Hello! All the children are sleeping now and I have the computer all to myself! What a special day this has been. Most of the day, I admit, was spent wondering how far the Webers had made it, checking emails to see if they'd written, and listening in case a plane came. Not many planes come this way unless they're landing here, unlike the US where we live right by DFW airport and hearing planes is a regular sound. No plane. We even checked the ferry a couple times. No Webers. They let us know tonight they made it to San Pedro Sula and will fly to La Ceiba tomorrow morning to catch the ferry and be here possibly by 6pm tomorrow. Yea! They had a long , eventful day! Good to see them on Skype tonight and visit to hear they're doing well.
The girls and I went to the beach and I had a personal photo shoot , by my girls, for my birthday as per the request of my Mom and sister. It was fun. Sorry we didn't post pics today. We were ready to, but Mermaids ,who has the strong signal we need for posting pics, was closed most of today (Saturday) and when we tried back later, they said their wireless wasn't working. We'll try again later. Between all the activities the girls purified more water and did spanish homework. I still need to do mine!
Diana ran late with dinner, so we walked to her food booth where she was still cooking our dinner at 8pm (was going to be at our house by 6:30). So I helped her finish the pasteles, while Bonnie and Andi rode bicycles with their daughter,Yessy, then we all went to my home. Wow- Pasteles were bursting with flavor of beef, spices and potatoes! Yum! Then they all sang Happy Birthday in spanish then English to me and we shared strawberry cake with chocolate icing and sprinkles. Diana had made so many tortillas today, so Bonnie gave her a hand massage- she's good at those! She nearly put Diana to sleep with it. Jose shared with us his desire to preach in spanish and English. They rode off on their bicycles at about 10:30pm for their home. Such a nice evening.
Alfredo, our diving instructor,Tatiana's husband, stopped us in the street today and said he wants to take us diving one day......just all of us with him and Tatiana. That'll be a very special treat! They're amazing and sweet people, keep them in your prayers -they need Jesus and we're so happy to get to spend time with them.
What a sweet day. I better go to bed and catch up on some sleep before our eventful day tomorrow!
Blessings to you all!
Denise
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
~ by Denise
Hello! We just walked down to the post office, on a muddy street in the cool breeze-and it was worth the trip. The CEF Spanish materials have arrived along with chocolate from Israel! Thank you Martha for the curriculum! Now we will be able to do the VBS for the children and have them understand what we're saying without a translator for most of the club.
Thank you David Sandretto for the Splendid treat from Israel! We shared one chocolate with the lady at the post office. She was very interested to look at the writing saying, "Oh, now that's from Israel, yah?" (In the strong Caribbean accent we've grown used to but still can't understand fluently)
The Weber's are coming! They left early this morning at 3am and will hopefully be here eating dinner with us tonight! That is, if they make all their connecting flights and still make it in time to catch the commuter flight or ferry to Utila.
We all talked with my mom through Skype this morning for about an hour and a half with the best connection we've had with her dail-up. The girls and I enjoyed talking to you Mom! We love you! Skype is great, and free! More of you could download it and visit voice to voice with us! hint, hint..... (http://skype.com/go/downloadnow )
Mom found out for me that ALERT Academy will allow Trixie to come camping with us! Now we will be able to register for family camp and join our friends in October at Big Sandy, TX. My girls have looked forward to going this year since we left camp last year. We're all glad we're able to bring our newly added (Dec'07) family member with us; in April she made it clear at Cedar Hill Park that she loves camping...and swimming.
The girls and I were talking about preparation for guests being different here. In the States we would be cleaning the house and making everything look nice but, the best we can do is sweep the floor and make sure all the dishes are washed. There are no bedspreads for bedmaking, and dust comes inside quickly with all doors and windows always open. We look at our frigde and we see today's and tomorrow's food because nothing keeps much longer than two days. We've learned a lot by living here and are excited to bring home some of the new ideas.
One of my favorite "new ideas"is an awesome bicycle cart lots of people use around here. I'm taking pics of it and hoping to have one built for me when I get home. I saw someone carrying a huge refrigerator on the front of this type of bicycle cart! It's awesome! I can just see me going shopping and to parks loaded down with sports equipment and coolers....all on a bicycle! Also, if Mom wants to go on bike rides, but doesn't want to pedal, she can sit on a chair in my cart and knit while I pedal her around! What do you think , Mom? FUN, FUN!
I've worked on our school schedule for this next year, we all are ready to start up our studies along with Speech and Debate. Amanda, Bonnie and Andi are preparing their speeches for competition since the tournaments will be beginning not long after we return home. Bonnie and Amanda have both of their Expos. speeches influenced by our trip here. Stephanie, now graduated and not competing in Speech & Debate, has thought of several messages she'll be preparing for the ministry she wants to have for young ladies. She now wishes she had brought with her-- the Bright Lights curriculum (a Biblical training for shaping young women for God) . She'll be wanting to start a group up once her schedule of CLEP studies, film opportunities, and possibly a j-job and d-driver's-licence get lined up. The adventure never stops! I plan to do a lot of my final planning during family camp. I'll be taking the materials to camp with me. It's okay to mix work and fun.
We are now done with the Spanish curriculum! All eighteen lessons are behind us ,except for the homework we have from it!) and now it's all practice and review. I do NOT like subjunctivo! Homework will be writing and different assignments from our new teacher. Amanda and Bonnie will still have Alma but, Andrea, Stephanie and I will be changing teachers. Last night we had Diana and Alma(our 2 teachers) over for dinner and played question games in spanish and listened to spanish worship songs on YouTube; it was fun. Andrea's favorite song was "Estè es deseo"(This is My Desire). Bonnie, Amanda, and I rain out it the rain to go buy strawberry cookies for the occasion. After they left we walked down to the beach together, the stars were beautiful, and the tide high. ......'but Im holdin'on" ..........(sorry, couldn't resist! Remember that song? )
Well, now we're just sitting in front of the fan getting some spanish homework done just in case the Webers arrive and we won't FEEL like doing homework! I think I'll put a big strawberry cake into the oven too- ¡por mi cumpleaño! (birthday) The strawberry is a compromise for Amanda who does not like chocolate. But the cake will have chocolate frosting! My Honduran friends, Jose and Diana want to come and bring dinner for my birthday! Pasteles! Yum! Kinda like runzas (sp?) but with beef and potatoes inside the bread and fried. We've only tried the chicken & carrots inside, but Diana wants us to have something new. When I find something I like, I could eat it all the time and not try anything new.....but it'll be good, I'm sure. Diana's quite a cook!
(by the way, Diana is the one I may have posted about earlier who goes to our church and had the 4th surgery on a growth on her chest that keeps growing back. It's back again already! Now the doctor said he's not going to see her anymore and that she'll have to go to La Ceiba for treatment. They're having to save up about $25,000Limperas -about $1250. USD to be able to be treated. Their problem is that their source of income is a food stand on the street, and if she doesn't work, no pay. Her husband Jose works the stand with her- that's their family business. Anyway, keep them in your prayers that God provides enough for her to get quick treatment. )
It's about noon now. We'll keep you 'posted' on how the rest of the day goes.'
Thank you Mom, Mariylin and Dad, Deanna, Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed, Ann Marie and the Orr family for your sweet birthday wishes for me!
Blessings to you all!
Denise and the Four Little Women
Thank you David Sandretto for the Splendid treat from Israel! We shared one chocolate with the lady at the post office. She was very interested to look at the writing saying, "Oh, now that's from Israel, yah?" (In the strong Caribbean accent we've grown used to but still can't understand fluently)
The Weber's are coming! They left early this morning at 3am and will hopefully be here eating dinner with us tonight! That is, if they make all their connecting flights and still make it in time to catch the commuter flight or ferry to Utila.
We all talked with my mom through Skype this morning for about an hour and a half with the best connection we've had with her dail-up. The girls and I enjoyed talking to you Mom! We love you! Skype is great, and free! More of you could download it and visit voice to voice with us! hint, hint..... (http://skype.com/go/downloadnow )
Mom found out for me that ALERT Academy will allow Trixie to come camping with us! Now we will be able to register for family camp and join our friends in October at Big Sandy, TX. My girls have looked forward to going this year since we left camp last year. We're all glad we're able to bring our newly added (Dec'07) family member with us; in April she made it clear at Cedar Hill Park that she loves camping...and swimming.
The girls and I were talking about preparation for guests being different here. In the States we would be cleaning the house and making everything look nice but, the best we can do is sweep the floor and make sure all the dishes are washed. There are no bedspreads for bedmaking, and dust comes inside quickly with all doors and windows always open. We look at our frigde and we see today's and tomorrow's food because nothing keeps much longer than two days. We've learned a lot by living here and are excited to bring home some of the new ideas.
One of my favorite "new ideas"is an awesome bicycle cart lots of people use around here. I'm taking pics of it and hoping to have one built for me when I get home. I saw someone carrying a huge refrigerator on the front of this type of bicycle cart! It's awesome! I can just see me going shopping and to parks loaded down with sports equipment and coolers....all on a bicycle! Also, if Mom wants to go on bike rides, but doesn't want to pedal, she can sit on a chair in my cart and knit while I pedal her around! What do you think , Mom? FUN, FUN!
I've worked on our school schedule for this next year, we all are ready to start up our studies along with Speech and Debate. Amanda, Bonnie and Andi are preparing their speeches for competition since the tournaments will be beginning not long after we return home. Bonnie and Amanda have both of their Expos. speeches influenced by our trip here. Stephanie, now graduated and not competing in Speech & Debate, has thought of several messages she'll be preparing for the ministry she wants to have for young ladies. She now wishes she had brought with her-- the Bright Lights curriculum (a Biblical training for shaping young women for God) . She'll be wanting to start a group up once her schedule of CLEP studies, film opportunities, and possibly a j-job and d-driver's-licence get lined up. The adventure never stops! I plan to do a lot of my final planning during family camp. I'll be taking the materials to camp with me. It's okay to mix work and fun.
We are now done with the Spanish curriculum! All eighteen lessons are behind us ,except for the homework we have from it!) and now it's all practice and review. I do NOT like subjunctivo! Homework will be writing and different assignments from our new teacher. Amanda and Bonnie will still have Alma but, Andrea, Stephanie and I will be changing teachers. Last night we had Diana and Alma(our 2 teachers) over for dinner and played question games in spanish and listened to spanish worship songs on YouTube; it was fun. Andrea's favorite song was "Estè es deseo"(This is My Desire). Bonnie, Amanda, and I rain out it the rain to go buy strawberry cookies for the occasion. After they left we walked down to the beach together, the stars were beautiful, and the tide high. ......'but Im holdin'on" ..........(sorry, couldn't resist! Remember that song? )
Well, now we're just sitting in front of the fan getting some spanish homework done just in case the Webers arrive and we won't FEEL like doing homework! I think I'll put a big strawberry cake into the oven too- ¡por mi cumpleaño! (birthday) The strawberry is a compromise for Amanda who does not like chocolate. But the cake will have chocolate frosting! My Honduran friends, Jose and Diana want to come and bring dinner for my birthday! Pasteles! Yum! Kinda like runzas (sp?) but with beef and potatoes inside the bread and fried. We've only tried the chicken & carrots inside, but Diana wants us to have something new. When I find something I like, I could eat it all the time and not try anything new.....but it'll be good, I'm sure. Diana's quite a cook!
(by the way, Diana is the one I may have posted about earlier who goes to our church and had the 4th surgery on a growth on her chest that keeps growing back. It's back again already! Now the doctor said he's not going to see her anymore and that she'll have to go to La Ceiba for treatment. They're having to save up about $25,000Limperas -about $1250. USD to be able to be treated. Their problem is that their source of income is a food stand on the street, and if she doesn't work, no pay. Her husband Jose works the stand with her- that's their family business. Anyway, keep them in your prayers that God provides enough for her to get quick treatment. )
It's about noon now. We'll keep you 'posted' on how the rest of the day goes.'
Thank you Mom, Mariylin and Dad, Deanna, Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed, Ann Marie and the Orr family for your sweet birthday wishes for me!
Blessings to you all!
Denise and the Four Little Women
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Two Months ~by Stephanie
It has almost been two full months of living in Utila.
I have enjoyed most of the moments; living on this island has given me plenty of brand new insights and experiences. Learning Spanish, becoming an Advanced Open Water diver, and living in not so picturesque conditions; truly a time of stretching...seeing that waking up already coated in sweat, eating hot oatmeal, packing my brain with plenty of information...if I were an encyclopedia, eating peanut butter sandwiches (which I have NEVER cared for in the least!), and then having four to five hours of homework to look forward to before I crash and start the whole process over again does not make me too happy nor joyful...it's rather draining actually.
Weekends truly have a new meaning for me.
I have thanked God for knowing when I would become greatly discouraged. Having my friends come at this time is going to be perfect. I've told my mom twice already that if the Webers were not coming I'd give up....and I don't give up....that is in fact something for the weak at heart; I refuse to be categorized in such a group. About a week ago it hit me that I'm ready for home, I'm ready to walk in the horrid heat of summer but be welcomed by air conditioning when entering my home. I long for my own bed...it's not fun having my face kicked during the night even if the person those feet belong to is someone I love dearly...they need to stay on THEIR side! juuust my opinion ya see. :p God is faithful, He knows my limit however pathetic it is.
My dear teacher Diana is leaving me; I'm going to miss her so badly! (I have so much fun driving her crazy...) I write my sentences specifically to see her look at me with her eyebrows wrinkled the way they do when...well, when I've accomplished my goal. :):):) She has facebook which will allow us to keep in touch- in Spanish.
There are so many things I could choose to ramble on about. We might be going diving this Saturday to try and be with the Whale Shark, they spotted him two days ago so he's arrived!
Anywho, I have a time limit...
Wow, how annoying; some young adults (only because they've passed a certain age...not because of maturity...) just drove by our house screaming and laughing. ...weird...
That's another thing I miss. Respect. No one holds respect for anything or anyone. I dislike that greatly. I like order and authority; the recognition of it is important...and there is NO care or concern for it here. Alright, I'm going have recognition of my authority and not say anything more. Good night...
Stephanie
-the natural islander who's had enough of being alone
I have enjoyed most of the moments; living on this island has given me plenty of brand new insights and experiences. Learning Spanish, becoming an Advanced Open Water diver, and living in not so picturesque conditions; truly a time of stretching...seeing that waking up already coated in sweat, eating hot oatmeal, packing my brain with plenty of information...if I were an encyclopedia, eating peanut butter sandwiches (which I have NEVER cared for in the least!), and then having four to five hours of homework to look forward to before I crash and start the whole process over again does not make me too happy nor joyful...it's rather draining actually.
Weekends truly have a new meaning for me.
I have thanked God for knowing when I would become greatly discouraged. Having my friends come at this time is going to be perfect. I've told my mom twice already that if the Webers were not coming I'd give up....and I don't give up....that is in fact something for the weak at heart; I refuse to be categorized in such a group. About a week ago it hit me that I'm ready for home, I'm ready to walk in the horrid heat of summer but be welcomed by air conditioning when entering my home. I long for my own bed...it's not fun having my face kicked during the night even if the person those feet belong to is someone I love dearly...they need to stay on THEIR side! juuust my opinion ya see. :p God is faithful, He knows my limit however pathetic it is.
My dear teacher Diana is leaving me; I'm going to miss her so badly! (I have so much fun driving her crazy...) I write my sentences specifically to see her look at me with her eyebrows wrinkled the way they do when...well, when I've accomplished my goal. :):):) She has facebook which will allow us to keep in touch- in Spanish.
There are so many things I could choose to ramble on about. We might be going diving this Saturday to try and be with the Whale Shark, they spotted him two days ago so he's arrived!
Anywho, I have a time limit...
Wow, how annoying; some young adults (only because they've passed a certain age...not because of maturity...) just drove by our house screaming and laughing. ...weird...
That's another thing I miss. Respect. No one holds respect for anything or anyone. I dislike that greatly. I like order and authority; the recognition of it is important...and there is NO care or concern for it here. Alright, I'm going have recognition of my authority and not say anything more. Good night...
Stephanie
-the natural islander who's had enough of being alone
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Water Cay, School, Internet Trouble,Blessings~by Denise
HELLO!!!!!!! We're all so sorry it's been so long since we posted, but we've sure enjoyed today seeing all your lively comments - to us, and to each other! We love you guys!
Right now the entire island is without wireless, so we are paying an internet lodge for a connection on a landline for an hour. The girls and I are now all here around the computer reading all your comments!
Well, our day at the Cays, pronounced "keys", was so wonderful. Our 18 year old friend, Erin, came to pick us up at our house and walked us to the boat where her 13 year old brother, Devin, was waiting. Devin drove(if that's what you call it) the boat. He was good at it. It was a 30 minute ride across the Caribbean- the most beautiful hues of blue water I've ever seen! We could look down through the clear water and see coral below. We finally arrived at their home; their mom, Karen and youngest sister,Deandra, were waiting at the dock. They welcomed us inside then took us on a walking tour of the island, "Pidgeon Cay" which was connected by a yellow bridge to an even tinier island, " Diamond Cay". The islands reminded us of the Truman Show. Everything was pristine, quiet, orderly, small, and surrounded by water. Everyone knew everyone. Some lady even called out, "Erin, your friends finally came down! " with a strong Caribbean accent. 'Down' sounds more like "Dowwwnnn ". Sometimes we can't tell that people are speaking English. There's only one sidewalk down the center of the island that takes 5 minutes to walk roundtrip. There's about 4 churches, 4 stores, 3 restaurants,and many houses on each side with a view of the ocean where ever you look. That's the whole island! After eating a delicious meal : chicken rice, plantain bananas, and potato salad, we got back in the boat and went to Water Cay. Wow! I think we had the whole island to ourselves. First everyone got to eat sea grapes from the trees, then we swam in the clear water with white sands (more like finely crushed shells) . I can hardly describe it! I 'll just have to post pics of it. Beautiful and Peaceful! The daddy,Toby, came home from his day of fishing and he and Devin took us back home in the boat. The girls and I sang most of the way back. What a beautiful day with a lovely family!
School is going great. We've each taken turns getting overwhelmed. We're encouraged that 'we know more than we did when we came here', as so many of you have reminded us when we're discouraged. Thank you. We're surprised at ourselves when we walk away from a conversation and think, "Wow, all that was in spanish and we understood it all! " We've got a long way to go, but we're so glad we're learning! and so excited that the Weber family will be joining us here in only 10 days!!! yippeee!
The weather has been extra hot, and the natural winds were only for July. They've informed us that September is their hottest month of the year and has no wind. Miserable. Stephi has the hardest time with it, but it bothers us all. Whew!
The pastor of the church needs to postpone the VBS for one week. Praise the Lord! That will allow time, hopefully, for our Spanish supplies to arrive in the mail , thanks to Martha at CEF! We can hardly believe that we only have less than 6 weeks left here! We look forward to seeing all of you soon! Even you , Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed, if you can make it to Texas. David P, glad you're settled in college. How far away from the ocean are you? The Divers in our group may want to try out some Florida waters sometime. :-) David S. ....it's from the movie"Field of Dreams" -build it, they will come. Good one. Deanna, Rob, Jeffrey, Taylor- so good to hear from you! Gary, glad you got assigned 'blog duty'! It'll be good to hear from You and see how Aunt Hattie and Lennie are , too!
We'll hope to put pics on soon too! With lots of love from me and the girls! Denise
Right now the entire island is without wireless, so we are paying an internet lodge for a connection on a landline for an hour. The girls and I are now all here around the computer reading all your comments!
Well, our day at the Cays, pronounced "keys", was so wonderful. Our 18 year old friend, Erin, came to pick us up at our house and walked us to the boat where her 13 year old brother, Devin, was waiting. Devin drove(if that's what you call it) the boat. He was good at it. It was a 30 minute ride across the Caribbean- the most beautiful hues of blue water I've ever seen! We could look down through the clear water and see coral below. We finally arrived at their home; their mom, Karen and youngest sister,Deandra, were waiting at the dock. They welcomed us inside then took us on a walking tour of the island, "Pidgeon Cay" which was connected by a yellow bridge to an even tinier island, " Diamond Cay". The islands reminded us of the Truman Show. Everything was pristine, quiet, orderly, small, and surrounded by water. Everyone knew everyone. Some lady even called out, "Erin, your friends finally came down! " with a strong Caribbean accent. 'Down' sounds more like "Dowwwnnn ". Sometimes we can't tell that people are speaking English. There's only one sidewalk down the center of the island that takes 5 minutes to walk roundtrip. There's about 4 churches, 4 stores, 3 restaurants,and many houses on each side with a view of the ocean where ever you look. That's the whole island! After eating a delicious meal : chicken rice, plantain bananas, and potato salad, we got back in the boat and went to Water Cay. Wow! I think we had the whole island to ourselves. First everyone got to eat sea grapes from the trees, then we swam in the clear water with white sands (more like finely crushed shells) . I can hardly describe it! I 'll just have to post pics of it. Beautiful and Peaceful! The daddy,Toby, came home from his day of fishing and he and Devin took us back home in the boat. The girls and I sang most of the way back. What a beautiful day with a lovely family!
School is going great. We've each taken turns getting overwhelmed. We're encouraged that 'we know more than we did when we came here', as so many of you have reminded us when we're discouraged. Thank you. We're surprised at ourselves when we walk away from a conversation and think, "Wow, all that was in spanish and we understood it all! " We've got a long way to go, but we're so glad we're learning! and so excited that the Weber family will be joining us here in only 10 days!!! yippeee!
The weather has been extra hot, and the natural winds were only for July. They've informed us that September is their hottest month of the year and has no wind. Miserable. Stephi has the hardest time with it, but it bothers us all. Whew!
The pastor of the church needs to postpone the VBS for one week. Praise the Lord! That will allow time, hopefully, for our Spanish supplies to arrive in the mail , thanks to Martha at CEF! We can hardly believe that we only have less than 6 weeks left here! We look forward to seeing all of you soon! Even you , Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed, if you can make it to Texas. David P, glad you're settled in college. How far away from the ocean are you? The Divers in our group may want to try out some Florida waters sometime. :-) David S. ....it's from the movie"Field of Dreams" -build it, they will come. Good one. Deanna, Rob, Jeffrey, Taylor- so good to hear from you! Gary, glad you got assigned 'blog duty'! It'll be good to hear from You and see how Aunt Hattie and Lennie are , too!
We'll hope to put pics on soon too! With lots of love from me and the girls! Denise
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Are the days of gagging over? ~by Amanda
As you may have remembered from a post so long ago, Bonnie, Andi and I have had the hardest of times with the task of taking the dreaded MALARIA PILLS
Bonnie has a system down now, of crushing the small white inventions of torture and letting them soak in water before drinking them into her body. She claims the bitter taste runs and hides from her taste buds in doing so.
Andi, has on countless Mondays attempted to swallow malaria... pills, but I believe it ends in a pill crusher each time. Success was gained yesterday as she swallowed one pill.
For me, I believe these days of trauma are a thing of the past. For three Mondays now both pills have been swallowed. The first two weeks, gallons of water attempted to drown me in the process. But yesterday, a modest and refreshing amount of water ran through me, providing the two white pills a nice ride down my throat. My taste buds are not the only thing rejoicing as of now, but my entire face is as well. It did not enjoy the natural reaction of being disfigured each Monday evening. I was able to avoid the camera, and the hands manipulating it, as I went through such hard times, now the only pictures are those left in my mind.
It is so much easier now to protect myself against the diseases the many mosquitoes try to carry to me each minute.
Until Next Time...
.:~Amanda Robin~:.
Bonnie has a system down now, of crushing the small white inventions of torture and letting them soak in water before drinking them into her body. She claims the bitter taste runs and hides from her taste buds in doing so.
Andi, has on countless Mondays attempted to swallow malaria... pills, but I believe it ends in a pill crusher each time. Success was gained yesterday as she swallowed one pill.
For me, I believe these days of trauma are a thing of the past. For three Mondays now both pills have been swallowed. The first two weeks, gallons of water attempted to drown me in the process. But yesterday, a modest and refreshing amount of water ran through me, providing the two white pills a nice ride down my throat. My taste buds are not the only thing rejoicing as of now, but my entire face is as well. It did not enjoy the natural reaction of being disfigured each Monday evening. I was able to avoid the camera, and the hands manipulating it, as I went through such hard times, now the only pictures are those left in my mind.
It is so much easier now to protect myself against the diseases the many mosquitoes try to carry to me each minute.
Until Next Time...
.:~Amanda Robin~:.
Monday, August 11, 2008
nadie es perfecto, ~by Bonnie
I just wanted to post some of the sayings I always say in English - but in epanol.
okay, one i don't use much but it's "Taco madera"........ it means Jynx you owe me a coke. well when you say something at the same time as some one else that's what you sould say.( it really means something like touch the wood, kinda wierd but whatever.) next one is my FAVORITE! "Nadie es perfecto, yo soy nadie"..... you might be able to guess by the word"perfecto" but any way it's. Nobody's perfect, I'm nobody! well that's all for now.
~Con Espinas venir rosas~
*Bani kazlin Mils
Quien fuera esttrella para vivir en al cielo de sus ojos.
I would never say this to any body but it's sound really cool
"I wish I were a star so I could live in the hevens of your eyes"
okay, one i don't use much but it's "Taco madera"........ it means Jynx you owe me a coke. well when you say something at the same time as some one else that's what you sould say.( it really means something like touch the wood, kinda wierd but whatever.) next one is my FAVORITE! "Nadie es perfecto, yo soy nadie"..... you might be able to guess by the word"perfecto" but any way it's. Nobody's perfect, I'm nobody! well that's all for now.
~Con Espinas venir rosas~
*Bani kazlin Mils
Quien fuera esttrella para vivir en al cielo de sus ojos.
I would never say this to any body but it's sound really cool
"I wish I were a star so I could live in the hevens of your eyes"
Friday, August 8, 2008
My First Breath Under Water~through Andi's eyes~:D
Unlike all of my sisters I had NO fear of water.
I was ready to get in that water, not sit there and read about it.
All the reading we had to do was just boring, but when the final test came, I was glad I did read that book. Tatiana, our teacher, said that if we get a 100% on our score , she'll buy us ice cream! So the test began. Everyone was quiet. We each had 50 questions in our booklets.
I started at the end- the 50th question, at all the harder questions where we had to use our Recreational Dive Planner tables. I had trouble on some of the questions But when the test was over, with out telling us Tatiana, our teacher, hopped on her bike and peddled away . When she came back ,guess what she had... Ice cream!!!! But the sad thing is none of us got a 100% :-( my score was... A 98 I got ONE questions wrong!
Now that the exams were over, it's time for the fun part - for us to get in the water! I tried on a couple different wet suits. The first one was too small. The 2nd one was too big, but the 3rd one....you guessed it, it was just right! We sized our flippers and mask and got equipped with our tanks ,the BCD( buoyancy control device), our weight belt, and the most important part, our regulators. I'll skip all the boring stuff of waiting on the dock, getting into the boat....WAIT...I can't skip the getting into the boat part! Rewind! It was my FIRST time in my life I've ridden in a boat! It was awesome! We went kinda slow on the way there because only one engine worked on the way there. I didn't mind going slowly because I could look off the edge of the boat and see the coral and colorful fish through the clear water. When we stopped and put on our gear, it was time! I was going to take my first breath under water! Bonnie was the first one in with her mask, and tank in water she slipped right off the edge of the boat into the clear, beautiful water. Once we all got in , we started swimming to the shore of the empty beautiful beachside. We stopped there so that we'd have 2 feet of water over our heads while we knelt down and did our exercises before we went on our dive to 40 feet. During the exercises, a tiny 2" tall seahorse swam up to us. Tatiana said that was very unusual to see and her first time in 3,000 dives to see one come up to a person. I got to hold it in my hands!! Underwater everything looks 33% bigger, so it was even smaller- an infant! And I saw a jellyfish! It was so see-through! At 40 ffeet under I saw a seaturtle , colorful fish and corals, sea fans, Christmas tree worms that look like a christmas tree an inch tall that live on a coral, but they fold up into the coral if you snap at them, and even garden eels with 1/2 of their body in the sand, their top 1/2 of their body waves with the movement of the water. They look like tons of grass, but as Tatiana and I swam over them, they pulled in their heads and disappeared into the sand because they're so shy. Then I felt the tap on my shoulder and saw the "thumbs up" sign and that means "let's go up"!
The next dive we had the boat was super fast. We had 2 engines then. I felt like we were flying across the ocean! We did the same thing with exercises, then going down under. We landed in a small patch surrounded by coral and lots of Caribbean fish. This time our exercises were fun ones! We got to float up and down in the center of the water with only our breath. Tatiana called it the "buddah position". Another fun exercise we did was the teacher turned off my airtank and I kept breathing until I felt I couldn't breath anymore! I gave her the "out of air" sign and right away she turned the valve and I was breathing full breaths again! Then we went down 40 feet and today it was a little more murkey, but I saw something called a "donkey dung"....eewwww! I didn't name that one! It's a sea cucumber. It looks like a humongus (foot long) dark seagreen catapillar. I got to feel it! It felt slimy! I also saw angel fish, and ,you know, all the 'normal' caribbean fish. Oh, it was beautiful. Like my sister Stephanie said, "Shallow pool, thou satisfieth me no longer. "But mom says a shallow pool didn't satisfy me even when I was little. She said I was a fish.
So that was MY diving experience. It was the BEST experience EVER!
Until next time,
Andi
I was ready to get in that water, not sit there and read about it.
All the reading we had to do was just boring, but when the final test came, I was glad I did read that book. Tatiana, our teacher, said that if we get a 100% on our score , she'll buy us ice cream! So the test began. Everyone was quiet. We each had 50 questions in our booklets.
I started at the end- the 50th question, at all the harder questions where we had to use our Recreational Dive Planner tables. I had trouble on some of the questions But when the test was over, with out telling us Tatiana, our teacher, hopped on her bike and peddled away . When she came back ,guess what she had... Ice cream!!!! But the sad thing is none of us got a 100% :-( my score was... A 98 I got ONE questions wrong!
Now that the exams were over, it's time for the fun part - for us to get in the water! I tried on a couple different wet suits. The first one was too small. The 2nd one was too big, but the 3rd one....you guessed it, it was just right! We sized our flippers and mask and got equipped with our tanks ,the BCD( buoyancy control device), our weight belt, and the most important part, our regulators. I'll skip all the boring stuff of waiting on the dock, getting into the boat....WAIT...I can't skip the getting into the boat part! Rewind! It was my FIRST time in my life I've ridden in a boat! It was awesome! We went kinda slow on the way there because only one engine worked on the way there. I didn't mind going slowly because I could look off the edge of the boat and see the coral and colorful fish through the clear water. When we stopped and put on our gear, it was time! I was going to take my first breath under water! Bonnie was the first one in with her mask, and tank in water she slipped right off the edge of the boat into the clear, beautiful water. Once we all got in , we started swimming to the shore of the empty beautiful beachside. We stopped there so that we'd have 2 feet of water over our heads while we knelt down and did our exercises before we went on our dive to 40 feet. During the exercises, a tiny 2" tall seahorse swam up to us. Tatiana said that was very unusual to see and her first time in 3,000 dives to see one come up to a person. I got to hold it in my hands!! Underwater everything looks 33% bigger, so it was even smaller- an infant! And I saw a jellyfish! It was so see-through! At 40 ffeet under I saw a seaturtle , colorful fish and corals, sea fans, Christmas tree worms that look like a christmas tree an inch tall that live on a coral, but they fold up into the coral if you snap at them, and even garden eels with 1/2 of their body in the sand, their top 1/2 of their body waves with the movement of the water. They look like tons of grass, but as Tatiana and I swam over them, they pulled in their heads and disappeared into the sand because they're so shy. Then I felt the tap on my shoulder and saw the "thumbs up" sign and that means "let's go up"!
The next dive we had the boat was super fast. We had 2 engines then. I felt like we were flying across the ocean! We did the same thing with exercises, then going down under. We landed in a small patch surrounded by coral and lots of Caribbean fish. This time our exercises were fun ones! We got to float up and down in the center of the water with only our breath. Tatiana called it the "buddah position". Another fun exercise we did was the teacher turned off my airtank and I kept breathing until I felt I couldn't breath anymore! I gave her the "out of air" sign and right away she turned the valve and I was breathing full breaths again! Then we went down 40 feet and today it was a little more murkey, but I saw something called a "donkey dung"....eewwww! I didn't name that one! It's a sea cucumber. It looks like a humongus (foot long) dark seagreen catapillar. I got to feel it! It felt slimy! I also saw angel fish, and ,you know, all the 'normal' caribbean fish. Oh, it was beautiful. Like my sister Stephanie said, "Shallow pool, thou satisfieth me no longer. "But mom says a shallow pool didn't satisfy me even when I was little. She said I was a fish.
So that was MY diving experience. It was the BEST experience EVER!
Until next time,
Andi
Ending another Schoolweek - by Denise
Friday is here and we feel it! We're glad to have finished another week of progress in Spanish school. We're on lesson 11 of 18. We need lots of practice speaking now. This week we made homemade pizza twice! It was good. It'll be even better when we get Mozzarella cheese instead of Quesillo on it! We have only enough pepperoni for one more pizza, so we're conserving until a special day. Tonight we will eat fajitas! A lady from church gave us 3 big avocados grown in the 'bush'. We're going to make the flour tortillas and use chicken with a fajita seasoning packet (thanks Zachrys!) My mouth is watering already! We'll let you know how the tortillas turn out. I've heard they're more difficult than the corn which we're good at making now.
Yesterday was special. We have a friend, Erin, who we mentioned before that we met at the beach, who had a birthday this week. She came over and ate a wonderful pasta/tomato sauce/cheese dish with us (made by Amanda). Then we all had some birthday cake: strawberry with cream cheese frosting. (also made by Amanda) Our cake pan is double wide, so Amanda made the thin cake, frosted it, and rolled it up like a jelly roll , and we froze it. Everyone ate a cold sweet slice of the cake. Yum. Very refreshing in this heat.
Next week we're invited to go to Erin's home in the Cays. The Cays are 12 islands about 30 minute boat ride away from Utila. Erin stays in Utila with her Grandmother during the week for school, then rides the boat home for the weekend. She says about 300 people live on her island. We're looking forward to that experience with her family. Well, that's about it for right now. Very routine at the moment. After our homework is done, we might have to fit in a few hours of snorkeling since it's been over a week since we've gone to the beach!
Adios!
Yesterday was special. We have a friend, Erin, who we mentioned before that we met at the beach, who had a birthday this week. She came over and ate a wonderful pasta/tomato sauce/cheese dish with us (made by Amanda). Then we all had some birthday cake: strawberry with cream cheese frosting. (also made by Amanda) Our cake pan is double wide, so Amanda made the thin cake, frosted it, and rolled it up like a jelly roll , and we froze it. Everyone ate a cold sweet slice of the cake. Yum. Very refreshing in this heat.
Next week we're invited to go to Erin's home in the Cays. The Cays are 12 islands about 30 minute boat ride away from Utila. Erin stays in Utila with her Grandmother during the week for school, then rides the boat home for the weekend. She says about 300 people live on her island. We're looking forward to that experience with her family. Well, that's about it for right now. Very routine at the moment. After our homework is done, we might have to fit in a few hours of snorkeling since it's been over a week since we've gone to the beach!
Adios!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
??????
So, we got a comment from "friends" on Amanda's 16th Birthday post.... we think we know who it was.... but we would LOVE if we could know for sure. If it was you.... PLEASE let us know!!! :D
Thanks!
Thanks!
Finally I'm Posting! Warning-not for weak stomachs! by Denise
Well, here I am again. This time I hope to finish my post. This has been such an amazing experience with my girls, much more than I imagined it'd be. That first week, I was so thankful to have Erin Dietz here with us during all of our adjustments to a new culture and surroundings, and new school schedule right away. It felt strange, but wonderful, sitting in church where we didn't understand anything the pastor was saying.
So much has changed now! Utila is like a small town. Soon you get to know just about everyone! Pretty fun! It reminds me the small town life in Nebraska as a child, and in Justin, TX too, when Stephanie and Amanda were babies. The main street has shops and homes and booths with people selling food right on the edge of the street. Most shops and booths have doors open and are so tiny that you can say 'adios' every time you pass by. (they say 'adios' in passing here, not 'hi' like we do in the US) We feel 'at home' here with our new friends and routines. The good thing here is that you get to see your friends frequently since everyone is outside in the open. We'll REALLY miss that when we leave. The lady from the Post Office knows us too and told us on the street that our letters from Pompa (my dad) and Kristina had come, and the boxes from the Zachrys! Thanks for the mail and packages!! It was like Christmas!
The girls told you all about diving. I was hoping that if I had Stephanie sit in on all the classes that she'd want to try it. Yea! I am not fond of deep water, although I've enjoyed water skiing in the past. I was so excited to try my first dive! I made sure all of us took motion sickness pills. I have to take them on flights too. We had to wait on the boat while the captain tried to get the 2nd engine started. Up and down we rocked with the exhaust of an engine in the air....oh....'please get us in the water!,' I was thinking. We finally got in the water and had to be on our knees in about 5 feet of water to do practice drills. The currents were so strong that I rocked back and forth for 40 minutes. Needless to say, once we finally dove 40 feet I was so dizzy that I hardly noticed the beauty of the reef. It made me dizzy even to look to try to find my instructor who I was supposed to be following. Once we ascended and I reached the waving surface of the Caribbean, I could hear everyone talking about the wonderful things they saw, while I was throwing up. I felt wiped out for the whole next 24 hours. I DID like the ability to breathe underwater and what I did see of the reef was so colorful that it looked like Disney's Submarine ride.......manmade.........amazing that it's real and alive!
By our 2nd dive, I took medicine again, and hoped it'd be better. This dive was again to 40 feet. I had Tatiana as my partner this time. She's wonderful! A tiny(size 1),lively , pretty, not bilingual, but quin lingual(5 languages) , energetic, fun,kind, intelligent, lady who is owner of the dive shop and our personal instructor. Even though I was already dizzy, she led me by the hand, so I was able to look around at my surroundings while we swam, and I saw fish, sea fans(my favorite huge, lavender colored leaf-looking plants), and what amazed me most was looking forward into the ocean and seeing the water go on forever. I have to admit that I did picture what it'd look like for a shark to swim toward us through the dark waters ahead, then I just focused on where we were and on the fact that Tatiana has done this for 14 years and over 3,000 dives and is just fine! When we reached the bottom, and she had me stand there, the movement of the water made me feel so sick again. I found out that at 40 feet under the ocean, you can throw up with a regulator in your mouth! Actually, I did that 2 times under water that day, and once in the boat. Whew! Amanda heard me say that I will NEVER be doing this again! The dizziness stayed with me again for a day-kinda like feeling like you're still roller skating after taking off your skates(I'm dating myself). It was hard for me to decide if I should finish my certification with my last day of diving.Why? I'd never do that again on purpose! But it was under the water that was fun and fine, so I waited until the boat was ready to leave before I got on ( no exhaust and rocking) . When a boat is speeding through the water, I'm fine; it's the rocking that gets me! I stared at the beach (stationary landmarks) as we rode in the boat.Tatiana made sure we got me quickly into the water. That dive was my favorite!! I'm SO happy I didn't quit! When you're not sick and dizzy, underwater is so much fun! I was able to look all around at 60 feet under at a boat 'wreck',the corals, sea worms, cool fish of all colors and shapes- God is SO creative! My favorite part was when we dove to 40 feet under to a sandy patch and got to stick our fins into the sand and we all did forward and backward flips. It felt so free and looked so neat underwater to watch Stephanie and Amanda do their tricks too. There was a bicycle down there. Next time we go down, I'm going to ride it- or try to! The girls rejoiced with me that I finally had a dive that I didn't get sick on! Woo-hoo! Andi and Bonnie were waiting for us on the dock when we returned. I hurried out of the boat - but once I hit the dock.......you guessed it.........I didn't want to get sick in front of everyone, so I ran to find a restroom and threw up again! Oh well! We have 2 more "fun dives" that we can use later. I'll probably save my "fun dives" for when the Weber family comes here in September. I told the girls, " I've had enough 'fun dives' for now" Ha. Honestly, it really was worth it all!
On a ministry note, Tatiana said that she'd been talking about us to the lady at the Methodist church and she wants to introduce us because the lady might want us to do a Bible Club for kids or youth. No details yet. Sunjam is going on here, and Tatiana is in charge of that too. She'll introduce us when Sunjam is over - about Aug 12 or so. The girls told you about our other instructor, Leon. It's so exciting that he seems interested in knowing the gospel -seems like for the first time! He, Tatiana, and a few others want us to offer a class on sign language. I've asked them to introduce us to deaf people here. There's only a few- the main one lives in the Cays(keys), little islands nearby. I hope we get to do that. We do have a VBS scheduled for the last week of August at the Baptist Church. I'd asked the Pastor's wife if she could pray about being available to teach a new believers class to disciple the women who will want to learn more, and Jose to pray about the same, but for men. Pastor Julio said last night that all that is in place and ready now for new converts, so now we just wait for the harvest. Pray for God to draw in the ones he's calling and for God to use us in it where He want us.
Our landlord has lowered the rent for August and September so it fits into the budget! We'll know the balance of our budget better once we get home and see what other monies I've saved on other bills. Thank you to you who have donated to this ministry and trip!! We notice every bit and really appreciate it! We're amazed that we're here!
It is SO encouraging when we get on the blog and see comments from you! It really makes us feel we're not at all alone in this, and that you're a part, sharing this experience with us. We feel closer to each of you, too. It's cute how all of you are getting to know my Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed very well! You're amazing Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed! Thanks for all your daily loving encouragement on the blog! :-)
We've learned how to make some good food here. We look forward to trying the new recipes out on all of you when we get home!
With love,
Denise
So much has changed now! Utila is like a small town. Soon you get to know just about everyone! Pretty fun! It reminds me the small town life in Nebraska as a child, and in Justin, TX too, when Stephanie and Amanda were babies. The main street has shops and homes and booths with people selling food right on the edge of the street. Most shops and booths have doors open and are so tiny that you can say 'adios' every time you pass by. (they say 'adios' in passing here, not 'hi' like we do in the US) We feel 'at home' here with our new friends and routines. The good thing here is that you get to see your friends frequently since everyone is outside in the open. We'll REALLY miss that when we leave. The lady from the Post Office knows us too and told us on the street that our letters from Pompa (my dad) and Kristina had come, and the boxes from the Zachrys! Thanks for the mail and packages!! It was like Christmas!
The girls told you all about diving. I was hoping that if I had Stephanie sit in on all the classes that she'd want to try it. Yea! I am not fond of deep water, although I've enjoyed water skiing in the past. I was so excited to try my first dive! I made sure all of us took motion sickness pills. I have to take them on flights too. We had to wait on the boat while the captain tried to get the 2nd engine started. Up and down we rocked with the exhaust of an engine in the air....oh....'please get us in the water!,' I was thinking. We finally got in the water and had to be on our knees in about 5 feet of water to do practice drills. The currents were so strong that I rocked back and forth for 40 minutes. Needless to say, once we finally dove 40 feet I was so dizzy that I hardly noticed the beauty of the reef. It made me dizzy even to look to try to find my instructor who I was supposed to be following. Once we ascended and I reached the waving surface of the Caribbean, I could hear everyone talking about the wonderful things they saw, while I was throwing up. I felt wiped out for the whole next 24 hours. I DID like the ability to breathe underwater and what I did see of the reef was so colorful that it looked like Disney's Submarine ride.......manmade.........amazing that it's real and alive!
By our 2nd dive, I took medicine again, and hoped it'd be better. This dive was again to 40 feet. I had Tatiana as my partner this time. She's wonderful! A tiny(size 1),lively , pretty, not bilingual, but quin lingual(5 languages) , energetic, fun,kind, intelligent, lady who is owner of the dive shop and our personal instructor. Even though I was already dizzy, she led me by the hand, so I was able to look around at my surroundings while we swam, and I saw fish, sea fans(my favorite huge, lavender colored leaf-looking plants), and what amazed me most was looking forward into the ocean and seeing the water go on forever. I have to admit that I did picture what it'd look like for a shark to swim toward us through the dark waters ahead, then I just focused on where we were and on the fact that Tatiana has done this for 14 years and over 3,000 dives and is just fine! When we reached the bottom, and she had me stand there, the movement of the water made me feel so sick again. I found out that at 40 feet under the ocean, you can throw up with a regulator in your mouth! Actually, I did that 2 times under water that day, and once in the boat. Whew! Amanda heard me say that I will NEVER be doing this again! The dizziness stayed with me again for a day-kinda like feeling like you're still roller skating after taking off your skates(I'm dating myself). It was hard for me to decide if I should finish my certification with my last day of diving.Why? I'd never do that again on purpose! But it was under the water that was fun and fine, so I waited until the boat was ready to leave before I got on ( no exhaust and rocking) . When a boat is speeding through the water, I'm fine; it's the rocking that gets me! I stared at the beach (stationary landmarks) as we rode in the boat.Tatiana made sure we got me quickly into the water. That dive was my favorite!! I'm SO happy I didn't quit! When you're not sick and dizzy, underwater is so much fun! I was able to look all around at 60 feet under at a boat 'wreck',the corals, sea worms, cool fish of all colors and shapes- God is SO creative! My favorite part was when we dove to 40 feet under to a sandy patch and got to stick our fins into the sand and we all did forward and backward flips. It felt so free and looked so neat underwater to watch Stephanie and Amanda do their tricks too. There was a bicycle down there. Next time we go down, I'm going to ride it- or try to! The girls rejoiced with me that I finally had a dive that I didn't get sick on! Woo-hoo! Andi and Bonnie were waiting for us on the dock when we returned. I hurried out of the boat - but once I hit the dock.......you guessed it.........I didn't want to get sick in front of everyone, so I ran to find a restroom and threw up again! Oh well! We have 2 more "fun dives" that we can use later. I'll probably save my "fun dives" for when the Weber family comes here in September. I told the girls, " I've had enough 'fun dives' for now" Ha. Honestly, it really was worth it all!
On a ministry note, Tatiana said that she'd been talking about us to the lady at the Methodist church and she wants to introduce us because the lady might want us to do a Bible Club for kids or youth. No details yet. Sunjam is going on here, and Tatiana is in charge of that too. She'll introduce us when Sunjam is over - about Aug 12 or so. The girls told you about our other instructor, Leon. It's so exciting that he seems interested in knowing the gospel -seems like for the first time! He, Tatiana, and a few others want us to offer a class on sign language. I've asked them to introduce us to deaf people here. There's only a few- the main one lives in the Cays(keys), little islands nearby. I hope we get to do that. We do have a VBS scheduled for the last week of August at the Baptist Church. I'd asked the Pastor's wife if she could pray about being available to teach a new believers class to disciple the women who will want to learn more, and Jose to pray about the same, but for men. Pastor Julio said last night that all that is in place and ready now for new converts, so now we just wait for the harvest. Pray for God to draw in the ones he's calling and for God to use us in it where He want us.
Our landlord has lowered the rent for August and September so it fits into the budget! We'll know the balance of our budget better once we get home and see what other monies I've saved on other bills. Thank you to you who have donated to this ministry and trip!! We notice every bit and really appreciate it! We're amazed that we're here!
It is SO encouraging when we get on the blog and see comments from you! It really makes us feel we're not at all alone in this, and that you're a part, sharing this experience with us. We feel closer to each of you, too. It's cute how all of you are getting to know my Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed very well! You're amazing Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed! Thanks for all your daily loving encouragement on the blog! :-)
We've learned how to make some good food here. We look forward to trying the new recipes out on all of you when we get home!
With love,
Denise
Monday, August 4, 2008
¿Porqué nosotros aqui? Why are we here? ~By Amanda
I definitely believe that I am God's workmanship created in Christ to do the works that he prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10)
In Utila my days are filled with joy, excitement, new experiences, fun, and learning, tons of new knowledge is finding it's place in my mind. We are in contact with so many people every moment of the day. Some who have lived here their whole life, some who came for a week.... three years ago, and others who are just passing through. Conversation usually starts with, "English?" then goes onto, "Where are you from.... What brought you to Utila.... What other travels have you gone on?" The people here are just amazing! Most of them haven't been to their real "home" in years. They only country jump. I love it! Each person has a reason for being where they are, whether it's, "I've been all over Central America but never Utila..." or, "A friends mentioned it so I came..." the reasons are countless. When I've been asked the question, "Why are you here?" my answer has been, "I'm learning Spanish." Which in all reality is the total truth. My family packed up and left to Utila, a place we knew nothing about for three months, to learn Spanish. In fact even one week before we were on the plane, we were still asking, "Are we going to do this or not?" But although it's truth... there's more. Why are we learning Spanish? Why this Island?
Yes, two years of a foreign language is a high school requirement. But as a servant to the Most High King, I know that God equips us with things He has a purpose for. But not only will he use our Spanish once we get home again, there is a reason that we are on this Island, seeing the same people, interacting, making friends. There is a reason we have the Zalaya's as landlords, Alma and Diana as Spanish teachers, Tatiana as a Dive Instructor, and those assistants on the boat(Zack, Leon, and Danielle)
As you all know, we came prepared with our Child Evangelism Fellowship Curriculum and the Jesus Film for whatever opportunity God opened, and will open. So far, we have a five-day club set for in the evenings at the end of this month. As far as the Jesus Film goes, we've still been praying about when, and where. Mom found out that for $25 we could play it all day in the theater here, just advertise a free movie. Pastor didn't think anyone would come... but even one life... one soul... We'll see what God leads us to do. But for now, we see even our very lives, living day to day, have been a light- a witness. Everyone at the dive shop has noticed we were different than they were, it's somewhat cute to watch them relate to us. One man, Leon, has lived in Utila his entire life. He speaks español y English. He noticed the bracelet that I was wearing. The one with the gospel colors creating it's rubber band. He said it was cool. I told him that he could get one if he was able to tell the story that went with it. ''A story? There's a story that goes to that bracelet?" I began to tell the story, but not knowing how interested he was in hearing it, I was giving a shortened version.... thankfully Andi wouldn't settle for leaving John 3:16 out of this important story, so she took over. She asked him what sin was, to which he replied, "You're asking me? I don't know... maybe smoking and drinking, because it's bad for your body. God wouldn't like that, right?" Later when she got to Jesus, he was asked, " Who is Jesus?" again he said, "You're asking me.... umm.... " he looked down, and gave a little laugh, "uh, you kind of caught me off guard here, how 'bout you tell me." Once we were done telling him all the parts of the bracelet, he seemed to be thinking... he thanked Andi for the story, then said that his mom was a big church go-er, still is... so he's gone some, and he prays sometimes.... He said though that he believes there are four elements to life; Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, and Mental(intelligence) He said often times people focus too much time on one or the other. A strong man could be totally clueless to spiritual things, and one who was intelligent could be highly emotionally unstable ect. He said he felt as if he were able to find a balance to them all, he would truly find God. He kept talking, so we listened. Later Mom was able to tell him that in the Bible, Jesus grew in all the areas he was talking about. (Luke 2:52) It was a profitable conversation. I told him about Solomon, who was searching for the meaning in life. "The book of Ecclesiastes, in the Bible, is all about his journey finding the purpose of existence." We explained that he found the study of books to have no end, and that everything he sought was meaningless... "At the very end, he finally tells you what the purpose and meaning of life is. I'm not going to tell you though, because I would like you to read it. All of it. It's very good!" He seemed disappointed at that, but conversation carried on. We later remembered that he probably doesn't have a Bible. The next time we saw him, the time wasn't right. So we carried on normal casual conversation. But whenever God opens the opportunity again, we have Ecclesiastes marked in a Bible we'll let him borrow.
Prayer Reminders:
Tatiana & her husband Alfred
Leon
Josè - No fear, but strength to follow the passion in his heart to serve God in English and español.
My family - As God begins to work more in us, Satan will do his best to ruin our witness
I can't remember her name right now, but God does, she's a lady who has gone through a lot these past two years, and needs certain things financially. I think Mom will tell you more about her later.
Thank you!
DIVING!
our last dive, was by far my favorite! Mom didn't get sea sick, and it was to sixty feet. Because of the depth Bonnie and Andi were not able to come. But we saw so many cute fish, squids, and beautiful coral.... but my favorite part.... we went to a dive site called something moon... maybe moon walk, I can't remember for sure, but it's name came from the fact that it is one giant circular sand patch surrounded by the coral wall. there we did fun exercises like weightlessly floating, taking off our mask, reg, bcd ect. But, we also took our fins off, stuck them in the sand, and did flips! Front flips... back flips... it was SO much fun! Because we are in training we aren't able to take pictures, but now that it's over, we can rent a camera, pay for fun dives, and go back. That spot is only 40' so Bonnie and Andi can come too! I know, my story of diving isn't very detailed.... my main focus for this post was our mission. But I will tell you about the very first 'dive', we were under water doing exercises, I felt like it was difficult to breath, and the whole time I just wanted "real air" when we surfaced, we all checked our gages to see how much air we had used. Before the dive I had a little over 3,000 psi.... I was hearing everyone say, "I now have 1,500.... 2,000...." I just kind of laughed and said.... "umm" They looked and were like, "wow, you just held your breath for 40 min." .... so I explained it was difficult, and they switched me to my alternate reg.... but it's definitely a story to remember. :D
Anyway.... That's all I can say for now. I do love Spanish!
'Till the Sunrise,
Servant to the King,
Amanda
In Utila my days are filled with joy, excitement, new experiences, fun, and learning, tons of new knowledge is finding it's place in my mind. We are in contact with so many people every moment of the day. Some who have lived here their whole life, some who came for a week.... three years ago, and others who are just passing through. Conversation usually starts with, "English?" then goes onto, "Where are you from.... What brought you to Utila.... What other travels have you gone on?" The people here are just amazing! Most of them haven't been to their real "home" in years. They only country jump. I love it! Each person has a reason for being where they are, whether it's, "I've been all over Central America but never Utila..." or, "A friends mentioned it so I came..." the reasons are countless. When I've been asked the question, "Why are you here?" my answer has been, "I'm learning Spanish." Which in all reality is the total truth. My family packed up and left to Utila, a place we knew nothing about for three months, to learn Spanish. In fact even one week before we were on the plane, we were still asking, "Are we going to do this or not?" But although it's truth... there's more. Why are we learning Spanish? Why this Island?
Yes, two years of a foreign language is a high school requirement. But as a servant to the Most High King, I know that God equips us with things He has a purpose for. But not only will he use our Spanish once we get home again, there is a reason that we are on this Island, seeing the same people, interacting, making friends. There is a reason we have the Zalaya's as landlords, Alma and Diana as Spanish teachers, Tatiana as a Dive Instructor, and those assistants on the boat(Zack, Leon, and Danielle)
As you all know, we came prepared with our Child Evangelism Fellowship Curriculum and the Jesus Film for whatever opportunity God opened, and will open. So far, we have a five-day club set for in the evenings at the end of this month. As far as the Jesus Film goes, we've still been praying about when, and where. Mom found out that for $25 we could play it all day in the theater here, just advertise a free movie. Pastor didn't think anyone would come... but even one life... one soul... We'll see what God leads us to do. But for now, we see even our very lives, living day to day, have been a light- a witness. Everyone at the dive shop has noticed we were different than they were, it's somewhat cute to watch them relate to us. One man, Leon, has lived in Utila his entire life. He speaks español y English. He noticed the bracelet that I was wearing. The one with the gospel colors creating it's rubber band. He said it was cool. I told him that he could get one if he was able to tell the story that went with it. ''A story? There's a story that goes to that bracelet?" I began to tell the story, but not knowing how interested he was in hearing it, I was giving a shortened version.... thankfully Andi wouldn't settle for leaving John 3:16 out of this important story, so she took over. She asked him what sin was, to which he replied, "You're asking me? I don't know... maybe smoking and drinking, because it's bad for your body. God wouldn't like that, right?" Later when she got to Jesus, he was asked, " Who is Jesus?" again he said, "You're asking me.... umm.... " he looked down, and gave a little laugh, "uh, you kind of caught me off guard here, how 'bout you tell me." Once we were done telling him all the parts of the bracelet, he seemed to be thinking... he thanked Andi for the story, then said that his mom was a big church go-er, still is... so he's gone some, and he prays sometimes.... He said though that he believes there are four elements to life; Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, and Mental(intelligence) He said often times people focus too much time on one or the other. A strong man could be totally clueless to spiritual things, and one who was intelligent could be highly emotionally unstable ect. He said he felt as if he were able to find a balance to them all, he would truly find God. He kept talking, so we listened. Later Mom was able to tell him that in the Bible, Jesus grew in all the areas he was talking about. (Luke 2:52) It was a profitable conversation. I told him about Solomon, who was searching for the meaning in life. "The book of Ecclesiastes, in the Bible, is all about his journey finding the purpose of existence." We explained that he found the study of books to have no end, and that everything he sought was meaningless... "At the very end, he finally tells you what the purpose and meaning of life is. I'm not going to tell you though, because I would like you to read it. All of it. It's very good!" He seemed disappointed at that, but conversation carried on. We later remembered that he probably doesn't have a Bible. The next time we saw him, the time wasn't right. So we carried on normal casual conversation. But whenever God opens the opportunity again, we have Ecclesiastes marked in a Bible we'll let him borrow.
Prayer Reminders:
Tatiana & her husband Alfred
Leon
Josè - No fear, but strength to follow the passion in his heart to serve God in English and español.
My family - As God begins to work more in us, Satan will do his best to ruin our witness
I can't remember her name right now, but God does, she's a lady who has gone through a lot these past two years, and needs certain things financially. I think Mom will tell you more about her later.
Thank you!
DIVING!
our last dive, was by far my favorite! Mom didn't get sea sick, and it was to sixty feet. Because of the depth Bonnie and Andi were not able to come. But we saw so many cute fish, squids, and beautiful coral.... but my favorite part.... we went to a dive site called something moon... maybe moon walk, I can't remember for sure, but it's name came from the fact that it is one giant circular sand patch surrounded by the coral wall. there we did fun exercises like weightlessly floating, taking off our mask, reg, bcd ect. But, we also took our fins off, stuck them in the sand, and did flips! Front flips... back flips... it was SO much fun! Because we are in training we aren't able to take pictures, but now that it's over, we can rent a camera, pay for fun dives, and go back. That spot is only 40' so Bonnie and Andi can come too! I know, my story of diving isn't very detailed.... my main focus for this post was our mission. But I will tell you about the very first 'dive', we were under water doing exercises, I felt like it was difficult to breath, and the whole time I just wanted "real air" when we surfaced, we all checked our gages to see how much air we had used. Before the dive I had a little over 3,000 psi.... I was hearing everyone say, "I now have 1,500.... 2,000...." I just kind of laughed and said.... "umm" They looked and were like, "wow, you just held your breath for 40 min." .... so I explained it was difficult, and they switched me to my alternate reg.... but it's definitely a story to remember. :D
Anyway.... That's all I can say for now. I do love Spanish!
'Till the Sunrise,
Servant to the King,
Amanda
Sunday, August 3, 2008
scuba,scuba,scuby-duby-duba here i go scuba, come on! ~by bonnie~
Before I tell you all about my dives I have to say something, WOW!!! I adore diving! but I'm so disappointed that I'm not fifteen yet, because I have to be a Jr. diver. That means I can only go down to forty feet and not sixty. What a disappointment.
Okay, Tuesday morning seven a.m. we are all on the dock of Parrots Dive Shop, waiting, and we waited there for a few hours until the Capt. John had the engine running..............wait a moment, this is a motor boat. I've never been in one of these. All I the boats I've ever been in are, a row b., paddle b., and a canoe. So this was a my First time on a motor boat! It was GREAT!!! I love them! I was so made for water! At around ten we did our ten min. swim or float. Then we got back in the boat and put on our mask, snorkel, and fins. Tatiana (witch means fairy queen) said okay who was number one? Well that was me, she said all right, put you weight belt on and jump in. Won't I sink since I have my weight belt on. Yes, you will, that's why when you jump in you will kick up and then straddle the BCD and you will float; so jump in. I was the first one to jump in with my weight belt on! Once we were all in the water we swam to shallower water (since we were in like twenty feet of water) put our BCD on and did forty min. of confined water session. It was really cool about half way through class a little reddish seahorse less than a inch tall came swimming right among us! After our session was over we went on another dive to forty feet, the stuff that I did see was just beautifull and breath taking. but......... I had this little problem, my mask just didn't like to keep the water out, it seemed to really like to be full of water at all times. So during my first dive I became an expert at mask clearing!
My second dive was much more pleasant. My mask love to be dry and keep the water out, if some water got in, it would let me clear it happily. We didn't see as many fish because it was dustier, the sand was kinda stirred up at the bottom. I love dive and I want to go on to be a Jr.adv. diver. This is even a course you could take in college! well that's all for now folks!
~Con Espinas viene Rosas~
*Bonnie
P.S.
I wanted to be able to see the wreak sights and dive inside them but they are to deep for my certification.
Okay, Tuesday morning seven a.m. we are all on the dock of Parrots Dive Shop, waiting, and we waited there for a few hours until the Capt. John had the engine running..............wait a moment, this is a motor boat. I've never been in one of these. All I the boats I've ever been in are, a row b., paddle b., and a canoe. So this was a my First time on a motor boat! It was GREAT!!! I love them! I was so made for water! At around ten we did our ten min. swim or float. Then we got back in the boat and put on our mask, snorkel, and fins. Tatiana (witch means fairy queen) said okay who was number one? Well that was me, she said all right, put you weight belt on and jump in. Won't I sink since I have my weight belt on. Yes, you will, that's why when you jump in you will kick up and then straddle the BCD and you will float; so jump in. I was the first one to jump in with my weight belt on! Once we were all in the water we swam to shallower water (since we were in like twenty feet of water) put our BCD on and did forty min. of confined water session. It was really cool about half way through class a little reddish seahorse less than a inch tall came swimming right among us! After our session was over we went on another dive to forty feet, the stuff that I did see was just beautifull and breath taking. but......... I had this little problem, my mask just didn't like to keep the water out, it seemed to really like to be full of water at all times. So during my first dive I became an expert at mask clearing!
My second dive was much more pleasant. My mask love to be dry and keep the water out, if some water got in, it would let me clear it happily. We didn't see as many fish because it was dustier, the sand was kinda stirred up at the bottom. I love dive and I want to go on to be a Jr.adv. diver. This is even a course you could take in college! well that's all for now folks!
~Con Espinas viene Rosas~
*Bonnie
P.S.
I wanted to be able to see the wreak sights and dive inside them but they are to deep for my certification.
Friday, August 1, 2008
I"M TOTALLY AMAZED! by Denise
I just realized the last time I blogged was "our first Sunday " here in Utila! It's time for MOM to post again! ..........There's so many exciting things happening that God is orchestrating by himself! ...........but I'm too tired now and am the last one to get the shower........so I'll tell all the exciting things later! Bye for now!
Denise
Denise
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