Crazy busy Sunday!!

Since I have been in Nicaragua, I have been attending a church down the street from where I am staying - the service is in English and many of the missionaries and adoptive families who live at Condo Allyson - attend this service together. Yesterday, however, I went to church at El Canyon - right across from the orphanage - I have been there several times.

First let me describe the actual church - it is a pretty small building made of cement with a tin roof (why they use tin, I don't understand because every time I would look up, I could feel heat radiating from the ceiling on my face), red tiled floor and they have two doors that are closed by a gate - so plenty of air can get in (I ALWAYS sit next to the door to get any air possible). It's basically a "hot box" that is "almost" unbearable.

The members are the extremely poor people from the community - and the kids from the orphanage. I know many of the people and all the kids. As soon as I walked in, Esaul who is 4 years old (very animated and wild) says, "Lesa, Lesa, Mireme, Mireme" (Lesa, Lesa, look at me, look at me) - he runs across the church and finds these two armchairs that are against the wall - he climbs on top of them - confirms I'm watching - then poses with with one leg in the air. This is all happening DURING church - when someone is speaking and we are "suppose" to be paying attention. Of course, I cracked up - so Esaul comes running back to me - laughs with me and then takes off again saying "Lesa, Lesa, mirame, marame" 8) This went on for quite some time!! I also have 2 girls sitting on my lap - Heyling and Carolina who are drawing all over my notes and playing with my hair - Angel, our other sweet "angel" has decided to out-do his buddy Esaul and climbs up the door like a monkey!!! He actually got in trouble....picked up and taken out of church - I have never seen that type of discipline before....busted!!

It's basically complete chaos and I am the rock star!! I am surrounded by kids I love - sweating like a pig and understanding about every 5th word in Spanish. It is one of my most favorite places and events!!

As soon as church is finished - we walk across the street to the orphanage and we made ice-cream cups for everyone in the community - we also passed out little bags for all the children - they had a small stuffed animal and candy in them. By this time it is 12:00 - I am covered in ice cream and my two children look even dirtier than me!! It was so hot and we were ready to get into the pool - so I asked if I could take 5 of the older girls with me back to our house and go swimming.

Cynthia, Julissa, Leyla, Arlen and Areyles came home with us to go swimming. Our cab driver came to pick us up and had his wife and child with them - so they sat in the front - the rest of us, in the back seat. We had 8 girls in the back - 11 in total!! This is something that is quite normal in Nicaragua - there is no limit to how many people can ride in a car - but you will get pulled over for not wearing a seat belt if you are sitting in the front (crazy laws). It's a short ride to Condo Allyson - thank goodness and we made it safe and sound!!

We changed and spent a couple of hours at the pool - it was very refreshing and so good to spend some time with the older girls. They found a mango tree and picked some mango's - they eat them, skin and all and like salt on them as well.

It was very hectic in our small house with all the girls running around - asking questions, laughing and checking out all our stuff. I think often of how difficult it must be for them - the older girls. They are very seldom considered for adoption - and often see many of the younger ones going to families. They are growing up and trying to sort out all their emotions - they are beautiful girls - inside and out - and I feel that this time I am spending with them is time I am really getting to know them - a true blessing!

After the pool and fun - the girls had to go back and my girls' and I went to dinner with the Rodriguezes and the Divens' - both Lucie and Martita fell asleep in the cab TO the restaurant - so we were all exhausted - the food was good but we were ready to be home -

Sunday nights are when my small group gets together. There are four of us -- Leigh Ellen, Trish, Michele and myself - it is a great time to just hang out and hear about each other's struggles and support each other - these women are so important to me - they have been true friendships and I believe ones that I will continue to have and grow as time goes on -

I only got to Skype with my husband and Scarlett for a couple of minutes - that was the only negative to my day - well, let me correct that - I have one more negative....Leyla was playing with Lucie's hair and informed me that she has lice.....I will have an entire blog dedicated to that alone....but today was a day of love, support, laughter and fun for me. It always end with sadness because I am away from my husband - but it was a good day!!

Love and blessings to you all and I hope your Sunday was as good as mine!!