This and That

Let's start off with a picture of my homeroom girls. We won a competition so we got chips and cheese dip, cake, and Coke. They were so excited about it!

 

Since last week, I can't say anything overly eventful happened. It's really quite ordinary being a teacher meaning that we just come to our teaching thing and there you go. Joe and I were just talking about how funny and difficult it is to answer people when they ask, "So what do you?? Tell me all about it!" I can tell you that it's a rather quiet simple life, coming to school everyday, educating the children, getting planning and grading done, and gearing up to do it again tomorrow. Of course it looks a little different for each of us, but in general that's just how it goes.

It's kind of comforting for me to think about that. Everything feels so routine, like I'm in the flow of it all which is remarkable because there is no flow in Belize. It all just happens and goes in every direction and you have to guess where you're supposed to be. It's starting to feel more like a home base and not like I'm holding down the fort until the permanent people are here. News flash, Melissa, you are the permanent people. (No, Mom, I'm not getting ideas about moving here forever. It just actually feels like I'm here for a year).

In other news, this past Saturday the 4th Formers had one of their community service days. Half of them went to an orphanage in Belmopan (about 2 hours away) while the rest of us went to a nursing home in Cayo (about 20 minutes away). It was really funny for me seeing the kids at the nursing home because I can vividly remember when I was in high school visiting nursing homes and how awkward it is at first. You have no idea what to say to them, you can't always understand them, and sometimes you're talking to the poor soul who keeps asking you the same questions over and over. They were so stilted and scared, it was hilarious. But with a little prompting from us who were chaperoning, soon they were making sure their new pals got a banana or someone got their sweater if they were cold (which is hilarious because really who needs a sweater in the middle of the day in Belize?). A large group was gathered around one man who was telling all kinds of stories. A group of girls sat with one quiet old woman and cried with her, sang songs with her, just listened to her. It was wonderful and even though none of them were my students that I teach, they're still students at Mount Carmel which means they're my kids. And I was really proud of them that day because who knows what they went into that day thinking. But I know at least one person left with a greater respect for people especially the elderly. 

Ok let's see, what else has been happening. Oh! The Franciscan mission team was selected this past week! I am so very excited about this because 2 of my friends, including one of my closest and dearest friends, are leading the mission. Plus I know 2 other people on the team which of course means there are 11 people that I don't know that are coming, but oh man am I excited for them to come. Please keep them in your prayers as well as they begin their preparation and formation! I know I keep adding to your prayer list, but only because they are so needed! Keep it up!

And a happy belated feast of Our Lady of the Rosary! Yesterday, Joe and I had to go to Cayo which is bigger than Benque so it has a lot more things. Like soft serve ice cream! A cone that would easily be $4.50 in the States cost us $2. That's $2 Belize aka $1!!! The best way to celebrate. Right before we found out we can't have sugar for a while, but that's a whole other topic that most of you probably aren't interested in. At least we went out with a bang! And so the suffering begins. I'm already lamenting the absence of our usual Wednesday treat of pancakes in the morning. 

So there it is. It's a very small life that I live and I love it. And I want to say the same thing to all of you that one of my good friends said to me in an email:

Keep in touch, love, and take each day as a new opportunity to love.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.

Totus Tuus, Maria.