Here we are, the first of August. The kids in the states will soon be starting school, and here we are getting ready for the parade for Independence Day in September. So for three days of the week, the kids will only have part of their classes. the other part of the day will be spent practicing their part in the parade. Some will just be marching, while others will be practicing twirling their batons, playing the drums and lyres, and others bearing the flags of Honduras and the other countries that received independence from Spain at the same time. The parades are quite a big deal with most schools participating. The costumes from each school are different, but the theme of the parade is the same, whatever it happens to be.  

So last week I started taking classes at the Spanish school around the corner from where I live.  Since I don't have but one class every other Friday at the school, it seemed a good idea to learn more Spanish-Honduran Spanish.  Speaking Spanish is a little different in every Spanish speaking country, and I need more every day conversation that is spoken here. You really aren't taught much everyday conversations when taking most formal classes.  The director of this school understands and speaks good English. So if the teacher and I run into a snag, she can be there to help us.  So along with the formal, I will receive the other. It's really interesting that they have some of the same sayings that we use such as, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, throw in the towel, you're pulling my leg, etc. 

And I was happy to realize that I understood most all of what my teacher was saying. A couple of times, I asked her to slow down, which of course she did.  The director told me that I could basically write my own program.  I will see. I explained that I have holes in different areas that needed to be filled. She said that she understood because she has the same in her English. God knows exactly how to meet our needs, doesn't he?

Well, the little old 96 year old lady that lives around the corner...God has laid her in my heart!  Ok Jesus.  You know the Lord will interrupt your life in order that his will be done, not only for your life, but for the lives of others.  So it has happened with Ms Betty and me.  Some things have happened to her since she returned here in May or June, can't remember which.  Things that have been done by her "trusted" friends of 20 plus years including the stealing of her money.  Trusted "Christian" friends.  She has been so disappointed and discouraged.  The Lord helped me to find a good woman who will cook her meals, clean her house, and help her bathe, etc.  I don't have the time to do all those things for her. But I thank God for Ms Juana.  She is faithful.  She told another friend of mine that she doesn't want money from Ms Betty, because Ms Beverly teaches her daughter English, etc. So she is basically doing it for me. What can I say to that except, Thank you Lord for being faithful to me, and pour out your blessings on Ms Juana.

And can you believe that one of those "trusted" friends told someone that I had stolen Ms Betty's bottle of Vodka!!!! So funny.  I don't drink alcoholic beverages, but when I did, it definitely wasn't Vodka!  Horrible stuff.  Well, I did let that "trusted" friend know that it wasn't me. She didn't know what to say.  And that was good because she didn't need to say anything.  

I see the Lord move in so many different ways, it just makes me cry. He is so good to his people. His promises are so real.  But many of his kids don't know those pronises and sometimes they aren't willing to wait for his timing.  Boy, I have learned some of that the hard way.  But I thank God that I have learned.  My favorite time of the day is when I get up early and spend time in his word.  How rewarding that has been.  He has so much to share with his kids about himself.  He wants us to know him, not just memorize scriptures.  I remember one day a few years ago when I was walking through my house talking to him and I quoted that famous verse,  This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice in it, and just like that I heard the Lord say, "Will you?"  It made me stop in my tracks!  I just stood there and thought about what I had said and what he had just said, and I said, " Yes, Lord, I will." And I did.  It's in the doing with a faith believing heart in obedience.

My students have learned the song, What A Day That Will Be.  Some of them really like it.  They didn't know what to say when I told them that I wanted it sung at my funeral!!! I have so much fun with them sometimes. 

So now, I must finish cleaning my house.  God bless each one of you, and if you have the time and space on your prayer list, please pray for God to strengthen Ms Betty physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually.  She has a strong, sound  mind, and I praise God for that.  Thank you so much.