Without further ado,
-Sonj

I am totally impressed. ha. But then again, who else would volenteer? *grrrroooan!*

The latter fact is that I’ve been asked to take care of the children on Thursday, the 16th. I was not planning to go to any of the (annual) Central American Minister’s Meeting b/c i gotta keep going in school, but was asked to help Andrea Mast take care of the kids. Apparently, Andrea has been asked to replace Marrietta at the clinic so she won’t be available to help. Anyway, so I consented to take care of the middle-aged kids at least one day. Judy informed me that there will be at least 2 other girls helping me and that a guy will also be there to help out with each group. (there will be 3 age groups, appr. 30 children in each group) So it doesn’t sound too bad, I hope I can come up with enough activities to keep them hopping. I also hope my back won’t bother me too much. Today I had to stand up to do some of my schoolwork cause sitting down for a lengthy period just hurts! ugh!!

So, the exciting fact? I got a 95%,98% and a 95% on my last three math lessons!!! Yeah I can hear you sighing, "Is that all to the exciting fact?" You bet. It is very exciting fact, IMHO!

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who’s been there?
Are there any hands to raise?
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage?

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see?
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be?

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away?
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay?

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Are we happy plastic people?
Under shiny plastic steeple?
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain?
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone that fails?
Is there anyone that falls?
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small?

-Casting Crowns

We all think he is simply adorable!

 Susanna was holding him…

 Why is it that babies make the cutest expressions when you are totally unprepared to capture them, and when you finally have run for the camera, they decide they’ve had enough, and that it is time for another nap??

 
It was time to go, and Kendra taped her mouth shut and was trying to say "salu!" It was very amusing to all of us!

 Adios!

Anyway, I decided to post this because…

I had a slight headache all afternoon, and everytime i sat down my back protested. I felt kinda drained and in no mood to go to church. But I have learned that sometimes its in those times of "not wanting to" that God teaches us lessons we won’t soon forget. And after seeing Hrma. Teresa suffer like she was (she had a shooting pain from her shoulders to her stomache, and also was feverish), and come from several miles away to attend the Thursday service, I felt kinda embarressed about how I’d been feeling and what I’d been thinking this afternoon. Sometimes I find myself drowning in self-pity when I have headaches or I can’t find any comfortable position because of my back pains. Ppl say "you are too young to feel that way!" and I agree and find myself questioning God why me?

So tonight I just came to realize how blessed I am, really. I don’t live with two sons; one rebellious and 
awfully cruel and the other not a normal man. (he has down-syndrome) 
My occasional physical pain is nothing compared to what Hrma. Teresa suffers, and I’ve been reminded to enjoy life as much as is possible while I can, not sit and pity myself….

P.S. Please pray for Teresa; she needs strength to carry on here. On Saturday of last week Herson (her down syndrome son) disappeared and didn’t come back home until Sunday noon. Supposedly a guy from a local gang took him away and this has been really trying on Hrma. Teresa… she says she thinks why she is sick. Not only does she need God’s healing touch; she needs 
his comfort, His wisdom, and strength to face each day. I know we all do, but I just feel she needs 
it especially, because she is the only Christian around there and it’s hard on her; so much ridicule and it appears ppl love testing her.

Drunk Man (DM): good evening miss

me: good evening

DM: you sure can sew, eh?

me: I enjoy it anyway

DM: um, I have a shirt (pause) it needs to be fixed… (pause) you’ll do that for me, right?

me: sry, I don’t sew for other ppl

DM: ok, I’ll bring it over

me: sry sir, I don’t have time to fix your shirt, I have some dresses that need to be made.

DM: oh. *stares at me* ok. no problem miss. thanx

me: —-

DM: you’re pretty

me: thanx

DM: God made you that way right?

me: right

DM: God bless you! *stumbles away muttering pretty pretty*

This afternoon, Juancito, a local loco, came very distressed to me while I was over at Nina Elsie’s store. I had just run over to bring Juan Carlos over to entertain Patrick and i while we stamped Antorchas. He said, "Miss, come,"  and lifted up his shirt and told me to put my hand "right here."

"Feel my heart, it’s jumping."

I told him to put his shirt down; it’s not good manners.

"No" he said, "feel it here."

I told him that I can feel his heartbeat by putting my hand over his shirt, and told him all of hearts jump. 

He repeated, "IT’S JUMPING!!"

I told him that perhaps he’s been walking too much, he should lie down and give his heart a rest.

"No"

"Well, what do you think might help it?" I asked.

"Give me a pill, it’s jumping." And he put his head down on his arms and groaned.

"I don’t have any, Juan. Look, go lie over there in the shade, ok?"

And I was getting kinda annoyed so I left with the baby in my arms.

When you get the choice to sit it out… DANCE!

-Sandra

talk to you later