February: A Month of Love

February is the month of St. Valentine’s Day, aka the month of love. Here at Fase II of the finca, we also celebrated a month of love, and the many forms that it takes.

First off, school started for all five of our beloved teens. Despite their complaints about homework and “ugly” uniforms, I believe that our kids are truly grateful that they are able to attend such prestigious high schools in La Ceiba, especially since so many in Honduras lack this opportunity. There is therefore much love for the Fase II sponsors who make this financially possible.

Second, Nils took a mini four day adventure with Jacob to collect some donations for the farm in San Pedro Sula, so I got to be a single parent of five teens during their first week of school for a couple days. I realized how much love I have for all the support that the Satterlee family offers us here in Ceiba and for how cooperative our teens can be when they sense you are stressed.

Third, Arturo became an official adult and had his 18th birthday. We had pineapple upside down cake, made from scratch by Sor Keidy and myself, and pizza made from scratch as well made by myself, Nelly, and Nolvia. Arturo even got two brand new fishing poles as presents. We therefore celebrated Sor and my love of baking, the entire community’s love of pizza, Arturo’s love of fishing, and the entire community’s love for Arturo.

Fourth, we celebrated the great love that continues to inspire the Catholic Church, as La Ceiba became it’s very own diocese. This was a huge deal, culminating in the ordination of our new Bishop Michael Lenihan (straight from the homeland of Ireland…Irish love was therefore also present) in the huge soccer stadium in La Ceiba.

Fifth, we celebrated the love within the Fase II community as we celebrated Valentine’s day with Chinese food, a special viewing of Twilight, chocolates and valentines’ sent in a care package from my sister, and brownies made with much love by Nils.

Sixth, I celebrated my love of homework as a self proclaimed nerd, as I got to help the girls with their math homework after school. We also celebrated our joint love of yummy snacks as we ate apple bread while we did the homework.

Seventh, Nils, Sor, and I tested our deep love for Fase II as we spent two days working out a revised budget along with justifications for the new upcoming fiscal year. We all still love Fase II, but do not want to become accountants.

There was therefore much love in many forms this past February for Fase II.