Full

As I wrote recently, I spent the past week or so feeling a little homesick, wishing I could be at my church in the US for their big move to the new location.  At 9:30 a.m., I was thinking of people crowding into the new building in Salt Lake for the first time.  Then I headed out to my own church service which starts at 10.

My church in Honduras used to be at a different location too.  I have been to the previous location several times when they used to have services there.  Each of those times I always wished it were closer so I could attend more regularly.

I also knew that the church signed the lease a year ago.  We celebrated that a few weeks ago.  What I didn't know was that exactly 365 days ago my church in Honduras had its first service in our new location!  When they announced that today my heart lifted.  How cool that my two churches will share the same anniversary date!

I wasn't there for the start of either one.  But now I know that doesn't make me less a part of things.  True, I do not have the same memories to share.  But we are making memories and we have the future together.  So I am not left out.  I am not all alone.  I celebrated both of the big events today in the place where God called me to be - Alas de Aguilas, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Photos of the new church in the US look gorgeous.  I hope the Holy Spirit was as present at K2 as it was here, with us, today.

Today is a special day for another reason.  My youngest nephew Joey was born on this day.  Each year as he grows older, with no signs of any learning problems or physical problems my family has an extra reason to give thanks on this day.  When he was born we didn't know.  He was 12 weeks early.  It was a really scary time.  But now we can give thanks for the smart, healthy boy, sweet, sweet boy we love so much.

I am not going to any Superbowl parties, although I was invited to one.  I have other reasons to celebrate today.  I am going to spend my time praising God for the way He is blessing me and the people I love and celebrating the birth of a new church (the physical building) in a new place with new opportunities to reach people, the first anniversary of another church in its new location and all of the potential it has to grow, and the birthday of my nephew who is a special gift from God, not only for who he is, but also for the way God made him perfect against all odds.

Also I am giving thanks for baleadas.  Yesterday Fany made me baleadas for breakfast.  Today during church I got hungry and all I could think about was making baleadas when I got home.  After the service they always sell something to raise money for the church.  Guess what it was today!?!!  Baleadas!  The funniest thing is that I saw them cooking, but I didn't pay attention for the first 20 minutes or so.  I was talking to different people.  Then, as I stood talking to Jairo's brother, a person walked by with a plate of baleadas.  I couldn't believe it!  I confessed that my mind had been on baleadas for the past hour and he laughed and bought me a plate.  I didn't even have to cook!  Yum!  God is good.  I am full of the word, full of the Holy Spirit and my tummy is full of baleadas after church today.

Isabela's bday

I spent the past 2 days in bed.  Not much to say about that.  Fany has been bringing over breakfast and a night time hot drink which she feeds me through my bedroom window because I am too lazy to go unlock the door.

This morning I woke up at 5 a.m. and got right to work after sleeping for two days.  I baked a cake and had it frosted by 7 a.m.  I washed a load of clothes and cleaned the house, even the windows and window sills by 9 a..m.  Then Fany brought me baleadas, my favorite breakfast.  Yumm!!!

Baleadas are a tortilla that is doughier than a regular tortilla, with your choice of fillings.  A basic baleada is beans and cheese.  Then you could add eggs, mantequilla, sausage, avocado...  Although I rarely eat breakfast I gobbled those suckers down!

Then I took a shower, blew up ballons for Isabela's birthday, and accidentally feel asleep at 11 a.m.  Fany knocked on the door at 1 p.m. and found me asleep.  Both of us were surprised.  But my little nap gave me the energy I needed to have a great afternoon with my friend Ana and her family for Isabela's birthday.

Once again, I took a million awesome photos with no memory card in my camera until after the dinner, cake, and presents, Isa asked to see a picture I took of her.  That was when the camera finally told me that there was no memory.  I am still really disappointed.  I had a photo of her blowing out her number 2 on her cake that I know would have been so cute!

Fany and Laura got a stuffed monkey that Isa loved.  She really liked the outfit I bought for her when I was in the US.  It's a sweater dress with leggings and it sparkles.  It fits Isa's personality perfectly.  She seemed to agree.

As we said goodbye I realized how much it breaks my heart not to spend much time with them anymore.  We are spending every other Saturday together, but it is not the same as 6 days/week like before.  I hate saying good bye to Samuel.  I just wanted to smother him in kisses and hugs.  Luckily he doesn't mind.

Isa and her cousin

Laura keeping track of things from her casita while Samuel, Isa and David play with balloons.