tuesday night the 10th, was the first night I had both the kids by myself for the majority of the evening (Kathryn was away most of the day taking care of Army stuff), and it went pretty well! No one wanted to kill anyone, as far as I know (can't really speak for the kids ;), and things seemed to go pretty smoothly. The kids and I are now taking turns cooking in the evening s with Francis cooking Tuesday night, Juan 'cooking' Wednesday, and me on Thursdays. Monday night we have a staff meal, so we don't have to worry about that. But Tuesday was the first night we did this, and I think it was a success! I enjoyed eating together with the kids, and watching them interact with one another and with me.

There was another change that happened this week. It came in the form of a 3 foot and some odd inch 6 year old boy named Diego. He is hearing (we believe) but because he has a speech impediment and a disease that causes him not to grow and mature like other children, his mother sought out the school and asked if we would accept him. Betsy left the decision up to Amanda since she was the one who would be teaching him. At the end of the week, Amanda said yes, despite the fact that it was the hardest week she's had since she's been here. But she obviously saw potential in him and wants him to learn, and knows that she can do ALL things with Christ!

So after almost 3 weeks, I was able to go the beach with Kathryn last Saturday and just relax. I'd taken the kids in the evening like one time, but this time I was able to just sit and relax and enjoy it by myself without having to make sure Juan wasn't drowning! :-p I love being able to just go to the beach and sit and enjoy God's creation. Some may think, "must be nice to just sit at the beach whenever she wants." But honestly, when I am at the beach, I spend time with God. I am able to enjoy the creation that He made for me, and give Him praise for that. When I go to the beach, I usually just sit there for a little without doing anything but look around. I look at the waves, the horizon, the clouds, the sand, the birds, etc. I look at everything. And while looking, I take in His beauty and thank Him for it. It's all the same, yet so different.

This isn't just a vacation spot for me. This is my service spot that He has allowed me to come to. And being able to go to the beach and enjoy it is just ONE of the many blessings that He has bestowed upon me while here. It is just an added bonus to my service to Him, and I am so very grateful for it. If I wouldn't be here, or at a place that has the beach, I would be perfectly fine with that, because I would be at the place He would've called me to. But because He is so gracious to me and knows how much I love the beach and that it is the place I see Him the most, He has called me to a place that has some of the most beautiful beaches that I have ever seen. And the reason?? So I am able to praise and glorify Him while I sit on them. Thank You, Lord!!!

This past week (16-20) another change has happened and I am now going to be having the dorm kids in the evening by myself. But God is awesome and he let me ease into it with only having one of the children last week. It was a good week! Different without both kids, but a nice transition into having them all by myself. Pray for me as this week is the real challenge. He obviously knows I can do it, or it wouldn't be happening.

One more thing! :) I actually understood how much my total amount of money was at 2 different stores this past week!! I was having a hard time understanding the change on my totals, but this week, I understood! I was so happy when this first happened! I told everyone of my victory! ;) Just thought I'd share that with you all too!

Oh!! Also, the other night I was putting Juan to bed, and every night we pray-sometimes I do, sometimes he does. This time he prayed, and it was the first time that he remembered to and prayed for some of those people in his life here at school! He didn't mention everyone, but for the fact that he didn't need prompted and he remembered some of us as he was praying, warmed my heart. Last week he wasn't here, and I had forgotten how much I loved having him in my life! He makes me smile so much, and for the fact that he is learning, and I am seeing the progress he is making, just makes my heart smile. It's the little things, my friends! :)  God is so good!!!

If you would, just pray for the dorm teenager and me, as we continue to get to know one another and form a relationship. Pray that I am able to help her and guide her the way she needs to be helped and guided. Also pray for the little guy I take care of. He is learning so much , and I pray that his awareness and understand of things would just grow and strengthen, especially his knowledge of God and who He is. Pray that God give me the strength to continue to do what He has called me to do to the best of my ability. Pray for the students. That they would come to know Christ in a more intimate way and for their families and lives at home. And for the staff. There are only a few of us, but God has us in our right spots. Pray for rest, strength, clarity, creativity, and knowledge. Thank you and God bless! 

Lessons learned...

Well, it's been an interesting two weeks. I'm still trying to get into the grove of things with taking care of the kids in the evenings and interpreting a few classes a week during the day, as well as finish up and take care of some personal things. There are so many things I would like to do while I am here, but I haven't really started any of them since I have all this stuff to do. I think once I am totally on a schedule, then it will be better. But for now, I'm still getting adjusted.

So on the 16th, Francis, my dorm girl, who usually gets picked up between 5 and 5:30 on Friday's when her mom gets off of work and drives here, left around 4pm because her mom had off work. Juan, my dorm boy, goes home close to 2pm on Friday's since he lives on another island and the only way there is on the ferry. So after about 4 we were free for the weekend. This kind of made me feel lost as I am so used to coming up and being with them. I had to kind of figure out what I, myself, was going to do for the evening. Kind of felt weird. So after a while of just sitting around on our computers, Rachel and I decided to go to the beach. Then we just came home and relaxed.

Doesn't look as bad as it is,
but it was pretty steep getting down there.

Sat was super fun! We got up and did our own thing in the morning, then around 3 pm we left for Charcol Frio, which is a watering hole in the rainforest that has rocks that form a natural water slide, and others that you can jump off of. It's a bit of a hike back there (meaning some spots are very steep and scary/dangerous looking), but it is so worth it. The water slide was fun to go down too, a little bumpy, but really cool. There are rocks of all different sizes that you can jump off of too. Some are like 10-15 feet tall, and others are 30 or more feet tall. Amanda went with Nate before he left, and jumped off the rock then so she showed us how to get up there, how we should fall, etc. She went first, then it was Rachel and then me. I was last because I was SCARED. TO. DEATH. I stood up there for at least 10 minutes debating. I was so nervous. There were 3 guys who were up there and went before me, and the one went twice! I was so nervous I was shaking all over, and so much so that I was crying! Not like sad crying, just nervous-about-what-was-about-to-happen-water-coming-out-of-your-eyes crying. I don't believe I have ever felt that way before. So I coughed up enough courage and just jumped off. Apparently for the first half of it, I was falling good; nice and straight. Then between 5-10 feet from the water, my body started loosening up, and my feet went out from under me. Thus, hitting the water full force...on my back and legs. When I hit the water, I felt like I was floating in air. I didn't feel any pain for about 7 seconds. Then it all came to me. My back first, then within seconds, my legs. I hit so hard, it felt like I hit a wood board at a really fast speed. When I surfaced, I could barely move, and had to pretty much doggie paddle over to where Rachel was waiting-which, if you don't know me, I used to be on the swim team when I was in high school, so I know how to swim pretty well. She could see that I was in pain and having trouble so she reached out for me to bring me in. I am normally fine and don't need help, but I was in so much pain, that I accepted. We sat there for a good while just trying to recover, and a few times, when my shoulders and chest were out of the water, they hurt really bad too. So we stayed in longer because the cold water seemed to be helping it.  Side Note: if you ever feel this way, listen to what your gut and your body is telling you. I so wanted to jump off the cliff, but in all honesty, I probably shouldn't have since I was so afraid. Use some wisdom and just don't do it! Needless to say, I don't regret it though. I'd probably do it again, if I had the chance, maybe first working up to it from smaller rocks first. But SHHHH!! Don't tell Betsy! ;)  Now that it is a little over a week later, my bruises on the back of my legs are slowly disappearing and aren't as big and purple anymore, but some of them still hurt. And my upper back and chest muscles hurt as well. But so is life sometimes. These experiences just teach us more and more as things happen.

Then that evening, Rachel and I joined Tess for a Pincho tour. A pincho is chicken, or another kind of meat, on a stick. We  went to 3 different places and tried different sauces at some of the places and then rated them at the end of the night. The first place we went to, I had Polish sausage, which was really good. The second, I had chicken with a guava based sauce, which was also tasty. But that place served theirs with the choice of bread or tostones, which we all got the latter. It was a lot of fun. :) 

Nothing too exciting happened last week. Except Kathryn, the new girl, showed up on Monday. She is also a worker who will be here at least 6 months, but she is hoping for a year. She is in the Army so that is why she is unsure of exactly how long she will be with us. All depends when she gets orders to leave. But she fits in pretty well with our team, helping Betsy in the classroom and me with the kids during free time in the evening. She doesn't know sign language, but the kids seem to be patient with her, and are helping her to learn. She seems to be picking up pretty quickly...but then again, I guess she has to! 

School went on as usual and everything was good last week, for the most part. It rained during the week, so we were unable to take the kids to the beach like we had hoped but we we able to yesterday, so that was good! Thursday was a bit rough for me...actually, it was really rough. Everything just seemed to surface all at once, on the same day. I believe some good things came out of it though. Well, it seems as though some of my prayers were answered, and I am hoping and praying the others will be too!

On Friday night, Rachel, Amanda and I joined Betsy for a Symphony. They were having their last dress rehearsal before the start of their actual tour so tickets were really cheap! I had a wonderful time sitting there listening to the music. It made me think about how Awesome God is. I mean, think about it: one of the instruments that were played that night makes pretty music, but if you just listen to that one instrument play their part in the whole song, it wouldn't make too much sense, nor would it sound too good. But when you add it to ALL the other instruments playing at the same time, it makes beautiful music. It was just lovely. There was a violinist and a cellist that were featured soloist for 2 of the movements and they were just amazing. The cellist had so much expression and really felt the music, which made it that much more attention grabbing for me. I really enjoyed myself. 

On Saturday, we had a staff breakfast/tour of the school and were told some of the history of the school and the buildings, which was interesting. Then later in the afternoon, we went to the beach with Kathryn since she hadn't been yet. It was such a gorgeous day to go!

Then Sunday, we all went to church then came back and tried to get a few things done. I made hamburgers so I was able to have something to eat at least 2 nights this week, and then after Francis arrived, the 2 of us went shopping for a little since I had to get a few things.

My dorm kidos! :)

Playing the bells

Ice cream from McDonald's for their reward
for knowing the Bible verses during VBS

MIZAEL CAN FIT INTO A FAN BOX!

And Monday started a new week, and only the Lord knows what's in store for the rest of it. One thing I do know is that on Friday, we are supposed to go to a horse farm and ride horses. That is the ONE thing that Rachel REALLY wanted to do before she left, and Betsy is hoping and praying that we are able to. Pray that we can go, as the man at the place was pretty wishy-washy about us coming and being able to go. Not sure what that was about but, we are all hoping we can go. Also pray that I don't have any more pain from my fall last week so that I am able to go. Since I am still bruised and my chest and shoulder muscles are still hurting, riding a horse for an hour may not be the best thing for me to do. :-/ I am praying that I am able to go, though, because I am unsure if I will be able to go again while I am here as everyone will be going Friday and I'd really like to go too! :(

But I pray that this week is great and full of blessings...for all of us! I just want to take a moment and thank every one of you who are reading this. Thank you for your support, whether it be giving money, praying, encouraging words through text or Facebook, or just by reading my blog. You all are great!! "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy" Phil. 1:3-4

Father, thank You for the last 2 weeks. For both the up and the down times. You had/have a purpose and plan for each and every thing that has happened, and although I may not know what that reason is, I still worship You, because You are good. Thank you for protecting me and keeping from not getting any more hurt from jumping off that rock at Charcol Frio. You are just so good...all the time! Let this week be a good week for all of us, Father. Lord, I thank You and praise You for all the people who are supporting me, in any way that they can. They are a blessing to me, so I pray that You bless them. Especially those who have given/are giving monetarily towards my stay while I am here. I am grateful that You have placed them in my life and I ask that You pour out a special blessing in their lives as they bless me in that way. I thank You and Praise You for all that You do. Lord, sometimes I STILL can't believe that this is my life. But I ask that I always give You the praise and glory and honor that You so deserve for allowing me to serve You in this way. You are so Amazing! <3 In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Some pictures from the last month while here:

Got this the 2nd day I was here

Saw this fella one morning before school!! 

Learning about one part of a computer screen.

Betsy 'showering' in the rain

 Just clowning around

Look at that root system!! 

My battle wounds from my fall

"God, You are so good. I am so loving this."

Church service last week

The theme was 'Beach Party!' so we
decorated the chapel to be under the sea 

                                                     

        We made a beach in a box! 

Everyday, we had Discovery time, and Brendan made a contraption that started with torching a rope that then created a domino effect ending in the big blue tarp falling down. The kids LOVED it! 

         

Each day, I had an activity for the kids to do to learn their Bible verses. Here they are working on a puzzle I made. I makes a star fish.
            

Worship!! :)

 

Wed was also rocket day!    

The theme for Thurs was 'Bold,' so the staff decided to do a "Fear Factor" type game with them

Snack time! 

 (I started this Friday, so if I say "today, I'm talking about Friday. If I say "yesterday," I mean Thursday. But now my work has started for this week, as my dorm girl has just arrived! ;)

Well, my dorm girl just left and I finally have some time to sit and relax without worrying about whether or not she has eaten, or if my dorm boy is occupied or is getting into things. This week has been fun, but it was definitely tiring! I'm so exhausted!!  Monday starts real school and my schedule will be different so we will see how that goes. Hopefully I can get on a schedule and adjust quickly to that. I am so grateful that I have other people to help me, and that I don't have to care for both kids all by myself. Amanda and Nate have been a great help, and so has Rachel. :)

This week was full of fun and games, but also learning more about the Bible. I was in charge of teaching the memory verses for each day for VBS, and with the help of Betsy giving me ideas of how to make if fun,  I think they were a success! I asked the kids each day if they knew the verse from the day before and sometimes from earlier in the week and some of them did! It also helped me remember 5 verses, because the 'teacher' has to know them also! ;)

                               

Today, I sat down with two of the students and asked them what the verses were, and they both remembered 4. I worked with my dorm girl on Wed night until she had them down packed! It is hard for her, because she doesn't know English, her grasp of Spanish linguistics isn't the best, the Spanish Bible verses weren't much of a help because she doesn't know and recognize them, and the concepts of some of the verses were hard for her to understand. So I sat and worked hard with her explaining and sharing different examples until she understood. It was great to witness those moments that she understood what the verse(s) meant and when she memorized what they were. I sat there while she was signing them for me and just thought, "God, You are so good. I am so loving this."

Me swinging off the rope!

Actually, I thought that quite a few times this week. On Tuesday, we went to the rainforest with the students and hiked down a small trail to a watering hole where there was a rope swing. Just standing there watching the kids jump off this swing, with the beauty around me, and then after I jumped off and didn't kill myself, I thought that. On Wed. when we went to an old air strip to shoot off rockets and we are standing there waiting to see if we had permission to do it (as Betsy so confidently walked into the place like she owned it and as though there was no problem with being there) looking around at the blue sky, the mountains, the clouds, the hotels on Luquillo beach, and all the other things, I thought that. And especially yesterday when we took the kids snorkeling and not even 30 feet away from the shore line did we see fish and coral. I thought that. Last night at our staff Bible study, thinking about what was being said and how it related to my life and the fact that I am here experiencing this all with these lovely people, I thought that. All week when I sat back and watched the kids communicate with one another at lunch time, I thought that. And when I just sat and thought about my life and how He's brought me to this very place at this very time, I thought that.

On Wed, the kids made fish out of coconuts! 

       God just never ceases to amaze me! I am loving working with the kids and seeing their progress of learning. It is just wonderful to see them actually understand and comprehend things! It's also amazing to me just how beautiful this earth is, and even more so, the fact that God lets me see and experience its awesomeness! We get so caught up in our own little world that we forget that there is so much more going on out there. But sometimes, He lets us in on some of that. Like yesterday, it was a small part of the world under water. We walked out just a little and  saw many different types of fish, with all different colors. Some blue, some yellow, some white with yellow strips, some white with black strips,  some gray, some white/almost translucent with yellowish orange strips across the top, and some with blue and yellow across the top. They were just beautiful. God's creation is just stunning, and to think, He gave man the intelligence to know how to be able to see some of His beauty. To see some of the beautiful fish in the ocean gave me a whole new insight into who God is.

Snorkeling on Thurs! 

           As I sit here, thinking about the week, reflecting on it and on God, I feel as though the Lord has something big for me. I felt that at home before I left, too, but again it has crept up. Whether it is just being here and watching the kids grow and learn and mature, as well as my relationship getting deeper in Him and being more aware of God in different places like I have this week, or whether it is something even bigger, I don't know. Only God does. But I do know that I am excited for it! And I believe I am ready for it!!

Father, You are so Merciful and Gracious to me. You have provided for me to be here and I know You are going to continue to provide. You have blessed me so much just over this last week, I can't even imagine what You have in store for me over the next few months. Be with me over this next week as I have to get used to my normal schedule. Lord, give me wisdom and guidance as I serve You. Let my relationship with You just be strengthened. Thank You, for new friends. Bless and protect them as they are serving You as well, from wherever it is You have them. Thank You for Your creation and for allowing us to live in it. And for giving man the intelligence and the knowledge so that we are able to enjoy it even more. Father, I can't praise You enough for letting this all happen. I love You, Lord. Thank You.