Day 22

Getting up at 10am never felt so good!

Of course naturally I woke up at 5am but stayed in bed and didn't get up until late which was great! I got up and showered and then got ready for the day. This morning was pretty relaxed.

Oh before I go on, I wanted to make a correction, so Rosia, yea her name is spelled Rocío, I went back into my old posts and fixed that. Also her official title is psychologist. I kept getting different names, but that's it. Ok now that that is settled, let me continue! :)

We went to get lunch around 12:20ish and of course we went to the usual spot right around the corner! :) Then we went to metrocentro and met Joseling, one of our scholars. Joseling is a sweetheart! If you remember she is one of the scholars who I was able to see baptized. She is such a beautiful young lady and has such a sweet spirit and a great heart! I asked Brad if we could bring her because she lives close to us but also because she is such a great young lady. I am excited to get to know her so much more in these last couple of weeks I have here.

Now I know I have mentioned that this saturday we are having an open house party for our new office and all the families are invited! So we met with Joseling so she could help us pick out things for the party. We went to the market again, the same one that we have been to three times now. It's crazy! You would never know that we have been there three times! Every time we go we see a different side of it. This market is the biggest market in all of Central America! It's insane and these kids and adults get around it like it is a grocery aisle in walmart and I have no clue where I am going! It's also fascinating the various smells, the various people, and various items. It will never cease to fascinate me that's for sure!

It's also crazy in the market because you have to be aware of so many things! You have to watch your step so you don't trip over all the bumps or step into a puddle. You have to watch above your head so your head doesn't hit any of the items that are hanging up to be sold. You have to watch the people around you so you don't get pick-pocketed. You have to watch the people going through with huge carts of food and other items, so your foot doesn't get run over. And if you're not a local like myself, you have to watch the person in front of you so you don't lose them and they can guide you out of there! It is definitely a pretty crazy and neat experience though! I am so thrilled that I have been able to see this non-tourist market. I would definitely recommend wherever you go to go check out their local market, not alone though of course! Go with a local, but definitely go! :) These types of experiences are so great!

Jessie and I in a very tight walk way in the market

In the market we needed to buy a piñata and candy for the party, because it is not a party without a piñata. We were able to get two, one for the boys and one for the girls. I didn't get pictures of them today but I will definitely have them for ya'll on saturday. Anyways, we also bought big poster boards to make a mural where we are going to have all 31 scholars outline their hand and decorate their handprint however they want to on saturday! We are so excited to do that and then hang it up in our new space! So saturday's fiesta will be hopping, as the kids nowadays say! :) 

It was also very crazy that while we were at the market we ran into other scholars! This was very crazy and rare! This market is so big! The likelihood of you running into someone from your neighborhood is  some really low percentage! It's very unlikely! So it was really neat to see Carla and Patricia, two moms of our scholars, Nino, Kimberly, and Didier. It was so great! 

Nino, myself, Jessie, Kimberly, Didier, and either Carla or Patricia (they're twins it's hard to tell)

We left the market and dropped Joseling off, dropped off the piñatas at the office, and then headed home. When we got home we were able to talk with the house maid and she told us that there were two beds from the girl who just moved out next door and she would be willing to sell them to us. You see Jessie and I had these cot beds and the foam mattresses were sinking in and became very uncomfortable, so Brad was helping us out. So we were able to get these two beds that have a box spring and mattress for $10 each! It was so awesome! We felt like queens sitting on these actual beds and to know I get to sleep in an actual bed tonight is so exciting! It's crazy how it's all these little things at home that I took for granted are like special treats here! I am definitely blessed and won't be taking these things for granted anymore that's for sure! So we were definitely blessed tonight to be given these beds! :) Thank you Jesus for an actual bed! 

Jessie enjoying our new beds! 

After getting our new beds settled in to our room, we headed to the super market to buy groceries for the house and plates and cups for the party on saturday. Also I, of course, had to buy more Oreos, I was running low! This is the only sugar that I get here and it is definitely nice to munch on them after meals. So we were able to get everything we needed and then took a taxi with all of the stuff back to the house. 

We got back and I was able to FaceTime my folks who were at the One Way Churches International Convocation. I am sad to miss it but it was nice to see all of the pastors. So my dad FaceTimes me while he is on the platform with all of the other pastors during worship service! It was really funny but all the pastors seemed happy to see me and it was so great seeing all of them too! I got to listen to some of the worship going on and watch the congregation praise God. It was nice to be able to still be there in a sense. So thanks for that dad! :)

I got some work done for VISEDAL on updating and keeping track of finances and my work hours, etc. Then I made dinner again for myself. Tonight I made a stir fry. I cooked some pasta and cooked a lot of vegetables then mixed them in a pan with some soy sauce. It was so good! My mom said I'm going to have to cook for her when I get home so she can try the food that I've been cooking here. I guess I'll have to see about that. We might do an exchange where she makes me dinner and I'll make her dinner, because I miss my mom's cooking! :) 

Now I am just enjoying the rest of my night and was able to FaceTime my folks again but this time actually talk with them after their service. It's always nice to laugh and joke with them like we always do. They definitely brighten my day every time I hear from them or even think of them. I love my family so much! :) Take care of your family and love them and appreciate them! Family is important and should be treasured! :) 

Well until next time, buenas noches