Travel Day.
I got up at 2:30am to leave for the airport by 3:30am. Nelson drove me. We were both very quiet on the way. I tried to doze a little bit, but couldn’t really sleep. At least I didn’t get carsick like I have been doing lately.
Nelson dropped me off at the Managua airport at 5am. I got checked in pretty quick, since there weren’t many in the Delta line. There was a wait at the immigration area due to so many flights leaving at the same time. You never know how long the process will take, so we are always at the airport by 5am. I got through security after walking through the doorframe equipment and then getting wanded and then getting patted down. It’s nice to have attention. Haha I made it upstairs to my gate and grabbed a bagel and juice for my breakfast. I walked around a bit and then sat and made a few phone calls. My family in IN are 2 hours ahead of Nica, so it was a great time to call them. One more trip through another security checkpoint and I was on the plane.
The flight was great. I had upgraded to the economy seats with more legroom. I had the row to myself. I snoozed a little bit on the way to Atlanta. I chatted with the guy across the aisle. He was happy to have the row to himself, too. He was tall and rather large, so he always upgrades. He said that most people don’t want to spend the extra money, so he gets whole rows quite a bit. We both decided that it is worth it!
For my layover at Atlanta airport, I had a great hot lunch at TGIFridays. It was so yummy. It was rainy and a little chilly in Atlanta. Inside the airport was fine, but just looking out at the drizzle made me feel cold. When I left León at 3:30am, it was in the 80s. It got progressively colder the farther my day went. By the time I reached NWArkansas, it was in the 30s and rainy. Yuk!
Rusty and Lynn Branson picked me up at the airport and took me to dinner. It was lovely to spend time with them. And I loved the restaurant. Bentonville is getting a lot of bistro type restaurants and I’m loving that!
I made it to Deanna’s and got settled in. It was so good to get there. Deanna was still in Las Vegas visiting her daughter’s family after helping them with a mission event. It was just me, Jet (the dog) and LucyAlice (the cat). Everyone slept in my room. Haha
I was so glad to be in my US room and bed. I miss being in Nica, but I feel like my room at Deanna’s is my safe and cozy nest. It actually snowed overnight. I took some pictures at 4:30am when I let Jet out for the bathroom. I was afraid that the snow would be gone by morning. But when I got up, there was more snow and I got some better pictures. The weather turned back to rain during the day, so the snow went away. Brrrrrrr. I was not ready for that cold weather! But it was good to be ‘home’ in the US.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
May 1, 2013
It’s a holiday here, so there are no workers besides Alberto. Edmundo was on duty to drive me anywhere I wanted to go. I didn’t know that he was told to work. I told German to go ahead and send him home. If I go to town, I’ll get a taxi. No sense in someone working his holiday to just sit around and see if I want to go to town or not.
There was supposed to be a women’s retreat here today, but they never showed up. I guess that church changed its mind. It’s been very quiet. I did get up early and do my laundry so it would be done before the retreat. Buster is going around sleeping in different spots. It’s so funny to run across him lying on his back with his four legs up in the air. What a goof!
I had some yummy leftover Arroz Aguado for lunch! I love it cold. I think I will go to town for dinner later. Other than that, I have been charging up my electronics to pack, packing travel clothes and souvenirs and what work documents that I need to have with me. I’m all ready now! I just have to finish cleaning out my fridge.
I’ve sent out some messages and made phone calls. I hope to have a restful afternoon and be able to go to sleep early. I need to find my alarm clock to get up at 2:30am. Travel days are about the only times that I use an alarm clock. You just wake up early here.
I’m looking forward to seeing family and friends in the states. But it is still hard to not be here. I’m open to all of the opportunities that God allows for me bless someone and to be loved on myself! God is so good!
There was supposed to be a women’s retreat here today, but they never showed up. I guess that church changed its mind. It’s been very quiet. I did get up early and do my laundry so it would be done before the retreat. Buster is going around sleeping in different spots. It’s so funny to run across him lying on his back with his four legs up in the air. What a goof!
I had some yummy leftover Arroz Aguado for lunch! I love it cold. I think I will go to town for dinner later. Other than that, I have been charging up my electronics to pack, packing travel clothes and souvenirs and what work documents that I need to have with me. I’m all ready now! I just have to finish cleaning out my fridge.
I’ve sent out some messages and made phone calls. I hope to have a restful afternoon and be able to go to sleep early. I need to find my alarm clock to get up at 2:30am. Travel days are about the only times that I use an alarm clock. You just wake up early here.
I’m looking forward to seeing family and friends in the states. But it is still hard to not be here. I’m open to all of the opportunities that God allows for me bless someone and to be loved on myself! God is so good!
April 28-30, 2013
We set up for church this morning and the service was nice. We were a little down in numbers, but the praise band was great! German’s sermon was very good, too! I didn’t have any kids, so I got to listen to the whole service. I enjoyed it.
Freddy and I had a great lunch at Al Carbón and then headed back to the team house for a while before some other English Bible Study students came over for a visit. I worked on sorting and organizing the copies for the next 5 weeks of Women’s Bible Study notes and 7 weeks of Children’s curriculum for our 5 churches. It felt good to get that all ready for distribution on Monday morning! This will more than cover the weeks that I will be gone to the states.
Ronaldo, Danilo and Freddy swam (with Buster) for a few hours while Estefanie and I chatted. It was a very restful afternoon. I’m thankful to Sherry for allowing us to use the pool this afternoon. We had fun practicing new words in Spanish and English. We come up with some really crazy discussions sometimes! Buster loved all of the attention. Everyone went home about 6pm and I came to my room to go over notes for Monday’s 3 classes, practice guitar, pin some aprons for the cooks and hopefully watch a video before bed. Tomorrow will be a very long day. I hope that the frogs will let me sleep tonight! I’m wearing out my earplugs! Lol
Monday was indeed a long day, but lovely. I got the privilege of teaching both of the English Bible Study Group classes (morning class usually on Fridays and the Monday evening class). God spoke to me differently in each class, even though the material was the same. I love how He makes His relevant to so many people in so many ways.
I taught 2 week’s classes for the Women’s Bible Study to the ladies. I gave each lady a bag with 5 weeks of materials for the Women’s classes (which should take them through May) and 7 weeks worth of materials for the Kid’s classes. I was glad to get it all accomplished. They were glad to get a new bag! Haha
The day was bittersweet in that we were missing some people and I’m always sad to leave for my visits for the states. I love it here so much and God has made it a part of my heart. I’m a big crier anyway, so we spent our time between crying and laughing. Manuel and Mike came over to get some stuff from the office. Manuel played the drums and ‘his’ guitar, jumped on the trampoline, sang and danced. I caught it all on video and will put them on facebook.
I had lots of prayers over me for my trip and time away from my Nica family. I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life.
Tuesday was spent finishing up some work, praying with more people, doing some needed communication and then church at 5:30. The service was good and relaxed. The band was good, even though we missed Jorge. German gave a good message. I had 4 kids, plus a mama and baby at my coloring/Bible story table. After church, we cleaned up and then I retired to my room. I practiced guitar and watched a video. I stayed up a little later than usual knowing that Wednesday is a holiday. Still haven’t started packing yet. I think I’m avoiding it till the last minute.
I’m clinging to God and His promises for me. I know that He is the Almighty God and has ALL things under control. Sometimes I just have to exercise my emotions, I guess. I trust in Him and have peace from Him.
Freddy and I had a great lunch at Al Carbón and then headed back to the team house for a while before some other English Bible Study students came over for a visit. I worked on sorting and organizing the copies for the next 5 weeks of Women’s Bible Study notes and 7 weeks of Children’s curriculum for our 5 churches. It felt good to get that all ready for distribution on Monday morning! This will more than cover the weeks that I will be gone to the states.
Ronaldo, Danilo and Freddy swam (with Buster) for a few hours while Estefanie and I chatted. It was a very restful afternoon. I’m thankful to Sherry for allowing us to use the pool this afternoon. We had fun practicing new words in Spanish and English. We come up with some really crazy discussions sometimes! Buster loved all of the attention. Everyone went home about 6pm and I came to my room to go over notes for Monday’s 3 classes, practice guitar, pin some aprons for the cooks and hopefully watch a video before bed. Tomorrow will be a very long day. I hope that the frogs will let me sleep tonight! I’m wearing out my earplugs! Lol
Monday was indeed a long day, but lovely. I got the privilege of teaching both of the English Bible Study Group classes (morning class usually on Fridays and the Monday evening class). God spoke to me differently in each class, even though the material was the same. I love how He makes His relevant to so many people in so many ways.
I taught 2 week’s classes for the Women’s Bible Study to the ladies. I gave each lady a bag with 5 weeks of materials for the Women’s classes (which should take them through May) and 7 weeks worth of materials for the Kid’s classes. I was glad to get it all accomplished. They were glad to get a new bag! Haha
The day was bittersweet in that we were missing some people and I’m always sad to leave for my visits for the states. I love it here so much and God has made it a part of my heart. I’m a big crier anyway, so we spent our time between crying and laughing. Manuel and Mike came over to get some stuff from the office. Manuel played the drums and ‘his’ guitar, jumped on the trampoline, sang and danced. I caught it all on video and will put them on facebook.
I had lots of prayers over me for my trip and time away from my Nica family. I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life.
Tuesday was spent finishing up some work, praying with more people, doing some needed communication and then church at 5:30. The service was good and relaxed. The band was good, even though we missed Jorge. German gave a good message. I had 4 kids, plus a mama and baby at my coloring/Bible story table. After church, we cleaned up and then I retired to my room. I practiced guitar and watched a video. I stayed up a little later than usual knowing that Wednesday is a holiday. Still haven’t started packing yet. I think I’m avoiding it till the last minute.
I’m clinging to God and His promises for me. I know that He is the Almighty God and has ALL things under control. Sometimes I just have to exercise my emotions, I guess. I trust in Him and have peace from Him.
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