This morning around 7:30 I decided to go for a walk. I do this frequently at home. I could not help but notice the morning sounds, or lack thereof.
In Honduras, for most people Saturday is a work day. In Jackson, Mississippi, in a secluded sub-division, most of the world has Saturday off.
In Honduras, the buses roar to life about 4:30 every morning. They can be heard as they go up and down the streets, chug-chugging along and honking their horns. I also hear chickens and donkeys. People start their day early. I hear my neighbors at their pilas and their outdoor stoves as they wash their clothes and make their tortillas. As people walk to have their corn ground for the day, there is just a lot of conversation. By 7:30 on Saturday, most people are up and there is a lot of morning sounds.
This morning there was a lot of peace and quiet for a walk. I essentially heard nothing. People were in their homes with the doors tightly closed and their air conditioners running (and trust me, everyone needed their air conditioners running). There were no sounds drifting from any house as there is in Honduras. No air conditioners and open doors and windows makes for a lot of noise coming out of each and every house. Cooking and washing too, were being done inside. Except for a few other walkers, no one was outside. No one visiting with neighbors. Before I returned to Nathan's, one lawn mower started. I am sure there was many more of those throughout the day. But during the morning, I could not help but notice the extreme difference in the morning sounds.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Mississippi
Marc's passport arrived at the airport and he was able to travel with me. We had seats together on both flights, something that does not happen very often.
I was so exhausted. I slept until 7:30 both yesterday and today. The air conditioner was out on the car. Kim graciously offered hers, but we decided to drive ours on to Jackson. It was hot, but bearable. We are used to rolling with the flow. The a/c is now fixed and we will be fine for the rest of our travels.
Right now, we are at Nathan and Julia's How it does this momma's heart good to be here. Watching Texas Tech football. Playing Yahtzee. One trip to Sonic. And lots of Camille hugs. We will enjoy precious family here until Tuesday morning. We then will leave for Borger to enjoy sweet family time with our parents.
I am not sure what the rest of the weekend holds, but I am not sure I really care as long as we are with our kids Thankful to be relaxing in Mississippi.
I was so exhausted. I slept until 7:30 both yesterday and today. The air conditioner was out on the car. Kim graciously offered hers, but we decided to drive ours on to Jackson. It was hot, but bearable. We are used to rolling with the flow. The a/c is now fixed and we will be fine for the rest of our travels.
Right now, we are at Nathan and Julia's How it does this momma's heart good to be here. Watching Texas Tech football. Playing Yahtzee. One trip to Sonic. And lots of Camille hugs. We will enjoy precious family here until Tuesday morning. We then will leave for Borger to enjoy sweet family time with our parents.
I am not sure what the rest of the weekend holds, but I am not sure I really care as long as we are with our kids Thankful to be relaxing in Mississippi.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
A Few Of My Favorite Things
Camille hugs
Being met at the airport by Kim and Pat
Happy hour at Sonic
Let's go get a cup of coffee
Family time
Showers where I can get both hot water and pressure at the same time
Camille hugs
Miles and miles of car time with Marc
Dollar cokes and free internet at McDonald's
Cokes with all the ice I want
Girl time
Worshiping in English for a month
Visiting many churches
Visiting many friends
Camille hugs
Looking at Janet's pictures
Eating at the Plaza
Vacation time in the Smoky Mountains
And, at the end of the month, coming back home.
I am checked in and ready. Waiting for Marc's passport to arrive from Santa Ana. I guess it happens to the best of them. I am going with or without him.
I will see many of you soon.
Being met at the airport by Kim and Pat
Happy hour at Sonic
Let's go get a cup of coffee
Family time
Showers where I can get both hot water and pressure at the same time
Camille hugs
Miles and miles of car time with Marc
Dollar cokes and free internet at McDonald's
Cokes with all the ice I want
Girl time
Worshiping in English for a month
Visiting many churches
Visiting many friends
Camille hugs
Looking at Janet's pictures
Eating at the Plaza
Vacation time in the Smoky Mountains
And, at the end of the month, coming back home.
I am checked in and ready. Waiting for Marc's passport to arrive from Santa Ana. I guess it happens to the best of them. I am going with or without him.
I will see many of you soon.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Another Day In Honduras
We are leaving for the States tomorrow. Yay! This time Thursday night, I hope to be at Nathan's getting Camille hugs. There is always so much to do before I leave. One day last week, I asked Matt if he would go to Tegucigalpa with me today and help me get the groceries purchased. There were not too many errand besides the groceries and this should not have taken long. It didn't take too long.
But, I had meeting at school at noon and, therefore, we did not leave until around 12:30, rather late to leave. It is what it is.
Our first stop was the bank. The Casa store had a great summer and I was wanting to exchange some of that US cash for lempiras. In the past, we have always exchanged cash and sometimes quite large amounts, in twentys, fives and ones. And, I had a large amount today. In the bank, they have to count the money far more times than is necessary. They counted and counted and counted and counted. Every time they counted, they pulled a bill or two out and put it in a special stack. Then they counted again. You can well imagine that a lengthy line was forming behind us.
The special stack was bills that a tear in them. No matter how small the tear, the bill was rejected. After the money was counted 47 times and all the rejects found, they told us they could only exchange a certain amount each day. An amount far lower than what I had brought in. I just stood there in amazement. Why they could not have told me in the beginning. It would have saved a lot of time counting money they were not even going to exchange for me.
We were in the bank an hour, until 3:00. I am very thankful tonight, as I still have so much to do, that all the other errands went much more smoothly than the bank. Or we would still be in PriceSmart.
And, I guess Matt will go back to the bank tomorrow.
But, I had meeting at school at noon and, therefore, we did not leave until around 12:30, rather late to leave. It is what it is.
Our first stop was the bank. The Casa store had a great summer and I was wanting to exchange some of that US cash for lempiras. In the past, we have always exchanged cash and sometimes quite large amounts, in twentys, fives and ones. And, I had a large amount today. In the bank, they have to count the money far more times than is necessary. They counted and counted and counted and counted. Every time they counted, they pulled a bill or two out and put it in a special stack. Then they counted again. You can well imagine that a lengthy line was forming behind us.
The special stack was bills that a tear in them. No matter how small the tear, the bill was rejected. After the money was counted 47 times and all the rejects found, they told us they could only exchange a certain amount each day. An amount far lower than what I had brought in. I just stood there in amazement. Why they could not have told me in the beginning. It would have saved a lot of time counting money they were not even going to exchange for me.
We were in the bank an hour, until 3:00. I am very thankful tonight, as I still have so much to do, that all the other errands went much more smoothly than the bank. Or we would still be in PriceSmart.
And, I guess Matt will go back to the bank tomorrow.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Vision Appointments
IHNFA asked us to get Josue and Olman's eyes tested. We did not really have an option on this one. When Nicole last took Emma Kate to the pediatrician, she asked for a reference for someone that could test the babies' eyes. The doctor gave a name and the hospital at which the eye doctor worked. No phone number.
One day, Debbie went to town to find the hospital ( one to which we had never been) and make the appointments. She is taking the bus and cabs and asking where this hospital is. Once she arrived, she was told she would have to call one day for appointments the next day. She did leave with a number.
We did not make the appointments immediately because we had to find a day when two of us could go. With two babies, it takes two adults. We finally got the appointments for this afternoon at 4:00. Nicole and Debbie went. That meant Emma Kate also went. Three babies. I told Nicole I knew where the hospital was, but I wasn't sure where the parking was.
Nicole loaded all three babies in the car and left here around 2:30. She parked at the food court and walked. It was about the closest place to park.
And, of course, the doctor was late.
Taking Olman is never a pleasant experience. And, today was no exception. He screamed. And screamed. And screamed. And screamed some more. I don't know how the doctor checked his eyes with all that screaming. She may have charged us more than she normally would have and called it pain and suffering.
After a very long time, the doctor was finished and the doctor said nothing was wrong with their eyes. Whew! Are we glad.
Nicole got back to the food court and found she had to have purchased something to get to park for free. She gladly bought herself and Debbie a granita and got her card stamped. I think I would have done the same thing.
Last time I talked to her, she was in horrible traffic and did not expect to be back for a long, long time.
I am very thankful these appointments are over and that all is well. I don't think Olman has another appointment for a while. I hope so. We all hope so.
One day, Debbie went to town to find the hospital ( one to which we had never been) and make the appointments. She is taking the bus and cabs and asking where this hospital is. Once she arrived, she was told she would have to call one day for appointments the next day. She did leave with a number.
We did not make the appointments immediately because we had to find a day when two of us could go. With two babies, it takes two adults. We finally got the appointments for this afternoon at 4:00. Nicole and Debbie went. That meant Emma Kate also went. Three babies. I told Nicole I knew where the hospital was, but I wasn't sure where the parking was.
Nicole loaded all three babies in the car and left here around 2:30. She parked at the food court and walked. It was about the closest place to park.
And, of course, the doctor was late.
Taking Olman is never a pleasant experience. And, today was no exception. He screamed. And screamed. And screamed. And screamed some more. I don't know how the doctor checked his eyes with all that screaming. She may have charged us more than she normally would have and called it pain and suffering.
After a very long time, the doctor was finished and the doctor said nothing was wrong with their eyes. Whew! Are we glad.
Nicole got back to the food court and found she had to have purchased something to get to park for free. She gladly bought herself and Debbie a granita and got her card stamped. I think I would have done the same thing.
Last time I talked to her, she was in horrible traffic and did not expect to be back for a long, long time.
I am very thankful these appointments are over and that all is well. I don't think Olman has another appointment for a while. I hope so. We all hope so.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Josue
Baby Josue is 21 months old. He is still not walking, still not talking ( not even baby jibberish), still not chewing. Still not doing many things. But, he is making progress. Very slow progress, but progress, nonetheless.
One day earlier this week, he stood by himself for just a few seconds. While his little legs are very weak, he has quite a bit of upper body strength.
He tends to cry every time we go to a doctor or any where. He does fairly well in the car, but when we arrive, he starts crying and does not stop until we are back in the car. Any new situation or stimulation brings a lot of tears. Last week, I took Josue to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. He went rigid and began crying before I got him into the car seat. I was sure it was going to be a long day. Once he was the car, the ride to town was quite pleasant. We entered a different hospital and the tears began. Yair went first and I held Josue. In an unfamiliar environment, he sat in my lap placidly. I was very thankful. He teared up when he saw the new doctor. The doctor was amazing with the children and soon, there was no more tears. We rewarded both Josue and Yair with a cookie. Only because there was a coffee shop in the hospital. There is no way I would have made an extra stop with those two.
At Teleton, Josue has been in a multisensory program. I don't really know what it is about because parents aren't allowed to go in with the babies. At first, he cried from the time we arrived at Teleton until he was safely back in the car. We can't go in, but we can hear him screaming the whole time.
Four weeks ago, he stopped crying about 15 minutes into the session. That was progress. Two weeks ago, he stopped crying as soon as he entered the multisensory room. Yesterday, he did so well that he got to stay longer than the alloted 30 minutes.
There will still be a lot of medicine, a lot of doctors, a lot of therapy, a lot of trips to Tegucigalpa. But this little guy is making progress. We praise God daily for the progress he is making. Please don't stop praying for Josue. He is going to get there.
Terri
One day earlier this week, he stood by himself for just a few seconds. While his little legs are very weak, he has quite a bit of upper body strength.
He tends to cry every time we go to a doctor or any where. He does fairly well in the car, but when we arrive, he starts crying and does not stop until we are back in the car. Any new situation or stimulation brings a lot of tears. Last week, I took Josue to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. He went rigid and began crying before I got him into the car seat. I was sure it was going to be a long day. Once he was the car, the ride to town was quite pleasant. We entered a different hospital and the tears began. Yair went first and I held Josue. In an unfamiliar environment, he sat in my lap placidly. I was very thankful. He teared up when he saw the new doctor. The doctor was amazing with the children and soon, there was no more tears. We rewarded both Josue and Yair with a cookie. Only because there was a coffee shop in the hospital. There is no way I would have made an extra stop with those two.
At Teleton, Josue has been in a multisensory program. I don't really know what it is about because parents aren't allowed to go in with the babies. At first, he cried from the time we arrived at Teleton until he was safely back in the car. We can't go in, but we can hear him screaming the whole time.
Four weeks ago, he stopped crying about 15 minutes into the session. That was progress. Two weeks ago, he stopped crying as soon as he entered the multisensory room. Yesterday, he did so well that he got to stay longer than the alloted 30 minutes.
There will still be a lot of medicine, a lot of doctors, a lot of therapy, a lot of trips to Tegucigalpa. But this little guy is making progress. We praise God daily for the progress he is making. Please don't stop praying for Josue. He is going to get there.
Terri
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Grace
I was going to write about this welcome to Honduras day. How Nicole and I took Maryuri all the way to Hospital Viera for an appointment. We got there to find out the doctor is on a European vacation and the receptionist said when the doctor returned she would call Nicole. The receptionist had Nicole's number and did not call to say the doctor was not in. It would have made a nice story.
At least we stopped for Dr. Peppers. It was a long way to go for a Dr. Pepper.
On the way home, I learned something that upset me. When we got here, I did not act very nice. I am not proud of those actions. I apologized. Profusely. And immediately. But, those words can never be taken back. I still hear them ringing. I am sure the other person does, too.
I came here to share Jesus. To be the hands and feet of Jesus. And mouth. I failed miserably. I keep hearing the words to the song "Angry words, oh let them never from the tongue unbridled slip" and "why do so many things seem to get in the way"
I am so thankful for God's grace. For forgiveness when I fail so miserably. Where would we be without it?
At least we stopped for Dr. Peppers. It was a long way to go for a Dr. Pepper.
On the way home, I learned something that upset me. When we got here, I did not act very nice. I am not proud of those actions. I apologized. Profusely. And immediately. But, those words can never be taken back. I still hear them ringing. I am sure the other person does, too.
I came here to share Jesus. To be the hands and feet of Jesus. And mouth. I failed miserably. I keep hearing the words to the song "Angry words, oh let them never from the tongue unbridled slip" and "why do so many things seem to get in the way"
I am so thankful for God's grace. For forgiveness when I fail so miserably. Where would we be without it?
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