So much excitement, so few days

  Since I last posted about 3 days ago, so much has happened, many ups and downs, but I wouldn't change a thing. I had to say goodbye (or see you later) to the 30 that came from Living Oaks. It was such a good week with them. I didn't get to spend much time with them, but I am thankful that they got to meet the kids I get the privelidge of loving on and living with for 6 weeks. I have now taken the responsibilty of sending updates and photos of the favorites in the toddler house. 

  Yesterday I got the chance to go with the teenagers to a park just outside the orphanage. Two swimming pools- yes, I was pulled in- soccer field, volleyball court, covered picnic tables and small playgrounds/swing sets. The kids also got to ride horses for a small price of about $0.50 and we ate Little Caesar's and ice cream by the poolside together, along with a few stray dogs. One of the boys asked me about my freckles. I told him that I was born with them and that they are gifts of God (as best I could in Spanish). He kept arguing with me, saying he only likes gringos without lots of freckles and that they are bad/ugly. It hurt. One of Living Oaks' favorite kids (I won't say the name), and he decides to tear me down. For the second year in a row (he said he didn't like them to me last year as well). I rubbed it off the best I could and enjoyed the rest of the day with the teens and other interns despite feeling empty and torn. 

  While working in the office one day last week, one of the gentlemen who was just beginning a job with Shalom asked me about the toddlers' house. I provided him information about why many have said the house is out of control. No discipline is enforced for wrongdoing, other than fake threats of taking away meals/desserts (at least I haven't seen it happen). More rules need to be set in place and stuck to in order to help the kids mature and be obedient. He is really trying to bring changes to the orphanage, and I hope I provided the information he needed to best help the little, crazy Angelitos. The kids don't listen to the commands I say to them, and I think the changes made by the workers in the office could help the house moms and I out a lot with bringing order to these 16 children. 

  As I write this, I am sitting on a pillow at lunch with interns Maddie, Katie, Jenna, and Casa Shalom staff members John and Gabriella. We got to attend church service this morning in the same church I went to the past 2 years with the Living Oaks team, after experiencing my first chicken bus, pick up truck rides, and walking on the side of the Guatemalan streets. It was a very tough, hot, uphill 20 minute walk to the bus stop, but it made me feel like an intern for the first time. I felt as if I have a role at Casa Shalom, going out on the town with 5 others. Yesterday was my halfway point, and I know these next 3 weeks are going to fly by just as fast!