Home Stretch

Okay, so I realize that it has been WAY TOO LONG since I have written. That means I should have LOTS to say, right? Well, I guess we will see where this goes...

I recently returned to Honduras from an extra long spring break. I was able to visit home for a little bit longer because school was suspended due to a breakout of the H1N1 flu virus in the universities here in San Pedro Sula. There had been 40 known cases, so they suspended school a week early, which means I got a longer vacation. I never thought I would enjoy a breakout of a major sickness..... I guess I just never saw it in the right light before.

Just a week before I went home was my 23rd birthday, and it was a great time. I got a "surprise" birthday party from all the kiddos at the school. Miss Erin made cupcakes in the shape of a big butterfly and the kiddos were happy and excited to give me hugs all day long. I also got a free dessert at lunch (Tiramisu), and it was phenomenal! I then enjoyed a wonderful nap in the afternoon. Later in the week, right before I left to visit home, Pastor Dennis invited me over for lunch and he ordered a cake for me. He told the woman my name, but when we got the cake it said, "Feliz Cumpleaños, Baby." Hahahaha. We got a BIG kick out of that one... Yeah, BABY! ;-)

I continue to be surprised by my kiddos on a daily basis at school, so that makes things interesting. For instance, when I told my kids to open their books to page 75, one boy opened his to 28. There are NO similar digits in those two numbers. I was somewhat floored when he seriously told me that he found the page and it was so completely wrong. It was difficult not to laugh. Another surprise occured when one of my little boys dropped the f-bomb. Hmmm.... I'm sure that my face was priceless at this point. How do you explain to a group of Spanish-speaking 5-year-olds that this word (that none of them knew the meaning of) was something that should never be repeated? Or how do you explain the difference between the "ck" sound and the "g" sound for a boy who always mispronounces the word "dig"? Let me just say, everyday is a new experience down here.

Another kiddo of mine enjoys smacking himself in the face with his book every time I hand it to him or right before he puts it back on the shelf. I don't understand.... That one is still a mystery to me. I turn around to a "WHOP!" only to see that Samuel has smacked himself in the face and he has a shocked look on his face as if to ask, "Where in the world did that come from?!" Then, he proceeds to do it again after he giggles.

One day, we were having a science lesson about fish. I drew a fish on the board and put all of the parts of the body on it. I asked the class what its name was, and they said, "Miss Bobbi!" So, I labeled it. Then, I drew another fish and put hearts around the two. I asked what this one should be called, and I tried to tell them that it should be "Matt," but they would not be persuaded. Instead, I am in love with a fish named "Otis." Who wants to break this harsh news to Matt?

So that has been my life down here. My visit home was wonderful, but it FLEW by! We got a lot of stuff done for the wedding, and we also got pre-approved to begin the search for a house. The last week I was home was the most interesting, however. My dad's aunt passed away, so I attended the viewing on Friday and the funeral Saturday morning (I was scheduled to fly back here on Sunday). Later on Saturday afternoon, Matt and I decided to take a trip into Goshen, and as we were quickly approaching an intersection, and car halted at a stop sign but continued through. Matt and I t-boned the SUV with Matt's little car, and both airbags deployed leaving the car smokey and both of us slightly disoriented for a minute. The first thought that went through our heads was, "Thank you Lord. That could have ended badly." The SUV only had a small dent in the passenger door, but Matt's car is completely totaled. We were INCREDIBLY blessed to step out of the car with little more than a couple scratches and bruises. When my parents arrived on the scene, I could tell that they were amazed that neither Matt nor I were injured. Everyone that passed by thought the same thing. We definitely had angels with us that day.

Sunday came along, and I knew my break was over. I was pretty stiff from the accident, and the drive to Chicago O'Hare was a bit uncomfortable. I was not looking forward to the flight back down here as uncomfortable as I was. Well, I got to the ticket counter after 3 hours of driving, only to find out that I was going to miss my connecting flight in Fort Lauderdale, and the next flight does not leave until Tuesday. Hmmm.... I tried to take this in stride. This was a blessing, right? I was stiff and sore and uncomfortable. I would be better by Tuesday. So, Tuesday comes along, and guess what? It happens AGAIN! I am going to miss my connection. At this point, my nerves about saying good-bye to my family yet again are completely shot, and it's just getting ridiculous. My advice to y'all: Don't fly on Spirit Airlines. This time, probably due to my telling them that this happened to me again, they put me up in a hotel right next to the airport. I got a couple vouchers for meals, and they bought me a ticket for another airline (Continental.... I knew I was safe there). Finally, after missing 3 extra days of work, I arrived in Honduras after taking an early morning flight. My emotions were worn out, and I was completely exhausted. God had tested me, for the millionth time about my trip down here. Here I am, still at work in His name. I am doing what I came to do, and these kiddos are teaching me way more than I ever imagined about myself.

It has really hit me hereoflate that my trip is rapidly coming to a close. 8 weeks from today, I will be on a plane back to the States, completely unsure as to when I will get my next opportunity to visit. It will be a bittersweet farewell, heading home to one family while leaving another. My heart, my home, will always be in two places. I look forward to my many future adventures as I begin yet another new phase in my life: Marriage. It is amazing to me how much my life can be blessed this year, 2010. See y'all in 8 weeks!