project not so 52 anymore

To the adventure!

2011-05-02T16:07:00.003-06:00

One cold day us adventures set out in a coach of exquisite color and nobility. A sky blue VW Bug. We had hopes and dreams and fears. But we took the plunge, a road trip of epic proportions -Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Everything was going smoothly well except for when some sort of unexplained fuzz blew out of the heating vent into Tinkerbell's lap. We made it to Santa Fe.... but not back in the noble coach. I still don't know what went wrong in out noble steed to hinder our return voyage in that great car. But it all was an adventure that could never be forgotten!
And this post has been a long time coming...
For my sweet, luscious, golden hearted friend. The Bessa who has so much strength and beauty often times it knocks my socks off. Magic eyes there is no one no one like you! You are so awesome! You inspire us all the time... which can be quite hard sometimes. Thank you for your writing and giving us the chance to see through your eyes. I love and miss you!

SURPRISE!!

2010-12-03T01:53:00.002-07:00

We surprised my Uncle by showing up in CA for his birthday. He is a mail carrier for the post office we popped out on his route here is a pic of him tightly hugging my mom. He was very touched! Try to show some one that they matter this season. Everyone deserves to know they matter!!!!

making up for next week.

2010-11-11T12:33:00.003-07:00

While relaxing upon a pile of garage sale stuffed animals. I noticed this little guy looking very brooding in the sunlight. His image had to be captured. After some photo taking, I bonded with him and rescued him from the garage sale. He now sits next to my bed looking happy and grateful for being rescued.
Try to rescue someone or something today.
Through a smile, a kind word, action. Maybe you can be a hero and not even know it. Those are the best kind.

a peach is a peach.

2010-11-07T22:02:00.003-07:00

I like the shape the bird left behind. I like the water guns in the background. This is a test if this were an actual post it would be similar to this one. thanks for reading.

baby gecko.

2010-02-16T19:36:00.003-07:00

So this was taken in Honduras when I was there... this is a tiny baby gecko.
Do not miss the haiku.

little miracle
with clingy little fingers
sitting on my hand

slight changes of hue
when you skitter on the wall
delicate beauty

how you honor me
by sitting on my digit
thank you for the pic

Rumplemuffin. Project 52.

2010-02-10T17:03:00.007-07:00

I am tired.
But I really do not want to give up my project 52.
I am so very behind.
I want to give up because I am so behind.
But I can not.
And I will not.

I took this picture while I was in Honduras. I hastily snapped it from a the inside of a vehicle. I can not tell you how many super cute elderly people (lovingly called "Rumplemuffins" by my Uncle Chris) that I saw but was never fortunate enough to capture a picture of. Here though I was able to and I share it with you because despite the fact that I do not know this sweet, beautiful rumplemuffin I love her all the same.

Notice her mismatched little outfit, notice her terribly cute hat, notice her worn out shoes. She has not given up... why should I?

Unaware better late than never 52

2010-01-29T23:42:00.004-07:00

I wonder where this fellow is rushing off to.... to create some magic me thinks.

2009-12-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

please love this.

2009-12-14T21:25:00.001-07:00

I have been planning a slide show... but only since after Thanksgiving. These are just some of the many things that make my heart jump and give me a slight glimmer of the Christmas spirit. You know that feeling of magic you barely remember having as a kid. I sometimes in the most minuscule way feel it and I see it when I look into a kids eyes around Christmas time.
This slide show is set to one of the most meaningful Christmas songs I have found. It never fails to make me stop and think about how special my Jesus is to me.

#12 ok so i don't really know.

2009-11-13T23:24:00.007-07:00

I found a few photos that capture a bit of what my brain looks like or feels like...
but I don't mean in the physical realm I mean more on the emotional level.

numero uno.
yes folks it's a dumpster. Yes it does look quite frustrated. Do you think it is frustrated that it perhaps wants to be something different? That it feels trapped in what it is? That no matter what it does or where it goes it will always be a dumpster? yes, yes it does.

numero dos

I am intrigued by dead birds. This one especially caught my eye. It is so beautiful but so dead. The flight of birds is a freedom very few living creatures can relate too. Yet here that freedom is chained to the same prison of death we all face.
Your death is noticed.

Numero tres (internal debate ensues as whether or not to pick another morbid pic or an uplifting pic ....)

And here it is.... the anti-leah. I played a video game where the hero had to fight hisself in shadow form. It was called the anti-(insert hero's name here). This is my shadow, my anti-leah. We all have them. They follow us. They mock us. In the end we have to fight them.

dedicated to.....

2009-11-04T22:24:00.006-07:00

this is dedicated to the overlooked, the downtrodden, the ignored, the mocked, the kids that heard they were not good enough, the hurting, the lost, the plan Bs, the ones who heard blah blah blah one to many times, to the girls who are never picked at all, to the women who are left alone, to the lonely, to the brokenhearted, to the angry.

You are loved. You matter. I wish you knew it.

take this oppurtunation to be pleased to enjoyment.

2009-11-04T16:30:00.009-07:00

A little bit fuzzy like my brain.

So I find myself wanting to sound eloquent and deep but instead I find myself not (<---see I prove my point with that last sentence). My words are always very few and they rarely sound like something you would want to remember forever. I am a get to the point type person. I'd rather have something done and gone rather than having it haunt me (like a ghost or a bad fart). And if I don't get it done? I let it lay forgotten. And then I read Sarah's Project 52 and oh no I don't have the time nor the brain power to create such a marvelous writing. So then what do I write about? what do I have to say... I really don't know. I know that I like things short and sweet, so more than likely that is how you will get them. I like random thoughts and scattered sentences. I most certainly could spit shine my grammar skills but I don't really want to, not with cutting out turkey crafts, exercising, playing guitar, being a pirate/ ninja/ flying monkey to do.
I am me and this is who I am, no more no less, and if you expect more be prepared to be let down. Now I am not saying that anyone was complaining about my skills, I suppose I am still trying to convince myself.
I don't even have a photo picked out for this week... I kinda did but as I started writing it changed. Ah yes one was just brought to mind not having anything to do with what I wrote about.

number something numerical snowly snowly said the flake

2009-10-29T13:54:00.003-06:00

I see this sight everyday as I leave work... it may be covered in snow, damp from rain, sun shiny and bright, full of cars but it always seems to incite the same feeling within me....The world is mine for the taking!!!
I am on my way to who knows where, I am leaving work and I am free. To fly, to run, to laugh, to cry, to nap, to bike, to walk, to shop. I am off the clock and the world is my oyster. That is the feeling I get and as I turn left, the tired usually sets in and home sounds oh so pleasant... and I fight with myself. "You are free...." and my brain says .... I am free to nap.

softly falling down
keep us inside imprisoned
fall good if you fall.

I don't even know what week this is

2009-10-24T19:14:00.003-06:00

I am mortified that I have allowed the time to slip by without updating my Project 52. I could blame it on not having internet at home right now... but then I realized that I could take my laptop places with wifi... I had forgotten about wifi.

Well lets just pretend that I am on week 10 ok and move onward from there.

For some reason this picture speaks hope to me. The sunlight beaming through the trees convinces me that there is something more to life than what I have lost. It is a hidden wink that I was able to capture with my lens.

Do you ever find in life you see these little winks, feel these little kisses and find that hope for a brief second until life's worries whisk you away?
Next time you see or feel one of these moments for yourself try to hold it in your heart a little bit longer, through the fast pace and distractions and remember there is something more!

#9 LOST.

2009-10-10T14:31:00.003-06:00

How many of you if you could get any sort of response and possibly a finding from it would put a sign out for something you have lost?

Lost heart.
Lost hope.
Lost love.
Lost friend.
Lost childhood
Lost sense of humor.
Lost brother.
Lost years.
Lost left sock.

I hope whoever lost their turtle finds it.

cars are fun to take pics of. #7

2009-09-27T21:35:00.006-06:00

I like the way the sun is shining and I love the name Belvedere.

I like the way the sunlight is casting shadows from the word Oldsmobile.

State Fair What number is this.. 5 or 6?

2009-09-18T18:27:00.008-06:00

Fall is settling in here at ABQ. Darkness creeping in earlier, cold air caressing us in the night and early morning asking for big sweaters, soft sweatshirts, scarves and cute knit hats.
It also means the New Mexico State Fair one of my favorite things about my little "land of enchantment."
I went to the state fair the first weekend it was open. It was not as busy as I expected but then the lack of people was a pleasant surprise. There are many reasons to go but I would say the top reason my friend and I go year after year....... is the food. From giant turkey legs to deep fried anything. I personally love the Navajo Tacos.
That is what my thoughts lingered on as I stepped off the cliff of my diet into the realm of high fat fair food.
We entered the Indian Village and the sweet yet earthy flavor of burning cedar wood entered my nostrils if only you could smell it yourselves. It was the authentic adobe orno that the Native Americans use to make their delicious loaves of Indian bread it was going with a beautiful fire. Infusing the entire Indian Village with a gentle haze of welcomed smoke.

Then I found a welcoming little booth to acquire my tasty Navajo taco from.
Yes everything on it please. On A bed of Indian fry bread a somewhat flat round, soft, fried, puffy tortilla, you put all the typical taco fixins but it is the fry bread that makes this food what it is. Yummy! I purchase it and go to find a seat.
We find a seat where we can watch the Indian Dancers in all their beautiful authentic garb. I am amazed at the Native Americans heritage, I am impressed by the warrior spirit they all carry around inside them. I've had many times to witness the Indian dances here in New Mexico and every time I see them I am blown away by the intricate and gorgeous costumes they make for themselves.
This is the picture I really want to share with you I will let it speak for its self. I hope you enjoyed the time we shared in the Indian Village at the New Mexico State Fair.
May you find the warrior spirit within you to get you through lifes battles and may your dances be to the One that deserves them all!

#5 todo azul

2009-09-09T16:15:00.005-06:00

In an attempt to run away I was on a drive out and about in the mountains and I drove past this truck with visions of far away lands and places in mind. But this blue beauty caught my eye and my heart caught in my chest and as I continued on I could not get it's blue body from my mind. So I quick turned around grabbed my camera and snapped at least a dozen pictures of this beautiful truck wrapped in a glorious day. This is the product of that short lived affair. I ran away found true love then came home for dinner.

And today is Nana's birthday!!! I have this great picture I took of her the other day and I just had to share.

#4 a little bit, of a lot.

2009-09-01T20:44:00.006-06:00

When I took this picture I knew it needed to be for now. It hit me, as not so grand, not so amazingly stunning. But it hit me.
I took it with my phone. Which unfortunately is the camera I am with most of the time. This one time though I was thankful it was the camera I had. Because my camera phone is less ostentatious, easier to capture a candid moment with no notice. I also like the feel it gave this photo. The colors are not so bold kind of the same brown, slightly dark. Not the greatest quality but still stunning because of the subject.
My Nana is one of the most beautiful people I know!
I love the way she sings hymns out loud, and I love that she plays with her food, I love that she talks to inanimate objects, I love that she cusses once in awhile to get a rise from people, I love that when I think about her I sometimes think I am a piece of her very soul. I am very much like her in so many ways and I could not be happier about that. She means the world to me and for that reason I wanted this pic- not so perfect but perfect to me.

Nana had an earache when I took this picture so I had put this hat on her to warm her ear. I am forever putting her in silly hats and taking pictures of her.... she kinda dislikes it but how can I not she is so flippin cute!!!
The day after I took this Nana went into the hospital for major hip pain. She was crying it hurt her so bad and believe me Nana doesn't cry. My family and I all often wonder....... you know those things that you wonder when an aged one goes into the hospital. This time though her visit was just for a few days.
I don't like thinking about my life without Nana. So I don't.
So for right now Nana and I will cause mayhem of every kind!

My Tata talks about how Nana in the "the old days" and he said he loved the way my Nana was with children. He knew that she would be a good mother. That is one of the biggest reasons he said he fell in love with her (also her bobby socks...but that one you'll have to hear from the horses mouth).
The first year I taught K-4 Nana came in my class and did a craft with the kids I will never forget that.
One time I asked Nana to draw a picture for me... she drew an olive with a hole in it.
cute lil Nana.

#3 backyard art.

2009-08-26T16:32:00.005-06:00

I checked the photos I took recently and I just was not feeling it. In fact I am not feeling this either. I started work this week and I am beat! My brain is still on summer break so the profound thoughts.... are just not. Then I remembered something in my own backyard that I have been wanting to take some pictures of......
These little chilies are being nurtured by my mom in the backyard. I would pass them and think I need to take a picture of these beautiful little hotties!
I love purple and I love red and I love the two colors together, but the fact that they are growing naturally like this in a calm background of green leaves makes it an already painted work of art. Who's work of art? God's.
good times.
Thank You God.

THIS JUST IN!!!!

2009-08-19T17:21:00.015-06:00

THE DAILY BUGLE
Spider-Pest sighted in Land of Enchantment!

While on a bike ride, Leah Scott, caught the un-incredible Spiderman obtrusively scaling an arroyo wall.
"Spiderman is giving desert dwellers the wrong impression of arroyos! He is making them seem as safe as pie!!!" Yells J.J. Jameson Editor and chief of The Daily Bugle.
But being a desert dweller herself Leah states,
"Well usually I would recomend staying out of arroyos due to flash floooding, but I am certain Spiderman can handle himself in such dangerous predicements, I am sure he had a good reason for being there. Maybe he was saving a helpless lap dog or a legless chicken."

When questioned about being in the arroyo herself Leah just shrugged and said "Well I knew I would be ok with Spiderman around."

J.J. Jameson is pushing to have Spiderman unmasked and fined for being a bad example in the eyes of small impressionable children. Who should be staying far far away from arroyos not swinging to and fro like some goofy masked idiot!

J.J. Jameson states,
"You haven't heard that last of this Spiderpain, just you wait!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was riding my bike, on a bike trail that runs alongside an arroyo, on the other side of the arroyo I notice a blue and red spot. I think to myself.... is that Spiderman? I cross at a bridge so I can get a better look. Sure enough there is a Spiderman toy there. Not just haphazardly thrown but placed as if ready to swing into action!!
I have always loved comic books and so the comic book kid in me could not resist the photo opportunity. I turned some of the photos sideways and upsidedown to get that wall crawler feel to them. I like the way those photos feel. Not right and yet oh so right at the same time.
By the way in case you did not know "The Daily Bugle" always cast Spiderman in an negative light. So therefore my mock newspaper report was based on the newspaper in the Spiderman comics.
And that Folks is what my Project 52 #2 is about!

till next time...............

#1 of many! A salute.

2009-08-14T10:45:00.005-06:00

I took this photo in Vero Beach, Florida. There is an island there called memorial island (please, correct me if I am wrong) and this huge flag was flapping gloriously in the breeze. You can not tell from the photo but this flag is so ginormous that it can be seen quite a way off. I have never considered myself a very patriotic individual, so honestly I can not say that this is a salute to my country. Perhaps in a way it is but...
Mostly though it is my way of saying I am here in the states again. I am "home" and for right now that is in the US. I am where I can go into a store and have millions upon millions of choices of just about anything to buy. I can walk around at night and be relatively safe. I can be surrounded by people almost constantly, I can snap my fingers and have any food that I desire... ok well maybe not quite snap my fingers but close!
This is a salute to how blessed I am to have a home where so many wonders abound.
It is also to say "no this is not my Honduras blog anymore." It is a goodbye to my time in Honduras and hello to a new chapter in my life. So if you are following this blog you will be taken on a journey of photos and my strange mind.
Welcome my friends to my project 52 where I am going to attempt to post a photo a week and struggle through a narrative of it. I am doing this with my friend Sarah Doty. She did a project 52 all last year and I was amazed and inspired by her. So check hers out as I do it along with her this year.
Thanks!
Leah Scott

Honduras.

2009-05-02T20:03:00.002-06:00

The closer it gets to leaving, the more and more I feel it in my heart. I love this place. I love the beauty and I love feeling almost like a cowgirl... I can romp and get dirty and make fires, I can pet horses, pick berries, retrieve coconuts, ride in the back of the truck all the time-feeling the wind in my face and smelling the smells around me, I can behold all there is to behold around me. I can see creatures on a regular basis, I can gaze out across the amazing Lago de Yajoa.
I know it is time to move on, but that doesn't mean it will be easy. I don't do well with goodbyes. But I am so grateful for the time I have had here and for the person I have become here. I know Honduras will aways have a place in my heart.

Sunday School.

2009-04-25T21:08:00.002-06:00

I figured I better post something to get the Easter Post past the first in the line up. Well let me think... I found a great sunday school craft online and I can't wait to try it out with the kids. Boy do I love these kids. The twins Micah and Zachary are so much fun. I love the way they see things and think about things, it is all in a very unique and special way. They do and say fun things that crack me up on a regular basis. One time a while back Eulogio shaved his face and one of the twins, I don't remember which one, told Eulogio "You look like the wrong Eulogio!" They say stuff like that all the time. They word things almost in a adult manner but not quite, I love it.
Our craft is a cardboard butterfly that you secure to a toilet paper tube you then double a string and string it into the tune. So you have pretty much two strings next to each other. You pull the strings apart to sent the butterfly to the other end where someone else is holding the other side of the strings and they send the butterfly zipping back! Since it is spring-esq I am going to doing a teaching on being a new creation in Christ, such as the butterfly. It seems like it is going to be fun.
On Easter Sunday we had a visiting group of little girls, that weekend we all dyed eggs 7 little girls and the twins I read about the resurrection of Jesus and how we change with Jesus in our live like the eggs change when we dye them . Now that was good times they loved it! Then we all went to Chris's house for an Easter picnic.

Easter

2009-04-12T08:34:00.001-06:00

Happy Resurrection Day everyone! Jesus came back and paid for it all!
I love you!
Do not forget HIS sacrifice!

Comyagua

2009-04-06T09:59:00.003-06:00

So we are headed off to Comayagua a town here in Honduras. I went there last year with Ms. Bueso during this time of the year they use dyed sawdust to make large, intricate designs on the ground. At the end of the week Easter weekend the reenact the Passion and everyone walks through the "sawdust carpets". It ought to be a good time, get my mind off of here.
Will take pictures.

.

2009-04-03T17:23:00.002-06:00

Where to start. There seems to be so much loss in this world today... I guess it has always been. But I know just recently looking to the skies means looking up at a dark gloomy sky. People we know and loved have moved on to be with the Lord. It weighs heavy on me saying goodbye for good, and saying goodbye for awhile, too many goodbyes.
Today a sweet friend Carissa, left Honduras to return to the United States because one of her dearest friends went home to be with the Lord this past week. I felt it with her, we here, our little family of missionaries felt it with her as well and now we feel the empty place she left in all our lives. I feel she did what she needed to do and I am happy for that, but my heart is missing her.

hot, hot, hot

2009-03-29T21:41:00.002-06:00

It is getting very hot here in the fine country of Honduras. We have been waiting and waiting for it to happen and yes the time has come. The time to sweat and yearn for the cold waters. I don't mind it not yet anyway.
I am in a stalemate as far as Sunday school goes, we do it out side in the incomplete Sunday school building and it can be a daunting task to plan a lesson with a craft. If you have any ideas let me know or if you know of any websites I can find good Sunday school games for small groups please send it to me. Please also pray for ideas designed to make the best of the situation.

Goodbye my faithful friend.

2009-03-17T16:02:00.003-06:00

I have a bit of sad news.... my faithful companion and vigilant friend Muñeca died this morning. I guess it is not just a bit... I am pretty upset. It will be very hard for me to romp with out her by my side. Traipsing through the jungle will not be the same without her chasing squirrels sniffing around and rolling in stinky things. Walking felt so lonely today, I didn't want to look back because I knew that she wouldn't be there . She always seemed to understand all my words and even my thoughts at times. Every thing felt so much better with her near. I never had a dog that was so awesome, she was the opitamy of loyal dogginess. I even debated taking her back to the states with me when I go back. But alas I can not I can only cry and smile in sweet memory of one of the best friends I ever had.

it has been too long my friends.

2009-03-01T14:59:00.002-07:00

I realized that I have not updated in awhile. So now is the best time.
The weekend of Feb 20-23 a group of us lady teachers went to Copan where there are Mayan ruins. It was a great get away and a huge blessing.
Our dog here Muneca had puppies that same weekend (you can see many a-photo on the Rivers blog) the puppies are so cute they are tiny whimpering fat balls of adorableness.
In the next few weeks we will be having many visitors, which is going to be fun and I know a beautiful time of fellowship. Pray that God will guide all that happens during this time.
Pray also for peace, we have had some rough edges being scraped away recently so prayers in that area are coveted.
My heart goes out to family and friends of Trinnie I am praying for you all since I can't be there in person. My heart hurts for the huge loss we have come upon in the wake of Trinnie's promotion.
Life here has gotten way to busy. i guess that is what happens when more people are involved.
We had our first service in the New Building this Sunday morning! It still has dirt ground and the roof has some gaps and there are many unfinished places, but we did it! We has service there. Things are happening.
Please pray that in every area of my life the I would choose to worship and glorify the Lord. Pray that I would focus on the positive and not get sucked into the negative. thanks!

The status of my leg pit.

2009-01-29T08:23:00.002-07:00

My leg is doing much better. Last week I got a tetanus shot and have been on antibiotics. I got plenty of stuff to clean it with and cream to rub on it. It is drying up nicely and closing. It consisted of about 5 different scrapes, one hole in the middle being the worst. That was the one causing all the problems and becoming a major adventure! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Oh the cleverness of me! or not....

2009-01-20T07:41:00.001-07:00

Well I was on a walk yesterday and I was in an area of the finca that is fenced in by barbed wire. As I am walking home I end up missing the area where I go out. So very intelligently I decided to hop the barbed wire fence, I thought I had found a sturdy spot but apparently I did not. So on my way over the fence my barbed step broke causing me leg to be gouged on the barbs beneath. It was a good time and I showed Loke and Leah and cleaned it up with peroxide and I keep it pretty well neosporined. I think it is doing ok other than getting stuck to the bed when I sleep.

Ferdenand

2009-01-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

Click here to read about the little critter we saw tonight.

San Pedro Sula here I come or there I went?

2009-01-11T20:00:00.002-07:00

Captains log stardate 01/10/09-
Went on a voyage to San Pedro Sula with out the help of a guide (namely Mrs. Veronica Bueso. Two friends (Megan Neal and Carissa Hanson) went with me and were a valued help in times of confusion. We made all bus connections with no issues, we bought groceries and were able to enjoy relaxing time in City Mall.
Megan was the assigned Linguist
Carissa was the talented Navigator
and I was the fearless leader.... ok well I did get the details of the journey from Mrs. Bueso and wrote 3 seperate directions for each of us.
Things to note-
We got lunch for "Platypus Lady" she is this homeless lady that hangs out in front of the mall, she has one huge dreadlock on the back of her head and she wears a black plastic garbage bag over her dirty brown pants. We talked to her and she made this strange little giggle with her toothless grin, we asked what she wanted and she said anything without mayonaise. She is pretty much my hero. As we went out to give her her lunch, she was crossing the street to go somewhere else and we had to chase her and flag her down to get the food to her. Sha said she was touched. That was the most exciting thing that happened this day. But that is good because we didn't want any major problems our first day alone in the city.
And tonight we saw a wierd little creature on a electrical wire. He had redish fur and it looked really soft, he had twitchy ears also a long naked tail. It was super cute and Chibi dubbed it Ferdenand. Ferdy for short I thought. God always has something to offer us here. Whether it be a Platypus Lady or a strange little critter. He has a way of opening our eyes and making Himself known!

again?

2009-01-07T21:05:00.002-07:00

Yes folks it was another amazing day in Honduras. The sun was shining. the birds were making quite a racket and I was able to catch a few "Z's" on a somewhat deserted island. Ah a day to remember. My dog at my side and my adventuring vest on my back. Is there more than this?
Thank you God for another incredible day!

Back in place.

2009-01-06T19:13:00.005-07:00

I am home away from home! I am safe and I am sound.
And today here in Honduras it was glorious! From the very start of the beautiful new day it felt wonderful. The morning was crisp and cool and the day progressively warmed up, but not uncomfortably so. The sun shone brilliantly and the shade was refreshing. It was a great day for romping around which is exactly what some of us did. We ended our romping by watching the sun slip away behind some mountains, as we sat on a bridge and basked in the beauty of it all. Then to top it all off... we saw an otter by the lake. This was one of the most exciting moments in my Honduras history thus far. Then as night closed in, I walked home in the light of a bright half moon.
My kids are doing good and I am sure they are very happy that I am feeling better, I know I turned into quite the curmudgeon there for awhile. But now I feel so much better and have a lot more energy. Praise God!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-28T13:26:00.002-07:00

Vacation, vacation where for art thou vacation...
Yes folks it is slowly seeping through my fingers.
I had a wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends. I await the New year with anticipation for what God has planned for me and us all.
I have enjoyed visiting with many of you and the ones I haven't been able to, I am sorry but know that you are in my heart and mind regardless.
You have all been a blessing to me thank you so much for your love and prayers and hugs and hellos!
I love you!
Leah

sick but better

2008-12-20T16:23:00.002-07:00

I am home for the holidays. It is cold but enjoyable. It felt weird to fly into a white and very flat area.... my brain had a hard time comprehending it at first. I have been sick for the past about 5 weeks. It is difficult to get well in Honduras because perhaps the moisture in the air, the drastic changes in temperature and the fact that I have been having to walk a whole lot in the rain. Medicines are harder to come by, we can get them, but communicating exactly what the illness is and what we need can be difficult. Thus saying I had quite a fierce cold (that seems like an understatement) for about 5 weeks now. But since I have been back in the states I am getting better and it feels good!!! I was feeling so weak and awful. But praise God I think I am finally on the tail end of it!

Here we go a-wassailing!

2008-12-11T15:10:00.003-07:00

Last night we went caroling! Yeah I said it... caroling.

We went around Finca Las Glorias where all us North Americans live. The Finca Las Glorias would be best described as a ranch but made up of tropical rainforest. But if you explore down some roads and past much jungle you come upon Lake Yajoa as well as Hotel Las Glorias. At the end of one road closet to the lake live Gaspar and Gloria Pineda, the owners of the hotel they are like the King and Queen of the area. We began spreading our Christmas cheer here at their house. We started with Feliz Navidad and just sang up a storm. They invited us in and we finished inside, then as we left to continue our merry journey Don Gaspar and Donna Gloria joined us for some Christmas mirth. We continued up the road to Yadira and Leonardo's house (one of 5 of Gaspar and Gloria's adult children) We sang there and they brought out their twin baby girls (Elizabeth and Ingrid) to listen. Next stop was the house of Gaspar Antonio and Denise (they have 4 children of their own with one more on the way) We sang there and in the peaceful midst of singing Silent night two of the local dogs got in a fight, right there in front of us as we were trying to have a tranquil moment. I was pretty entertained by it, the dog fight didn't last long, but it cut our peaceful moment short.

We headed to Gerardo and Pati's house next. They came out with their little one and enjoyed Los Gringos.

Our last stop on the finca was the actual Hotel Las Glorias where we sang for a group of guests there.

At this point the children (for we were accompanied by many of the Pineda children) headed up to Chris' house for Cocoa and cookies. And the young adults spurned on by Megan (a teacher at Lake Yajoa) went to carol at out 1st grade teachers house (off of the finca down the road a bit) Veronica Bueso, who I have mentioned before, she is a British woman who is married to a Honduran Man and has lived here for about 25 years. But being British she knows about caroling and appreciates it. So we went there with lit candles and warm hearts. We sang at the top of our voices to call her out and out she came! It was fun.

Then we headed back to the finca for some cocoa and cookies of our own, and a exciting fire work show provided by yours truly (fire works are set off at Christmas here until after the New Year so we are able to buy them right now). The kids loved the fire works and we loved lighting them.

So what more could you ask for carols, cocoa, cookies and fire... works!

I celebrate the day.....

2008-12-05T23:26:00.002-07:00

This is a Chirstmas song that has recently touched my heart.

You may or may not give it a listen.

But in the end it's all about Jesus!

chickens!

2008-11-27T22:27:00.003-07:00

In all their glory! Presenting the chickens!... and catracho joe. The chickens names are as follows: the rooster is named Edward (courtesy of Chibi) the "tall" hen is name Jaquline (also Chibi) and the short legged hen is named Queja which means complaint in Spanish because she made a lot of chicken whiny noises. I named her queja. I can't tell which one is which in this pic... but you get the general idea of how glorious we have it.

the have their little legs leashed to sticks at this point to keep them nearby but we fashioned a pen for them out of this cement thing you see here.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

2008-11-27T22:16:00.003-07:00

Oh dear it is late but I feel (I almost just spelled feel as feal... moving on) I must really post.

Things I am thankful for:

1. clean laundry, especially but not limited to socks and pants.

2. fowl, of the chicken and rooster variety. Yes folks we have acquired 2 chickens and a rooster for egging.

3. friends and family

4. Internet

5. a sunshiny day that the kids got to run and play.

6. for our employers who might be from a whole different culture but cared enough to have us over for an American holiday feast tonight! they had mashed potatoes, salad (with feta a rarity in our small town) and some good big hunks o'chicken.

7. for some of the first grade kids telling me "Happy Thanksgiving"

I am missing home but feeling very very thankful for the people God has put in my life here in Honduras!

The Parade

2008-11-19T21:18:00.005-07:00

My Class on this side--------------Chibi's class on this side

Oh yes I must mention how the parade went. I thought it went great, there was a tv crew (actually just a guy holding a tv camera) there and parents getting in the way... It was sunny and I had a lot of fun! The little town of Pena Blanca we live near has one main "intersection" this makes up the major area of Pena Blanca. Coming into Pena Blanca from the school (where we work) there is a two lane bridge we must cross over to get into "town". The entire school met a bit up from this bridge, we all stood around for about an hour until the hired high school marching band showed up. Hiring another's schools band is a regular occurrence here. They were a pretty good band and it was fun to have the musical accompaniment. So the kids did a smashing job just waiting for an hour to start the parade (disfile en Espanol). Then we started. Oh the excitment of the shouting of the crowds "Miss Scott Miss Scott!!" Ok not really but it was a neat experiance to be able to look to the sides of the street and see people watching, the whole little town we walk through to buy our groceries, our humble little Pena Blanca, all out and watching the gringo teachers marching! The main road in Pena Blanca is I would say maybe (don't quote me on this) about 5 city blocks long. We marched that main road way stopping at intervals and in all we were able to draw this out to about in hour. Our Prepa classes waved their little batons with "fake fire" on the ends and marched till the couldn't anymore. I think it all went really well. Unorganized as always but looking good in the end!

The middle of Nov already!?

2008-11-15T21:08:00.002-07:00

I thought I was tired... but then one blog lead to another and hear I am. Going to try to fit a whole lot of something in to one little blog update.

Ok first on the agenda is to address the team that came from my home church. A team of 8 men came out here to Honduras this past week. They left Thursday and were here from last Thursday. They were mainly a construction team. They came out to help with the church building construction although for one reason or another they were not able to work on the actual church building but they were able to do a ton of work on the children's church building. I mean these guys worked dang hard. Not only that but it was great to see familiar faces and have some new laughs with old friends!

It made me think of two disagreeing sayings, one is - "absence makes the heart grow fonder" and the other "out of sight out of mind". They are both addressing the same situation and yet they say two completely different things. Which category do you fit in?

It is good to see others outside of this box called Honduras, to get others back in my mind and to make me realize I have people to be fond of!

Ok next item on the agenda.... oh yes Honduras.

I think that as a culture they work so hard on the way things "seem" on the outside but when it comes down to the little details that make things work, run smoothly, more organized they kinda throw it all to the curb. Every thing happens in the end but the getting there always seems like a bigger ordeal than need be. Now the question is- does the american-ness in me make the way they do things chafe or is they way they are doing things not all that effective in the scheme of things? I guess it doesn't matter because one way or another it comes down to denying how I believe things should be. And that is truly one of the huge lessons that we get slapped in the face throughout this thing called life.

God bringing things to reality in my brain as I write a blog.

good CLEAN fun

2008-11-04T20:40:00.004-07:00

Is it just me or is the time going by really fast? I remember last year it was dragging by or at least compared to now, it seemed like it was dragging by.

The rain has let up slightly so that is good, considering the mud was getting a bit wild!

Harvest/Halloween went by with nothing to really note... other than the fact that I made 3 paper plate masks and I dragged Loki and Chibi to Chris and Maria's to "trick or treat". I don't condone devil worship in any way shape or form but I do love a bit of silly fun.

We got a small sized snickers bar out of the venture and that in and of itself was worth it. We took pictures, I will see what I can do about getting them posted.

2008-11-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

The 4x4 rally finished off very rainy, very muddy and exciting. But we were in mud up to our shins in places it was crazy.

Please pray- my new computer that I got by an amazing miracle of God is wigging out on me! I don't know if I have a tech-jinx or what but it has been doing the weirdest things and then sometimes it just works and then sometimes not at all. So please pray that is would just get well!! And that God would heal my tech-no jinx.

thanks.

The parade is this friday, the kids are looking sharp!

4x4

2008-11-01T22:27:00.003-06:00

Here in Pena Blanca they have a 4x4 rally every year. I know Chris has mentioned it and I am pretty sure I mentioned it last year. Well it was here this weekend. Today we went to the first set of competitions in the rally. The juniors and the stock cars. It was a lot of fun. But the real fun happens tomorrow (sunday) Sunday is the day all the bigger, very serious about it 4x4s compete.

Today was great weather for it. It never came out and rained like it meant it, but it was slightly overcast the whole of the day. Mud was flying every which way, boots were being sucked down by the thick mud we had to slog through. The smaller lighter vehicles were the ones that in the end did better. Because the larger vehicles were heavier and would get trapped in the mud easier.

I took a ton of pics. Some if interesting might get posted and if not...no.

In general I think a good time was had by all.

Fall has come to me at last!

2008-10-28T15:36:00.004-06:00

These are my "gourdo-lanterns" they are pretty cute and they made my heart smile. I got some bigger gourds to carve for this friday our harvest party we are having with the other missionaries/ teachers.

It is really chilly here! I think even colder than last year! I wish I had my scarves to wear. Oh how I love scarves and sweatshirts. It may not be a ABQ fall but it certainly has a genuine fall feeling about it here right now.

I had a skirt that ripped and I cut it into a scarf hehe.

The parade of hope and wonder

2008-10-27T22:24:00.003-06:00

Okay I realized something... I only talked about our school parade in one of my newsletters and then assuming you would know about it here on blogger I mentioned it. My bad.

Well our school here in Hondura Lake Yajoa Bilingual School is having a parade on the 7th or 5th, I don't know if they have decided yet. Anyway we are having a parade to celebrate the one year anniversary of moving into the new building we are in now! We will be parading through the small town Pena Blanca. I am very excited about it and I will try to get pictures although I know this will be an amazingly crazy day.

I also carved little squash type gourd things this week. I have some great pictures of them! They made me super happy!

It is still raining here which mean flooding is not getting any better.

It has gotten chilly here the fog was rolling through the school earlier today and my clothes got a 4th and 5th rinse cycle. Hey it was pretty sunny on Sunday.

We have had a number of alacran (scorpion) sightings about 4 in all. They are creepy! Ugh and our British friend Veronica says if they bite you they hurt really bad!

Though I am curious about how bad..... but not at night in my bare feet or in my bed.

2008-10-24T16:36:00.002-06:00

The flooding here in Honduras is huge! This past Monday on our way into San Pedro we passed this whole stretch of road where the houses were completely flooded! The people in these areas just pretty much set up camp on the side of the road waiting. In other areas such as Teguchigulpa the landslides have destroyed a lot of lives. Please pray for all these people in need at this time, please pray that we would find ways to help these people in the name of Jesus.
On a more personal note our househlod has began to watch intsects as a form of entertainment. Chibi, Loki and I were watching this big fat beetle struggle its way onto a windowsill. Loke and I watched a beetle once crawl his way up the wall and just the other night we watched a spider wrap up a flying insect of some sort. Who needs tv!¿! who needs cable!¿! who needs internet!¿!
The parade preparations are coming along fine. All the classes know what they are doing and the prepa (k.5 our classes) are marching with sticks and we are going to try to put yellow tissue at either end of the sticks to look like fire! Hooray for psuedo-fire!
Now I am trying to use up the remaining 15 minutes of my interent cafe-ness...
We went to another interent cafe before this and these little boys were staring at the 4 gringas on thier laptops. Well when the WiFi internet didn´t work there we proceeded to come to an internet cafe that doesn´t offer WiFi but does offer interent. So we all got on a computer one way or another. Well it looks like everyone else id wrapping up and heading out to leave me behind!
Bye!

Fall tidings

2008-10-06T18:08:00.002-06:00

oh in honor of fall I made a coco latern.... I carved a coco pod (what you get chocolate from) into a jack-o-lantern. I have never seen a pumpkin here but coco pods are a healthy alternative. It is a bit small but it works. That huge flame in the background is a homemade candle that Loq made. Let me tell you that flame got huge, the candle was about the size of a ping-pong in diameter. The coco-lantern has turned black and hard, it is very Tim Burton-esq.

~fin~

don't worry if it doesn't make sense.

2008-10-06T18:00:00.003-06:00

I was digging a hole, to put up a pole, for a clothesline earlier this day. As I put in the log my mind stared to bog because I just refilled the hole the same way. It boggled my mind that I worked up a sweat to put in a log then refill the same hole that digging a hole with a pole then filling the hole was a direct insult to my labor. But how else could I achieve this thing that I need with out undoing the work that I did. Really no way so I finished this day and then it started to rain.

yum yum fish

2008-10-04T22:52:00.002-06:00

This pic is for Lori it is of Loq descaling a fish and Chibi watching him. He looked like a true catracho (this is the Honduran word for Honduran people) so I had to included it!

the moments of smiling.

2008-10-04T22:12:00.003-06:00

Included in this post but not limited to:

2 pictures of the root of death.... with its purply veins of tingly ouch. I had eaten this particular root before in a stew so I have no idea why it caused such a reaction this past time of the afore mentioned blog.

Well here are pics before we cooked it and after.

Chibi Lea seem to be doing better but continue to pray for better and better health for her.

We had this past Friday off for day of the soldier. We also got paid on Thursday which is always exciting. So these past few days have been very good ones.

One of the parents sells fish so we were able to get some fish which we ate tonight (Saturday) in an orange/ginger/garlic glaze. It was really delicious.

I have been enjoying continuing the relationships I made with people around this area, it is fun. Such as this next narrative:

One day I was moving rocks onto one of the roads we use often and had gotten quite muddy recently. Well as I was doing this one of the waitresses that we have gotten close to walks by sees what I am doing and starts helping! I tried to insist that she did not have to because she was just getting off work walking up the road for the bus. She said she had time and continued helping me collect rocks. I call her Sonrisa which means smile because she has a beautiful smile. It was such a sweet gesture. As she left that same day she said "Tomorrow I will do a little bit more." and sure enough she did!!! It really touched my heart. I hope that I will be able to return the favor and do something extra special for her one day.

Also that same day I was chopping grass and two other of the workers at the hotel walking up the road stopped to wave at me. They were far off too, but they saw me and stood there waving until I turned around and waved back. Those moments make my heart smile!

the bits you see are the purple veins within. Oh that was a weird moment when we thought we were going to die.
Here it is cooked. We ate some raw and it was fine it didn't cause the reaction until after Loq fried it.... strange.

The past few days.

2008-09-29T20:26:00.004-06:00

What happened today...

What happened this weekend..

We went into San Pedro this Saturday, they were having a parade for Day of the Bible there. Can you believe it they have a Day of the Bible here!

In Pena Blanca on Sunday they had a get together in their little park for day of the Bible. We had church at the river house of Emely's. Loq led worship to the sound of rushing waters.

Golden and the kids visited another church that they got invited to. It was with a group of missionary baptists in this area. Whom Chris and Loq happened to meet and get to know better today (Monday). That being said, I didn't do Sunday school on Sunday.

After church we watched and learned how to make a Honduran dish called papoosas. They are thick but small corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and pork rind bits. They were very good!

Today I must announce that Loq rode his bike from the school into Pena Blanca! He even had some workers we are familiar with hoot and holler at him. He and Chris went in to San Pedro Friday and that is when he picked the bike up. Which just goes to show that no we have not got a car to help in the transport issues. Please pray for a 4x4 vehicle for us it is something very much needed.

Then later on we cooked up this strange root that I have eaten before, Loq fried it and when we went to eat it... it made our tongues and mouths itch and tingle. Fortunately Leah hadn't eaten any yet.

So those were some adventures that we experienced today.

Continue to pray for Chibi-Lea's health (chibi means mini in Japan we have dubbed her that to alleviate some confusion in the likenesses of our names.)

But eventually the weirdness in our mouths wore off.

I miss fall.

2008-09-26T16:58:00.003-06:00

Things are different. They always change and leave us wondering "What happened?I was just enjoying the way things were.."

I was preparing to teach Sunday school last sunday and I was going to teach the kids about serving others, but then God put it on my heart to teach about fear. I have had a lot of fear moving here, not in the place Honduras is, but in leaving all that I know and love behind. Anyway I know the kids have each one of their own fears and I know God wants them to know that they can face their fears holding onto Him. So I taught them about when Jesus was in the boat and he calmed the storms. The kids and I even made up a little a song about "Don't need to fear because Jesus is near!".

I am enjoying the kids in my class a lot. Praise God for that!

Leah has been sick for awhile now so please pray for her. She seems to be enjoying teaching as well and the kids in her class love her so.

Thanks for reading! If you know of anyone who would be interested in reading also, feel free to pass this link onto them!

pics.

2008-09-20T19:13:00.001-06:00

Leah and Loq on the bridge. Down by the hotel. Beautiful day in Honduras!

the differences in the same.

2008-09-15T16:08:00.002-06:00

Things are going well here. The church buildings walls are going up. We can see it taking shape at every visit and it is exciting. It is different for me this time around because of all the new people to interact with. Last season I learned a lot about being content and being still. I learned about serving as well and finding peace in situations. I know there are new lessons to be learned this time around because it is different I am a bit nervous about what God has to teach me because as last year was not so easy i know this year will hit those point as well. But I can look back on all the hard times and see how it helped me to grow and i wouldn't have it any other way so all I can do is keep my heart right and know that God will be faithful.

It is fun having others around that are experiencing everything here for the first time. Leah is amazed at the beauty and Carissa is having fun with all the creatures. Loq is finding himself more and more comfortable with a machete. It is really awesome to see where everyone is being placed by God.

Dia del Los Ninos (remember last year)

2008-09-10T17:36:00.002-06:00

Today was Dia del Los Ninos- Day of the child. We celebrate children. Pretty much we just let the kids run amok, but then we got them back together to eat, sing a song to them and do pinatas! It was a fun day. They truly know how to fiesta here! I had a Sponge Bob Pinata.

Then Loq, Leah, Karissa and I went to Pulhapanzak a waterfall swimming hole nearby, for cooling off and enjoyment purposes. I think in general a good day was had by all.

It was cool driving around you could feel the festivity in the air. Kids carrying pinatas and kids dressed up for dancing in their traditional garb. Which you don't really see the Honduras traditional dress much at all.

Today.

2008-09-08T21:55:00.003-06:00

I think along with your prayers my new computer is able to pick up wireless signal better, Praise God on both accounts!

Well today we went to this ladies house that Berta is planning on fixing up. This lady is real poor has 4 kids but is fighting to send them to school, the type of person you want to help. Berta with our help wants to repaint and help with some furniture in the house. So Friday after school we are going to help do some of that stuff. I took pictures so I will try to put some on here. They don't even have a real bathroom it is just a lean to like hut out back with a weird little toilet. They have a pile of burt trash in the front and in reality this is how most of the people live here. Well most don't even have a cement house like this one is. Granted this one is still needing a lot of help!

Service

2008-09-07T22:33:00.006-06:00

Here is Chris teaching. Sitting closest to me is Angel David Emely's son and Emely is the woman next to him and next to Maria. Chris is in the red and Meghan is wearing the orange shirt. The man you see in the back is Golden's father, her parents came to help with the trip and settling in for the first week or so.

This is our first service from last week, this is with everyone there. Things are happening! That is Michael and Golden doing worship. We meet in Emely's house. Emely is a fellow teacher and good friend of ours and a local!

I think you are praying for our internet because right now I am actually able to get a pretty good signal in my room! Before this that was not possible. Hooray!

Today at church I taught our first sunday school class for Michael and Golden's kids their names are - Micah and Zachary they are six years old and twins, Avalon she is probably eight years maybe nine. I had fun and I think they did also. They have a toddler Jaden but Michael and Golden hold him while Chris does the teaching.

Michael and Golden are from California they now lead worship for our tender little church gatherings. It has been nice to partake of communal worship.

I am enjoying having all the company around me that I do. Loq and Leah have been a huge blessing in their mere being here. I am getting to know the 2 new teachers (Karissa and Meghan) also and they are a lot of fun. The whole clan of us went to San Pedro Sula yesterday (Saturday). For general shopping and some fun. Time goes by fast when you have a family of 5 and 6 other people to get shopping done for. I think a great time was had by all nonetheless.

The church building is still in construction but it is going up. I still haven't seen it.

A time for everything...

2008-09-02T16:37:00.002-06:00

Things are going well. Don't have much time at the internet cafe. Started the new school year, loving it. Needing patience!

I hope I will be able to post a longer entry later!

Thanks for your reading!

on the way.

2008-08-26T14:59:00.002-06:00

I am in the Ft. Lauderdale airport for my 8 hour layover and layovers this long are getting old. But hey I'll live with it. But thank God that there is free wifi here, I get bugged at those airports that charge for wifi! Nothing unusual has happened. God blessed me with a smarte cart so I wouldn't have to schlep my bags all over, which I wouldn't do really without the cart.

I love to see elderly couples together, traveling and helping each other. It warms my heart.

Leaving on a jet plane...

2008-08-26T00:20:00.004-06:00

Here I am at the entrance to China Town. That is my boyfriend. Ha!

Here are my beautifully pedicured toenails with the ocean as a backdrop.
Here is a pelican I think he was dying because he didn't fly away, but he did try to snap me.

Hehehe did anyone notice that Ryoko is "Looking to the Skies" in my title pic? Isn't that awesome!?

Well I leave tomorrow Tuesday the 26 and my heart once again is heavy to have to say goodbye to all the ones I love.

But my heart thrills at seeing all the friends I have made in Honduras. I am also excited for the additions to our family out there as well, it's going to be a whole new adventure with them. I am excited to get to know my new kids for this year, I met most of them last year in Maria's class so I know them and they know me and they are all terribly cute.

I finished packing tonight. It seems like I get better and better at knowing home things will fit and how things will weigh.

My family here in ABQ is moving this next week to another house, so I have been having to help with that and pack up my entire room as well as my Honduras stuff. That has been a huge deal and I am leaving at a not so advantageous time for my family. So I feel bad about that, but what happens happens.

Hoozah!

2008-08-24T22:47:00.003-06:00

Glory to God!

I am on my new computer right now and that means I can post pictures!

Here are some pics I took in CA

Here is the obligatory black and white dock.
The ghost ship.
One day I too shall surf!

I just thought this was really cool with the effect I used.

many things

2008-08-24T20:04:00.005-06:00

My trip to CA was great! I had lots of fun with my family there. I was able to go to the beach and San Francisco. I enjoyed it very much.
On to other things. Do you want the good news or the bad... well I will give you the bad news first... My puppy in Honduras died. :( Chris said he just did, he probably was unhealthy. I did not really have a chance to bond with him yet I am still sad. He was awfully cute and I was looking forward to having him. A moment of silence for Weelsun-Pedo-Frijole.............
Now for the good news! God saw fit to bless me with a new laptop!!!! Another thing too IT'S A MAC! A Macbook to be precise. It is so humbling, I'm such an undeserving person and yet there it is. Blows my mind! Here is a picture of the type of computer it is.
God why are you so good to me, I am such a wretch and yet you bless me.

Ah the sun, the sand, the beach!

2008-08-11T23:58:00.001-06:00

I am heading out to California tomorrow to visit family there. I am looking forward to it as I will be visiting one of my most favorite places in the world... THE BEACH! It ought to be a great time and I am really looking forward to it!

Tu Bandera....

2008-08-07T01:29:00.004-06:00

Oh in case you hadn't realized that flag taking up half my blog is the flag of Honduras. I can kinda fake sing the national anthem.... the first line is "Tu Bandera" which means Your Flag. Great way to start a national anthem wouldn't ya say? Check it out for yourself.

city life is getting to me...

2008-08-07T01:15:00.003-06:00

As I spend more time... as me in this world I know. I realize that I am well suited for the solitary life and I have to wonder is that good or bad? Do I find my cave and hibernate, only emerging when sustenance is needed? Or do I traverse this barren wasteland searching for the watering hole? Where do I belong? With a pack? In a pride? A covey?
Are lone wolves really alone?

2008-08-05T15:41:00.000-06:00

I miss my solitude.

sad computer news.

2008-08-04T22:33:00.003-06:00

Today I had a mission: to fix my faithful friend my ibook G4. I went to the Mac Store.
I talked to the genius at the ( i don't know what is with the underlining.. I can't stop it) Genius Bar and he pretty much said that my hard drive is ready to die. I had the hard drive replaced by a Mac certified guy. I wanted more memory for pics. But apparently the transplant was rejected because this is the second major problem I have had in this year.
Please pray for God's provision in this matter!
and sorry about the underlining.

Koi

2008-08-01T14:31:00.002-06:00

I took these at the Albuquerque aquarium. They have a exhibit there of koi fish. I love the way these pic turned out, almost looks like it is ink/water colors.

You like me, you really like me!

2008-08-01T13:45:00.002-06:00

I love when people read my blog! It makes my heart smile! Hooray! Just so you know also, I don't just update when I send out a mass email. When I have good strong internet I try to update at least once a week! Just so you know.

2008-07-31T16:38:00.002-06:00

This is my dog in Honduras and the dark spotted puppy is my puppy... I think I am going to name him Frijole. Aren't they the sweetest most adorable, cutest!!!

Missing out

2008-07-31T14:32:00.002-06:00

I have been having a wonderful time here in Albuquerque. I am able to enjoy many things that I had taken for granted before I went to Honduras. Such as but not limited to:
1. I can drink the tap water here!
2. I can go out at night and feel relatively safe.
3. I can ride my bike all over the place.
4. I can choose any type of food I want to eat.
5. If I need something I just go to the store and get it. I don't have to wait to go into San Pedro Sula every other weekend.
Those are some of the big things.
One night I was walking around an outdoor shopping mall called Uptown and seriously I started crying it just overwhelmed me that I could be walking around stores at night. Can you believe that I started to cry. I told my mom with tears in my eyes "people here are so lucky and I bet they don't realize it or even stop to think about it." I am not saying I am better than any one I am saying that this is what I notice what is going on in my heart.
It is such an interesting trade off. I love the peace of Honduras but if there was a superstore on every corner that would go away.
These things are just things I didn't realize I had until I didn't have them. Isn't that just the way it goes though?

a story.

2008-07-26T17:32:00.002-06:00

Hello!
So I met with some friends today for lunch super tasty Japanese food! I had a most blessed and excellent time!
Well as I was telling them some stories of my traversing, I realized I forgot to put a good story (or wait did I forget...) if I am repeating myself sorry.
On my way back from Honduras this time, the airline guy checked me in as "Melissa or Michelle Scott" I did not notice this until I was near security paying my leaving the country fee. I had already waited in line to check in for about an hour or longer. So in the whole process of getting out of the country I was a little more than half way there. I knew I would never make it to the plane if I turned back now so I opted to just keep going with the name "M.Scott" I went through a number of different check points and not one noticed that my passport did not match my ticket. Good thing? maybe.
I get on the plane in the nick of time....
and I sit
and sit
and finally after about an hour I hear "Will M. Scott come up to the front." My cheeks burn and I am thinking oh no this is my fault... so I get up and show them what happened, they take my passport and ticket and of course they find me because this is the flight I am supposed to be on. (Oh by the way I got to see the real M.Scott. a rather strong looking African American woman with a little boy) So they bring my stuff back and tell me their sorry. Good not my fault!
and then we sit.
and sit.
I miss my flight in Miami. I go to the counter of the airline I missed the flight of and see what I can do to get home. Well of course nothing is available that night so despite not wanting to spend another night in a drafty, noisy, airport that is exactly what happens. I book a flight for the next morning and give the guy my card to pay for the fees and my card gets declined... its like all those credit card commercials coming to life... he ask me "Do you have another card?" I am thinking up plans HOW AM I GOING TO GET HOME! I tell him "No, I don't have another card" And yes I couldn't help it I really was dejected. I guess he knew I had hit the very bottom. Because the next thing I know he is clicking his computer and saying "I am not supposed to be doing this.." and gets me on the flight sans the fees!!!! Oh Praise the Lord!!! I tell him "Bless you sir!"
He replies "I hope I live to see it...God bless you too."
I say "HE DID THROUGH YOU!!!"
That is my story, and I am leaving out the part where a guy from Tahiti tried to pick up on me, that was not all that exciting.
But wasn't that very cool story. I had to put it here.

2 homes.

2008-07-13T23:56:00.003-06:00

Well it is certainly set that I am going to be doing another year in Honduras. Very bittersweet. I am In Albuquerque home as opposed to Honduras home, right now. I have been having a busy and most excellent time. If you have not heard from me... I reiterate busy. And also my phone service has been cut off and my drivers license expired. These two things hinder my comings and goings. I am working on on rectifying the situation as soon as possible. Until then I am peacefully enjoying the dry air and fun.
It is weird to feel like I have two homes but that is exactly how it is, I miss Honduras but I am overjoyed to be with most of the people I love so dearly.
I am excited to go back because it looks like this coming year is going to be filled with a lot of new huge things and some more challenges.
Calvary Chapel Lake Yajoa looks like it will be starting up and taking off WOW! That is so amazing. I can not wait to see what God does with all of it. New people coming to help, land, a building. His hand is in it!
You know I kinda thought and this is silly.. but I thought I would feel different inside as a missionary but I am the same old me... if not worse haha. There are so many things I thought would be different. I knew it would never be what I thought I just didn't think it would be what is has been. I guess I expected like burning bushes and such, I expected to be "healed" of my flesh. I don't know why I thought such things, I did though. Well maybe, just maybe, pride.... like being a missionary would elevate me to a higher spiritual level. Bad Leah bad.
I have learned a lot. I have learned to be more at peace with who God has made me. I have learned lots, tons, bunches of patience, I have more confidence in myself... don't let that throw you I know it is not about me. I can just walk down the street knowing HE has got my back.
I have learned an awful lot about sitting still, being alone, "stopping to smell the roses". Good things that are like more bricks adding to the foundation within.
I have had such a struggle with internet! It has been so hard to keep you readers informed, but it is not an easy thing to get on internet I don't have or that doesn't work! I know it is important to you to know what is going on in my life. There is only so much I can do, just please pray that I can get internet that is semi okay in my house!
Please feel free to pass on the information to my blog to any one who doesn't have it!
I am in ABQ until August 25 then I head back to my other home. The new school year is supposed to start on September 1st, so if you have those things on your heart please pray!
Praise report! I got a really good camera, my Tata spoiled me and got it for me! So I am going to take excellent pictures of all sorts of things and post A LOT of pictures. For those of you who want pictures of "everything" hehe. Oh yeah internet allowing of course.

Kid Pic.

2008-06-26T11:39:00.001-06:00

Here is my class only one was missing this day. These kids rock! Ignore the date it is very wrong.

not the internet!

2008-06-26T09:54:00.003-06:00

First off I'd like to give props to Mark for not having internet at his house. Because he doesn't want to waste his life on the computer!! I have really enjoyed these past few months with out it, it is like a ball and chain, but alas it looks like I have quickly become drawn into the .com world. See it is only 10:00 and I am on...

Second I'd like to tell you I saw our neighbor the toucan this morning looking bright and sassy!

Ok got go meet some kids! Bye!

2008-06-25T18:29:00.002-06:00

Here I am again sitting on my front step, looking out at the Lake Yajoa. The Clouds are low and thick, the sky is dark and promising a grand storm later on. Going to be a nice night!

Have I mentioned how incredibly beautiful this country is, when ever I look around my breath catches in my throat. I am blessed truly.

The education system here is crazy, the love paperwork. I suppose that is because they really don't have much in the way of computer systems. Today Maria spent most of the day writing and rewriting these tedious forms. If she got one little thing on it wrong she would have to do it all over NO white out allowed! 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade had to do it. She was doing it for Chris because Chris was out doing stuff with a donated van and our passports.

We were at the school untill 5:30 that is late.

Gotta go the sky just instantly turned black.

Like newly fallen snow.

2008-06-24T16:15:00.002-06:00

Highlight of my day: I got to pet two brand new baby cows... calfs. Chris saw them in the 4X4 field next to the school. They were laying down together all cute and cuddly. He pointed them out to me and like a flash I was under two barbed wire fences and patting the little fellows on their little heads. Sadly I did not have my camera or I would be putting pics up for you this instant. They were both white but had light brown spots on the tops of their heads. almost like patches of hair. One was a bit smaller than the other. They were so soft and clean. I know this may sound weird but I wish I had seen their birth.

I picked up a toad, the other teachers hate when I do. Toads do pee on you but I do not have warts and I have picked up many a toad. It was a big one, and as I continued to hold it, it would puff up with air in an attempt to intimidate me. Well obviously I am on to these little scemes of the toad world. So instead of dropping him in fear (or if I was a predator trying to eat it I would spit him out but of course I was not) I preceded to make him do the little fat toad dance. Which really just involves making his legs swing back and forth and humming a unknown ditty. I had to be dancing with him as well but that is besides the point.

That is all I have to report up to this point. Thanks :)

snake.

2008-06-23T16:37:00.003-06:00

ok friends what would you like to see pictures of now that I can post them!? I know how about creepy critters!

It seems I can only do one pic at a time so here is a pic of me and the little little snake we had awhile back. A boy in my class named him Harry.

A picture test.

2008-06-23T16:29:00.003-06:00

This is little Eugenia playing futbol she was the only girl and hadn't even practiced with the boys and yet she still got out there and gave it her all, we could learn something from that....

It has been too long my friends!

2008-06-23T15:40:00.000-06:00

Hello and hello from me your long time no see Leah. Well things are going good here in Honduras. The team from my home church Calvary east with the Jesus Film crew, Zemer Lavav and Michael and Golden came out just last week and a wonderful time was had by all...(I hope and I think so) things were not as expected but when are they ever? I had a great time with all of them it was a huge blessing for me! We got to go to many churches with the music and bless them and be blessed, we got to meet tons of people, pray with them and get to know them. I was so proud of the team they really were awesome and the young people that came were amazing they were just out there playing and enjoying the children all around!
But during that time God really spoke to my heart about how lucky and how blessed I have been here, so that was really awesome.
The other day something quite interesting happened..... it hit me, like truly hit me in the brain that I had to stay. Now ever since I decided to go home for at least a year I was good with that, yet I would look up in the trees, find cool new beetles, laugh with the kids, eat a different fruit, hold one of the many babies around here, see something breath taking and I would just know that I would miss all of these thing deeply.... but I was still set on going back to NM. One day like I said though it hit me that I had to stay. I was looking forward to going home to be with my loved ones and gourmet sandwiches and the "get it how you like it" living, hey I would not be American if I did not look forward to such things. So my heart is sad a bit but I know that I am good with the decision to stay for at least one more year...... and who knows what will change next.
Things are looking really good for a Calvary Chapel here. Chris and Maria had land donated to them and all the things needed are falling in to place!
I have not a monkey, but the dog that hangs out with our watchy is going to have puppies!!! Sadly though we will be in the states at the time they are to be birthed. I get to keep one, seeing as how I will be here for a little while longer. No I did not decide to stay based on the puppies.
It is funny Chris set up wireless internet in his house which is about ten steps away from the house I am in, but the only way I can get the wifi, is by sitting on my front step. So I am sitting out here listening to the sounds of the birds, some that sound like our resident toucans. Good times.
Well since I am staying I am praying for a vehicle of my own so the work on Chris' will not be so tremendous and also I can do a bit more exploring. Exploring is recommended for a healthy living.
I will continue working at Lake Yajoa Bilingual School as the preparatory teacher. So we will see what things the Lord will do with and within me and around me this coming school year!!!! Huzzah!

fruits galore. bastantes frutas.

2008-04-13T18:47:00.007-06:00

Hello all!
We have a three day weekend! Hooray! I am not exactly sure why we have Monday off.... something like dia de Americas.... I do not know. It said on a note we sent home, but I can only understand so much in Spanish. I must say that that has been a hard thing for me, not being able to understand all the time what is going on at the school, such as special events, or new things happening. Another thing that has been hard is not being able to communicate with parents. I would like to tell them things that I can not, or things that I need. It really handicaps things, but on the other hand, the kids have learned English really well due to instant immersion a la scott. Things get done regardless and God always fills in the gaps. It is just one of the frustrations.
I went to San Pedro Sula yesterday with Veronica Buezo and guess what...? I got to have SUSHI! We went to a sushi restaurant called Sushi Itto. Ah glorious sushi and tasty Japanese food.
I love going into the city with Mrs. Buezo, because we get to ride public transport, and once we get there we walk everywhere. It is just a neat experience to be able to do it that way. Plus Veronica has done so much in her life I just love picking her brain! She tells me all sorts of stories of when she was working with save the children. Like once they had a beach cabana... like right on the beach NICE! She tells me about weird parasites, and people she has met, I love to hear about it.
I have been thinking about a monkey... and thinking that it would probably not be such a good idea to have one. So.....
I have found so many different fruit here that I just love. The most recent one that I really like is called CEE -DWEL-ES they are about the size of strawberries, the good ones are green in color, but when they get over ripe they turn orange/red. They have a tart flavor with a slight hint of green apple flavor. I bought a bagful this weekend. They eat most of the fruit here with salt, and I love it. They eat mangoes green with salt they eat them orange with salt. Tasty tasty!
But I have been eating a lot of mangoes and my mouth and chin have started itching, I do not know if it has to do with the mangoes but it started to happen after I ate this big mango with a strange flavor.
I have had run ins with many scorpions (never stung) from really small ones to slightly bigger ones. If they are in my dwelling place they go to see their maker. I have had a few wakeful nights imagining scorpions crawling onto my head. I am not scared of them, I just do not like the thought of them stinging me in my sleepy innocence.I have heard it is quite painful to be stung by one, but part of me is a bit curious as to what it feels like.
Pray for Chris he was chopping down banana trees and really hurt his back, so please keep him in prayer.
We have been meeting for church services at Emely's house (one of the other teachers from Hounduras). It has been cool.
I keep thinking of things to write, so I am kinda jumping from subject to subject. So the latest thing I have to tell you is tonight we had an avacado but it was a anise avacado and it had a distinct anise flavor to it!
That was the last thing. Farewell.

Platypus Lady I love you!

2008-04-05T20:38:00.003-06:00

I have never itched so much in my entire life! Most of the time I don't even know why!
well I was trying to put pics up from Chris and Marias computer but I wasn't ablt to find the ones I wanted... sigh.
All is well.
It is getting hotter and hotter as the days move on.
I have not got a monkey and that is ok.
I got some good pictures in San Pedro today, of this street lady that has one huge dread lock on the back of her head. We got her some food, and I took some pictures... but alas I couldn't find them. I like her she is interesting I wish that I knew more about her. She is lovingly called "Platypus Lady" because her dread-lock looks like a platypus tail. Mind you, not everyone calls her that..actually the only person that called her that was Kandace Herring (the youngest of the *Herring clan) but I thought it was fitting. I also think that platypi are the coolest animals so I am happy with the name for my little street friend.
*Herring-mentioned in previous blog.
thanks for reading!
oh and I am so happy to hear that more and more of you are reading here thank you so much that fills my heart with tremendous warm fuzzies!!!!
In Jesus
Leah Collect (not really it is Collete) Scott
but I under certain circumstances like collect.

Good times!

2008-03-29T20:55:00.004-06:00

Ah, what a great break! It was very tranquilo and not even boring.
On breaks I tend to go crazy with too much time on my hands, but we visited friends at the very beginning. It was a teacher lunch. I have to go into some history here. Two of our teachers the computer/Spanish teacher Miss Emily and the Directora Mrs. Magdelena they are sisters. We went to family land of thiers, right next to the river. They had family thier also, you can rarely have a get together here without having family and friends there. I love that about this culture! So we had a bar-b-que. I took pictures, yet I often use Chris and Maria's computer for internet so the pics are not here. I met a parrot named Rosita there. Birds are so cool. I also met a 8 day old little white calf. It was so pure white, I couldn't believe how white and clean it looked.
Then we went to a little place up river and Mrs. Buezo and I put our feet in. (By the way Mrs. Bueso's first name is Veronica). I hung from a tree branch above the water. Ate this very tasty fruits called rose apples. They were the shape of pears but a bit smaller, and they really did have a rose flavor. They reminded me more of pears than apples though. Good friends, good times and good fun! Then I was able to do a few worship songs on the guitar and Chris did a bible teaching, for the teachers. It was plam sunday now that I am thinking back on the time frame of things. It was nice.
Then on monday we went in to San Pedro Sula to clear up stuff at the consulate. After that we met up with the Family v(from the states) that has the christian park I told you about. I can not recall thier last names right now. But I can remember all the first names. Randy, Kandy, Kelly, Kaleb and Kandace. They live in San Pedro. and Maria just informed me that thier last name is Herring. We spent the night in San Pedro Sula with them and that was really fun. I was able to play Nintendo Wii with Kaleb and Kandace watch movies and just hang out with people I could actually talk to! Kelly is in the states attending college. They were very hospitable and we had a great time with them.
Well in San Pedro I completed my plan for Semana Santa... I bought a little blow up pool! If I couldn't go to the beach I brought the beach to me! I took pictures and again I can't show you. I am sorry. My pool is mostly light aqua blue, with fish decorating the outside. I can lay down fully in it lengthwise. I got to enjoy it for one hot afternoon and then it started raining for the next few days! But I am not complaining I love the rain! It is so beautiful here when it rains.
From there on, Semana Santa was just really laid back and enjoyable.
We recently have got names and numbers for local pastors that are going to help with the Jesus Fest. So we are breaking through walls to further contacts here and that is really awesome!
We didn't have any drama meetings due to Semana Santa.
Lake Yahoa Bilingual School is doing well. But the administration is on the look out for more teachers, they need about four for the start of next year. So if you think to that pray the God will direct the right teachers who love Jesus to this area. I continue to absolutley love my kids, they bring a smile to my face all the time! Their grasp of english is amazing me, even the newer ones are picking it up.
And amazing enough I understand spanish so much more than ever, Praise God! It is fun for me!
One more thought before I scurry off, one day in the resturant here on the finca, we were just sitting around there enjoying oursleves, talking and such. One of the cleaning ladies that we have got to know and befriended was sweeping around as. We talk to her and joke with her so we are in friendly terms with her. Well she set her broom down next to us and went to the bathroom. We decided to twist the broom head off her broom and hide it. Okay mostly I did it... one of the young waiters that is friends with her saw and was laughing. Well she came back and looked at her broom in suprise, she was holding it bottom end up and looking around. I felt bad so gave it back. She laughed.
These are things I feel show people that we aren't here as snotty americans. That we do want to have fun with them, we do want to be friends and get to know them.
Thanks for reading!
Praise Report!
Things are going well here and more and more doors are being opened!
Prayer requests-
for transportation for the Jesus Fest, getting people to and from it. This is a big thing, we want people to come who otherwise won't be able to, so they can hear about Jesus!
So I could possibly get a monkey.....for the time I am here. A little one. A bit far fetched but it would be awesome all the same.
For where I am to be in the future as far as work, school etc etc and clarity with that because I can tend to be dense.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thanks for your love and your prayers and support!
In Jesus,
Leah

oh yeah "new words"
WAKA-LA means disgusting
and
CULEECHEE means intestinal worms

New Words and Semana Santa

2008-03-15T19:47:00.003-06:00

Well we have a week off for Holy week (Semana Santa) and sadly I will not be going to the beach... well not too sadly, the word is that EVERYONE and their mami go to the beach during Semana Santa. I have found alternative ways to enjoy my Semana Santa break....more on that in a future post.
Boy did we need the break, the kids started getting very crazy this last week, you know how it is with kids, they feel the vacation coming on ,like and old person feels a storm.
One interesting thing Chris, Maria and I noticed was the kids will come in after recess after running around in the hot hot sun, dripping with sweat. They then give us a huge hug... and we think it is mostly to wipe the sweat off on our shirts. Don't get us wrong they are hugging us to love us, but it seems like more than that. It is entertaining.
We had another mime outreach this past Friday at Carnaveral High school. They were a rough crowd. I pulled fruit out of many ears and most of them did not seem to enjoy it. Okay not real fruit just mime fruit. I thought I should clear that up just in case you were wondering.
It is awesome that we have this opportunity to outreach, it is hard though because many of these young ones have heard the gospel. It is just a matter of making it more serious in their hearts, more personal. I guess isn't that what is always is...
Calvary Chapel East (our home church) is planning a Jesus Fest out here in June, we are already trying to get things going for that and it is exciting to see things being lined up and working out! Praise God!
No snakes this week.
We had our first field trip to a christian Park. This huge beautiful plot of land that the kids ran around and played in, with a fresh little stream running through it. It was awesome, the guy who owns the land is a christian and he had a group of young adults there that played and talked with the kids. They kids enjoyed it! The group did a few dramas for us. Good times.
That is the end of my rerport.
Over and out in the name of the Lord.

big snakes and my new hobbie

2008-03-01T18:26:00.004-07:00

I saw another snake this week.... I went on a walk on a part of the finca that is probably not traversed very often and I climbed over this large mound of dirt and sticks. Well on the other side of it I was exploring and I looked a bit ahead of me and I saw this huge snake body, about the thickness of a soft ball! I was in shock then I poked it and instead of very timidly slinking off into the jungle... it turned around and stared at me. I had an inner struggle at this point: "catch it!"
"What are you crazy!?"
"but.... I really want to say that I caught it.."
"oh and then that it bit you...?"
"yeah... I am not so sure about if it bites me, but I really want to get it. Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin catch them."
"Yeah Steve Irwin is no longer with us and the Jeff Corwin has gone to school for snake-stuff..."
"oh alright I won't catch it."
So at the point I came around the other side of the mound to poke it from another side.... and it stared at me again and this time I got the subtle hint that I looked like an open buffet, I decided to leave right then and continue my walk.
So there was that.
It was my birthday this past week and that was pretty fun, the kids in my class dedicated like a whole five minutes of singing happy birthday to me that was fun. I got a few gifts from them cute things. One little girl had me close my eyes and she lead me into the classroom and then when I opened my eyes she said "ta-da!" and there was a bear coin bank on my desk! Pretty darn cute huh.
I also love the old people here I wish I could do more for them. When ever I see them I do give them money. Old people melt my heart. They are so sweet here, dark skin, lots of wrinkles the kind that make old people have squinty eyes and usually they have white hair. I love them. You know they have had a hard life here and that is another reason I give them money, more than likely they really need it.
Oh and my newest hobbie.... hacking stuff with my machete. It is a small machete but it is good.
Looking forward to what the Lord has for me in Marzo/March.
Please pray for what I am to do next thanks!
Prasie report-we have a PE coach at the school and he is really good! He is a former Soccer player for a team called Real Espana. It is awesome!

Snake or snack.

2008-02-22T17:20:00.004-07:00

Yeah! Internet! Ok I think I will be able to update here once a week. But no promises.

Well I have been praying... and I feel like I am to leave Honduras. So at the end of this school year I am going to head home for... only God knows what is next. I have been praying about a few different options. You ask why? Why am I leaving? Circumstances are how shall I say it... not conducive right now.

I like it here a lot and I love the kids so much! It is "Things". You know when you say "things" it is because you don't really have the words to explain the things in your heart.

Well Thursday I caught a baby snake! My first, it was small and brown with lighter brown stripes. And even cooler yet... it bit me! That was awesome. It didn't have fangs at all it just liked pinched me when it bit. It got stuck to a piece of tape on my classroom floor. I saw it in the morning. One of my students (Gerarda) and I, were the only ones there. I saw it and thought it was a toy, but on closer inspection it wasn't. I told Gerarda to back up and then I just got it in me to catch it. I knew it was not a yellow beard(very dangerous) or a coral snake (extremely dangerous) so I thought why not, I can get it. So I grabbed that place at the back of its neck but I could not get a good grip and that is when it bit me. After that I caught it. It was fun. The directora said "Only Lia (that is how they spell my name here) catches these little animals." It caused a stir in the school for the day. I didn't name it. But one of my little boys named Angel took it home. Good times. The adults are not to into catching critters here. It is considered Que Rado (HOW WEIRD). That is my story for the week. I would hold it through out the day and it bit me a couple more times. Angel said it was a python he said he had one already and that is why I gave it to him.

My kids liked it. When he said python in spanish it sounds like pee-ton.

Chris and I did a mime outreach today after school, that was fun. We went to a high school called Canada with a church group. The mime we had time to do was can you guess.... DO NOT TOUCH.

There were these little street girls there and they just latched onto me they were cute. They were singing the worship songs and talking to me and holding my hands. Little sweeties!

We might go to the beach next weekend!! The whole 6 teachers from the school might, I hope it works out that we do! Mrs Buezo (the British lady) is going and she invited us all. Alright!

28 on the 27th.

2008-02-15T19:13:00.003-07:00

Oh my goodness I am so grateful to have internet! It is amazing to have it now! God continues to be with me and pull me through the rocky spots.

This is am older post from last month but here it is!

My dear friends in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Grace and peace to you from this slow paced Latino culture.

I write this with faith that you may be able to read it one day!

I was able to go back to Albuquerque for Christmas and that was a huge blessing! I had a wonderful time, one of the best holidays ever. Being away made the time that much more sweet!

It went by too fast though I did not have enough time to be with all the people I wanted to.

Now I am back to the school year and am up to 23 student!!!

My ministry remains mostly with my students which is what I really love and what God had called me to. It is fun to compare my total desperation at out lack of communication and their total lack of understanding to where we are now. Pray for me with this amount of students it is a new thing and I can get pretty overwhelmed. They do not know any english so that makes it that much harder. But the kids that I have has since the start understand really well, it is so awesome to be able to say "Jesus is the most important!" and have them understand! The kids are so much fun, I think that because this culture is so much about relationship that the kids treat me more like family. I connect with them on a different level, it is a lot of fun.

My spanish you ask... well I can follow most conversations and I speak in small sentences and one words, enough to get my point across. I still lack the fine tuning that I need to be confident enough to hold any sort of meaniful conversations. Needless to say I get lonely.

God has been faithful(of course) in that department as well. One of the other teachers at the school is this older British Lady that is married to a Honduran. She has lived here for something like 25 years. She has been all over the world, working with malnourished children. We have hit it off from the start and she has taken me to San Pedro Sula and she enjoys traveling (she calls it itchy feet)

Our most recent adventure was to a city (formerly the capitol city) named Comayagua (not sure on the spelling). It is a very slow paced little city and very historical. With old buildings and brick paved streets. Nothing like San Pedro Sula which is fast paced and crazy.

We went to a museum there and visited her in-laws.

But the most exciting and frustrating part was riding the public transport back. I had the opportunity to stand the whole way back (about 2 hours) due to lack of seats and by the time we had to get off, the front of the bus was packed out. I had to force my body into spaces between other people that I never thought I would get out of! I would look up to the front of the bus to see how far I had to go and get a face full of angry Latin Americans with their eyes saying "don't even think about it!!" I had to though, I had to get off. Pure madness but not altogether unpleasant.

I have hit times here where things drive me insane but God is always good and He continues to be my support and hold me. I get lonely and stir crazy but again God is there to see me through to the other side and hopefully I will come out better because of it.

Prayer Requests for me please:

open doors for ministry

peace, patience and contentment

the impact of Jesus on this small community

for the future of me

Thanks for all your love, support and prayers!

Only in the sweet name of Jesus,

leah

2008-02-15T19:10:00.001-07:00

Hooray I am here!!! Internet a blessing!!

2008-02-15T19:06:00.001-07:00

low battery and so much to say.

2007-09-19T15:52:00.000-06:00

School is going well. This past Monday was Dia del Maestra. Teacher day, nothing worth noting happened.
This past weekend we got to go into San Pedro Sula, the biggest city near here. It is about 45 minutes to an hour away. Imagine that: movies, malls, shops, clean restaurants 45 to an hour away. But we went in to San Pedro twice this weekend it was really nice to have something to do!!! Saturday we went to just hang out and Sunday we went to a fellowship there! It was great all great!
My battery is running out so I best be off.
oh and it is spelled rompecabeza= puzzle.

School days Schools days!

2007-09-10T19:36:00.001-06:00

Okay we finally have had some normal days of school. It was canceled two days last week because of Hurricane Felix, which we really saw nothing of. But since then we have had some major storms, just plain Honduran monsoon storms that were much worse than "Felix". In fact in one we saw a huge tree get blown over! It apparently had been struck my lightning before so the strong winds just blew it over! That was cool. Also I now know what "rolling thunder" sounds like in action.
I can't understand my kids very well, but a little. It is a lot of fun sometimes to hear kids speaking a whole new language all around. It seems they are understanding me more and more each day too so that is really cool. I was nervous it would be mayhem all the time, the kids who had Mrs. Rivera last year know how to behave for the most part. Todo Bein= Everythings good.
Today was "Dia del Ninos" childrens day. So we had another fun day, with games and food (of course eating is a big thing here) I did face painting because it is what I always do. Good times, good times.
Oh here is a tidbit the kids love puzzles and they do them well, they call them rompa cabesa (forgive me spelling in Spanish) Rompa Cabesa means pull your hair out. Puzzles make you pull your hair out haha. Isn't that funny! Friday I couldn't get the word out of my head!
Well pray that I would learn to be still before the Lord as I have not much interaction with others and/ or that He may bring some social things my way.
Thanks!

last week, this week.

2007-09-04T10:39:00.001-06:00

Well it took pretty much all of last week for me to get better. Except on Thursday I was able to go with some American friends we have here, to this incredible waterfall and I was able to jump off some small waterfalls! Not super high ones but pretty high ones! I was weak still from being sick but I could not pass up this opportunity!! It was so fun!
Well I paid for it the next day by being super weak and blah.
I am better now and we are waiting for Hurricane Felix to hit. Not so sure what to expect from it. But I know it is at a class 3 and it is now in Honduras, not in our area yet.
We started school yesterday, it was like and "open house" I was able to meet the kids and parents. The staff talked to them and there was pinatas for the kids. As of yesterday I had 11 students I heard though that 2 more signed up. I will let you know more about them as the year goes on.

sick, homesick and smiles.

2007-08-29T20:06:00.001-06:00

Well I just am over being so sick. It started Sunday night and it was bad, I won't go into horrendous details. Let us just leave it at it was bad, the stomach cramps were so bad I couldn't even sleep. I am not 100% now but I am better than I was. But another thing being so sick brought on was homesickness... yeah I can't believe it myself so soon! My bed, my toilet, my shower, my privacy to be sick in... ah the things you don't realize you would miss until it's not there. Shall I go on about what I miss while in the jaws of death? No.
I will go onto the smiles. I mentioned that the Honduran people seem so hard, they scowl as they walk down the street and yet the smiles that can be had from them... they are amazing. Tonight Maria did an English class at a little soup kitchen type place. This place is run by a Nun, up a bumpy dirt road. Sister Maria feeds the poor "latch key" kids in the neighborhood. The kids that are left alone to fend for themselves much like the skinny chickens I would see all over the streets. I digress.
The English class...
About 6 teens where there to learn English and all of them had smiles that lit up the room! That did my heart good to see. It also did my heart good to see some of the boards slapped together to make a "house" it did my heart good because I know that if at all possible I will help. I want to help and love like Jesus. Kids in torn clothes and bare feet walking the dirt road. I would think to myself... "what do I have on me I could give?" As much as my heart cries for the creature comforts of home my spirit cries to help in the name of Jesus.
I just hope I can be about it soon, I am kinda going stir crazy!
School starts Monday... I will let you know how that turns out. I finished up my classroom today and as small and hot as it is I added some nice "me" touches so I can call it my own. I painted the front of my desk with a dancing turtle in a meadow... me and my turtles. I was also able to paint a a calender on my wall, that was fun.
Pray that my heart would be content regardless of anything!
I love you all and miss you more than you realize!

bug bitten.

2007-08-26T19:22:00.000-06:00

Hey! I got eaten by bugs in my bed a couple of nights, I think they have decided to leave me alone. But I have polka-dots all over my arms to prove it.
The people here seem very soft spoken from what I have noticed. Not like I have been here very long. I think also thay they have very gruff exteriors yet when you get past that they are soft inside. The people we are in contact here seem genuine and desire to see that I am comfortable.
The buildings are very much like ones in Mexico for shops and such. Painted brightly. For houses though I haven't got to explore a lot, but most of them are shacks.
There are trees of the tropical nature all around. Beautiful green mountains in the distance that usually have full white clouds spilling over them. I look up at those mountains and it just leaves me amazed. I am so small and God is so big. SO BIG.
It has only been a week, I feel like I have been here for a month. Not because it is bad... it is just the way it feels.
School starts on September 3rd and I am getting all geared up for that! Writing out lessons plans, cleaning many layers of dust out of my classroom. Picking Chris and Maria's brains for ideas about talking to the kids.
I am looking forward to having something to do when school starts. It is going to be hard I know and at the same time really fun.
I am still trying to learn the lay of the land around here, I think once I do it might feel more at home. I still feel kinda misplaced... of course it has only been a week.
I'll share more at a later date.
thanks for reading!

Made it.

2007-08-22T18:13:00.000-06:00

Hey Friends I made it! It is beautiful here, I have already encountered numerous creatures and I love that! I caught my first gecko last night and I named him Merlin.
I have met so many new people in these past few days it is hard to keep them all straight.
Maria and I went to the school today to meet up with another teacher and pick up a book. It got me very excited to be teaching again. I am nervous that I won't be able to keep control of my class because of my lack of Spanish, but Chris and Maria assure me it will be ok. So I am getting excited and it is that thrill of excitement that renews my love of teaching, that I know it is what I am meant to do.
But the little buildings we are in... I can't even explain. They are these tiny little buildings two of them each separated into two classrooms each. They playground is scabby, but this is what they have and this is third world. It is good they have this and they are now in the process of building a new building that will be done hopefully at the end of September. It made me sad that, that is what they have and yet it made me start getting ideas and that is fun.
It is beautiful here! The land is so bountiful and lush...
Well thanks for your prayers, keep reading and I will try to keep posting.
God is good!

Florida

2007-08-19T14:25:00.000-06:00

Ok so I have a huge layover in Florida. I waited in line to check my bags and I am like 7 or more hours early. I get up to the ticket counter after waiting in a huge line with my life packed in two 50 lb bags and they tell me I can't check in yet. I have to wait untill like 5 or 6 hours before the flight to check in. I was near tears at this point. So I heave my heart and my bags outta line... and God put a smartKart in my path! That was awesome! With a battle and the kindness of strangers I was able to load the cart with my burdens. I am now sitting on the floor (by choice) against a wall waiting to check my bags in so that I can unhindered get something to eat. Oh and Praise God for wireless internet in airports!
The flights were good. Nothing to exciting to report about them. I sat by a little girl my first flight and was able to help her, because her mom and sister were a few rows behind us. That was good to take my mind off of my heaviness.
So God is good, pray that I have His peace and joy. I want to enjoy this adventure and take in every minute. I guess it is natural to feel loss.... but still I want to enjoy.
I love you all!!!!