Some Stories

I know! Two blog posts in one week! I'm on a roll! I was planning on waiting, but I decided that there's been so much news that I might as well blog about it.

So, here's some stories that have happened in my life recently:

I've moved host families. This has been incredibly interesting and even though I'm missing one of my favorite jackets, the move went without a hitch. I moved about a block away into another student's house. The house is beautiful and amazing- but what is more amazing is the people that live in said house. My host parents are super sweet and always ask me how I'm doing. Am I hungry? Am I tired? Do I need anything? They don't speak any English, which is both a positive and a negative. It's difficult to keep a flowing conversation because the questions that I know how to ask are limited. But, I have found that I can understand much more than I thought! I've already learned so much, it's almost become overwhelming. But, I know that it always gets harder before it gets easier. But, I'm so thankful to be in another amazing family that cares so much about me.

One lesson that I've learned since being in this family is that if you say that you like something (like food) you really should MEAN IT, because you'll be eating that everyday. For example, I said that I like fruit the first day with yogurt and granola, and I had that the first morning. This morning, I woke up to an ENORMOUS bowl of fruit salad. It was so big, I honestly thought that it was for everyone in the family. No worries, it was only for me. I told my host mom that I couldn't eat everything in the bowl and she said "No worries, I'll pack it in your lunch". Then, when I got home from school my mother immediately prepared me another large bowl of diced fruit. I watched her as she diced it (which I again assumed was for the whole family). It consisted of: a half a cantalope, 2 apples, 1 large banana, and about a cup of yogurt. Oh my. It's a good thing that I really DO like fruit.

Sometimes Mexicans are so funny. But, I love them so much for their generosity and willingness to please.

There are so many things that I've been blessed with in this house- I can hardly name them all. But, I know that the Lord knew of my needs and put me in a house that could fulfill all of them.

Second, I have a story to tell.

I woke up this morning not feeling very well. But, I decided that I should just suck it up and go to school anyway because my new host mom would probably worry and I didn't want her to think that she just adopted an invalid. I decided that I would go to school and lay down in the back room. When I was at Spanish class, I found out that one of my teachers was sick and couldn't teach that day. Let's be honest, I was pretty bummed that I had to teach. I had a list of things that I needed to get done, and I didn't like changing my plans at the last minute. Plus, I didn't have a lesson planned and I didn't want to take the time to plan them. Plus- I was sick! The last thing I felt like doing was teach kids all day. I talked to Rachael (the director) I asked if I could go with her to the pharmacy to meet up with this teacher to see how she was doing.

When Rachael and I met up with the teacher at the pharmacy, I'll just say that she looked TERRIBLE. I instantly felt so bad for having those lazy thoughts before about teaching. I instantly broke into tears as I hugged her. I hate seeing people sick.

After the pharmacy, we went to this teacher's house. Rachel was trying to schedule some missionaries to come over and her cell phone died. She had to run home to get it charged and said that she would text me and let me know what was happening with the missionaries. So, I walked upstairs to the teacher's room to talk with her. What did I do when I laid down beside her? I burst into tears again! I honestly am the worst friend!

Then, his teacher put her arms around me and started comforting ME.

I can't even express my love and gratitude for this teacher. She has such a love and life in her. She is such a great example to me in my life. Don't get me wrong, I think the same for all of my teachers and almost everyone in my life. But, this sweet girl gave me a great "aha" moment that told me that I should be more grateful for the things I do have in my life. She taught me a great lesson about love, comfort, and being a good friend.

Sometimes life isn't great. But, there is always someone out there that has it worse than you right now. So, reach out and help them if you can! It will be their influence that will comfort you and make you realize everything that you have.

I hope that all made sense. It's pretty late and I'm really tired :)