I love you

I forgot to write about something important.

Today I was at the swimming program.  I have told a few people that I really enjoy getting to know the kids on a different level than I am able to at the Breakfast Program.  I have free time to focus just on them, and I think it helps that we are doing something I love and am good at - swimming.  I can teach them and give them a ton of positive feedback.  They are learning so quickly!

They spend all morning calling my name, asking me to watch the new thing they can do.  It has been a great bonding opportunity.  Today I was talking to two of the older girls at the pool when suddenly one of them threw her arms around my neck and said, "I love you!"

I replied, "I love you too!"

She said, "I hope you never leave Honduras."

I just kept hugging her.

This is a photo of us from a few months ago:

Lolita and me

Preparing for Christmas

Angie, overcoming her fears and taking a leap

This foto of Alejandra makes me laugh

Ingris.  The fish of the group.

The older kids - Fabiola, Gloria, Ingris, Olga, Kenia, Lolita, Erik, Yarely, Saul

Cristian and his sweet smile

Cristofer is learning a new way of life
as well as how to swim 

YESSSSS!

Normally the last to get in,
look who was the last to leave the pool today!

I am still LOVING swimming lessons.  My alarm woke me up for the first time this morning.  For five weeks I have woken up by myself before 6 a.m.!  Some of you know how amazing that is.  But my alarm had to work hard to get me awake today.

Part of the reason is that I have to nebeulize my cat every 8 hours.  So at 1 a.m. I was up with Jetty and that nebeulizer.  Thank God she is an easy going cat.  She mostly lies there and lets me cover her face with the pediatric mask.  It is quite a sight.

Another reason I was tired is that for some reason it took until today for me to recover from my VACATION!!!!  I went to the North Coast (Caribbean) with 11 friends for a four day weekend.  We went to the city of Tela and rented a bungalow close to the shore.  It was the first time I have ever seen the ocean in Honduras, so I was thrilled out of my mind.  Plus it was great to spend time with friends, and make some new friends too.

I don't have any pictures because I am still without a camera.  BUT...  my brother called me today to say he found the one I have been searching for at a really good price!  So I told him to go ahead and order it.  It was painful to travel to the coast and not be able to take any pictures.  I know some of you said you would like to contribute to a new camera.  Thank you!  Here is the link:

www.WorldOutreach.org/donations

Just click on my name - (Fager, Mary Lynn)

Today we cleaned the church for a Christmas party tomorrow.  The preschool class was chosen to put up the Christmas tree.

Jose and Samuel said they were mechanics

Beautiful Milagro

Proud of our tree!

Overall, things are going really well.  Getting to the pool, exercising in the gym, and a little travel has been really good for me.  I am grateful for the opportunity to do all of these fun things!  Looks like I won't make it home for Christmas this year between the sick cat and the cost of the flight, but my family is understanding and I will be able to experience my first Honduran Christmas.

Tomorrow is our Christmas party for the kids at the Breakfast Program.  The swimming coaches are invited to, so the kids are extra excited!  Marlin was hard at work in the kitchen today to prepare a special meal and the church is looking spiffy, as you can tell.  It is strange to be at the pool everyday and swimming in the ocean.  I think this will be my first Christmas without snow.  It's pretty strange.  But the kids' excitement helps get me into the spirit.