Christmas Blessings!

First I want to wish you all a very Merrrry and Blessed Christmas! I also wanted to share with you my Christmas. It started last friday: in November I picked three families to help for Christmas. One was a family that has two children in the school I volunteer at, then the other two families were people my puperia( a little store in someones house) friend helped me find in the mountains. I spent my time in Nov. buying and getting food, toys, clothes, shoes, ect... then last friday went to deliver it to my the families. It went amazing, the children loved their big stuffed animals, cars, toys, clothes, shoes, ect... I just had a blast taking pictures, spending time with each family, and seeing God's blessings pour out on them this Christmas time!Saturday I went to my second family and did the same. I was soo touched because they decided they wanted to make me tamales, and gave me some family photos of the children to keep. What a blessing- now I'll have pics and memories to last a lifetime, plus new friends here in Honduras! I also just today did Christmas with Casa de Maria- one of the most rewarding, fun , exciting things i think i've done all year! I had soooo much stuff that God helped me get it all there by allowing me to get a taxi right near my house ( very very hard to do by the way). Then it was Christmas time with the kiddos- first they all got dressed up; they put the two little girls becki and maritza in my dresses and shoes i bought them which were perfect fitting and beautiful!!!!! Then they all say around me while I passed out noisey toys, stuffed animals big and small, pop push toy, and elmo/cookie monster vaccum that made noise, shoes, socks, clothes, cookies, diapers, ect... One special thing they did was bring out Anner to celebrate with us: and i had something very special in store for him. I got him this baby bed thingy to lay on the floor for him the had a rhino rattle , plus mom and dad had bought him to rattles to put around his wrists, which he shook and moved and smiled at the noises. It was just a blessing to make him smile and happy! All the children loved the toys,and i know when it's time they will love their coooookies to :) the last thing i put out for them was this long red tunnel...When i did Freddi just started squealing and screaming with excitement! then he took off inside to play. The others are smaller so they were kind of unsure of it, but they would wonder close to it, hit and push it ect... It was one of the best Christmas times ever here in Honduras! It's also my first Christmas without my family so I thought it might be sad and kinda lonely; but Gods blessed me with three days of Christmas', plus my puppy here with me. Plus my friend from my puperia invited me to their house for Christmas eve all night long with her whole family (which no joking lasts ALL NIGHT long) and then Christmas dinner! So that should be fun- just hope my spanish holds up around all her family. Don't want to look dumb in front of all of them...lol...anyways Christmas this year has been more amazing, and fun, and such a blessing. I hope you all feel that way about your Christmas'. And if you never have before try to help someone on Christmas or for Christmas I am telling you it will change your life. It's an amazing feeling to help someone else on such a special day! Well gonna go spend some cuddle time with my Chewy pup since I'll be gone later tonight- so I love you all!
Merrrrrrrry Christmas!! Happpppppy New Year too!! :) Dios Te Bendiga,(God Bless You)

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Just a little chit chat, update....

Hey Ya'll, Hope everyone's doing great. I know your all probablly scurring around busy getting Christmas stuff, and cooking, and traveling to visit family memebers.... I am staying pretty busy to. I got tutoring 2 hours a day, then (and this is my biggest news) I got myself a puppy. His name is Chewy. He is a Boxer mix pup, that's 2 months old. He is an amazing little thing. He is full of energy, and silliness. He loves to play, which means he also loves to bite; but were working on that. I want him to know that won't be going on in my house..No Biting!!!! lol. But hey it'll just take some time, he is only 2 months old, just a baby; my baby chewy pup. I am also collecting the stuff for the families i have been lead to helping this Christmas time. I have been buying clothes, shoes, toys, food, ect... for three families, and Casa de Maria. So thats pretty time consuming, trying to get things together and ready. Remember if you would like to help out with this you can by donating money to NIWG Ministries which i will in turn buy things needed, and when I deliver it all I will be taking pics for all to see. I am very excited for all the things going on in my life at this moment. Gonna buy a little Christmas tree soon, and start listening to some of my favorite songs...Christmas Songs!!! Well thats just a little update of what my lifes been like here lately. So I'll update more later. Keep in touch, and remember I am praying and missing you all very much. God Bless!!!! :)

Exams, Ideas for Christmas, and Internet!!!

Hey again! Hope everyone is doing great today... First big news, well least I am very excited about it. But I have just received internet here at my house! I am sooo excited. That will make it easier to keep in touch with all of you. Plus I am hoping to save some money with not calling the states on my cell as much (man that gets expensive after awhile)...lol, however I will now have internet to pay for--- but I think it is worth it. Anyways, so I am hoping to get emails, keep up on facebook more, and blog more.... So keep an eye out, and you keep in touch with me to. Let me know what's new in your life, church, work, ect... I miss talking to everyone and being around to hang out and stuff. Second - things at school are great. This is exam week and so far so good for my classes. I have 1 more exam today; its for my 5th grade grammar class. I am hoping they do as well as I think they will. :) After graduation (which is coming up next week , I think) then I will be helping do tutoring till classes start again in Feb. It'll be three times a week for like an hour... I think, but you know that can always change depending on the child and what they need help with. I am excited to work more one on one with some of the kids. I will also still keep visiting the children at Casa de Maria too. Speaking of Casa de Maria, that leads into my third thing... I would like to buy presents, stuffed animals , toys, clothes, shoes, ect.. for the kids there. Most do not have someone (family wise) that visits often, if ever.. So I would like this year to be very special. I want to ask the needs from the sisters there and then deliver what I can to them through Christ's blessings and your help. I have a desire to help a family here as well, but I am waiting on which exact family to do this for. One of the sisters who run the school wants to help me find someone in need to help. So I want to throw this out for you all to be apart of. Since its not possible to send me things to give out, if you feel lead to help, please donate whatever God puts on your heart, to NIWG Ministries--- and in the memo just write "Kids Christmas Project" and I will be able to access that in order to buy things here, to make the children and families in need have a better holiday. As well as share with them the love of God on this special day. To also show that I love them and want to make their lives a little easier and happier. I'm hoping this touches someones life and possible if they haven't already lead them to accepting Christ as their Saviour. Plus just to see the smiles and happiness that we can give them through God is the best gift ever! I will try to take pics as well for you guys to see what I bought and so you will be "apart" of the giving to the families and children. I will post them on my facebook. I know Christmas is a time for giving, families visiting, and just a busy time for everyone, but if you will just take some time to think and pray about those (even in the states) that may not have someone to share the holiday's or don't have the money to give their child a special gift, or and this is the most important reason--- may not know the "REAL" reason for Christmas... I think you will realize that its more important then anything to help when you can, follow God's lead and you can't go wrong. I want to get a start on buying things now, while there isn't a mad rush for things, so the sooner the better.
The last thing I wanted to say is that I miss everyone so much... You all are very important to me even if we don't talk all the time, or chat, know that I still think of each one of you, and pray for you daily. I also posted a family/ friends wall in my room: so if you would like to send me a picture for my wall, please send it to my mom and dad as soon as possible. Then they can mail it to me so that I have it by Christmas time, then I can see you for Christmas! I love and miss you all... Keep in touch...God Bless!!!! Talk to you again soooon :)

Happy Birthday to MEEEEE

Hey I wanted to tell you about my birthday... It was awesome, I reallly missssed everyone back home, wished I could be there to celebrate too. But you all were with me in my heart. I had a great day, it started off by going to see my Becki at Casa de Maria. She was sooo giggly and happy that day too. I always have a blast seeing her before I head to school. Then it was school time. When I arrived, some of the teachers ushered me around the corner where the whole school was waiting! They sang happy birthday for me and cheered and hollered too. It was a very nice surprise. Then since I share my birthday with one of my third graders and Ana Penman, one of the ladies who runs the school, we waited for her to come , sang to her all together then the school had 2 special cakes for us three. And man were they gooooood! I then exchanged presents since Adonnis (my 3rd grader ) had a present for me, and I had one for him. So afterwards while I was standing around several of my kids bombarded me with hugs and kisses and presents. I was sooo surprised and excited! They reallly made my day bright and happy! Afterwards we started classes; of course most of my classes we sat around and talked and goofed off. (Hey it was a special day, if you can't slack on your birthday, when can ya?) LOL. Later in the day my 6th graders called me to their classroom to talk for a second. But really it was a party they had done for me and Miss Ana, with yet another cake , soda, and chips.. yummmmmmmmmy! Three cakes in one day, can you ask for anything better...lol. So we listened to music and goofed off some more! Oh forgot to tell you that the whole school every grade put on this show for us three too, where each grade preformed a dance/ song for us and made us sit up front and everything. It was the most coolest thing ever for the kids to do. My last class was cool we actually had class because they wanted to do a party but didn't have time to get all the stuff, so I told them if they reallly wanted to , they could talk about it later, and plan a party for Monday. However I wasn't sure if they really wanted to , so it would still be kinda a surprise if they did. Afterwards I went home to relax and have a movie afternoon/ night. Plus then I went to Ana's house where her mom had made us dinner (tamales) YUMMM...
Some of the best Honduran food- I love tamales!!!! Then Monday came around- It was a very lazy, fun, relaxing birthday weekend... So I figured now was time to get back to work, which in most of my classes we did.... But when I got to my last class it was Party Time!!!! They had brought sodas, a cake (that was blue, with purple roses) my two favorite colors. They also had nachos and cheese, and candy...So let me restate 4 cakes 3 parties and presents , what could be more fun!!!!! Plus it just made my day to be with the kids and know they cared about me enough to do all that for me. I also got cards for my birthday from momma who sent them to me a few days before- so I still got to feel like I was celebrating with you all back home! Thanks again to everyone who sent, they made me feel very special and important on my 26th birthday!!! (man to know I have been on earth for 26years.... if you said I had this car or this whatever for 26 years I'd say wow, thats old..... yikes I think I man be getting older but hey that means more wiser too right?????? LOL well I love you and miss you all, just wanted to share my special day with you, so you knew what was happening here in little ole' Ocotepeque, Honduras.

Classes, Parades, and more Classes...

Hey guys, just wanted to tell you about the school here and the classes I teach, since I haven't been able to update since I got out of the hospital..... The school's name is: My Little Red House Bilingual School. It is a little , cozy, adorable school. It teaches kindergarten to 7th graders. I teach all grades except 4th grade. I mostly teach reading classes in English. My schedule changes from day to day, with a few exceptions. I teach reading to 1st graders (only on Friday) reading to: 2nd, 3rd, and 6th graders throughout the week. Grammar to 5th graders. I teach a journal/ conversation class to the 7th graders. This class is mostly to get them speaking and practicing their English, which I think for being my newest class (I am a week into it) its going great! I am really excited about it. Also M-Th I read a story to kindergarten and the Preparatory class (which are the kids going to first grade next year.) I am enjoying my time here in the school, as well as at Casa de Maria. I have been in two school parades, I carried signs and stuff, it was awesome!!!! And the latest thing I have done was be on tv here, for the school. I was on it with my 7th graders, two of my 1st graders and one of my 3rd graders. Plus the whole 4th grade class.... It was fun, I think the kids really enjoyed their time. Plus it's all in English , so it gets out to the people who live in Ocotepeque that they speak English and shows them what the school is like and how we are helping the kids here. I was sooooooo nervous I thought I was going to puke, but it was good for the kids, so we fought through our nerves and showed all of Ocotepeque what we were made of. I fidgeted alot with the papers I had in front of me, but hey we all got through it and had a blast. Even though my "blast" came from it getting over with...lol.... well just wanted to update you all so you knew what I was doing here, and about all my classes. I will be writing another blog here shortly about my birthday too. It was great! Talk to you sooooooon. Love and Miss U All!!!! God Bless!

Packing & Moving, and the stay in the Hospital...Ocotepeque Here I Come

Hey everyone... here's an update... First I have moved again . This time to the other side of Honduras, Ocotepeque. I will be helping in a school teaching English to many different grade levels. It´s going to be awesome! After classes are over my plan is to help out at an orphanage there working with the babies and young children. I am sooo excited. It´s beautiful here not HOT like in La Masica so you know I´m loving it. We're right against some mountains so its a view to die for. I walk back and forth cause it´s such a small town. So from the school to my house, and to the other orphanage ect...
However the journey to Ocotepeque was by far an adventure, some good and some scary as heck! I ended up getting picked up and loaded everything into their truck to head to the new place, fun, exhausting and exciting.... By the end of the night however when we stopped at a motel I was not feeling so hot, my stomach was in massive pain, and my head hurt, but I thought it was amoebas or something like I had just had, so I tried to ignore it. By morning time I was in so much pain, I couldn't stand it. My head and stomach hurt, I was freezing then hot, had a slight fever which is completely not normal for me, and I was very nauseous and dizzy-like.... They the lady from the new organization and friends, rushed me to their brothers house who is a doctor... (as well as his wife) to get checked out. They immediately gave me meds and an iv...OUCH about an hour later, I was being rushed to the hospital because I had started vomiting very hard, and freezing from the inside out to the point that I was kinda in and out of consciousness... I have never been that cold in my life . I truly thought the worst because of being sooooo cold. I was in the hospital for about 3 days. Which was not fun at all!!!! I had numerous iv´s, and blood work which hurt very badly since they couldn't get blood drawn easily. An ultrasound , x-rays and more blood work just to say yep your staying the night so we can observe you , "we don´t know whats wrong yet". I was then moved from the emergency room to another area with just rows of sick and dying women. It was very scary to say the least. I was given meds through my iv for the time I stayed there, until after 2 or 3 hours of complaining something was wrong (on the third day), they finally really checked out my hand to notice it was red and swollen and infected due to the iv and meds... fun huh! I'm still dealing with that right now, not as bad but still some pain. After the 2 1/2 days there the docs decided they think its gastroenteritis or a severe case of food poisoning. Whatever it really was which we think (gastroenteritis) it hurt very badly, the stay in the hospital was crazy, scary , and a test for sure, however God was there and helped me through it all. I am now in Ocotepeque, loving it, and feeling better day by day. Still got the infection in my hand I'm dealing with and a bad cough but I´m getting there. I start teaching next week, however am at the school most of the day this week to get used to things, and ready for next week. I am thrilled and excited, a little nervous but I know I´ll do just fine. Nothing´s Impossible With God! that´s my favorite quote/saying , I think they are great words for me to live by. They are encouraging, helpful, and a great reminder of how God gets me through everything big or small, moves, or sickness, and how I CAN do anything with Him beside me. Well gotta go for now. I´ll update again soon, (more internet access here)... Till next time...I Love and Miss you all. God Bless!!!

Internet stick means an update .....Yippeee

Hey Y'all what's everyone been up too? I know yet again it's been a long time since I have updated this thing.... I have been pretty busy, with school, adjusting to things here again, sickness and lots of it, and yes unfortunately spiders, even a scorpion (in my room...). First off I guess I should say school's going goood. I mainly teach English to the kindergarten class. I have a bag full of things for them to learn the names of plus I work with the alphabet, numbers, and things I draw on the board for them . Its great, they seem to be learning lots. I have had some of the parents come in saying they go home and tell them-- mommy or daddy this is... in English....which makes me feel happy and proud of my students. Plus it teaches the parents who don't know any English some words too. Second thing I have been up too is being sick. God is helping me cope but it's definitely been hard. I have had 2 sinus infections which are very abnormal for me, I never get them in the states. I have had "amoebas", which for those who may not know are parasites that cause lots of problems and hurt very badly. I am still dealing with stomach issues that right now I ain't sure whats wrong, but I know God will help me through it all. The doctor even said its probably a good thing to be getting sick a little to get used to things here in the food, and water, but I just think at the time I'm missing school (which I hate to do) and this stinks cause it hurts like crazy! My doc at home says because of the accident I was in before coming back to Honduras, my immune system is very low which happens to mean for me, I get just about everything that enters my system, instead of my body fighting it off.... Fun huh? but I'm doing alright..... just got to rely on God to get me through and help me till I feel better! which i know He will. I have also dealt with a few nasty creepy things here since I have been back. Of course Spiders.... which doesn't make my day or night, that's for sure :( thankfully they have mostly been in our bathroom. But the other day for the first time here in Honduras I had a scorpion. He was just a little thing but scared me and my roommates because he was a quick fast little booger. We caught him under a cup , snapped a lot of pics of him then my roommate stomped him to death. Glad she was here cause I didn't want to kill him I was chicken.....lol....anyways it's going alright, I definitely missss home more then I can say. My family, friends, and church , you guys are very important to me, and I think of you all often and pray for you as well. I missss you guys all so much and love you bunches too!!!! I am trying to think of what I am forgetting to tell you about school, being sick, the pesky critters, oh I remember-- we had a group here from Puerto Rico that was awesome~!!! I made some very wonderful friends. They we here to help out doing church events, and working with the children. They were amazing!!!! In fact they want me to go to Puerto Rico to visit but I gotta wait on God's timing and money before I can get the chance to do that. But hopefully I'll get to, someday in the future. Well I'm not sure what I'm leaving out but I'm sure after I end this I'll remember something else so until next time remember I love you alot and so does God! God Bless you all!

My unexpected, but blessed time home...

Hey everyone, hope you all are doing good. I know its been forever since i have updated this thing, but no i haven't forgotten too, just haven't really been up for doing it lately...Been pretty busy. First as most of you know I am in the states right now, (have been since Jan.) I received news last Christmas that my grandfather had a brain tumor and it wasn't looking like it would turn out to be a good outcome, so I decided to fly home with my parents who were visiting me at the time in Honduras. I had a good visit with my grandfather, and that night went to my aunt's house where we were staying that weekend, and decided to have some fun! Well it was fun for a little, here's why.. We decided to go "snow boating" pretty much sledding in a flat bottom boat. Sounds fun huh? It was till we hit a rock and went flying. I knew we were in trouble heading down a huge hill but never saw the rock we hit, i went to jump out and actually got my leg caught due to it being held onto without my knowledge, so what happen was, i flew out of the boat, flew back in it landing on my left side of my back and flew back out and landed on my cousin, which is probably a good thing or else I'd prob. have hit the tree beside us. I got pretty banged up. I hurt my back and twisted things, bruised things all the way to my lungs (which they thought i punctured but thank God i didn't) and the doctor actually thinks i ripped stuff but there wasn't much he could do for me.. i recieved severe wiplash to my neck and i also hurt my arm so bad that i couldn't move it hardly at all, last appointment the doc said i had 60% movement in it, and that id have to stay here another 6 weeks so i have been home since January due to my accident. I can report I'm doing much better, still have lots of swelling and pain but its getting there. I am hoping i will be able to head back to Honduras in May my next doc. appt is April 28th so ill be working my arm, praying and hoping I get the "OK" from him to go back. I can't wait , I really misss Honduras, and my kiddos. Plus school started in Feb. and i was supposed to be the kindergarten teacher's helper or assistant , so I have missed everyday of school so far, which reallly stinks. Plus i have now been home longer then I have been at this new organization (Reachout Orphanage, Proyecto Alcance). But I know God had a reason for me to be home, and one has been realized I know without a doubt God wanted me home for my grandfather, we were able to go visit him and be with him , and as sad as it is to say he passed away, It's kinda weird for me to say this but as sad as it is; it's also peaceful and joyous for me to because I know he's out of pain now. I know that God wanted and gave me the chance to be home with my family for this important time in our lives, when we needed to be together. So its been busy busy busy here for me, and its been goood and bad but God has been with me and my family through everything ,which I'm soo thankful for. On a goood note I have been able to attend 2 very special weddings since i have been home, one of our family friends more family then friends...lol...Kelly and Bryan got married ,as well as I was able even though i was hurt to participate and be the maid of honor for one of my kiddos i taught in Honduras. She moved to the states to marry her one true love who i knew from Honduras because him and his family were missionaries there too. So it was awesome to be with Nilsy and Caleb on their special day. I am looking forward to whatever God has in my future, when i get back to Honduras, I can't wait to see the kids, get into helping out at the school, and church, and just living for God the best I can. It's been a crazy 4 months home, but even through the bad i have felt very blessed for this time home with my parents, friends, and family. I love you all and missss you terribly when I'm gone but God works everything out for a reason and helps out with everything i go through on a daily basis. Life isn't always easy, but remember the old saying when life gives you lemons... make a lot of lemonade and remember God made the lemons, and gave you them to eat/drink for a reason so drink it all in and live life for HIM and it will all work out for the best with Him by your side. Love you all!!!!Sorry for such a long blog this time but i wanted to give you guys a full update on everything... Talk to you again later...God Bless!!!!!

Life here in La Masica....

Hi everyone,
It's been a little bit since i wrote a blog , so I wanted to let you know what all was going on with me , and how I am doing. First things here are going alright. It has been difficult at times, but God has helped me through everything and things here are day to day getting better. I am getting used to how things are done here, and getting to know the children more and more everyday. There isn't school right now so things here have been kind of slower then normal. I have been helping do chores washing dishes, cleaning the kids rooms, sweeping, moping, stuff like that around the orphanage, then other things like going to church everyday, tutoring the children, and filling my free time especially at night with movies, or sleep, or sometimes getting to go to La Ceiba to do shopping for groceries, clothes, and things. I'm thinking things are going to pick up a lot around here with school starting in February. Then we'll get up at 5am go to school, come home, eat lunch, do homework, get ready for church, come home , and go to bed kind a routine.... I am excited to see how things will work out, I think I will be helping out the kindergarten class since I don't know enough spanish to teach all by myself. So I can't wait to see the kids in our class, and what all I'll be doing at the school to help out. I will possible be teaching a tiny bit of english too , from what Dialis said to me the other day. Dialis is the founder with her husband David. I will make sure I update you all when I got more information (sometime in Feb. ) about life here, school ,church things, ect... But for now I'm doing good and just going with the flow of things here. I missssssss you all and hope you 're all doing great whenever you are and whatever you are doing in your lives.
PS. I do have to tell ya's 1 thing quick: My world was shattered the other day to know there's no place in Honduras without BIG GIANT SPIDERS.... There was one hanging over my bathroom door, so nope didn't escape them when i left Tegucigalpa unfortunately. :( It was sooo not funny, but at least that's the only one i have seen so far. God willing I will not see another. :)Well gotta go for now, take care,, and God Bless!!!