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!