dinnertime

The Carolina v. Dook game was tonight. In case you were wondering, Carolna swept the floor with them. I don't care that I am going to State next year, I will always be a Carolina basketball fan, sue me. Suit me? Spelling, so difficult.

Anyways, so I wanted to watch the game, but surprisingly the rivalry doesn't hold the same weight here in La Ceiba. My one hope was going to Expatriates, a bar and grill, that is owned by an American and he normally plays American games. So, off Shannon and I went to said location. Well, turns out it wasn't on any of the channels. We only have Espn in español that plays soccer all day everyday. Bums. The owner came to apologize and we all talked for a while about it. Well, a gringo at the table beside us joined in and long story short, he ended up eating dinner with us. And then another gringo joined midway through and we all had a jolly good time.

But, the thing is: it wasn't really that weird. I mean, imagine being in the states at a restaurant. Would you ever end up joining tables with the one beside you? I mean, I would never ever. But, I only thought that about 3/4 of the way into dinner and I never once felt awkward. And I love that! I love the community that travellers build together and just community in general that you can find so easily outside of the states. It's so cool to hear the stories of people around you and how they got to Honduras. Love it. Maybe next time im at the olive garden or something, I'll snuggle up to the table beside me and see what happens.

adventurous adventures

In other news, my mom and will came for the week to visit me this last week! It was such a blast. And a blessing. And a bash. Impressed I just used three b words in a row? I am. But I digress. We did so many things that Im pretty sure Jesus added hours to our days. I need to ask Him that in heaven. It really was cool though, because it was very clear that the Lord ordained our days and what we were going to do each day perfectly. Here's a list of things we did:
Friday: picked them up from San Pedro Sula Airport and went to Expatriates for dinner. Whattup best nachos in the world!
Saturday: toured La Ceiba, the mall, bought 22 movies for 25$, ate lunch at Tipicos (typical Honduran food), haircut for mom and pedicure, dinner with some hondurans and gringos alike.
Sunday: hiked to a beautiful waterfall in the rainforest...normal, right? Went to church at Gran Comision
Monday: snorkeled at Cayos Cochinos (string of islands of the coast) and at fish. A whole fish.
Tuesday: souvenir shopping in the morning, typical food for lunch, played soccer with Kate and her street kids she is ministering to (avoiceinthestreets.wordpress.com) Best day for Will by far (best brother in the whole wide world), ate at Expatriates for dinner. Wattup best nachos in the world for the second time!
Wednesday: Canopy zip line tour in the rainforest for the morning, soccer again with Kate and the boys, swimming in the ocean with the boys (in my clothes...those children have got some muscles, man)
Thursday: CNI where will played soccer again for three hours, such a good sport. And, so fun to show my family my work. Plus, we went to dinner at Shannons girls home and dessert. And I bought so many clothes from their up and coming store. Read her blog: shannoninhonduras.blogspot.com
Friday: back to the airport

So, pretty low-key week, right? It was just what I needed though and I got to do all the touristy stuff that's hard to find the time to do when you live here. So awesome. I miss them already, but excuse me, I go home in 6 weeks. WHATTTTTT. speechless.

beep beep gringo!

My roommate Kate and I have made a game of sorts for ourselves. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Jeffrey, Kevin, and Ever (the kids from our house) have a game called "beep beep Colombia". Whenever they prank someone, the say that phrase. For instance, Kevin will look at me and tell me there is a mosquito on my forehead. So, I'll hit my forehead that does not in act have a mosquito whilst he screams "beep beep Colombia"! Turns out, that is not a Honduran child's game, it's a Jeffrey,Kevin, Ever game. Learned that the embarrassing way one day at Niños.
Now, to continue, there are lots of gringos (Americans) here in La Ceibz. Especially since it's spring break/summer, aka short term mission team season. And, clearly, my 5'9" self and my blonde 5'10" roommate do NOT count as gringos. Don't be ridiculous. So, since we aren't gringos, we love to point them out around the city. But the hum and drum of always pointing and saying, "hey look, an American!" became dull. So, now, eveytime we see them, we scream "beep beep gringo!" and the other party has to search for the white faces with matching tshirts. It's quite fun. I have a feeling that come may, when I return to los estados, I might win.

a honking shirt

So listen, ever seen a kid that's so cute you tear up every time you see him? Yeah me either, before Arnold. Normally, I tend to overdramatize my reactions to things or what not when writing, its what writers do. But, I'm sadly not lying when I say I LITERALLY tear up every time I see Arnold. Which is, oops, two hours of every day. My tear ducts work out more than the rest of my body. He is five years old, has the cutest smile in all of the universe, his pants are too big, and yesterday he wore a shirt that had a truck on it. Yeah, when you squeezed the truck, it honked. I mean, cooommmeee on. Of course, I immediately cried. Who wouldn't.
These past two days though have been the worst, or best, I guess. Because his pants seriously are just too big for him. So he chases his friends in his little work boots, holding up his pants that are already at his knees. And, he loves to play on the swing. Oh sheesh, here come the tears just thinking about him. He just looks at me and goes "calame, Cait! Porfa!" (swing me Cait, please!) he did this yesterday with his baggy khakis and honking tshirt. At this point he was supposed to be going home so I said no. But, then he took five more steps towards the swings, smiled, and said it again with a little giggle. My strength was dwindling, but I stayed firm. Then he took a few more steps and repeated it. At that point, I told him he wasn't being fair because he is too cute. He jumped on the swing, kicked his feet a little, and smiled. Bah, who wouldn't give in! Of course I said yes and of course I pushed him for ten minutes. I mean seriously, that kid could convince me to do anything. If I do nothing else before I leave, I will get pictures of him!
And I mean, his name is ARNOLD. weeping.

show me the kingdom

I've been trying to find words for my heart in this past week. What to say, how to describe my burdens. The truth is, I don't think words would do it justice. You know when it says "the holy spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" in the bible? That's what I think is going on in this heart of mine. The truth is, I'm so tired of this world we live in. I'm tired of having to see children abandoned or malnourished. Of seeing death and pain and suffering all around. Of people murdering people for a sense of pride. For a sense of power. What have we become? How have we convinced ourselves that to kill and steal and deceive is the way to find true life? How can parents see their children hurt and dying and yet do nothing for them? My heart fills with questions that all lead to the same answer. We are sinful. Not them, we. I am just as screwed up and sinful as the man who looks into the eyes of his children and abandons them. As the murderer, the adulterer, the liar. I'm just as deserving of death. But, I have hope. This world is not my home. I am created for the new earth, for the kingdom. "As for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." I understand this verse fully for the first time. I am called to this earth. And I will serve in it, to give others the hope of His redemption and his love. That they were not made for this life and this world. I will serve, all the while begging Jesus to come tomorrow! Because I yearn for the day were there is no more suffering. My heart is crying out for my true home. But, I just have to trust the Lords goodness and faithfulness to His children.

"perhaps the circumstances causing my sorrows will not be removed and my situation will remain the same, but if Christ is brought into my grief and gloom as my Lord and Master, He will 'surround me with songs of deliverance'(psalm 32:7)" streams in the desert

"It tapped me on the shoulder today when I got home
I saw everything collecting dust
It made me hope there was something more
So I pour over pages desperate to find out why
The cripple at your table has what I'm longing to find

Teach me how to hum it
Because I don't know the words yet

Help me see the light, I'm reaching through the fight
Yahweh, show me the Kingdom
Arms open wide, death swallowed up by life
Yahweh, show me the Kingdom

Why are some women barren while the wicked's house is full?
The stories never seem to end, give me evidence I'm not alone
You said the weak would be lifted up but maybe just not yet
So while I wait in this flesh and blood, I'll learn to lean in"
The kingdom by Bethany dillon

you are...my fire

Backstreet boys, anyone? Today's post is dedicated to may favorite music of the moment. Don't worry, this won't be on the list. Though it has been in my head all day. Mostly, I'm doing this to appease myself. The thing is, I love sharing music with people and when I was in high school, I would use the precious five minute ride to Moe's for lunch to share my recent loves in music. No such luck in the hondyland. So, I'm sharing it with my faithful blog followers. Enjoy.

Of the singer/songwriter genre:
1. I Can't Make You Love Me/ Nick Of Time by Bon Iver. This is MY JAM.
2. Te Hill by Marketa Irglova. Weird name, great song.
3. My Father's Father by The Civil Wars
4. I'll Kill Her by Soko. Bahhh, such a classic song. Prepare yourself for laughter.
Also, I'd like to promote the movie, Once. It's an indie movie about two songwriters. If you don't love music a lot, youll hate the movie. If you do love music, you'll never want the movie to end.

Indie goodness:
1. Once soundtrack
2. Lonelily by Damien Rice...is he indie? Dunno, don't care.
3. Brooklyn Blurs by The Paper Raincoats
4. Safe and Sound by The civil Wars and...Taylor swift. Can't stand her, but this song is good. Don't worry, I don't consider her indie.

Never gets old type songs:
1. This Years Love by David Gray
2. nothing Better by The Postal Service

And if you happen to like Spanish churchman music as I'm sure all of you do, buy "Con Todo" by hill song without question and "Tu Haras" by Marcos Witt as well. I could continue this list for days, but the chances of any of you listening to all these songs are zero to negative two. But, I feel good about it.

oh introversion

So, I've always known that I'm an introvert and have come to terms with this fact. It's not bad that I get energy from being alone, rather than with people. Or that I value sleep. Or that I prefer to listen in a group setting rather than talk it up. I'm more of a one on one girl. Catch me by myself and I won't stop talking to you. But, here's the thing about learning a new language. Introversion is not an option. If you want to learn quickly and have a better range of vocab, youve gotta put yourself out there. And if you don't talk in big settings, people assume you don't know their language. And quite frankly, this stinks. I just want to sit and listen and not have to explain to people that it's not because I don't understand. It's just who I am. But, alas, no such luck. So for now, I have the trouble of being confident enough to speak in a new language and being confident enough to change personalities in order to do such speaking. What's a girl gotta do to disappear in the background these days?

Oy with the poodles already.