A Week of Misfortunes and Changes

This past week the bug of misfortune hit the family Nino Jesus. From 5 kids being sent home due to a case of chicken pox to having to clean up blood in one day.

Last Sunday, God asks us to take a look at our actions and the way we live; asking that we change. First, he tells us to change in the way we share with others. Tell them the bad that they do in order that they change their conducts/ ways. For me this has been a very hard lesson to hear from others about me. No one wants to hear what they are doing bad. No one wants to know that what they thought was good enough wasn't good at all.

I personally, have been feeling a bit taken a back by this request because I have found myself receiving the criticism more than giving it. I have been putting myself down in a way that I am not allowing myself to help others become the best version of themselves. I have not allowed myself to think that what I have to share is good and not meant to hurt the other person but to help them see what they can not see themselves. In turn, I am not allowing myself to accept the feedback that others are trying to give me in order for them to help me become the best version of myself.

The second way he asks us to change is to LOVE with an open heart. In a reflection it states: The love expressed by Christ through the Holy Spirit has now become the engine of interpersonal relationships and the single source in the process of changing attitudes to the brothers of community in society. This is the type of love we need to want and to share with others in order to see the change that needs to happen and then to apply it to our lives.

The third way he asks us to change is by searching for the intervention of the community or life group and if this last resort does not seem to effect the lost brother, then the community seeks recovery or leaves him to disassociate himself from them. This way has been very helpful for me during this journey with CAP CORPS Mid-West. I have learned to trust in me and the help of my community. With out asking for help the community breaks. The more you keep quit, the more it shatters. This last form of change, is what I like to call 'THE CALL'. This is when God steps in with Jesus, Mary and all the saints and does some serious healing in you. This is what the buddhist would call enlightenment in a sense. Catholics would call this a time of Discernment. The first two steps are very necessary in order for one to enter into the third and final step.

From having 24 to now having 20, a lot of changes (good changes) have been happening in the house. There is more time to teach the kids, time to reflect on ourselves, time to reflect on this past in order to prepare for the future, time to build courage, love, and patience. Also this past week, we received a new volunteer in our house. The work load has also lightened, leaving me with more time to play with the kids. There is just a lovely feeling when the kids call you asking you to come out and play with them :)

May God speak to you this week and show you the changes that he wants from you. They aren't meant to degrade you, but lift you and make you great here on earth as he sees you from heaven. May love seep into you pores and flow to your heart. For God, so loved the world that he gave up his one and only begotten Son (OUR BROTHER JESUS)!

LOVE YOU ALL

Knowing God in Peru

'Yo Soy El Pan Vivo Bajado Del Cielo'

Recently, my prayer life has become more concrete, rather than the occasional prayer moments. After our staff retreat in May and our pomise as a community to pray the Rosary everyday. I have found that it is indeed hard to do so. I have found myself asleep after the 2nd mystery or not ending the rosary at all missing one or two of them. I can pray the rosary completely in a group. Alone I find myself distracted by thoughts of people or things I need to do.

Working with my children, I have found that a set shedule works best when it comes to accomplishing things. With out a written schedule and promise to self, nothing really gets done. So, I recently created a prayer schedule for myself. I have yet to put it into practice. Funny me, I forgot to schedule the weekends in, lol.

So, far it is as follows:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday:

5:30a Prayer in the garden (like when Jesus went to the garden to pray alone to his father after performing so many miracles)

6am Open the rosary and pray it throughout the day ending it before dinner

(One mystery done with a few of the kids in my house)

Tuesday and Thursday:

5:30a Prayer of Joy and happiness

10:30a Rosary complete.... Tues. Individually and Thurs. with Jeanette

Like I said I forgot to include the weekend, will do soon. I want to pray one mystery with my kids because I did that one day and had them say the prayer for that mystery (that day I did 3 with them, lol). Plus, it helped that I had chocolate for them afterwards, jejejeje.

God has become more than just some great being in my life. He is much more... he is a friend, a protector, a mentor, a father. Through prayer and faith I continue to be in awe of his greatness. Finding that spiritual calmness amongst the hecticness of CDLN has become easier. All I have to do is look at the faces of my children and up at the sky :)

It's been 10 days wince my last post then again who is counting.

Learning spanish makes me tired and working with kids everday easily makes you sick.

The one thing I should have brought with me to Peru is a medicine kit. Gracias, Jesus por Alyssa :)

It has been a week and two days of spanish lessons with the regular work each day and well the first few days were pretty tough. So, our schedule goes as follows:

5:00-5:45am Wake-up and get ready for the day.
6:30am-7am Breakfast
7:am-8am Cleaning the house (Bathrooms and both homework areas)
8am-1:40 or 2pm Spanish Lessons at El Sol
1:40 or 2pm- 2:15pm Lunch
2:15pm-5:00pm play or homework time
5:pm-5:30pm The kids change clothes and take a shower
5:30pm-6:15pm TV/Movie time
6:30p-6:45pm Dinner
7pm-7:45pm Praise and worship
8pm-bedtime Left over homework/ get ready for bed
Note: This schedule is only for Alyssa and I... Michael has a completely different schedule. Within two weeks this is our week day schedule.


The weekends look like this:

Saturday

7am Breakfast
7:45am Deep Clean of the house (everybody helps out)
9am play time/ homework
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm More play
5:45pm Dinner
6:15pm Movie/TV (my house watches two movies at this time)
9:30am Bedtime

Sunday

Everything is the same in the morning minus the deep clean...
6:30pm Mass
7:45pm Dinner
8:45pm Bedtime

Saturday2 (the kids leave)

Everything is the same in the morning as the other Saturday
4pm-5pm The boys are picked up by the parents
5pm Cap Corps is off work for the rest of the day until 3pm of Sunday

It is a pretty packed schedule. Right now we haven't done much sight seeing, but as the year goes on we will do more. My kids are pretty good for the most part. Today, though they were being disrespectful to all the hermanas. Some of them are treated better than others. There is a level system going on, but I treat them all the same. Even the birthday boy today, got scolded by me. I find it interesting that I help the kids with their Tarea, but I don't really know the language. I do use it brokenly, but for the most part they understand what I am trying to tell them.
That's all for now, thanks for the response Trazy and Rich. January/February looks like the best time to visit by the way. Miss you all...