El Hogar

Sunday I got up and went to the Hogar to see all of my little babies. I accidently came during their lunch time so I had to wait for a half an hour until we could all play together.

Take a look at these sweet faces...

José David

A new little man named Walter...how cute!

My guy Max

Maria José LOVED the Barbie my friend Heather gave her :).

Every time I go to the orphanage the kids want to take pictures on my camera. I usually tell them no at first because it makes me nervous, but I always end up giving in.

Maria José's picture of me.

 Maria also took this beautiful portrait of this sweet girl...

 I love seeing pictures of kids taken by kids, they come up with some incredible images.

Here's my baby Jillybean. I love this child so much! She is full of sass and so sweet!

How could you not love that face?!?!

If I could adopt José Alberto and take him home tomorrow I would. He just isn't thriving in the orphanage in my opinion. He has so many issues, but he has such a beautiful heart. I'm overjoyed when I see him run to me with a big smile on his face!

After hanging out at the orphanage for a few hours Lacey and I went to Bessy's house for dinner...

 Here's our dinner group...

It was so wonderful to see so many of my friends from last year! I LOVE, love, love, love these women :D!

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring" -Marilyn Monroe

It's A God Thing

Last Saturday night Lacey and I made a spaghetti dinner. I realized once I had the sauce going that I had forgotten to get some cheese. I also saw that Lacey's house needed a new jug of water so I ran down to the pulperia to get both. A little boy was standing outside and asked me for one lempira. Last year I probably wouldn't have given him one because then every time I saw him he would ask. Since I knew I would be going home in a week I said "Sure, as soon as I buy this stuff I'll give it to you." As I was waiting there I thought "This poor kid is only asking for a single lempira, which is just change in the US and he looks hungry", so I also asked if he also wanted some bread. He shook his head yes, and would you believe that when I bought the water, cheese, and bread I had exactly 1 lempira left. 

It's a God thing :)...and oh how good he is!

"The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway." - Mother Teresa

Arrival

I left for Honduras Friday morning around 5am. I flew Delta so my layover was in Atlanta. It worked out perfectly because Peggy (my friend/principal from last year) just happened to be at a conference in Atlanta and was also flying back to Honduras on December 2nd. I was SO excited to see her! I couldn't believe it had almost been six months, yikes! Our flight only have 50 passengers, so we were able to sit by each other :). The next 3 and a half hours were filled with lots of laughter as we filled each other in on life's happenings. It was wonderful to have that uninterrupted with her!

When we landed in Tegus Lacey was waiting for us. We exchanged huge hugs and then the three of us got in a taxi and headed to our hostel. We hung out in the room for a few hours catching up some more and then went to TGI Friday's. It was a really special treat for Lacey since she's been eating nothing but beans, rice, tacos, tortillas, and tajadas since August. 

The next morning Carlos (Director of OAF) came and picked us up to go to Juticalpa. On the way there we stopped at a rico restaurant for some carne asada...

It was incredible to drive into Juticalpa. I immediately felt like I was home and had never left. After being in Lacey's house for only twenty minutes or so I saw two of my students. They were playing across the street at the neighbors and it made my heart so happy to see their little faces light up when they saw me. I scoop each one up and talked to them briefly about their school year so far. Then we had to say goodbye, but I assured them that I would be at school on Monday. 

I realized I needed to buy groceries for the week so Lace walked with me to the Bodega Olanchano for some grub. As we were walking I heard a little boy yell "Miss King!" I look up to see Anyelo, one of my students from last year. He was hanging out on the patio of his house and ran down to see me. I waited for a few seconds for him to get down the stairs, then he flung open his front door, and slammed into me for a hug. I just wanted to cry because I was so overcome with joy! When I told him I was going to be at school on Monday he said "You, at my school, Monday?". When I confirmed his face lit up and he slammed into me for another big hug. I love my students from last year so much - I am so blessed!

"Dear God,

Thank you for this beautiful life 

and forgive me if I don't love it enough"