I've been too busy to write! Working Monday through Saturday, with longs days on Sunday too. I haven't known what day it is for about a week and I'm wondering how long I could keep up this pace, but for now I'm still loving every minute!
We are trying to get everything done before the end of this week. We thought we would be on vacation from Friday until the middle of January. But today we got word that our boss can no longer dictate how vacation long Christmas vacation lasts. We have a human resources guy who is in charge of vacation time now. Our organization is growing in leaps and bounds.
Last year my boss and I were the only ones who went back to work after New Year's Day. My boss saw the office was empty, so she sent the rest of my coworkers home to rest for an extra week. I had the whole month of December off, since I had gone to the US, so I didn't mind the extra one on one time with my boss. It was a great opportunity for her to get to know me better.
I thought maybe it would be the same this year, but since she is no longer in charge of our hours, we will be back to work on the second of January. I was thinking it could get boring to have a month off. I don't mind it only being two weeks.
For a while now, my coworkers have been describing me as a person who laughs a lot and is happy. I never thought of myself that way, so it's been strange to hear. Yesterday we had a retreat for all of the volunteers. Looking over the photos, I realize I was smiling more than anyone else and really enjoying myself. I think it's true! I'm happy and I laugh a lot.
Here's the what I saw:
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| Teamwork with the leader of my new community |
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| She's supposed to be piggy back on me. Ooops! |
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| Singing Christmas songs with choreography |
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A certificate of recognition from my boss's assistant and my boss
When they presented it, they said the nicest stuff ever! |
Sunday Ana and her family came to church with me. Afterward we decided to have a spontaneous trip to Valle de Angeles. It was a fun day. Samuel is already asking if we can do it again next week.
Saturday I spent the day with the families we serve in Los Pinos. Erika wasn't there, but the rest of her family was. Ana and her family were there. It is so cool that the organization where I serve is reaching out to people I've loved for so long! Even though I am not the actual person serving them, I am thrilled to see them receiving the help and support they need through our clubs, the Strong Family program, the psychologists, lawyers and vocational classes we are offering.
I was surprised how many parents remember me. I have to admit, I didn't remember all of them. They are grateful for the programs too.
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| Junior and Lorenzo learning about what makes them special |
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Samuel has taken to slicking back his hair
to be like the psychologist who serves with me |
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| Learning effective communication in a follow up class for those who already graduated from Familias Fuertes |
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| Familias Fuertes gives women a moment to laugh and bond |
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| Tania and her mom |
Tania's mother (above) and Lorenzo and Erika's mother (below) have never been part of community activities before. Now they are graduates of the Strong Families Program and are about to start their second year of beauty school through Impacto Juvenil. Tania and Lorenzo are both official members of the program. Junior is allowed to tag along.
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| Mom with Junior and Lorenzo |
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| Learning to express love verbally |
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Learning to express love physically - getting used to giving and receiving hugs
(Yes, there are fathers in our Strong Families program, too!) |
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| Lorenzo and his Mom ♥ |
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In Honduras many people say "Whiskey" instead of cheese.
Some parents were on their best behavior
and did not approve of Tania saying whiskey in this instance.
That didn't slow her down. Go Tania! |
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| My boss's assistant with Ana and her family. Everyone got a "canasta" of basic supplies. |
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| Graduates of Familias Fuertes wrapping up the year together |
After the Strong Families Program the kids had an art exhibit.
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| A lot of parents attended but I seem to have erased the photos |
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| EYES |
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Don Juan now has chickens!
But they are not laying eggs because
the rooster is a jerk, he says. |
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| Don Juan's gardens have secret paths now! |
