PARADE AND INDEPENDANCE DAY IN GUAT

We got the boats done and it was time for the yearly run and the next day a parade. They were pretty excited to get to all dress up for the parade. We dressed the little kinder kids as Pirates/Spainards. And the other kids as Mayan Indians. It was very cute and I have lots of pics but nothing I can down load to this yet. But I promise it will come in the near future. We showed off our school well and many people were impressed with the boats we made. Our entire school was there and I think there was only a few other schools in the parade this year. After the parade I got invited to a Guat Party and they do exactly what we do on Thanksgiving. Eat and then sit around and talk/watch TV. I felt closer to home then I have in awhile but still missing the red, white and blue. I truly love the USA but the parade here was nice.

The End is Near

I am feeling restless so I asked Scott to please pray for my sleep. I have been waking up at 2:00 in the morning almost everyday for the past week. It was becoming a nightly deal. Finally, I was able to sleep all night last night. It felt so good! We have a half a week and then it´s exam week. After exams we are planning an all day camp for our Public schools. We decided to invite our kids from El Meson to come as well. It should be exciting as well as entertaining. I have a meeting today to talk about what we might be planning to do with the kids. Please pray our meeting goes well and our time together is well used. I should be heading home Oct 7th for Guat City and flying out on the 8th back to Wichita. I just need to sell my moto. I have a feeling someone is going to get a good price on the moto. I can´t take it with me but it´s going to be a hard sell with no one having money here.

Computer is Down, Eyes have growth goo and I had an auction.

So I have been using my computer for everything and with only three weeks left, I trip over my cord and it flops off the desk, onto the floor. Needless to say, it's not working. It turns on but it's got slow moving parts now, I think. So bear with me as you will be getting no photo's for awhile. Please pray I can recover the information on the computer and it will start working again with the help of genisus computer wiz JJ.
This past month my eyes had some film on them on the corner of my eyes. They looked like a yellow goo was going to take over my eyes. I went to the hospital since I don't have insurance right now, until I get married. They brought me right in and looked at my eyes and gave me the low down on what caused it and how to get rid of it. Gave me some eye drops and I walked out the door. Didn't have to pay for anything. I was shocked. But very pleased I won't need surgery at this early stage. They said it was due to over exposure to the sun and dust. Four drops a day should take care of it.
Three days ago I had an auction at my house thanks to a few teacher friends of mine who suggested it. I sold over 40 items and it was exciting to see them bid for things they thought were important. The things I thought would sell for a lot like an electric blanket only sold for $5.00 but my guitar sold for $40.00 and I bought it here for about that price. I guess you never know. I made $250.00 from just stuff I can't take back with me to the States. When you only have two suit cases, it makes it difficult. But God is good and everyone had a great time. I was very pleased with how things went.

Not much rain but we are building boats

The past two days the kids haven't had school because of the "possible flooding". Well we received a bit of rain but not enough to start flooding. So we took these two days to build our three boats we are using in the parade next Saturday. They are suppose to be Christopher Columbus's boats he sailed to the Americas. I had one teacher let me know she was American too, and it wasn't just us white folks. I guess they take a lot of pride in him and the fact he was a Latino. Anyway, we are constructing them with glue and newspaper and the plan is to carry kids inside them while being carried by six men. Many of us think it will be too heavy to carry that many kids and it should be interesting to see what they do instead. We had a lot of fun and played soccer in the afternoon. It was nice to get out of the same routine and having glue on my hands reminded me when I was a kid. I used to dry a glue spot on my arm or hand, I would then take a red pen/black pen and make it look like I was hurt. I loved taking the glue off and seeing my hand print. So of course, I had to do it again. Time is finally going by a little more rapidly and I will be home with my sweetheart.

Hurricane Season

This is what happened last time.. but really bad flooding. We just started receiving rain at 12:30 this afternoon. I just received a memo from our director there is no school due to the possible rain. The president of Guatemala canceled all classes today and tomorrow. He also canceled classes on Monday for the election. I have seen how the storm has weakened on the hurricane channel but not sure how much rain it's going to bring our way. It was predicted 12 to 24 inches of rain so we pray it's not that much when it arrives here. Please pray for our region because many people live in poorly built homes and close to rivers. We appreciate your prayers so far because the Hurricane has weakened so much over the past 24 hours. Praise God for Mountains ah?? Again, no sports club or sports the second half of this week. Trying to stay positive but it's difficult with all this rain.

First Graduating Class

Well, it's the first year we have had a graduating class. El Meson has taken a group of kids from 5 years old to now. I have had the privileged to work with three of the kids through sports. It was very exciting to see them before their big day of presenting their final projects. They were very nervous. It started at 5 but actually began around 6:30. Two of the judges didn't show up until 7:00. I took lots of pictures but then started to get bored so I joined some sports kids in the back with beginning all the applauding. It was fun from then on because there was a lot of applauding to do. I think everyone there received a gift. I am proud of our kids and all the work they put into their final project it was an interesting night. I was told we could start eating so we ate some of the cookies. I guess we weren't suppose to because all of the cookies got taken away. I guess you could say I was a rebel that night..not meaning to be though. Good Times had by all.

My Sweet Friend Magaly

Well, sometimes people surprise you and give to you when you are there to give to them. I have made very good friends with a mother of three children. She works in a clothing material store in the square of the town with her parents. I visit her store probably five to ten times a week. I think I bought an iron one time but mainly I just visit with her about anything and everything. Mostly, we talk about sports and how we can get woman more involved. She loves all sports like me. We have been on the same volleyball, basketball and soccer teams together. She is such a sweet friend. I am two years younger then her and she has a 16 year old son. We had a formal wear praise and worship night and I told her I had nothing to wear. Which was very true but I was also making an excuse to not go. She asked me to come to her house and she had a red dress for me. Without hesitation we headed off to her house to try on clothes. She allowed me to borrow this pretty Latino dress. I was thrilled and helped her pick between two dresses (which were stunning) for her on the special night. I called the day of the event and asked if I could sit with her family. She of course said yes. The evening once again was geared toward families and of course I am without one. But Magaly grabbed my hand and told me she loved me very much. It was very sweet as her daughter grabbed my hand as well and we sat there as a family. She gave so much to me that night. A sense of belonging and hopefully I gave her a friendship she will always remember. She has had a difficult time with her husband and it's not been easy for her at different times these past two years. Please pray for her marriage and children. She is a wonderful person.

Let's Get Physical

My nephew started me working out while I was home. So I guess I have been working my butt off (literally)since I got back to Guat. I have been doing two workouts a day. Trying to burn fat and finding a few results. Working out here in Guatemala is interesting. In America, you have tons of people who go to the YMCA and they have a routine. Maybe not all but at least from what I remember in my days at the gym in the USA. Here, there are about five or six guys who lift for about 30 seconds and talk for about 15 minutes before doing another thing. Most of the woman get on the bike for about five minutes and then leave. Each week, I try to increase my time spent on the elliptical because I want to burn calories as well. I have toned quite a bit and lost enough weight for people to mention it. I am encouraged but it's hard to eat healthy here. I have been on a tuna diet for lunches and I love tuna so that's not bad. I guess, I am sharing with you all this to say. I am tired but still motivated to lose weight for my wedding coming up. My girlfriends are in this with me back home and it's encouraging to know they are working hard to look amazing for my wedding. I am so excited.
Side note with the title: Oliva Newton John was who I wanted to be when I was a little girl. My brother and I dress up like the Grease characters one time. I remember the photo really well of us with a Grease album. It's funning to think our mother allowed us to watch that movie. I would sing Hopelessly Devoted all the time. But her all time most hilarious video was "Let's get Physical" I think she was on roller skates in the video. Anyway, I am not roller skating around San Cristobal singing "Let's get Physical". Loved her... loved her.. but I think she turned out weird like all my childhood favorite singers.

USA ! No two more months to STAY

Well, it's been only two weeks since I have been back and yet it has been more then tough. The West family left today and Brad fields took off for the States as well. For the last few months every other night was spent watching movies and hanging out playing games with the West. I don't mind saying they had a big impact in my life and helped me so much with just everything. I will miss them very much.
Today, I just felt lost and lonely. First time in a long time I have felt lonely. I miss Scott very much but it was like I just didn't have any friends here. I know this is not the case because I have some very sweet Guatemalan friends who invited me to hang out with their families the other day. Even though I was was two hours late because 12 and 2 sounds sort of the same to me. We had a great time hanging out playing volleyball and eating together. I just don't like change too much.
Talking with a friend today, she encouraged me to keep focused on why I am here for two more months and find those I am to serve. I just feel like I don't know how to serve when there is nothing going on recently. I did help with the flood victims and cleaning our school. I guess it's just not feeling productive and yet maybe it's time to pray and praise him. I do go through stages in life. Working three jobs at once and then nothing for awhile. I guess that's how God helps me reflect. Maybe he is giving me this time to reflect and rest before marriage. Even so, I must maintain direction and seek His face.

Happy Birthday Everyone!

I guess I learned something finally. When it's your birthday, as you get older, you are the one who has to get things going for your own birthday party. Which, without crazy friends back home, I decided to do things a little differently. I keep telling Scott in order to have long lasting relationships you must serve others first. I had the best birthday because I wasn't thinking of how others could serve me but how I could serve others. Profe. Salo had a birthday on Sunday and then the flood came so.. his birthday got forgotten. So I brought tostados for all the teachers to celebrate Prof. and I's birthday. We eat a lot of tostados!!! Lunch was spent with my best friend here, Juanita. She and I ate pizza at this fun little restaurant in town. Caught up on things we hadn't talked about forever. In the afternoon, I baked another cake because the first one didn't rise very well. After church I had invited whoever wanted to come and personally invited those who probably needed and extra nudge. We had plenty of food and cake. So it worked out great!! I even served my favorite tea "Refresh Mint"! And it was a big hit!!! I realized as I was praising God this morning in my worship time. I came into this world to serve not be served. WOW!!!! And you know what it was so nice to serve others last night in my home and watch them enjoy their time with friends. So next time you have a birthday, remember your birthday day is the day you were sent into this world to serve others, so do it! It makes for a great birthday!! Christ, I think looks down on this little earth and on Christmas day and smiles! Because for a month we were thinking of others and why he came into this world, it was to serve not be served.

Rain Rain Go Away!

So it rained here for about a day and a half. Monday all the kids filled in to school and within five minutes the director changed his mind and had all the kids go home. Within an hour three classrooms were completely filled with water chest deep. It was amazing and the water was rising. School was called off and the rest of the day I played spades with the West's. But today was clean up because the waters finally reseeded. Today we found out 12 people died in Coban, (a town about twenty minutes away) and two children were missing here in San Cristobel when the waters hit flood levels. Two school families lost parts of their houses to the river that goes through the town. It's a wonder they didn't lose more. Today we cleaned from 7:30 a.m. till 12:30. It was a mess. Please pray the rain holds off for several days the town is in pretty bad shape and the waters are still high in the river.

Not wanting to let GO!!!

My sweet family here in Guatemala is leaving August 21st. I am very sad to know there won't be anymore crazy times at the WEST's HOUSE. Dean was such a blessing to me in so many ways. She took care of my every need from creams for the bugs, doctor's visits, trips to town, movies, eye drops, paper, printers, van rides for the sports teams, teaching me how to bake and so much more. Living without the WEST's is like living without your right hand. It's sure going to be different without the latest book Dean has read to Paul washing their van and amazing burritos. Their kids are amazing too! Morgan has helped out so much with Sports; sports club, volleyball club, basketball league, little kids basketball league, basketball coach and helping with Sports Night. Molly is the sweeties young lady you could ever meet. She always has a smile and keeps me laughing. Also helping out in Sports Club when she could. With the days leaving us it's so hard to say goodbye. I just want to hang out at their house until they are gone but I know I can't. Please pray for the West Family as they pack their belongings in a Crate and have it shipped back to the States. They will be living in Louisiana and trusting God will provide for Paul a job when they get back. I pray our paths will cross again and I can help them as much as they helped me feel a little like family far from my own. I will miss the sweet shows and the almost tear moments. I love you guys to death.

Heart for these people!

My heart goes out to all of those who mean the world to me. As I set at my computer this morning thinking and praying. I have come to realize how God sees things but just at a glimpse. I am trying to sell many of the things I have here and I just don't know how much money should be for what. Then I think I should give it all away because it was a gift from God in the first place. But am brought back to the reality of my need to return to the states and having money to keep going. It's a hard choice to give up the things you hold dear in the life you lead now. But it's also a reality that it's not yours it's God's and who would benefit if I gave some of those things away. Please pray as my time here is short and there are so many things to think about as I leave. Plus there are so many things to think about as I return. God be with me in these last two months.

Wild Hogs! Okay maybe not.

With a free weekend you get something in ya that wants to just be free to ride in the wind. I asked my friend Brad what he was doing this weekend and he said he wanted to go through some rain forests about 45 minutes away on Saturday. I was excited to join him because I wanted my time here to go by quicker and there is nothing slower then a lazy Saturday. We jumped on our bikes and off we went. Mountains beside us and fun curvy roads. I most enjoyed just sitting down and talking with my good friend Brad. At the ministry we aren't allowed to talk much with one another one on one if we of different gender and it was just so enjoyable to hear his heart for ministry by trying to obey God's Purpose in his life. We walked through the forest and tried every path we could find. But it seemed every path we took lead us to someone's home back gate. We thought perhaps we should enter and see how we could get back to where we parked our bikes. But as we entered two big dogs started barking at us and we quickly jetted into another gate. Which happened to be their garden or trash area. So we had a choice, Wild Hogs face the wired fence or the dogs. We first chose the fence and the thick forest. After walking along the fence in the thick forest we decided that wasn't the best choice and we needed to get back to the path we were on before . But of course that meant facing the dogs. So tough bikers we were, we both grabbed a stick and proceeded to leave our safe garden/trash pile. As we got out of the gate the dog gave us his wolf teeth and angrily barked at us. I asked Brad to stay between me and the dog. I was also worried about where the other dog might be but he stayed in his pen. We waved our thick sticks and the dog bowed out like a wimpy kid on a school bus. Oh yeah! We got back on the trail and headed back to the bikes. After a long talk we decided we wanted to head to a restaurant just off the highway. Brad was looking at all the waterfalls on the mountains and almost didn't see a cow in the middle of the road. We safely got to the restaurant and as soon as we ordered it poured rain. The owner's wife recognized me from church and she gave us free coffee and water while we waited for the rain to stop. We wanted to see a movie and sometimes they are in English with Spanish subtitles because they don't have a Spanish version. It just so happened we watched Tim Allen and John Travolta's movie where they are in a Biker Gang they made up and they ride around like they are tough motorcycle guys. It was a fun ending to a day when I felt like a biker chick for the first time. So anytime you get a wild hair to ride on the wild side do it with Brad Fields! Thanks Brad for the invite! Headin on the Highway! Looking for some action!!.......Born to be Wi......ild! Okay maybe not but it's a good story!

10 Reasons I love my Nephew Huck

#10 He never complains what game we are playing just moves on to the next one.
#9 He loves to eat cheese! (Cheese is good, people)
#8 Huck loves his name and it's not Huckleberry "it's Huck William Schremmer"
#7 When it's time for a nap, he fights it to keep playing "shows great determination"
#6 At meal times he is very concerned I have dry toast. Concern for others! yeah
#5 Can sit through a game of catch phrase and then afterwards imitate his crazy
relatives playing the game but was caught on the phrase "pizza crust" with Aunt T
#4 He loves water and doesn't mind getting sprayed a lot.
#3 When asked to smile at the camera he almost looks angry but with Aunt t he goes
natural and has a gorgeous smile.
#2 He loves the games I invent "human rocking chair", "bottoms up", "crazy legs" and
takes them back to NY so daddy can work off all Kansas food he ate.
#1 Reason I love my Nephew Huck- He is very adorable in everyway

Beauty of Kansas Surrounded Me

Going home was a blast! I was able to see friends, family and spend lots of time with my nephew HUCK! When I got back Scott and I did a lot of counseling with friends we respected. In this counseling we made some major decisions for our future. Because we are not so young anymore we know time is passing for us to make good solid decisions for our family. I was feeling uneasy with our decision to stay in Guatemala but didn't know why. As time passed the feeling became even more of my heart changing from wanting to be in charge of a sports program. My heart became so filled with just wanting to be with Scott and take care of his needs. When I came home we talked about our hearts desire to work together in Missions. But also our hearts focus to stay in God's Will for us who has our best interest in mind. We ultimately decided to stay in the States and build our first year of marriage where Scott can lead our marriage and I can be in a supportive role. We would like to look into to working overseas again together but because we want to start our marriage off on a solid foundation we have chosen to live in his house and be surrounded by a supportive church family. We are hoping to continue Scott's work on the missions board but as a couple. Also, help with sending teams overseas. God is so good to help us come to a peace in our decision. Now, it's telling people I work with how much I will be missing them. The goal now is to spend these next few months working on a plan for the sports program here in Guatemala. I would hate for it to stop after I leave. We are working on sending money to help provide a better salary for our PE teacher and continue to send supplies their way. Please pray for this transition. Scott and I are getting married Nov. 2 in Jamaica. I am so excited.

Heading Home Soon

God is so good and knows when we have had enough and need a break. I have another vacation coming up July 20th and I am so looking forward to being home. 7 months of bug biting, no showers, raining nonstop slop can take it's toll on a person. When I go home, I have the pleasure of meeting my mother's new husband, see my brother's movie with a lot of family and spend time with friends who have been a huge support to me. Oh and I get to see my nephews and nieces too. But on this trip I have several things to get accomplished; I need to move all of my things out of my mom's house, see if I can get my phone fixed, plan a wedding with Scott and my friends, make major decisions for Scott and I's future, play with my nephew Huck, try and find some type of medication to help my memory, play with my nephew Huck :), go to a birthday party, have a birthday party for Scott, and so much more. I don't mind doing any of those things either because I know I will be spending time with Scott and that's all that really matters most of all. Thanks God, for my boss allowing me not to have to come back as early as others and for giving me time with my family when I really need it. Please pray for safe travel as I will be flying stand by and you never know what flight you are going to catch when. I am praying all goes well, God is so preparing things for my safety already. What a wonderful friend we have in Jesus.... Victory in Jesus.... wow those old hymns really stick with you... thanks WBC. So excited!!!!!!

We tried a new approach to volleyball leagues this summer. I thought since vacations, exams, and the end of the year it would be best to do an all day Volleyball Tournament. It actually went very well. I was so happy to see eight teams sign up and we had a great day full of fun. It was exciting to see the teams work together. Four of my high school kids made it all the way back through the losers bracket and played in the championship game. I was so glad to see them working together and playing so well. It was pretty awesome to have everyone officiating when they weren't playing to help with allowing me to play. We only had a few problems but with a few discussions we worked them out. The tournament started at 9:00 a.m. but actually by the time all the teams showed up it was 10:20 but it was around 3:00 everyone started getting tired. Luckily, God helped me prepare for this and my Sports club kids had filled up 300 water balloons the day before to start a water fight. It was perfect timing because everyone was hot and didn't mind getting wet. We all had a blast. There were only about 15 minutes of rain that day and this helped so much to have a successful day of fun. What a great time!!! Many of us were incredibly sore the next day but that's what goes with playing a sport you love all day.

Basketball League has finally been completed and I can actually say it was a success in many parents eyes. I enjoyed watching my coaches work with the little kids. They were so fun to see them give advice and encourage their little players. Little Edgar Manuel won the MVP player for his league 5-7 year olds, even though there were many kids who showed major improvement. Jose Gonzales won MVP for his league 8-10 year olds and he proved to have the most skill of anyone out there, even showing fancy moves of passing behind his back. He was so cute to watch.
The adult league at least ended on a positive note. I was happy to see the relationships built. Our team came in 3rd and we were happy to do so well. My team got very close and it seemed we all were enjoying the time together. The men's league ended with a great game which came down to three point lead. It was very exciting and we presented t-shirts to the winners. They were very excited to receive t-shirts and a trophy. I was apologized to several times after the game of their character throughout the tournament. It was a good feeling to see how God worked it out. God's purpose is much higher then our own. I learned a lot and feel God is doing mighty things through Sports here. God is so good.

Vacation in Belize

Let me just say it was a crazy, fun, tiring, overwhelming, relaxing, adventurous, inviting, challenging, breath taking, hot, refreshing, annoying (bugs), and amazing time I have ever had traveling in Guatemala.
Our trip to the port to catch our boat was air conditioned and very relaxing. I was amazed at how quick the time went by. But then we met a man on the shore who invited us to ride with him on his boat so we did. I jokingly mentioned if he had a number on the back of his boat, in case he was a terrible driver. We all laughed and he mentioned his number was on the ticket we received. Taking off we noticed it was a little rocky and the waves were coming over the boat pretty consistently. The boat was packed with luggage in the front and an old fashioned type writer (just waiting to lift off in my face). After fifteen minutes of hitting waves going 45 miles an hour we weren't laughing anymore. The waves started getting bigger and bigger. As we approached the midpoint of our ride we were climbing nine feet waves and slamming down on the water. Our bench we were holding onto broke. The screws had come out of their sockets and the next thing we know the boat is falling apart all around us. We were both so terrified we knew nothing else but to laugh our heads off as we hit. A lady right behind us shouted Son-of-------- and we both looked at each other and agreed. One little old black lady in the back was just completely drenched in salt water and sitting there dazed with her shawl on. It was an awful ride and yet we somehow survived with only bruised tail bones and achy muscles. I looked at Marika and asked if she still had her ticket to call his company. We both laughed.
We stayed with a New Yorker/Hippie named Tricia. She had owned a few jazz clubs in her younger days and now at 52 she wanted to retire on the beaches of Hopkins in central Belize. She had story after story of all the times she spent traveling and marrying men as she went on her adventures to find love. Truly, I believe she is still searching for a love that won't fade or get boring. She was one lady who needed lots of love and gave it generously. I enjoyed sitting and listening to her tell about her adventures. The longer we stayed the more stories we heard of her getting taken advantage of by everyone. It started to get a little depressing and you wanted to take her home with you in your suit case.
Marika is my friend here at Inn Ministries, who went with me on this adventure and she is always full of good times. We had plenty of interesting moments of strange characters and wild stories. I felt like we were captured by a pirate ship and meet others who had been there too. It was quite a combination of laying out, eating amazing sea food and getting caught in a conversation you wished you really weren't apart of after listening to a 15 year old talk about all the drugs his "friends at school do" while his dad ties his own shirt in knots around his body because he is completely wasted on Rum.
We enjoyed our time with the kids in the village and it was a very poor village. These beautiful people did nothing but sit in front of their homes and talk. They lived off the land and basically did drugs. Not too safe of a town after leaving it. We left Hopkins and decided to head to Livingston. I was thankful we did because the night before we left Tricia's neighbors had a fight and the woman kept yelling "Your a liar and a liar and a liar Jasper!" over and over again. I slept about five minutes that night. When we got to Livingston, we were immediately greeted by this street guy named Alejandro. He talked with us for awhile and asked us if we wanted to find a good hotel. We were like yeah thanks.... then he proceeded to tell us he needed to get his wife. We were like oh... that's cool he has a wife. He pulls up on his bike and we realize he was talking about his bike. Very nice! So needless to say we found him pretty funny and he was helping us a ton because he was dirt poor and wanted something to eat. Later we fed him but he got a little annoying and we had to tell him goodbye after showing us a dance club on the beach. It just wasn't a dance night. Once we got back to our room we noticed all these ants on my bed. I was pretty grossed out but was willing to sleep with them. After five minutes of sitting on our beds we noticed Marika had big brown bugs all over her bed post. Well that was enough for us and when they started flying we had to wake up the Hotel operator and get a different room. It was a crazy night but we laughed and laughed about our crazy times. After receiving fifty bug bites on each foot and ten on each arm we were ready to head back to the mountains of San Cristobal. The sand flies in those areas at this time of year were unbelievable. It was so terrible we had to go to a pharmacy and get some cream to stop the itching. Our road trip back was hot because we rode in a luxury bus that was not so luxurious anymore without air conditioning. We left on buses at 11:00 and arrived at 8:00 that night. What a day! I was thankful to see the beautiful Sea but I was more excited to move into my new home. Vacations are wonderful but everyday life is sometimes more relaxing. :) I am thankful for prayers because it kept us safe traveling through some of those towns.