I realize that last week's blog was short and only showed a snippet of that week. Sorry about that- some weeks I have a harder time writing than others, not because of lack of stories but simply due to my lack of concentration.

I wish everyone could meet the amazing people on my team. I've been truly blessed with a great group of friends. I love talking to the girls on my team- whether it's waking up in the morning and simply talking about how we slept, what crazy dreams we might have had or going over the day together at night, talking about any frustrations we might have encountered or things we are struggling with. I wasn't sure how I was going to do with living with 10 other women for 8 months; I figured I'd have a really hard time with it but I‘ve been proven wrong (not to say there aren‘t tough times, simply the good have outweighed the bad). There always seems to be laughter in our house and if by chance you're having a hard day there are always at least 3 girls with ready smiles to brighten your day. Plus there are the added perks of having girls willing to do your hair in a french braid, the impromptu dance parties, the small inside jokes that always bring a smile, the fact that there‘s at least a couple of people you can borrow clothes from... So we'll just say I'm very blessed with the women on my team down here.

I haven't forgotten the guys- they're a blessing as well. We don't live with them but we're around them during ministry and class time and free time... so basically we don't see them when we go to bed and get up. They're great men with a lot of wisdom and they watch over us girls. They are a lot of fun and are always up for an activity whether it be playing cards, random street soccer games, or running around in the rain.

So I'm going to give you a basic schedule of what our weeks are looking like while we're down here:

Every Morning- 7:30 am Wake up; 8:00 Devotions

Monday- 9:30 Class at El Puente; 12:00 Lunch; 3:00 to 4:00 ESL; 4:30 Chore time; 5:30/6:00 Dinner; Team time

Tuesdays- Same as Mondays except that we might not have team time because the boys have a ministry they go to at night so the girls with just have free time or a girls night

Wednesday- 9:30 Class; 12:00 Lunch; 2:00-4:00 Trash pick up; 4:30 Chore time; 5:30/6:00 Dinner; {6:30 Younglife leader meeting- depends on the week if we have this or not}

Thursday- 9:30 Ministry time; 12:00 Lunch; 2:00-4:00 Class; 4:00- 6:00 Internet time; 6:00 Dinner; 7:00 Younglife meeting

Friday- Same as Thursdays except that we don't have internet time or Younglife at night- Friday nights are free nights and there is a movie that is shown on the side of a building down the street we can go see or simply hang out with friends (teammates and people down here we've been blessed to build friendships with)

Saturday- Free day (this could involve going to breakfast in the morning with some teammates, hanging out at one of the internet cafes, going to the grocery store or the fabric store, getting chinese food, taking Spanish classes from some boys we know down here, wandering around the city, a soccer game, relaxing around the house... )

Sunday- 8:30 am... 2^nd and 4^th Sunday of the month we go to El Puente in the morning; 11:00- 4:00 Team time; 5:00 Possibility of church again either at Todo Fuerte or Restoration

Now, there's always a possibility that any of these things could change time or place or simply not work out due to being lost in translation.

This past week, I worked with Karla again at ESL- helping with her English homework and teaching her some more High School Musical songs. I've really enjoyed getting to know her even more although I probably need to be more determined with having her practice her English.

This morning was especially meaningful to me. I went on an ATL with Joann and Mario. I love ATLing with Mario. He always shows us a different part of Nicaragua. Last week (the 16^th) he took Melissa, Jenn and I to a girls home that he knew of and we were able to go in and talk to the Sister in charge. She told us that we would be welcome to come by and visit the girls, teach them crafts and art, maybe simply play with them/hang out with them. Melissa, Jenn and I talked about using some of our time on Saturdays to go visit these girls. We're unsure how a ministry might look with that place but we're excited to see God work. So this today (Thursday), Joann and I went with Mario to an elderly home and I am again excited to see how God will use us there. Maybe He won't end up calling anyone back to it full time but we did tell one lady, who almost started crying when we were leaving, that we would return. And I intend to keep my promise. It is especially great to see Mario allowing God to move through him and letting himself be a vessel of Christ. {Mario accepted Christ in his heart last week! Praise the Lord!} Mario is definitely a blessing to our group- he answers any questions we have about the Nicaraguan culture or history, he watches out for us, guiding us around the city, and whenever I talk to him I'm challenged and great encouraged.

So this is a little bit longer than last week's blog J We are missing 2 girls right now from our team- one is home for a wedding so if you'll pray for her safety in traveling that would be amazing. The other girl actually went home for good- we don't know why God called her away but it's his plan so please pray for guidance for her when she gets home.