Day 4 in Honduras

Soooo yeah, I've been terrible about updating this blog....it's been really hard though. We do have internet connection, but I didn't bring my computer and so I have to borrow Jason's who lives on the other side of the property! By the time we have time to get online I'm sooooo tired!! So I'm doing my best to remember everything that has happened and will do a full retelling of my adventures here when I get home and can blog from the comfort of my bed. Right now I'm sitting outside of the chapel--just uploaded some pictures that can tell a better story of what I've seen that I can (after all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?)

One more day here at the mission house. Today was our last day of work. Tomorrow is church day and a farewell banquet at a restaurant in town. Then, we load a bus to Le Ceiba for rest (at 3 am--8 hr bus ride) then on Tuesday, we load back up and come back to the airport to come back to the states. I have really enjoyed my time here, but I am soooooooo exhausted. I'm ready to sleep for 12 hrs straight and have some buffalo wings, a big greasy cheeseburger, and a pizza. I'm pretty sure I've lost some weight here, but I plan to gain it alllll back ASAP :)

One of the funniest things that has come out of this trip: my parents becoming internet savvy...including email and SKYPE!!!! LOL.

That's all for now...adios! :)

4 hours...

I have to be up in four hours to go to the airport...and yes, I'm still awake. I had a non-stop day today--including cramming all of my stuff in my 3 bags. But not before having to drive to Conway for class (yeah, today was the first day of my summer session of classes). I'm staying with my parents tonight. My mom, sister and I are all sleeping in the living room, slumber-party style! :) My dad opted not to join us and went to bed hours ago, which means he'll have to wake us all up later. I think it's bedtime, my sentences are not flowing.

1 more day=errands and packing drama!

I can't believe I will be boarding a plane to go to Honduras in a day! I still have so much to do. So much in fact that in the the time it took me to update this blog I could have been doing something to get ready. This morning I spent most of my time cleaning my apartment, packing loads of t-shirts and comfy pants and socks. I honestly have NO idea how everything is going to fit in my one suitcase that can only weigh 50 lbs. I packed 10 t-shirts, 2 dresses, a skirt, and about 5 pairs of pants. I still need to do laundry tonight and somehow how to find room to fit my new red rain boots in. Oh and my snacks...can't forget about those. :) Carmen and I are going later to buy some things that I somehow forgot during my wal-mart trip yesterday, like bug repellent and work gloves. I also need to get a few more games to play with the kiddos (Jason said they loved the first horseshoe game set that we bought--and I'll be able to buy those with another surprise donation that I received this weekend!) and comfortable walking shoes. Aye...it's not going to all fit! Maybe my mom can work some suitcase magic.

Almost time...

Jason left yesterday and arrived safely in Honduras. I've gotten to talk to him online once and twice via email. He keeps sending me suggestions of what to pack. So in a way I'm glad he's down there first. Tropical storm Agatha passed through Central America (and Honduras) last week causing loads of rain. Everyone has probably heard of the sinkhole in Guatemala, but nothing like that in Honduras. Jason said that it's just very muddy and rainy. Hopefully that is all gone by next Wednesday when I leave. The aftermath of the tropical storm has left plenty for our group to do, though. So now begins my 4 day stretch of packing and buying stuff that I need to pack. The list includes rain boots and hiking shoes. I'm trying to find the motivation to actually go shop...which is not normal...I remember when I needed no occasion to shop. Funny how becoming an adult can change your priorities :)

Tetanus, donations and more preparations...

Today I had to go get my tetanus shot. Wish I had a crazy story to tell with this one, but I don't. Actually I'm glad I don't. My trip to the health department was quite uneventful. I made Jason go with me to make sure that the nurse didn't fill the syringe with air before sticking me with it. We waited for about 10 minutes before going in....we stood the whole time for fear of catching some nasty health department germs from the chairs. It ended up being a "booster" shot of tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. I hate shots, but apparently it's recommended for where we're going. Don't want to risk stepping on a rusty nail on a job site and getting "lock jaw." After the shot the nurse told me to take a tylenol to help with stiffness. So far it only hurts when you touch the injection site...keeping my fingers crossed for no pain.

In other news, I'll be in Honduras in about 8 days! I can't believe that it's almost here! I went to pick up another nice donation from my old job (Second Baptist Christian Academy). I have been really blessed in the fundraising department and these last minute donations have just been an even bigger blessing. God is so good and has provided everything I needed for this trip. Can't wait to get there and share my stories of all that we are doing there! Prayers are continually requested and needed! :)

Prayers tonight needed for Jason and the other 2 that are traveling down with him tomorrow morning.

Fundraising update

Next Wednesday I leave for Honduras!! I can't believe it's come up soooo fast! Friday I received a donation from Pleasant Valley Church of Christ! Awesome! Thanks, PVCOC!!

It's HERE!

My passport arrived today! I'm now a legitimate traveling American citizen. It also means I am leaving for Honduras in under a month!! :-)

Passport watch 2010....

My passport is on it's way!!! After the ordeal of getting it I can't wait to see how awful my picture looks!

Fundraising underway

We're "smack dab"...and yes I used that phrase...in the middle of fundraising. Each of the people going need $1500 to cover the cost of the trip...plus money is still needed for building materials for the houses that will be built once we are there. So far my fundraising has consisted of sending a ton of letters out to local churches known for their involvement in missions and emails begging my friends to help. I sincerely appreciate everyone that has given, your donation is helping more than you know! If you would like to donate money or know of any cool and easy fundraising ideas pleaaaaase let me know!!

The passport experience

...and what an experience it was. I don't have a passport. In order to go to Honduras, I need a passport. I go to Honduras in a little under 2 months so I need a passport like yesterday. Last week I decided it was time to go and apply for my passport. I've known I needed to do this for quite some time but ran into several issues along the way. The first being locating my birth certificate. My mother keeps everyone's personal records of this kind is a drawer somewhere at their house. So after pleading for my birth certificate for at least 2 months, I finally was able to pry it from her Monday. The plan was to then take the newly acquired birth certificate straight to the passport office the next day after work. After leaving work at 3:50 (5 minutes later than normal) I arrive at the post office to apply for my passport at 4:04 PM. Well, shocker--the passport office closes at 4:00 PM! *sigh* I will just have to come back tomorrow...after finding someone to work my after school duty the next day, I arrive at the post office this time at 3:30. Plenty of time right? Wrong! I'm greeted with a sign on the front door that states "Passport Office closed today due to there not being a Passport officer on duty. Sorry for any inconvenience" Are you, sign? I wondered Are you really sorry?? I then call Jason to ask if he knew of any other passport office in the area. Of course there's another one, downtown. But will I make it there before 4? Not a chance. So I sit in my car, feeling a little defeated and wondering how much it's going to cost me to get a passport rushed. Suddenly, I decided out of nowhere (or divine intervention) to continue my search online (thank you iphone) for other passport offices. Alas, I found one in North Little Rock that was open until 8 PM!!! Sweet!! That gave me plenty of time to get a money order for my fees and make it to the office. Enough time? Yes. Without incident? Of course not! I make it to North Little Rock, ahead of an approaching thunderstorm. I go in to get a money order. After waiting for what seems like a lifetime, and meeting a cast of interesting people, I finally get my money order and head towards the door...right as the heavens open and decide to dump a lake full of water below! Do I have an umbrella?? Nah, that would ruin the awful week, right? So, I must make a mad dash to my car in the sudden monsoon. I got soaked, naturally...from head to toe! But it doesn't matter...I'm 2 minutes away from the passport office. I make it. Soaking wet...fill out the paperwork...take my picture (in which I look wet and angry) and soon I'm on my way home to get out of my wet clothes so that I can go to dinner. After changing clothes, I walk back out to my car to find a clear, blue sky, birds chirping and sunshine. Aye! But, at least the passport application process is complete and should arrive mid-May. Hopefully this adventure is not a sign of things to come.