Lourdes is walking a lot better, thank God. The teachers refused to teach today, so schools were closed. That means we only had one group of kids. The preschool class was really small, which was nice because we practiced using scissors and they needed a lot of individual attention. Three of the kids are new this week, two siblings and a cousin. It is exciting to have new kids at the Breakfast Program. Especially when they return consistently and then bring a cousin! They seem to be really nice kids, well behaved and smart. I told them I hope they will come back next week and they all said they will. Hope so!
Today was special for another reason too. I told Lourdes that we have to mark it on a calendar. Today was the first day that Violet came to class and did not cry. Usually she screams at the top of her lungs the whole time. Today she was perfect. I have no idea why, but she said she will be good on Monday too. We'll see.
Later this afternoon I learned that it is The International Day of Peace. In the class I had talked with Violet and some of the other students about how peaceful and calm our class was today. Later I joked with Lourdes and Violet's mother that Violet was calm for class in recognition of The International Day of Peace. It sure is nice when she is not screaming.
Joss came to the church after swimming in an olympic length pool today. She said she would love me to come with her. It is $20/month, so I hope that once I get a car Lourdes, Joss and I can all get memberships and swim. Lourdes is supposed to swim for her fibromyalgia and I am dying for a safe place to exercise. This seems perfect. I'm hoping it will work out for all of us.
Jairo invited me to attend Ethel's birthday party. Ethel is the head of all the Elders at the church. Jairo said it was only going to be Ethel's family and the other elders. It ended up to be close to 50 people, but it was nice. I got to dress up for the first time since I got here, which was fun.
I also got to speak to Hermida, who may be my future landlord. She and her husband are building what the people here call and "apartment" on their property. It is really a full separate house, but intended for rental purposes. They will rent it now, then live there when their kids have grown up and move out. They are putting in lots of details, but need some time and money to complete it. I will go check it out on Monday. I keep hearing great things about the home. It has a balcony off the bedroom with an incredible view and a spiral staircase! Plus hot water. Hot water has it's pro's and con's. I'll have a much higher electric bill, but I'll also have hot water to wash dishes (which I really don't care about any more since I've never been sick washing with cold) and adjustable hot water in the shower instead of a heater attached to the shower head which puts out really hot water when the shower pressure is low, and luke warm water when the water pressure is high. Water pressure changes all of the time here, depending on the weather, literally, and whether the city turns on the water. If it were my choice, I would skip the hot water to save money and put a heater on the shower head. But they are thinking about the house as a place where they will want to live.
I also learned that I will have to pay more for rent. I wasn't surprised. I'm not sure how much it will be, but the area itself and the nice house are both reasons for higher rent. Hermida told me that we both need to pray about this. I told her I will. As soon as I got home I received a message that a friend would like to have information about how to make a financial donation! I took this as a sign that I am on the right path, even if it is a more expensive one. Moving to this house has felt right since Jairo first mentioned it. I am excited, despite feeling financially pressed.
I can't believe it is Friday already. At dinner tonight I was talking to Walter's girlfriend, Reyna, and Joss about how time flies by so quickly for me here. It seems like it should be Wednesday, not Friday. I like weekdays for the first time in my life. Weekends are good too, but not as good as being at the Breakfast Program. I am looking forward to Monday already!
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