Anyone that has ever been here, knows our little Katy is fearless. A couple of days ago, she was on rollerblades and decided to be pulled behind a bicycle. I don't know the exact details of what happened, but she ended up burning her arm on the tire of the bicycle. It was a huge nasty place on her arm.
Last night, Dilma took her to Karen's apartment because it had pus and junk in it. Karen bandaged it. I was changing the bandage before school this morning and it started gushing blood. Not just a little oozing, there was blood everywhere. There was blood on her skirt, her white socks, her school shoes, all over the floor. I took a clean rag and wrapped around her arm and applied some pressure. But nothing was working. Some of the other girls were in the bathroom watching all of this. Some of the girls were starting to get quite excited with the amount of blood. I was too.
Karen put her in the van with the other kids. She took the kids to school and then took Katy to the doctor. We were expecting to get some kind of ointment with which to doctor Katy's arm. Soon Karen called and said they wanted to keep her at least overnight. Karen came home to get books and toys, crayons, underwear, toothbrush. All those things. When she got back, Miss Katy is in a private room working puzzles and having the time of her life. She told Karen she might just stay a week.
Elena is with Katy tonight. The dermatologist comes tomorrow. We hope Katy is back home tomorrow. Please pray for her. But don't feel too sorry for her. She is down there having a party and living it up.
Terri
Friday, February 10, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
First Day Of School
Weeks ago, we began getting ready for the first day of school. All the uniforms were pulled out and Elvia began trying them on each child. She put names in the uniforms and marked each one that needed to be hemmed or altered. She then got the sewing machine and began to hem and all those things.
A list of missing uniform pieces was made and I went to town to purchase those. That is never ever accomplished in one trip.
Yesterday, there was hair to be cut, shoes to be polished, uniforms to be ironed and made ready for this morning. Karen had each child hang his uniform on their bed.
A list of missing uniform pieces was made and I went to town to purchase those. That is never ever accomplished in one trip.
Yesterday, there was hair to be cut, shoes to be polished, uniforms to be ironed and made ready for this morning. Karen had each child hang his uniform on their bed.
Well, the idea was that they would be ironed first and then hung on the bed. This one got done in reverse.
Elvia was still sewing yesterday morning and Doris was still ironing last night.
They were eager this morning and got out of bed easily. That won't last long. Soon there will be groaning at 5:45. Devo, breakfast, chores.
Baby Korbin was content in his pouch as Karen did hair.
Daniela needed a last minute bang trim.
As they get ready, they place the backpacks by the door.
Soon enough, new white socks, polished shoes, hemmed skirts, braids and all, they are ready to go.
The excite chatter begins to move from the house
to the van.
A group shot
The seventh graders as they head off for the 2nd day of orientation
After a couple of kids jump out of the van and run back to the house for a forgotten water bottle and a forgotten notebook,
they are off to the first day of school.
Terri
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Seventh Grade Orientation
Today, tomorrow and Friday is seventh grade orientation. Another first for Casa de Esperanza. Pamela and Brayan are our seventh graders. Seventh through tenth grade is high school, not junior high or middle school, as we know it. The kids did not have to wear uniforms today. But they were certainly dressed nicely.
Both of the kids were excited and anxious and all those emotions seventh graders experience. Brayan was just plain silly and giddy. I drove them to school this morning. I was expecting one or both to balk at getting out of the car. But, they got right out of the car. Tomorrow, they ride the bus.
Please pray for Brayan and Pamela at this important crossroads in their lives.
Terri
Both of the kids were excited and anxious and all those emotions seventh graders experience. Brayan was just plain silly and giddy. I drove them to school this morning. I was expecting one or both to balk at getting out of the car. But, they got right out of the car. Tomorrow, they ride the bus.
Please pray for Brayan and Pamela at this important crossroads in their lives.
Terri
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Rest
"And on the seventh day, God rested from all his work." Genesis 2:2
God commands us to rest, and even rested Himself. He even told the people to let the fields rest every seven years. I don't like to rest. I like to get as much done in a day as I possibly can. Sometimes that means working way into the night. I have a friend that used to say people have died in their sleep. I believed him and do not rest enough.
Once in a while, that catches up with me. Today was that day. That is good, because today was my day off. Part of the problem is I don't always take my day off. I use it to get something more accomplished.
Today, I rested. I renewed myself physically by taking a really long nap this afternoon. I renewed myself mentally by not doing anything that required a decision or thinking today. No work. I did not even have to make a decision on what to eat because I renewed myself spiritually by fasting and praying. I had some long talks with God today. I am at peace this evening, a peace that transcends all understanding.
I had thought I would spend a good portion of the day stitching, but my mind and body were too tired to count the little x's. I needed rest. Total rest. And, now I am ready to get busy again tomorrow.
Terri
God commands us to rest, and even rested Himself. He even told the people to let the fields rest every seven years. I don't like to rest. I like to get as much done in a day as I possibly can. Sometimes that means working way into the night. I have a friend that used to say people have died in their sleep. I believed him and do not rest enough.
Once in a while, that catches up with me. Today was that day. That is good, because today was my day off. Part of the problem is I don't always take my day off. I use it to get something more accomplished.
Today, I rested. I renewed myself physically by taking a really long nap this afternoon. I renewed myself mentally by not doing anything that required a decision or thinking today. No work. I did not even have to make a decision on what to eat because I renewed myself spiritually by fasting and praying. I had some long talks with God today. I am at peace this evening, a peace that transcends all understanding.
I had thought I would spend a good portion of the day stitching, but my mind and body were too tired to count the little x's. I needed rest. Total rest. And, now I am ready to get busy again tomorrow.
Terri
Sunday, February 5, 2012
To Town
I like to read. I used to think anything would do. But now, I am a bit more particular. I especially like history and historical fiction. I have read about the people settling in Texas and other places and the hardships they endured. In most cases, people did not go to town very often. It was a planned event and the trip was to purchase everything that would be needed for several months. Indian attacks and sudden changes in weather were things about which they worried. At the time, my American mind could not fathom buying things for several months, or weeks. Or in many cases, even for several days. There was always one more trip to Wal-Mart.
Now days, we plan our trips to town and buy everything we can while we are there. I buy groceries for Casa for a month and we go to the market for fresh fruits and vegetables every other week. This time, the first of the month groceries and one of the market trips coincided. Also, the school uniforms needed to be purchased. And we always have a list of things to buy at the hardware store.
As I get in my 1999 Isuzu Trooper, there is no way my trip to town can be compared to the early settlers' trip to town. I am sure I have a much more comfortable journey, though the roads in Honduras may not be much better than the wagon-rutted roads of earlier days. I don't have to worry about attacks from Indians, just about being cut off by the crazy taxi and bus drivers.
Friday, I made that journey with my lists in my hand. Now, that we have two houses open, the grocery store and the market are both huge tasks. I tackled the market first. By the time I finished, the back end of the trooper was pretty full. I bought the school uniforms, went to the hardware store and the office supply store. I still had to go to the grocery store. Matt was in town. Thankfully, he met me at PriceSmart. I took a flatbed and he took a flatbed and we started with laundry detergent and toilet paper. Both are consumed in huge quantities around here. Think laundry for 24 children.
If Matt had not been with me, it would have taken me three hours. I load one cart, pay for it, take it to the car, go back in, load another cart, etc. Matt and I together were able to negotiate PriceSmart in a little over an hour. Then we loaded the things for the big house in his car and the things for the other house in my car. I was so glad to be on my way up the mountain. By the time I got home, I had been gone over 8 hours and the cars still had to be unloaded.
I know sometimes the early settlers purchased a little treat while they were in town. We got home and unloaded the cars and found Marc had pizza waiting for us. That was just the treat I needed after a long day in town.
Terri
Now days, we plan our trips to town and buy everything we can while we are there. I buy groceries for Casa for a month and we go to the market for fresh fruits and vegetables every other week. This time, the first of the month groceries and one of the market trips coincided. Also, the school uniforms needed to be purchased. And we always have a list of things to buy at the hardware store.
As I get in my 1999 Isuzu Trooper, there is no way my trip to town can be compared to the early settlers' trip to town. I am sure I have a much more comfortable journey, though the roads in Honduras may not be much better than the wagon-rutted roads of earlier days. I don't have to worry about attacks from Indians, just about being cut off by the crazy taxi and bus drivers.
Friday, I made that journey with my lists in my hand. Now, that we have two houses open, the grocery store and the market are both huge tasks. I tackled the market first. By the time I finished, the back end of the trooper was pretty full. I bought the school uniforms, went to the hardware store and the office supply store. I still had to go to the grocery store. Matt was in town. Thankfully, he met me at PriceSmart. I took a flatbed and he took a flatbed and we started with laundry detergent and toilet paper. Both are consumed in huge quantities around here. Think laundry for 24 children.
If Matt had not been with me, it would have taken me three hours. I load one cart, pay for it, take it to the car, go back in, load another cart, etc. Matt and I together were able to negotiate PriceSmart in a little over an hour. Then we loaded the things for the big house in his car and the things for the other house in my car. I was so glad to be on my way up the mountain. By the time I got home, I had been gone over 8 hours and the cars still had to be unloaded.
I know sometimes the early settlers purchased a little treat while they were in town. We got home and unloaded the cars and found Marc had pizza waiting for us. That was just the treat I needed after a long day in town.
Terri
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Registering For School
It is that time of the year, already. Time to register the kids for school as school starts next week. For Nicole, it was a welcome to Honduras day.
All the birth certificates and all of last year's grades had to be taken. Since the kids are going to same school, it seems to me this would not be necessary, but, nonetheless, it is. Nicole went to the elementary school first. After standing in many different lines, she successfully registered 13 kids. She needed 26 limpiras, 2 limpiras per child to register. She did not have that, but they said she could bring it later. They know we are always good for the money.
She then went to the high school to register Brayan and Pamela in 7th grade. She had most of the paperwork they needed. However, she needed pictures of each them and we had some in their files. She called and asked me to bring the pictures and the 26 limpiras, which I did.
She came home around 12:15 saying that tomorrow she had to go back to both the elementary school and the high school. She got everything done at the high school and when she walked to the table to complete the process, the lady at the table said, "you will have to come back tomorrow." Nicole asked why since I am here and you are here. She said I am through today. Nicole kept saying we are both here, lets get this done. But it did not happen.
Nicole drove back to the elementary school to pay the L26 and they told her, " you will have to come back tomorrow. Registration closes at 12:00." She tried, unsuccessfully to explain she had registered the kids and just needed to pay L26. "I'm sorry. You will have to come back tomorrow. Registration closes at 12:00."
There is just some things you just never get used to.
Terri
All the birth certificates and all of last year's grades had to be taken. Since the kids are going to same school, it seems to me this would not be necessary, but, nonetheless, it is. Nicole went to the elementary school first. After standing in many different lines, she successfully registered 13 kids. She needed 26 limpiras, 2 limpiras per child to register. She did not have that, but they said she could bring it later. They know we are always good for the money.
She then went to the high school to register Brayan and Pamela in 7th grade. She had most of the paperwork they needed. However, she needed pictures of each them and we had some in their files. She called and asked me to bring the pictures and the 26 limpiras, which I did.
She came home around 12:15 saying that tomorrow she had to go back to both the elementary school and the high school. She got everything done at the high school and when she walked to the table to complete the process, the lady at the table said, "you will have to come back tomorrow." Nicole asked why since I am here and you are here. She said I am through today. Nicole kept saying we are both here, lets get this done. But it did not happen.
Nicole drove back to the elementary school to pay the L26 and they told her, " you will have to come back tomorrow. Registration closes at 12:00." She tried, unsuccessfully to explain she had registered the kids and just needed to pay L26. "I'm sorry. You will have to come back tomorrow. Registration closes at 12:00."
There is just some things you just never get used to.
Terri
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Mornings In The Brumley Cottage
With three new kids and two of those being babies, things have really changed around here. I had opportunity to be in the Brumley cottage two mornings this week.
The houseparent, Mirian, had two days off and was leaving yesterday morning. These are her first days off since the new ones arrived. I went to her house at 5:45 yesterday. Josue was crying. Mirian had fixed a bottle and he had taken part of it, but wanted no more. I picked him up and cradled him in my arms. He stopped crying, but did not go to sleep. I walked around talking and singing to him. I think he liked that. At 6:15, some of the other kids began to arise. I changed Yair's diaper and got him dressed for the day. Adonis and Guadalupe changed themselves and I help Cris and Any change. I got the girls' hair combed. Josue pooped. I changed him and almost immediatey peed. So, I changed him again. At some point in time all five of the older kids got in Yair's baby bed. Olman woke up and was crying. At 7:00, when Pamela and Maira arrived, I had a crying baby in each arm. I was thankful for reinforcements. Pamela took a baby for a couple of minutes. Pamela left with five of the kids for devo. I never did get socks on Yair. I guess in the whole scheme of things, that is not horrible.
I had Olman and Maira had Josue. I fixed a bottle for Olman and fed him. Then he needed changed. After I changed him, I took all the diapers that were wet and poopy and went to the pila. In the hour and a half I had been there, there were five diapers. I was thinking at this rate, we will be out of diapers before noon. I washed the diapers and got them on the line.
Pamela and the kids returned from devo. I got breakfast ready, which was only peanut butter sandwiches, and got it on the table. The kids ate and began their chores. Reina arrived at 8:00. Was I ever glad to see her. She got a great big hug from me. After two hours and fifteen minutes, I felt as if I had worked for days.
This morning I got there at 6:30. Poor Maira. She had not slept at all because Josue had not slept at all. There were baby bottles every where. The older kids were up getting ready for devo. I took Josue for a while and managed to comb the girls hair and get socks on Yair this morning. Olman slept through it all.
When the kids left for devo, Maira washed all the baby bottles and took the diapers from the night to the pila. I thought I had Josue asleep. Olman woke up and began crying and Josue decided to cry with him. Maira and I each had a baby. Olman had to eat and we finally got Josue to sleep. Maira rushed to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.
Breakfast, chores, more wet and dirty diapers. I am getting pretty good on that pila. I think I could use a nap.
Terri
The houseparent, Mirian, had two days off and was leaving yesterday morning. These are her first days off since the new ones arrived. I went to her house at 5:45 yesterday. Josue was crying. Mirian had fixed a bottle and he had taken part of it, but wanted no more. I picked him up and cradled him in my arms. He stopped crying, but did not go to sleep. I walked around talking and singing to him. I think he liked that. At 6:15, some of the other kids began to arise. I changed Yair's diaper and got him dressed for the day. Adonis and Guadalupe changed themselves and I help Cris and Any change. I got the girls' hair combed. Josue pooped. I changed him and almost immediatey peed. So, I changed him again. At some point in time all five of the older kids got in Yair's baby bed. Olman woke up and was crying. At 7:00, when Pamela and Maira arrived, I had a crying baby in each arm. I was thankful for reinforcements. Pamela took a baby for a couple of minutes. Pamela left with five of the kids for devo. I never did get socks on Yair. I guess in the whole scheme of things, that is not horrible.
I had Olman and Maira had Josue. I fixed a bottle for Olman and fed him. Then he needed changed. After I changed him, I took all the diapers that were wet and poopy and went to the pila. In the hour and a half I had been there, there were five diapers. I was thinking at this rate, we will be out of diapers before noon. I washed the diapers and got them on the line.
Pamela and the kids returned from devo. I got breakfast ready, which was only peanut butter sandwiches, and got it on the table. The kids ate and began their chores. Reina arrived at 8:00. Was I ever glad to see her. She got a great big hug from me. After two hours and fifteen minutes, I felt as if I had worked for days.
This morning I got there at 6:30. Poor Maira. She had not slept at all because Josue had not slept at all. There were baby bottles every where. The older kids were up getting ready for devo. I took Josue for a while and managed to comb the girls hair and get socks on Yair this morning. Olman slept through it all.
When the kids left for devo, Maira washed all the baby bottles and took the diapers from the night to the pila. I thought I had Josue asleep. Olman woke up and began crying and Josue decided to cry with him. Maira and I each had a baby. Olman had to eat and we finally got Josue to sleep. Maira rushed to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.
Breakfast, chores, more wet and dirty diapers. I am getting pretty good on that pila. I think I could use a nap.
Terri
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