...thou understandest my thought afar off . Ps.139:2

In Honduras, September 10 is El Dia de Los Ninos, the Day of the Children, and is celebrated in the schools. There is singing, skits performed by teachers, games, food, candy, cakes, and of course, the ever popular pinatas that are filled with candy. The children dress up in their finest for this occasion. It's a fun filled day. They are sent home with bags of candy, small toys, and cake for their mothers. At least that's the way it is in our school.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, the seventh graders and I helped Johnny and Noe fill in the crevices of our road with rocks and dirt. I prayed it wouldn't all wash away when it rained. And it all didn't, but some did. But at least, Johnny and Alex can drive the vans down the hill to the front of the school to let us all off instead of us falling down. We need a drainage ditch on each side of the road. I don't quite know how to do that when the one side is solid rock. I'm still hoping that the men in the area will come and help do what can be done. They did work on the main road and it is much better. I think there were ten that helped Johnny. So hopefully we can get a meal put together for them to show our appreciation. I had heard that because the people in that area didn't vote for this mayor, that he wasn't going to fix the road. So therefore, it wasn't going to get fixed. Interesting how everybody waits for the government to fix their problems, even if it's a rock/dirt road in front of their house. Of course in the states some official would come tell you that YOU couldn't fix something because of a possible law suit, or some ordinance, or whatever. But that's not here. I kept saying that it would only take a couple of hombres with a couple of shovels to fix this one place in the road, and the way these guys work, it probably wouldn't take 20 or 30 minutes if that long. I just didn't understand why they didn't do it. Well, for some reason, ten of them got together and made a big difference on the main road, and yesterday we heard and saw where the government is beginning to fix the whole road. I'm so glad. Thank you Lord.

Isn't it great when the Lord answers you in the little things? Things that aren't a prayer request but just things you think about with him. A couple of weeks ago I was thinking about a former Sunday School student I had many years ago. And lo and behold, I received a message from him this week. I am thrilled. I haven't seen him in 20 years or more. So the plan is to connect when I go home in Dec. and meet his wife and four daughters. Speaking of going home, where was my mind when I bought tickets to fly home in Dec.? It sure wasn't in KS, because I made my return flight to St. Louis! Oh well, God has a plan. I will be able to spend time with my daughter and her family, my brother and his family, and Mack and his family. I guess since I was leaving St. Louis, it was automatic that I'd return there.

I was walking through the house talking to the Lord, in my mind, and I asked him to remember mom, and realized I couldn't do that anymore because she isn't here anymore and she doesn't need it. I find myself thinking that I need to call her tomorrow and realize I can't, or I think of something that happened that I want to tell her and realize I can't. So I miss her. And it's ok because God is my peace and I know with him all is well. And He comforts me in those times, when I need it most.

So my youngest son is coming here Monday. I'm so excited. It will be good to see him. The rest of you can come too. I will be just as excited to see you!!! Anyway, we have planned a trip to the southern part of Honduras where there is an extinct volcano. From the Isla del Tigre(tiger)you can see the coast of El Salvador and Nicaragua. So we're looking forward to that. My Spanish teacher, Denia, was a little concerned yesterday. So she made sure we practiced how to ask for our check in a restaurant, soap at the hotel, or whatever she thought might occur. She acted like an old mother hen. Thank you Lord for her concern and help. And bless her heart, she is always dreaming about me. Poor thing. So when my Spanish is really good, she is almost beside herself with joy. But there are other days, when it isn't there at all. The joys and heartaches of being a teacher. I understand completely.

We are out of school all week. So glad. The school year is quickly coming to an end. When school resumes on the 21st, we'll only have about 7 weeks or so left. September 15 is Independence Day here. There will be a parade here in Valle. Our school usually marches in it, but not this year. We've been told it's because of swine flu.
The band from the 7th day Adventist school will be marching. We saw them practicing last week. Brought back memories of when my kids were in the marching school band.

So what else? The kids English is continuing to grow. Hopefully, next year I will be better prepared and more organized. I think most teachers always think we didn't do enough or we didn't do it as well as we should have, etc. We always need improvement somewhere.

Thanks to those of you who wanted to send an egg carton with Doug for me. That's great, but you would be surprised how easy it is to carry 12 eggs home in a small plastic bag and not break any.

Thanks for all your prayers for all of us here especially during the political turmoil. We truly appreciate them. God bless all of you.