Spanglish

As the night comes to an end I am beginning to space out and have no clue what is being said around me. For the entire day I have been thinking constantly trying to understand all of the Spanish being spoken to me. It is definitely a miracle I am understanding as much as I do. My brain is fried. Even now as I write this I am having troubles switching back and forth between Spanish and English. I'm so very thankful that I am surrounded by Spanish speakers though, because I know that is the best way to learn. There is this little girl in my house named Dalia who knows a bit of English and every once in awhile she finds it necessary to translate for me even if I understand but its so cute because she really doesn't make much sense when she speaks but I know she's so proud! Anyways let me update you all on whats going on.

Sunday after having not slept the night before I left for the airport at 4:30am and flew out of the Milwaukee Airport. I arrived in San Diego at 11:40am their time and met a group heading down to the Baja. It was quite a long drive down, especially because we made so many stops and being so sleep deprived I was like a narcoleptic. I'd be talking with the people and next thing I knew I was asleep and then I'd wake up, talk more and zonk out again! By the time I got to the mission at about 9 or 10 I was finished and I didn't even bother to meet anyone I went straight to sleep!

I have been assigned to be an assistant house mom in one of the houses here and so today I moved in. There is a single lady named Siri who is the house mom and so I am there to assist her in whatever ways I can. When I first thought about living in the house I was so nervous, I was afraid it would be so uncomfortable and I'd have such troubles understanding but that hasn't been the case! Siri is such an awesome lady and the girls welcomed me with open arms. I expected that at least the teenage girls would be very standoffish but they haven't been! They're so wonderful. My youngest is a little girl named Nancy who is 4 and already has me wrapped around her finger oh my goodness she's so adorable! I do not know all the ages of my girls so I will go by grades instead. Rocio and Ana Laura are in first grade, they are such sweet girls and have been keeping me busy all day as their new playmate. Then come Nieves and Dalia who are both in fourth grade. They are a handful! I can tell already they are going to keep me busy! Magqai is in 6th grade and pretty much the sweetest, easiest little girl ever. She has been running a candy shop out of her bedroom window to make money! Gloria and Esmeralda are both 13 and are delightful girls as well. They are constantly smiling and make me feel welcome there. Then the oldest is Carmen and she's 17. I haven't gotten to talk to her much yet but I know she's a great girl, everyone has told me that so far. So yes those are my lovely ladies. I cannot wait to get to know them more. Tomorrow will be my first day alone with them as Siri is going to be out of town all day and so I guess thats when the real test will come. I have to wake up at 5 am! So I should go to sleep! Thank you all for your prayers and I will continue to keep you all posted! God bless!

Sama

Off to Baja California

It has been a very long time since I have written on here. To be honest I have been debating whether or not to continue writing, unsure if anyone actually reads these things. As I talked with Paulette over lunch she encouraged me to continue writing because, as she put quite simply, those who aren't interested won't read it and those who are encouraged by these and desire to hear what's going on, will. Ha, simple as that! Anyways as most of you know that I love what I do. I love living in different countries and dedicating my life to loving and serving the people I come in contact to, especially children. I believe that God has created me for this purpose and so when I am not doing just that I yearn for it. For the month of October I was helping out with the Good News Club at an Elementary School in Sheboygan and was once again reminded how much I love working with children. I found myself the happiest and most alive in those two hours a week, running around, chasing, laughing, and playing with the children, than I felt the entire week. I found myself growing so restless just aching to do what I love and so finally I just decided to step forward in faith. I want to say I had this huge revelation where God told me "Sam go to Mexico", but I didn't. I realized, God put these passions in my heart, there are plenty of children in the world who desperately need love, I love Mexico and have been desiring to return to the mission I have visited numerous times, and so I sent in my application. So here I am, just two short days away from yet another chapter of my life. I will be flying to San Diego early Sunday morning and meeting up with a group of people at the airport and driving down with them to Mexico. The mission that I will be working with is called Foundation For His Ministries which has an orphanage as well as many other ministries such as a school for disabled children, ambulance ministry, outreach ministries and much more. I will be moving into one of the homes in the orphanage where I will be the assistant house mother to 9 little girls ranging from 4-17 years old. Things at the mission are always changing and so even though this is the plan for now I could end up doing something completely different but I am quite excited! Somethings I am looking forward to are, the sights and smell of Mexico(those of you who have been there know what I mean!), being around and loving children 24/7, meeting new people, being stretched and pulled out of my comfort zone, and seeing what GOd has in store for me these next couple of months. So far I plan to be in Baja from January 16th until April 15 but I've learned to hold to my plans loosely and see where the Lord leads! Your prayers would be much appreciated as I once again say goodbye to my family and loved ones, and for safety during travels. God Bless you and thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Sama