You Can't Run If You're Holding Suitcases: Listen

At this specific moment my blog isn’t letting me load a new post. So I am typing this in Word until it decides to stop hating me. There has been a lot of technology hate directed at me lately. I can never find the document I’m looking for on a computer, my alarm clock goes off every morning, I get about 5 spam texts a day, our internet is horribly unreliable, my ipod’s battery died mid car ride today. The list could go on for days. That’s normal for me though. It’s not worse in Honduras.

OK what happened this last week? Coolest thing that happened was Jenny getting her hearing aids! This has been and will continue to be a serious transition for this family. Imagine hearing for the first time. We have all spent a life time distinguishing sounds, so we know that the sound of someone talking is different than the sound of a motorcycle going passed. Jenny needs to learn to distinguish between sounds. Also, now that she can hear, she can learn to speak. We’re doing our best to help her, which currently is speaking and signing to her at the same time so she will associate those sound patterns with the correct words. She needs speech therapy though, which she will hopefully receive in the future. Also, we want learn some techniques we can use with her daily to help her develop her speech.

This week I also spent some alone time with Jenny, the rest of the family was out taking care of renewing passports (which is all done – praise the Lord!). Did you know I talk a lot? It’s not hard for me to listen, but I like to interact and talk with people and have conversations. Jenny and I had a great time and I didn’t say a word, except while I was talking to myself. This was totally new for me. I mean, I’m a girl and I have the art of wordless communication down to a science, but actually not having the option of using spoken words –totally new. It helped me become more confident in my signing that’s for sure! Jenny is a fun girl :D. Lately, I hear these phrases a lot: “Christine, what’s the sing for________(insert any random word)?” and “Christine, what is Jenny saying??” Sometimes I know and sometimes I just guess :P. I am flattered and surprised every time this happens because, let’s be honest, I don’t know that much sign….do I? This weekend I learned the signs for almost every kind of clothing you can think of AND every major city in Honduras. That’s right: I know the sign for “Islas de Bahia” and “Comayagua”. I bet you don’t. Now you’re thinking: WOW that’s useless. Well, I disagree. Wouldn’t you want to know the sign for the city you lived in?

This week and last week I could tell little things were getting on my nerves and I didn’t like it. The kids mannerism or things they would say just rubbed me the wrong way. “Deep breaths, let it go, don’t let it bother you…” These words kept running through my head. Then I changed my tune. “Lord, help me to actually not care about these things. Help me to accept these children as they are and love them as You would. AMEN.” My attitude changed quickly after I recognized the source of my frustration. I just wasn’t walking in love.

One of the reasons I love teaching is that I love to watch learning. If you’ve never had the experience of seeing someone grasp a concept for the first time – go teach someone something – it’s amazing. I mean truly amazing. I never tire of seeing Emma grasp a new math concept or explain what she’s learning about God in her Bible class. I love to hear Morgan say – Christine – did you know cats have this thing called “eye shine” that helps them see in the dark? Do you think dogs have that too?” I especially enjoy watching Quentin’s face light up when he tells his mom “I got all my spelling words right today!” or “Reading is getting easier – I read really fast today didn’t I, Christine?” It honestly makes me cry happy tears just thinking about it.

The longer I’m here, the less NY feels like home. I tried to explain this to one of the children this week. I said – well I’m kind of homeless right now. His response was: “Um you live here.” Yes, I do in fact live here. I know God is working in my heart though. At some point I’ll be living on my own and it might not be in NY. Who knows what crazy adventure will be after this one in Honduras? I don’t want to get too deep into this right now b/c I’ve already spent some time pouring my heart and soul out to some friends (Thanks, Sheri and Ashley), but I feel like God is trying to get my attention and tell me something and I need to spend time with Him and LISTEN. Then, here’s the key, I need to follow what He says – even if it seems crazy or difficult or BOTH! We talked about how radical the call to follow Jesus is this week in Bible study and I recently finished one of the best fiction novels I have read in a long time. Between to covers of an unassuming novel titled “Quaker Summer”, I found a captivating and realistic story about a women who realizes she’s slipped into mediocre Christianity. The book follows her fight to truly follow God’s commands, and shows how her journey profoundly affects her friends and family. Challenging and inspiring. I’ll let you know where all this takes me, but from experience, similar themes don’t just appear in your life for no reason. God knows we’re thickheaded and when He wants to make a point – He goes all out!

I know this post is long and a little more introspective than other posts. I’ve been just trying to keep up and get my footing here and now that I’m more settled I have more energy and brain space for this kind of thing. Who knew it could take 6 weeks to do that? It will probably take even longer.

More happy news! My oldest brother, David, (whom many of you know and love) is coming to visit me in November – such a good brother! I love and miss you all! If anyone wants to post some pictures of beautiful fall scenery, that would be much appreciated. I’m missing my favorite season A LOT!

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it" – Isaiah 30:21

Here are a couple recent photos: