Excitement at the Farm:

The day I came back from the States we had a tropical storm-it rained for two days! Rainy season is on the way which also means: cooler weather, (yeah!) and more sanqudos or mosquitoes.

I brought back glittered heart shaped clips for house 1 and 2 girls, it was only a matter of hours before they had regular-ed them (gave them away) to other vols and their friends!

9^th graders Nolvia and Nelly just started geometry and trigonometry which makes me excited to go to study hour with them. And 1^st graders are becoming more proficient in their English and often respond in English in interesting ways. This Thursday and Friday I will be teaching 3^rd and 4^th grade, not health classes but ALL day! Good thing one is a cultural celebration and the other day is character appreciation day.

We have a pet tarantula that lives in the bathroom above the shower where the wall and ceiling meet. He/she never comes down much or out at all which is great. Except that my room is on the other side of that divide!  Also on the subject of creatures remember to always bring a flashlight with you to the bathroom in the middle of the night; you never know what will be there-RAT!! No more scorpions to report of.

New volunteers/missionaries will be here in one month!!! WELCOME TO THE FARM NEWBIES!!! We will have a weeklong retreat in two weeks to prepare for our new community, so please pray for us all.

Love you and miss you all!

24 Things I am (was)Grateful for on My 24th Golden Birthday!

1.       My Family and Friends and those in between

2.       “Strict” Parents

3.       The strong presence Kelsey still has in my Family

4.       My College experience at St. Scholastica

5.       Farm of the Child; Finca del Nino

6.       Trujillo, Colon, Honduras, Central America

7.       All the People I have ever shared some type of living quarters with

8.       My Camp Girls!

9.       My Travel Buddy-MK

10.   Being part of people’s life: Randi’s wedding

11.   Avocados, Mangos, Baleadas, Liquados, Tostados

12.   Berries, all types, milk, red peppers, Ranch Dressing!!!

13.   Funny stories about our Kids

14.   The idiosyncrasies of Honduras that make us say, “That’s Hondu for you!”

15.   Swimming in the Ocean is like taking a bath ANY time of the year

16.   My Special Friends, and my Dorfa, who calls me her preferida (her preferred!)

17.   Teachers! After teaching a couple classes I love what they do and am glad it is not me every day!

18.   My fun experiences as a “nurse” including machetes, babies, and worms.

19.   Modern conveniences: fan, aloof, electric heater (for tea), cold drinks on a hot day.

20.   Cake mix , mixed with water for a snack

21.   Rainy day conversations and candle lit dinners with the whole community.

22.   Inside jokes, “Fatima died Amanda!”

23.   The opportunity to live and serve in another country with so many amazing people!

24.   That every day I can see hear and feel the greatness of God and his creation!