After 9 months...

Well many people have been asking me how’s life at the Finca. Well my best answer after some thought and prayer is I have never been challenged so much spiritually, mentally, and physically in my life, but it is good. I am growing as a women, as a catholic, overall as a person. I am thankful for these opportunities though in my humanity I may not always express this. I am most grateful for my the blessing of beautiful relationships I have made there. I can truly give myself fully to these relationships in a different way then I was able to in the U.S. because of schedule and technology, and because of the openess of others. No matter how dificult the day can be you have that one smile, or that one child comes and grabs your hand to play and it makes the whole day worth it. It’s amazing the amount of love that our Lord has placed in my heart for this community and the kids of the Finca in less than a year and for my fellow missionaries that knew the community before even more so than myself. I imagine this is how you feel when you become a parent ;p

I think one of the most valuable things I’ve learned at the Finca is life is all about relationships. Relationships are hard work. Sometimes I desire to live in a cave on a random mountain and be a hermit ;p just kidding...no but seriously. I have thought, prayed, and discussed this theme with friends. How can you be in relationships and keep a safe distant but still give of yourself? What we concluded was that you can’t. You can’t give of yourself truly and wholly and not be hurt. People will disappoint you. We are all human. A friend posed a question for me to ponder...Who will you disappoint? Wow...I never thought about it like that. Maybe if I wasn’t so focused on how far a distance I need to keep from being hurt, I could focus on how to be the best person I can in relationship and anticipate the needs of the other...Gotta love friends that push you to think deep...

I want to thank you all as well for you prayers because I have truly felt them. Days that I fall weak in my prayer but still recieve all the graces I need to carry out the day can only be credited to all your petitions and I truly thank you all.

Just want to say as well I thank you for all your kind words of encouragement and all your praise, as long as it goes back to God. This is not my mission, it is HIS. I am just an instrument and I don’t always play the greatest tune. Our Lord placed a vocation to serve in Honduras on my heart at this time, and only by His grace was I able to listen and obey. But remember we are all missionaries and have our own unique mission to which our Lord is calling us. My prayer for you all is that you can embrace with your whole being do it with joy and grace. Please pray this for me too!

HOME

I just wanted to thank everyone for such a warm welcome back! I am so truly blessed to have such a beautiful community here in Jacksonville. Gracias to all that read the blog. I didn't realize how many people keep up with it. I will make more of an effort, God willing, to keep it updated.

Many people have been asking me how it feels to be back. I am truly glad to see and be in the presence of my friends and family. I would say the culture shock is a bit overwhelming. I felt out of place in this life before, but now I feel like a fish out of water. Everything in life has a lesson for us, and I will just have to be patient until our Lord reveals this one to me. I have a lot on my heart and mind and once I have some time to sort through it all with our Lord I am sure to have share it with all of you.

People have also been asking for ways to help. With tax-free week coming up at the end of summer, I wanted to post a school list that everyone can keep in mind. I will also be posting a list of things that we need all year round, and some opportunities to help specific families outside of the Finca if anyone is interested. Thank you for your patience.

I'm coming home:)

So I'll being coming home for the first time in about 9 months in 10 days! Thank you so much for all your prayers and financial support! I know several people have been asking for ways they can help. There are so many ways, first of course and most importantly with prayer! Here are some specific needs for the clinic, our neighbors, and our kids so however the Holy Spirit moves you!

Clinic:
coloring books & crayons (sometimes the kids wait with their parents for several hours...and we don't have a waiting room with a tv:)

stickers, pencils, lollipops (great gifts for kids when we have to do not so fun things)

shampoo and soap (travel size that you can get from hotels are perfect. A lot of our patients don't have soap in their houses.)

tooth brushes and toothpaste (cavities are a huge problem here and the neighbors are always asking for toothbrushes)

metal lice combs (their is always lice here and plastic combs don't cut it)

Neighbors:

I have had unique opportunities to share in the lives of many of the neighbors of the Finca. If you would be interested in helping specific people I have their stories and specific needs I could share.

Finca Kids

board games and books in Spanish

waterproof watches

pants ( I will send sizes)

Flip flops (old navy's are great. Always need them in pretty much every size. What we were most often)

I will be in Jax, Fl for 2 weeks so I would be happy to bring things back to Honduras with me. I don't have a phone so I will put up contact info once I return home for anyone interested in helping! Gracias!


 

High/Lowlights

So sorry I haven't posted much lately. The "luz" (electricity) goes out frequently these days and not worth a walk down the beach for internet if your not sure it will be there. Time better spent with people:) I've also been by myself in the clinic for a month. Thank you Jesus for all the grace you gave me and all the prayers that helped me through! Thank you Laura (the ARNP that serves with me) for coming back and for all you do:) Anyways just thought I'd share a few high and lowlights of recent life.
Yesterday:
Highs: One of the neighbor boys, Christian, probably around 12yrs/old told me he would miss me today when I go for vacation.

Lows: When doing med inventory I reached for a bottle and almost grabbed a rat. High: It was dead. Other high: There was a guy helping me so he "disposed it" for me.haha

Today:
High: The ladies in women's group told them I should come live outside with them and they would find me a Honduran man. hahaha.

Low: I couldn't stay and chat with them because I had a meeting :(

High: I went to sit on the front porch to spend time with Yadi (our youngest child). She brought her stool, put it next to me, sat down, put her little, chunky arm around my neck, and her head on my shoulder, and said, "lee (read) Nati"

Low: Doesn't matter once you have a moment like that:)

Thank you Jesus for all these precious, intimate opportunities that I've been given in these children's lives