Well, time is winding down here in Mexico. These past few days are going to go by very fast. Last night was kids club, which is always a blast. We played games and sang songs…I have really gotten familiar with some of the kids they are all very nice! I gave the talk about jericho and then we acted it out.

This morning I got up and did school with the kids and it was very trying because Hannah would not read, even though I knew she could. It was very frustrating to see her get in trouble and be so stubborn. It reminded me of how stubborn I can be, I am sure God feels the same way about me often…but he is perfect of course.

This weekend we are staying at the Cummings’ house since they are gone and have opened their home to the Acosta’s. My two dear friends who I met last summer have invited me over for a couple days or so. I am very excited to see Ximena and Aranxta! To do some fun things and be  a little more comfortable…

I was able to call Joe last night, which was such a blessing! I missed hearing his voice and didn’t want to hang up!

That is all for now, pictures to come, since the cumming’s have high speed internet!

This is going to be a quick blog because it is super late.

Today I taught the kids, the happiest moment ever was when I got luis to love writing. He didn’t want to write at all and I sat down and was patient and got him started and then he just took off and asked to write some more and some more and some more! I cant describe the feeling I got, I was so proud of him we went around and showed it to everyone. This is why I became a teacher.

I decided to gain some new experience and help the guys with the cement they were doing, plus we were going out for lunch and i was trying to help to hurry them up. I mixed cement and filled buckets…it was so hard! Man I am weak…I sure got a good work out though. They teased me the whole time but I was proud of myself for even attempting to do it.

we had the best seafood I have ever eaten! I ate so much. When we got back it was time for the jovenes group and they were playing kickball…so I joined in and fell and got a bloody knee. Then we took the girls and did our study on modesty. I was able to share some things and used my Spanish. I was glad because I had a lot to share with the struggle to be modest.

Then the young boys were playing futbol and I just had to join in…I have been in mexico for a week and I haven’t played futbol as much as I thought I would. It was a lot of fun, it was a good way to break the ice with the younger pre teen kids and to gain respect among them, which will open doors.

I think I am a little homesick….off to bed!

I wish I had something exciting to write about and share with all of you who, hopefully, are reading this blog. Every day is pretty much the same. Sunday we went to church at Bugambilias, which is the same place I have stayed at the past two times we came. I felt very comfortable there and it brought back a lot of memories. I got to see some old friends and familiar faces which was nice. I went to the Sunday school class all in Spanish and the service was in Spanish too, I was able to follow along and understand alot. Then went to downtown Guadalajara…I had already been there before, so it wasnt anything new or amazing but i was able to point out some of the cool things I had seen to the three man team, who are working at Camichines, who came to the city with us. The best thing was that it was just the four of us and we were not rushed for time so it was very relaxing. Only in Mexico would a man be selling puppies out on the street! I got to buy some things at the market, which was a cool experience that I have always loved when coming here. On a deeper, and perhaps more interesting note, I have been really struggling with the decision to come back and serve longer at Camichines. I love it here so much…but sometimes I think I am not made for this life here. It is very different from anything I have ever experience…and to stay here for more than two weeks? I am used to a queen size bed, my own bathroom, the foods I like at my disposal, Clorox wipes….at other times I think maybe I just wouldn’t fit in here. I know this may not seem like a big deal, but to me, who really cares about people’s opinions, probably when I shouldn’t …just thinks maybe everyone thinks I’m too picky, or shower too much, or cause I wear mascara and just once straitened my hair….that I am not cut out for this. Or maybe its all in my head? Am I searching for confirmation from others, when I should be seeking it from God? I feel like I would have to be someone I’m not, when I just want to be me, but in a different place. Make sense? I am not sure but I am confused and sometimes just sad…..maybe its homesickness? Please pray for me. School with the kids is great! I got to hold these puppies that were seriously about 6 inches long and the cutest things ever. I really think God wants me to bring back a puppy…I mean it seems every day there are just puppies all around. Just tonight this adorable puppy walked into our yard and I held it for about 10 minutes…until sadly we had to return the puppy to its owner. I spent a long time today organizing there enormous, and very messy, book shelves and organizing more craft stuff…I must say it looks pretty great! One of the things I am determined to accomplish is to fix up the other house where we do school in. Its a mess and my goal is to turn into a really great, functional school room. Also, to make it easier for a person to come in and pick right up teach the kids without any problems. Last night we went for a walk just before it got dark and took pictures of everything. It is so beautiful and quaint here. A lot of people have horses and they ride them around town. People have donkeys too and chickens and everyone has dogs. Would you believe that in this town the school only goes up to 9th grade. The majority of the older classes are done by watching satellite or something. Kids here only go to school until about 12 or 1 o clock and probably actually do school work for only 2 hours. There is no differentiation at all for those with special needs either. I taught the kids lots of songs and they always make me sing them with them. They really like the Baby Bumble bee song….every morning Pati who is 2 year old has me read the itsy bitsy spider to her.

I saw the most beautiful sunset from the roof of the house. The sunset was framed by huge mountains…in fact when I looked around all I see are mountains so large and grand, all I could say was “Thank you God for your creation”. from the roof I here traditional Mexican music from various houses and it is so peaceful. I also saw the biggest bug ever today.This thing was probably the size of an ipod shuffle…maybe bigger.

We have lost power several times, sometimes due to a storm and other times we have no clue why. Friday night is kids club, which I was really looking forward too. We put on a skit of the story of Rahab, in which I was Rahab. It was pretty funny. It was in Spanish too. We played games and sang songs. Every Friday here they receive donations, this time we got tons of fruit, bread, and even cake. We keep enough that we need here and the rest we give to families who need it. It is funny I am saying “we” but I am starting to feel like I am part of the family, I really love it here. I wish I could stay. I think I could stay. I could see myself being here for a long time.

I have definitely had to step out of my comfort zone and have done things I have never done before… I am more adventerous here than when I am home. I try not to come off as a spoiled girly girl, that I probably am.

There is a place with the most delicious sandwiches ever! We have already gone twice. They are Cuban sandwiches and are my favorite thing.

Today was a church workday and I spent the first half with the kids and the second half weeding a garden in the hot sun. Never would I think to find myself sitting in dirt pulling weeds. I actually didn’t mind it that much…I figured it was a chance to work on my tan. My lower back hurt after. What compelled me to volunteer to weed a garden, when I already had a job working with the children…well I figured since I am here to serve God I should do it anyway I can…sometimes it is by doing something I love and sometimes it is by doing something difficult.

It is so hard to find time to gather my thoughts, and when I do…by the time I get on the computer I don’t remember much of my deep thoughts that I want to share.

Every morning I wake up to the most beautiful scenery, lush mountains, palm trees, and farms. The roads here are paved with stones, I have really begun to enjoy our daily walk with the children. I stepped in a huge pile of cow poop one day, it was a good thing I had put on my sneakers. It storms here at night, the rain and wind are so loud and the power always goes out, in fact for the past hour or two the power was out and finally came back on.

School with the kids was great today, I finally had a system going and was able to organize all the school supplies and set up the room that we use to look like more of a school room. As for my organizing projects I have made a lot of progress, all the craft supplies are neatly organize the cabinets are organized. I think I will have a lighter week, next week, I will just be doing school with the kids and will have more time to just enjoy playing. They love singing songs and so do I.

Well, hopefully I can blog more later, there is an overwhelming amount to share, but its lightening and I don’t want to get electrocuted

Saludades de Mexico! Greetings from Mexico!

Well, I am exhausted! I love it here, and although the work I am doing may seem menial, I know that is a big help and more importantly I am doing it to glorify God! I really had to be on my toes and very flexible, I didn’t get any kind of orientation or schedule….I just had to jump right in! Thankfully, the summer intern, Katie, is very nice and is showing me the ropes. I am sleeping on the top bunk in a room with 9 girls, there are lots of bugs, and I miss the comfort of my own kitchen. Many of you would probably laugh to think how I would manage here, i am very out of my comfort zone. God has been very gracious and has given me a laid back attitude that is a necessity to survive here. I love being here, and I love the work I am doing.

Today I did school with four of the children. They are all at different levels. The supplies are very disorganized and I don’t even know what I have or where to start from really. I really enjoyed being teacher today and had to think on my toes for sure. I can’t wait to continue working with them and use the techniques I have learned. I also played with the kids outside and tried to teach them badminton. we drew with chalk and I taught them how to draw animals. We played another game that I sort of made up. Then I read aloud a chapter of a book. The kids all speak Spanish and English, but I told them they must speak Spanish to me so I can learn better.

My other job while I am here is to sort through bags and boxes of donations. Most of it is junk and not something that they could really use (it’s amazing what people will give away), so i sort through everything and salvage the usable things and the rest will go in a garage sale. I am also going to help Amy organize the school supplies and craft supplies. It seems they have a very good system for cleaning, cooking, and laundry but I try to help out where I can.

Who knows what tomorrow will hold! Whatever it is I am ready to take it on and do my best for the glory of God.

Praise the Lord! I raised about $1000! Which means my flight is paid for and I have left over money. This is much more than I expected, God is so gracious! Huge thank you to all my supporters who so generously gave. the picture above is proof that your money is going to a good cause! I cant wait to post pictures of the childrens faces when they see all the goodies!

Tuesday I went to Target and pretty much emptied out their dollar sections, I have a whole shopping cart full of things. It was so fun! Then I hit up the dollar store which had tons of great stuf. I only wish I had a million dollars to spend.

I bought…

colorings books, books, puzzles, construction paper, glue sticks, glitter glue sticks, paint sticks, rolls of paper, pencils, finger paints, bubbles, chalk, socks, hand sanitizers, lip glosses, nail polish, little mirrors, hair barrets, crazy straws, teaching materials, fun addition and word flash cards, activity books, little tote bags, beads, craft kits, fun foam sheets…everything I could think of. I had no idea how much to get of things but I know that these things will really help the Acosta’s out with the kids club they run and with teaching the children at the shelter.

Now, my next dilema is…how am I going to get this stuff to Mexico? Thanks to the summer embargo I can only check one bag…if I want to check another one it costs $30 one way! I am concerned that I might exceed the 50lb limit. However, I do have enough money left over to pay for the bag and any cost of exceeding weight limit. Thank God! How wonderful is it, He knew exactly how much I would need! So I am taking the biggest suitcase I can find (within the alloted dimentions 62. in) and filling it with all the things. I am taking a smaller suitcase and really packing light! which if any of you know me….can be nearly impossible. But with God all things are possible! On the way home form Mexico Ill put my little suitcase inside the bigger suitcase and thus only have to check one bag on the way back. I hope this works! If I want to bring my guitar, that counts as my carry on…so I might only be able to bring my guitar and a tote bag on the plane. Oh well, God is in control!

The first picture is the front of the orphanage. Last summer they were constructing a better patio awning. I cant wait to see what it looks like now!

The other pictures are of myself and some of the kids at the orphanage.

They do have a trampoline!

Regulation says an orphanage must have a stone wall around it, so they were in the midst of putting one up. I hope to be surprised by the progress.

They have a kids club on Fridays which I will be helping with. I am most looking forward to this!

I’m sitting in my very own bedroom, with a queen size bed, on my very own laptop. If I get hungry, I go downstairs and eat. If I get thirsty I go grab a drink. If I am cold I put on clothes or get under a warm blanket. If I am hot I turn on the air conditioning.

As I sit here and really reflect, I am hit with the realization of how blessed I really am.I was hit with this the past two times I was in Mexico. Like the selfish person I am I have forgotten those lessons learned and that faint time where I felt humble. Here I am so discontent with life because I don’t have a teaching job, an Iphone, a better car with hubcaps that match and air conditioning…or a coach bag.

There are people who have nothing. I saw them with my own eyes. I touched their hands and held their babies. I saw the same dirt smudged faces day after day in the same clothes begging for stickers and marshmallows, bum rushing me with my suitcase full of coloring pages and crayons. I saw their hungry longing eyes watching me as I ate a simple sandwich from subway. I don’t even like subway. I bet they would have killed for that subway sandwich. Seeing the poverty made me feel pangs of guilt in my stomach when it came time to eat in Mexico.Yet yesterday I couldn’t even finish my McDonalds and just threw the fries away.

Am I in a better position than them? No. This picture is just an outward manifestation of poverty. Inside I am just as poor and dirty and hungry as these people. It was while I was in this estate that Christ died for me. There is no real difference between them and myself, although I sit in a nicer home. God’s gift of salvation makes the difference. Because at the end, we leave everything..the mud huts…the nice homes….the grand meal…the scrapings. We leave it all.

The only thing worth having is Christ.