So one may think that living in a foreign country which does not celebrate thanksgiving might dampen one´s thanksgiving celebration, but here at the finca, this is not true. As a community of mostly all US volunteers we celebrated in true fashion. In solidarity with my fellow Alexandrians six other vols and myself went for a morning run, aka turkey trot, complete with gobbling victory cheers at the finish line. Then to take a break from the cooking we played a truly epic game of american flag football among the volunteers, while all the kids watched us like we were crazy. The game was complete with singing the national anthem and some good hearted taunting between the lines! Then as a vol community we prepared a truly amazing feast for ourselves and 40 of the neighbors and finca employees, coming to a grand total of 70 finca family members for dinner. We had turkey, stuffing, salad with rommaine lettuce (a true treat at the farm), mashed potatoes, veggie casserole, rolls (hand made by yours turly along with two other vols), and 16 pies (half apple half pumpkin) that were enjoyed by all. All was made from scratch and with love!
Towards the end of the night, while I sat enjoying my second delicious slice of pumpkin pie with Deirdre, a fellow vol, the two of us were truly left speechless by the beauty of the entire day. The fellowship, amazing food that tasted just like home and was so filling, and the general atmosphere of love for our new expanded family was truly intoxicating. We sat there truly thankful for the many blessings in our life, both state side and here in honduras, feeling truly at peace with the beauitiful day, and life, god has granted us.
Wishing all of you continued blessings, and know that this year especially, I am truly thankful for each and every friend and family member I have! Wishing you all a holiday season full of joy and peace!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Reasons to Smile
Hello everyone! So a lot has happened since we got out job placements a few weeks ago. But instead of boring you all with a long wordy chronological account, I figured I would share with you ten of my top moments over the past few weeks of training and getting to know the kids.
The past few weeks have taight me that even when your day has been super long, or you really dont want to wake up for 6 am morning prayer, the farm has a way of really warming your heart and making you smile. So here are ten moments which have warmed my heart and made me smile over the past few weeks in no particular order...
1. While shadowing the first grade class I got to work with one of my students for next year, Magdalena. She usually has a lot of trouble with test taking, mostly due to confusion with directions, even though she knows the material. So one day I helped her take her test in the library by reading the directions aloud and explaining them further to her. The next day when she got her test back, she literally giggled in delight, she got a 100 for the first time in a long time. Her joy was truly beautiful and infectious.
2. Every Wednesday and Friday morning we a have a communion service in the chapel with the whole farm. At one point we share a sign of peace. Brayan, an eight year old boy who is just too cute for words, loves this. His big eyes light up, and he always finds me and gives me the biggest bear hug an eight year old can, then he runs off to give as many more hugs as he can. Always brings a smile to my face.
3. One week, Marcela, the six year old daughter of the house poarents for house one, just out of the blue drew me a picture and managed to write my name on it (a long gringa name is a true feat for her). I found it in my mail box the next day and was so happy, so I told her thank you so much for it. I preceeded to get one each day for the rest of the week. This was a week full of smiles!
4. It´s rainy season, this means it rains a lot and often. So whenever we have a day that is dry, even if its cloudy, my dry feet make me smile a ton!
5. In the vol house we live according the pillar of simplicity, which is truly beautiful and liberating in that it allows us to just talk as people, read, and cook big meals together all the time. Our house also has an affinity for the wonderful board game that is settlers of catan. This strategy game about the magical land of catan may appear nerdy, but it brings smiles to all of us volunteers several nights a week, I recommend it to all!
6. Another reason to smile, walking in the front yard that is the beach. Whether we are headed to use internet at the hotel down the way, taking the kids for a little excursion, or just feel like walking, this is a wonderful part of my life here. It frequently causes me to stop and think, wow, this is really my front yard.
7. The grand quiceanos fiesta for Nelly, one of our kids. This was truly a grand fiesta complete with a mass with the bishop, community wide super yummy dinner with pork chops, ballet performance by your truly, choreagraphed waltz, and music ranging from punta (hondu) to tonights gonna be a good night by the black eyed peas. We literally danced till 1130 at night, wehich on finca time is turly an epic night. Nelly´s infectious smile was shared by all!
8. Another truly special day here at the farm was the school graduation mass which also served as brayan´s baptism mass (the adorable 8 year old who loves the sign of peace). Brayans sheer enthusiasm, the teacher´´s pride in their students accomplishments, and the kids pure excitement to graduate, was truly beautiful, causing many smiles!
9. This coming week we start esculeita, which is bascially extra tutoring for the kids who need it over the break. I am going to work with Rony and Magadalena. When Rony found out he was with me, he not only smiled, but walked with me to rosary on tuesday night in the chapel telling me how excited he was. At one point he asked me if we could read each day, I told him we not only could, but we could read multiple books a day if he wanted, he face lit up with excitement. This made me smile for the entire night.
10. Monday evening before dinner, the volunteer community holds a communion service in english just for the volunteers. It is super laid back, as we generally pick songs as we go along and sit on the floor in a circle as we do the readings. It proves a kind of retreat away for us every week. This past week the readings realted to supporting one another spiritually, and the reflectioins which we shared as a community were truly beautiful. We all walked away feeling supported and refreshed.
These and many other moments continue to remind me of the beautiful work the farm does everyday, reinstilling in me a passion and commitment to this beautiful place almost every day.
Wishing you all the best wherever you may be!
Paz, Mary Kate
The past few weeks have taight me that even when your day has been super long, or you really dont want to wake up for 6 am morning prayer, the farm has a way of really warming your heart and making you smile. So here are ten moments which have warmed my heart and made me smile over the past few weeks in no particular order...
1. While shadowing the first grade class I got to work with one of my students for next year, Magdalena. She usually has a lot of trouble with test taking, mostly due to confusion with directions, even though she knows the material. So one day I helped her take her test in the library by reading the directions aloud and explaining them further to her. The next day when she got her test back, she literally giggled in delight, she got a 100 for the first time in a long time. Her joy was truly beautiful and infectious.
2. Every Wednesday and Friday morning we a have a communion service in the chapel with the whole farm. At one point we share a sign of peace. Brayan, an eight year old boy who is just too cute for words, loves this. His big eyes light up, and he always finds me and gives me the biggest bear hug an eight year old can, then he runs off to give as many more hugs as he can. Always brings a smile to my face.
3. One week, Marcela, the six year old daughter of the house poarents for house one, just out of the blue drew me a picture and managed to write my name on it (a long gringa name is a true feat for her). I found it in my mail box the next day and was so happy, so I told her thank you so much for it. I preceeded to get one each day for the rest of the week. This was a week full of smiles!
4. It´s rainy season, this means it rains a lot and often. So whenever we have a day that is dry, even if its cloudy, my dry feet make me smile a ton!
5. In the vol house we live according the pillar of simplicity, which is truly beautiful and liberating in that it allows us to just talk as people, read, and cook big meals together all the time. Our house also has an affinity for the wonderful board game that is settlers of catan. This strategy game about the magical land of catan may appear nerdy, but it brings smiles to all of us volunteers several nights a week, I recommend it to all!
6. Another reason to smile, walking in the front yard that is the beach. Whether we are headed to use internet at the hotel down the way, taking the kids for a little excursion, or just feel like walking, this is a wonderful part of my life here. It frequently causes me to stop and think, wow, this is really my front yard.
7. The grand quiceanos fiesta for Nelly, one of our kids. This was truly a grand fiesta complete with a mass with the bishop, community wide super yummy dinner with pork chops, ballet performance by your truly, choreagraphed waltz, and music ranging from punta (hondu) to tonights gonna be a good night by the black eyed peas. We literally danced till 1130 at night, wehich on finca time is turly an epic night. Nelly´s infectious smile was shared by all!
8. Another truly special day here at the farm was the school graduation mass which also served as brayan´s baptism mass (the adorable 8 year old who loves the sign of peace). Brayans sheer enthusiasm, the teacher´´s pride in their students accomplishments, and the kids pure excitement to graduate, was truly beautiful, causing many smiles!
9. This coming week we start esculeita, which is bascially extra tutoring for the kids who need it over the break. I am going to work with Rony and Magadalena. When Rony found out he was with me, he not only smiled, but walked with me to rosary on tuesday night in the chapel telling me how excited he was. At one point he asked me if we could read each day, I told him we not only could, but we could read multiple books a day if he wanted, he face lit up with excitement. This made me smile for the entire night.
10. Monday evening before dinner, the volunteer community holds a communion service in english just for the volunteers. It is super laid back, as we generally pick songs as we go along and sit on the floor in a circle as we do the readings. It proves a kind of retreat away for us every week. This past week the readings realted to supporting one another spiritually, and the reflectioins which we shared as a community were truly beautiful. We all walked away feeling supported and refreshed.
These and many other moments continue to remind me of the beautiful work the farm does everyday, reinstilling in me a passion and commitment to this beautiful place almost every day.
Wishing you all the best wherever you may be!
Paz, Mary Kate
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