un fin de semana maravilloso

I went back to language school on Thursday and Friday. I feel really bad for my teacher having to deal with me because not only was I completely out of it and not really willing to work or pay attention, but I also couldn't control my laughter. We were working on synonyms and antonyms and she was reading the English column and I was reading the Spanish words. She has only ever spoken Spanish to me, so it was my first time to hear her English accent. You know that feeling when something's funny and you really want to laugh but you know you shouldn't because it's just not appropriate timing for laughter but you end up laughing anyway and then you start laughing at yourself for laughing at such an inopportune moment? It's a vicious, vicious cycle. I'm sure my Spanish accent sounds just as hilarious to her. 

It has been such a blessing seeing the Forbes two weekends in a row! The team from The Village came to Antigua for their last couple of days in Guatemala and Nathan and Rebekah were able to ride along with them because it was their off duty weekend at Fundaninos. We had a lot of fun hanging out, eating at new places, and having encouraging conversations about the Lord. 

Rebekah and I finally ended up getting a picture together! 

I was sad to see them go because we don't know if we'll be able to figure out another time to see each other over the next three months because neither of us have guaranteed transportation.

This morning, I went to a bilingual church here. I was debating about even going because this is the only week I'll even be able to go to church while I'm in Antigua so I knew I wouldn't be getting "plugged in" anywhere during my short visit. I got some sense talked into me that that was silly because even if it's not my community, it's still encouraging to be with a community of believers. I met some people there and a group of us went to eat at a delicious cafe after church. I'm taking notes so I can write out a very detailed plan for my sister's visit, which by the way, starts THURSDAY!!! Can't wait :) 

Just because my food was beautiful...

Best. Sandwich. Ever. Grilled fish, cheese, avocado, sprouts, field greens, tomatoes...basically all my favorite things put together on really healthy toasted wheat bread. The pineapple smoothie was also quite satisfying. I really didn't know I would be eating so well in Guatemala. 

We were planning on walking up to the hill of the cross after lunch because it was such a clear day, but it of course started raining at 3 p.m., so that plan was foiled. 

Instead, I got an impromptu tour of a small business that makes textiles on old-fashioned weaving machines. So interesting!

The lady in the picture is named Vilma. She is the homestay mom of one of the girls I met at church. They are Guatemalan missionaries and the textile business is her dad's company that he's had for over forty years. She was teaching us about how the machine works. 

All the products gets sold to Hiper Paiz, the huge Walmart type store here, so if I saw it there I would never imagine it being so much work. Each table cloth takes a week to make! 

My fun weekend got even better because it ended with skyping some of my very favorite people in the whole wide world.

It was kind of a weird feeling talking to all of them in the same night. It felt like I should have been on the other side of the computer...at home in Austin with my family and in College Station with my roomies. I'm just so thankful for the technology that enables me to talk to them face to face and feel a little bit like I am there with them! 

Confession time:

I'm starting to feel like a bull waiting to be let out of its corral at the rodeo. I might just start scraping my feet on the ground and blowing steam out my nose soon. It's tempting to let language school feel like a holding tank that's keeping me back from what I'm here to do....love on precious kids with the Gospel. Because I've gotten a few tastes of what's to come as I've visited where I'm going (The Oasis and Casita Benjamin) and Fundaninos, I want it even more. I just have to keep reminding myself that this IS valuable time and I need to be intentional about working on my Spanish. I also have the opportunity to learn what it looks like to love the people and grow more accustomed to the culture while I'm here. But, let's be honest. I just REALLY want to hold some babies. Really.