Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Mom's Hammock Hour(s)

When we left La Casa Rosada we left our hammocks for the next year's teachers. It was a tough decision, but it seemed like the right thing to do. I also don't have much of a hammock hanging space at Pastor Alfonso's, so it wasn't entirely an act of social service. Every now and then I get this major urge to take a nap, and though I can't remember the last time I actually took one, this hammock provided some of the best naps you'll ever have. So great in fact, my mom enjoyed a post-school nap every afternoon while she was here! Except for the few days we were in Copan, I didn't give her a chance for much napping then, but the first few days she was here I let her get nice and cozy. It is almost embarrassing to share, but I found something soothing about how tired she was after her first day teaching with me. And second and third days too. Not that I mean that in a terrible way or anything, it was just comforting to know that it wasn't just me!

It can actually get a little chilly with the perfectly chilled breeze that flows on the porch there, so i was kind enough to cover her with my Aunt Di quilt. I was also hateful enough to snap a picture of her all adorable and comfy conked out after a long day at school!


Catching up!

HOLA! It has been so long. And so much has changed! I also no longer have steady internet, so posts will be even more sporadic, but who doesn't love a good surprise now and then? So let's see...

Irene and Maryann are no longer Peña Blanca residents, I don't spend all week with 2nd graders, I have four younger brothers and a house filled with love, although I'm no longer a teacher I am working my little butt off  as a translating missionary, and loving the flow of spiritual peace and guidance. School ended in June, and there were papers to grade, report cards to fill out and visas to extend. Right after final exams we had to rush through grading so that we could leave the country to extend our visas in time. We spent a lovely time in Antigua, Guatemala, but I'll let that story tell itself in another post, with lots of fun picutres! After the brief trip to Antigua we had about a week of remedial school, followed by report card finalizing and house packing/cleaning. It has been a fantastic whirlwind ever since! The girls and I moved in with Pastor Alfonso and his family, and they make us (now just me) feel right at home. Everyone in the house keeps pretty busy during the day, but there is so much going on around there I can almost always find an ear to burn. Wow. That feels like such a Sue Harris quote. Aww I miss my mom :)

So I translated with some Barnabas teams, and even got to help an art team paint murals in the foundation rooms. There have been many opportunities to translate for mission teams at church, and that's been great because my Spanish to English translating has gotten really strong. English into Spanish doesn't flow so easily, but all in due time I suppose. And I was able to get quite a lot of practice for a few weeks in July--

I travelled with a family of missionaries who did a sort of crusade for two weeks. I can safely say it was a most intense translating experience, but one that taught many lessons and left a mark on my heart. Comfort zones seem to have lost their fashion. I never dreamed I'd be in front of a church translating an english sermon into Spanish, in front of a table of principals presenting an agricultural education project, translating a pastoral conference (again, into Spanish!!!) getting interviewd by local TV to talk about the agriculture project we presented to the mayor and head of department of education or meeting the secretary of agriculture and one of the Honduran Vice Presidents to share a presentation about said ag project.

Like I said, it has been a whirlwind, and I'm enjoying every second. Sending big I miss you hugs to everyone back home!!!