Wednesday is the house moms day off, (technically). Usually the house parents are older than Vernon and I and their children are grown. We are a family of 5, living with an extended family of 3-5 more single adults. So, Wednesday has become family day for Vernon and I, Jody, Jeana and Jared. We have been strongly encouraged to make sure we have enough family time together so I have been thinking of "what is family time"? Is it sitting on the girls bed and having a late night discussion, is it talking with Jared when he comes with questions and fears, is it going to Clubco with Vernon to stock up on groceries, and having a few minutes of time to talk all by ourselves? Or should it be grand adventures that make for great stories long afterward? What comes to mind when I hear family time? The first thing I think is... connection. It isn't what we do, but the attitude and love that comes through what we do!
Wednesday was my day off and it started off early! Vernon had to run to the bus at 5 am and pick up 4 tired travellers. After they had breakfast, he had to take them to the airport and stop at the dentist on the way home. Mean while, Ruth had called in sick and so Jody and Jeana were doing her cleaning jobs and getting the girls dorm ready for the next wave of occupants. By 11:25, we were ready to leave for our 'family time'. We had decided to stay in the city, so first stop was a Shoe Mega Paca, translate - thrift store of shoes only!!! I found some real nice ones, but they didn't fit. Then we headed to Pizza Hut for lunch. The pizza was so good, that crunchy, greasy crust just like we remembered it! We had a great time, actually discussed 'what is family time'! After lunch, we followed San Juan road and headed to Zone 1. We spent a lot of time driving around looking for the tourist market. Then Vernon got a call to go buy some bus tickets for 3 girls heading to El Chal on Saturday. We got home at 4pm in time to put a fruit salad together with mango, pina, and kiwi, and head to Danny's for supper to plan the first 'mission children' school at MAM Headquarters. It sounds like it will be an experiment and will take a flexible teacher, which, fortunately, Jody is! The school will be in a room at headquarters and they may run down the street to the Spanish school for the half hour morning break. I hope it works out, Jared will have more exposure to Spanish. School starts on Sept. 1.
Today was a pastors meeting and about 25 men came in from all over Guat. Ruth made lunch with the help of Elba. She made a Guatemalan beef soup which had meat and veg. cooked in a wonderful broth with lots of seasoning including cilantro. To serve the soup, she dishes the chunks of veg. into bowls and we put rice in our bowls, then the meat with broth and then potato, carrot, cabbage, vysquil and tortillas. De e licious!
Ruth got burned when a pressure cooker kettle that doesn't work, did build up pressure and blew hot water on her arm when she went to take the lid off! I was trying to act calm and think what would be best????? We put her arm in cold water and then I got out my B&W ointment. Hopefully it won't be too bad! We served 26 guests for lunch and after the burn excitement, everyone pitched in and got the rest of the meal ready, maybe that could be called....... 'family time"!
