3 MORE WEEKS

Good morning to all. I can not believe that three weeks from today I will be back on the plane to get to the states. Time has gone by rather quickly. I still have so much to accomplish before it is time to depart. School is well.. the students were rather out of it yesterday. I started teaching about Amoebas. I know that it was a Monday morning and all but, they were really not focused. They are usually much more involved, asking questions and participating. My teacher, Victor spoke to them about not paying attention....perhaps it was the material, the way I taught it or as John added, what transpired the night before...sometimes the students have to clean the whole compound and work very hard doing manual labor....one never knows...So needless to say, I was not that satisfied with the work that I did. But, that is what happens in teaching sometimes.....
My dear little friend...Clinton.....came by to visit me yesterday....he was not in school....I told him that he needed to go to school.. he brought me some pictures that he drew for me....I love that little boy...he is so adorable....I keep thinking of a way that I can get him back to the states....So today I ran into him and he was once again not at school....he told me that his mom has no money to pay the school fees.....I think that I will take a visit to his mom today and see if I can pay his fees....he is so smart and he needs to be in school...so, I will let you know how that turns out.
My running has been going very well....it is rather challenging to run back up the hill...boy, you can really feel it in the legs.....I feel stronger in my legs and hope that it will benefit when I climb the mountain next weekend...I think that we will have porters that carry our stuff up..they supply us with all the materials...water, sleeping bags...etc. I am rather excited about it.....
But, I have to say that yesterday, John was curious about how much weight he has lost since being here....he is very skinny....we got out the scale and he weighed himself...he is down to 129 pounds.... he was about 142 when he came here in August....wow....so he told me that I needed to weigh myself...well, I am not one to get on a scale.....but, they pressured me and I gave in. I was shocked to do the conversion from kilograms to pounds. I have lost almost 13 pounds.....but, we rarely eat 3 meals a day and we walk at least 3-4 miles a day up and down a hill. I have also been runnning everyday...so I am sure that all contributes to the situation. I feel good...not sure where the lost pounds were lost from but,,,, I will not complain....
I went to the store today with Clinton and bought candy for him and candy and cookies for me.....
This weekend I plan to go to Limbe and spend an overnight there in one of the hotels that look out onto the ocean....it is so beautiful and the water is absolutely wonderful. I am hoping for nice weather....it should be a wonderful time.....
I hope that all is well back home and halloween is fun for all....eat some candy for me.....we have candy here but not like in the states......enjoy....take care and I hope to chat again soon. Have a great week....my love to all...Nancy

Where do I begin?

Good day to all. The weather here is so funny. I awoke this morning at 4:30 in order to prepare for teaching today and it was calm outside. Within one hour, the winds were gusting and it was raining. Luckily, by the time I left at 6:30 to take my regular walk to the school, the rain had stopped, but there was a bit of a chill in the air. By the time I arrived at school, I was elated to see that the principle was not there giving his Friday lecture to the students. They were heading for their classrooms. WELL....I get to my classroom and there are only the boys sitting in their seats. The girls were all sent out to clean the compound. They had been punished. (I am not quite sure what they were being punished for and I was not able to get any information from the other students. Well, we proceeded to do some of my lesson that I had gotten up so early to prepare for....! Ha...! After my first class, I moved over to my second class and the students were still missing. But, I proceeded once again to teach the few of them. When class had finished, I took out my camera to take some pictures of these wonderful students. They went CRAZY!!!!!!!!! I began to "snap" them, which is what they call it here. They loved looking at their pictures after I took them. They were so excited. After I finally was able to calm them down, one of my girls told me that Jennifer (a girl that sits in the back of the classroom) was very ill. I went over to her and I have to say that my heart stopped...I thought she was not breathing. I come to find out that they believe that she has malaria and she was in the hospital the night before but insisted on leaving and coming back to school. I am mortified that I did not see that this was happening. I told the girls to go and get the nurse. Well, the nurse was nowhere to be found. I attempted to pick up Jennifer and get her to a bed but was not successful. A teacher came to the door and I explained the situation. He said that I should just leave her there. I was torn about the whole thing, but I do not want to ruffle too many feathers (if you know what I mean). Malaria is at its peak right now. It strikes heavily when the wet season is changing to the dry season. My cooperating teacher has been down all week with Malaria. A lot of sickness here. It is very difficult here...but, the people seem to perservere.
After my class ended today I was leaving and a boy from my one classes came up to me and said, "I love you." What do you say to that....then about 4 more boys joined him and began to tell me how much they have learned from me and how much they enjoy having me as their teacher. Can I tell you....that made my year!!!! I will be so unhappy when I have to leave them....I love these kids.....they are beautiful and smart and kind hearted. I am so blessed to have had a chance to touch their lives.....I love everyone of them...!!!
Well, on another note....last night John and I went to an art exhibit at the French Alliance club...well, there were people there taking pictures of the art.....so I decided to take pictures...well, I got in trouble...they were not happy and made me delete all the photos off my camera... oh, well...no harm done....not until John and I decided to take a different route home after dark....NOT A GOOD IDEA...let me tell you....John gets a phone call and stops to talk...I am waiting for him to finish so I take out my camera and begin to take pictures of the full moon...absolutely beautiful....well, a truck comes around the bend and turns around and stops right in front of me....A massive African Man gets out and shouts at me, "What to you think you are doing? You look very suspicious. I am going to call the police." OK, anyone who knows me, knows that I do not take well to men that verbally attack me like that. I told him that I was just taking a picture of the moon...that was not good enough for him. He continued to harass me and said that I was taking pictures of the government building. It was the agricultural building...I was not even aware of that. He said that he was going to make me "blue" (using his fist to emphasize his seriousness of the situation). I gave him my opinion and told John that we needed to start walking away from the situation. It was a bit nerve wrecking....I was shaking all the way home. I have to say that this situation was the first time that I felt unsafe. It was a strange feeling. But, I dealt with it and all is good. It was an experience. I told a good african friend today about the happenings and he said that I should not walk on that particular road when it gets dark. That is good to know.
But, all I can say that this is a very good experience being here. I have learned all about adaptation and I feel that I have done a good job with that.
I hope all is well back home. I will be coming home in about 3 weeks...I can not believe how time has a way of flying by. I have very mixed feelings about leaving, but I know that Cameroon has become a special home to me...I will never lose that. I will come back!!!
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. There is a lot going on this weekend so I will get back to you on Monday and let you know more about my adventures here in Cameroon. My love to all. Nancy~

Different people, different stories

Good morning to all....I have to say that each day brings a new perspective on life. I have befriended a little boy the age of 10. His name is Clinton. He is the boy who runs to greet me each afternoon when he arrives home from school. The other day, he showed up at my door. He looked so sad. He proceeded to tell me that he was at school from 7 in the morning until 2 and he had nothing to eat the whole day. He fell two times in school due to being so weak. I almost wanted to cry right there. I went up to the kitchen and brought down some bread for him to eat. He is absolutely a sweetheart. I would love to bring him back to the states....he said that his mom would let me do that....!!! I felt so sad for him. After he left, I went to my room and wept. He told me that he saw an american on tv that was riding a bicycle and he wished so badly that he could have a bike.....I began thinking about how I could get a bike to him...you do not see many bikes here. It proved to be another eye opener for me. Then after that experience, I traveled down the hill to go to the internet and I saw a man with a macheti and a HUGE log that he was trying to get down the hill. I took his picture and was amazed at how hard he was working. He told me that he has not eaten in days. I could sense the hopelessness within his soul. I took out some money to give him and told him to go get some bread to eat...He was so thankful. I have seen him since and he never hesitates to greet me with a big smile. All these situations have touched me in such a way. There is so much struggle here.
But, on a brighter note, I taught yesterday and the students were great...they really think that I am funny. We laugh and learn and enjoy each others company. It feels so good to be in a room with all of them.....all 78 of them....!!!!!
Later today I will be visiting Amado...he will be my guide up Mt. Cameroon. I will be talking to him about the materials to bring and the details of the trip. He has been a guide for the mountain for over 20 years. He is a very nice man. I will let you know the details as I receive them. I am planning to do the trek in 2 weeks..I am hoping to leave around noon on a Friday and return Saturday evening. I have run up and down the hill for the past two days. I recall a few years ago taking my running route in Wheaton during the hottest part of the day and repeating to myself...."I am just getting ready to handle the heat of Africa." I have to say that two days ago when I did my first official run down the hill, it was such an incredible feeling...I was actually running on African Land...it has come true...I felt so HAPPY! It was a deep moving moment for me. I have to say that today I can barely walk. My legs are so sore. I am hoping to run again today, but I may need to recover and do it tomorrow...It takes me about 15 -20 minutes to go down and then back up the hill. It is a challenge going up but I know that it will help me to do the mountain when the time arrives.
I hope all is well. I will let you know how the rest of the week proceeds. I am being observed tomorrow so that is always a bit of a stress. My love to all back home. Take care and have a great rest of the week. Love, Nancy~

Monday morning...after a busy weekend!

Good morning to all...Well, another Monday morning...I can not believe how time is flying here....Never a dull moment here. This past weekend was an eventful one. I did some work on Saturday and went out a bit at night. Sunday was full of events. The students at the high school do a thanksgiving celebration and yesteday was the day for that. John and I walked to school and arrived at about 9 am. The celebration began. The student choir sang.. ( I have to tell you...they were beautiful....listening to them brought chills to my soul). Then they proceeded to take each"form" (grade level) and they went outside to gather their gifts to present to God. Once they were ready, the choir would begin to sing and the drummer would go crazy on the bongos....the form of students would start dancing in a line and slowly enter the room carrying their gifts. Then, all of a sudden, they would go crazy with their dancing and the whole school began screaming, clapping and shouting....It was an incredible experience....very moving...I tried to capture it on my digital camera...video.....but, you would have to be here to get the full effect. AMAZING, that is all I can say.
The celebration lasted for about 3 hours. After is was over, I traveled back home and prepared to go to Limbe...It is a fishing town right on the Atlantic Ocean. The weather is starting to clear up so I decided to grab the chance and go to a favorite spot of mine---The ocean!
I went with a friend and he helped me with the taxis and buses...oh my...what a trip....the roads...the drivers...the crowded bus...the military men along side of the road....(who, by the way stopped us...) They are always looking for a way to make money off of people traveling...they let us pass..BUT...once again, I forgot to bring my passport. My friend advised me that from now on, I need to bring that with me...I could get into a situation where the military decide to ask me for money since I do not have my passport....I have lucked out 2 times and I should probably carry that with me from here on. I tend to live on the edge....what can I say. Any how....the ocean was beautiful....bath water temperature...beautiful waves....It was refreshing.....after the ocean, we went to dinner at the "Hot-Spot" restaurant that overlooks the ocean...We were there just in time to watch the sunset. The food was amazing....Bah fish from the ocean grilled....as usual...they give you the entire fish....but, they spare you the eyeballs....I am the sloppiest fish eater here...You should see how the Africans eat their fish...perfectly....down to the skeletal part....nothing left...they also eat or I should say, suck the head of the fish.....As I butchered my fish, my african friend had his fish so perfectly eaten....I laughed as he sucked the head of the fish....I took out my camera and just continued to take pictures of the process...it was fun and very educational...! Ha.....Ha......
By the time we left the restaurant, it was dark and rather late....we had to find a taxi and then find a bus to get back....Traveling at night here is always a risk....it can be dangerous due to the roads and the drivers....I sat in this bus....cramped and extremely HOT.....(you think that we have bad humidity in Chicago....come here.....usually 97% humidity.....IT IS HUMID....) So anyway, I am cramped in the back of this bus with about 12 other fellow africans....ok, I am not talking about a Bus-bus...I am talking about a minivan type vehicle....I am beginning to look at traveling in a very different way....it is an eye opener....I arrived home at about 9 pm....I was exhausted.....I slept like a baby.....
I awoke today to a beautiful day....the dry season is approaching....my throat is causing me some trouble....but, I talked to the assistant principle today and he said that it is very common to have some ailments like that when the wet season is leaving and the dry season is beginning.
I was all prepared to start my new unit on Bacteria...and once again....it is delayed for another day. The french teacher wanted to use my period to give her test. My co-operating teacher did not show up to school, so I walked over to his house to see if that was ok....I woke him up....He came to the door looking rather pale. I apologized for waking him and he explained to me that he was suffering from a fever...perhaps Malaria....I felt so bad for him....I wished him a quick recovery and asked him if he would be there tomorrow to watch me teach. He said that perhaps he would make it but, the students seem to feel very comfortable with me....so, we'll see if he shows tomorrow....I just pray that he does not have malaria.....many people get malaria often here......
So, as of today...I am starting my training...I plan to run up and down the main road each day....approximately 2 miles, so as to prepare for my trek up Mt. Cameroon. I am planning to do that in about 2 weeks...I will let you know how the running goes...it is a rather steep road....I hope that my stamina will hold up.....
Hope things are well back home.
Welcome Back Ida...hope you had a wonderful experience in Europe.
Thank you to all the rest of my dear friends that continue to communicate with me...it feels good.....
Take care and I send my love to all. Nancy~

More interesting experiences

Good day everyone...well, things are moving along here. Yesterday, I gave back the midterms to the students....OK...have you ever had to read off 156 African names...wow....what an experience...I apologized at the beginning to the students and told them to forgive me for butchering their names...They were laughing at me as I struggled to read each and everyones name...I even began to laugh...I have the list of these names and I will show you....see how you do in pronunciating them....Any time I came across a Lewis, or Larry...I rejoiced....there is no such thing as John Smith...they have about 3 different names. An example would be Nabanga Njemo Elevis. Elevis is the first name, Njemo is the family name and Nabanga is the tribe name. Each person has a particular name that shows what tribe and location they are from...This is a slightly easy name...many others were much more difficult to read...!!! It was interesting none the less.
Today I was going to be observed while doing my teaching. The class was to start at 7. Well, the principle has a habit of talking and talking to the students on Friday mornings. The students have devotion at 6 am and then the principle lines them up outside and gives them a lecture about whatever is on his mind for that day. Well, today...he decided to talk to them until 7:40! The students had to stand in line for over an hour and a half. My cooperating teacher showed up at about 7 :25 and he decided that we should just skip class today. So my teaching was postponed today. My supervisor showed up at 7:45 and I had to tell her the dilemma...never a dull moment here in Cameroon. So, the students ended up just sitting in their classroom without being taught.
Now, I am just writing to you before I begin my weekend. I am hoping to visit Limbe this weekend to see the ocean. The weather is trying to clear up. On Sunday, the students are doing a special thanksgiving day feast, so John and I will be visiting there. It should be a nice event. The students are absolutely wonderful.
I hope all is well back home. I am sure that Halloween decor is taking over the streets...chilly weather is in the air, I bet. I hope all is well and I send my love.
Thank you Trish for your sentiments....not sure who the culprit was with the phone!
I look forward to sharing all my rather interesting stories....
Nancy~

A slight delay in the Midterm!

Good day to all. It is a nice day today unlike yesterday. I awoke yesterday to a terrential downpour and I had to get to school by 8:45 to give the midterm exam. Well, needless to say, I ran to the roadside to catch a taxi and by the time I arrived to Baptist High School, I was drenched...it was cold and wet....I come to find out that a phone charger was found in the dorms and a school search was in progress in order to find the culprit...in the meantime, they had cancelled classes and did not feed the students...so there were students roaming all about the premises. I sat and waited to see if things would change...Victor and I sat and talked about many things as we waited to give the midterm to the students...By 12:30, we went ahead and gave them the midterm....a bit crazy here sometimes!
After a long day there...I traveled back home to change and begin grading the midterms...I told Victor that I would have them done by today....NO WAY....it takes so long to grade 156 papers. I have one class finished and am hoping to get the next class done today.
As I travel up and down the road from home and back...I always encounter the most unusual situations....I come home and share my stories with John and he just laughs. Well, on Sunday as I left the internet..I began my journey back up the mountain road. A lady and her cousin came up to me and told me how much they loved me and how they want to be a friend to me. They gave me their cell phone numbers and invited me to their house for a meal. They were nice. Then, after that encounter, I came upon a man who told me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me....ha! We talked and I tried to tell him that there was no way that would happen...He saw me today from across the street and yelled my name and wants me to visit him at work....Crazy place! After I talked with him, I ran into another man that talked to me about God...it was interesting....After the sermon, I was nearing home and from around a corner came a young boy who ran up to me and hugged me so tightly. His name is Clinton. He is absolutely adorable....I have been giving him suckers and he is so happy! So, now each day he runs to see me when I return home....
My walks each day are eventful...but, it makes things rather interesting. I am starting a new unit this week on Bacteria...so I have some lesson planning to do...Hope all is well back home and I look forward to writing again later in the week. Take care and my love to all. Nancy~

Current Happenings as of late

Good day to all. It is a relaxing Sunday afternoon and I have traveled to the internet to check in. It has been a very busy past couple of days. Thursday I had school and reviewed with the students on the material for the midterm. I have been a bit distracted the past few days and was not able to answer a few of their questions. I should of known the answers... I felt so ridiculous and my teacher said nothing about it. I just wonder what he is thinking. Well, you learn by your mistakes. Thursday night I stayed up very late and prepared about 70 questions for a competition in the class on Friday. I awoke early on Friday and walked to school. When I arrived there was so much chaos. I was not sure what was happening. I went into my first classroom and began the lesson. My teacher never showed up. I did both classes and they thoroughly enjoyed the game..I do not think they do much of that here....After leaving the school, I came to find out that there was no school for the day due to Ramadan. I was the only teacher there....no wonder the students were acting so strange when I was there...The way it works here is if there is no school, the teachers do not show up but the students still need to be in their classrooms...so, being the foreigner...I thought there was class....Ha!
Friday late afternoon, I went with a very special friend to his church meeting. They were discussing the readings for Sunday services and they read it in "Pidgin." It is a form of English comparable to how the slaves in America talked....It is impossible to read and there is no way an English speaking person would even know what the person speaking pidgin was saying...It was rather interesting. I recall Asher having to read a book for school that had a lot of pidgin in it and we both struggled to understand it...
Saturday, I had another friend from the town of Yaounde come to visit me. He is a journalist that I met when visiting the village a few weeks ago. We went to the school to visit the students because it was parent visitation day. We talked to the students and it was a wonderful time. The students are so sweet....After that, we planned the evening and went out for an incredible dinner and went to here a band. It was myself, Jean Pierre (the journalist) and his friend Bertraud. They are very classy men and treated me like a queen the whole night. We were dancing at a French alliance club and I was the only white person there. Both of my friends danced with me for quite some time....boy, do they like to dance...it was such a fantastic night....
So, needless to say, I am a bit tired today. But, this coming week looks to be slow. The students are taking the test tomorrow and I will have to grade about 150 tests. I am hoping that they know the information because is will be a reflection on how my teaching abilities are. Keep your fingers crossed that they prove to be learning from me...despite the "funny" way that I talk. Hope all is well back in the states...enjoy and I will keep in touch. My love to all, Nancy~

Alittle accident!

Hi to all...yes, I am actually writing again to you ....I have the day off today and am waiting for a friend at the internet and thought I would quickly write to you. After I left the internet yesterday, I met John over at a friends house. Abob is his name. He is a DJ at a Hotel down the street. We have become friends with his family. His mother, Clara, is the sweetest lady...She is always asking when we will come to visit. So yesterday we went to their house and Abob, Clara, and the house girl all made a dinner for us. They presented yams and cow meat. The yams are grown in their front yard. They brought the food to John and I and then they went into another room. I was thinking that they would sit and eat with us...NOPE....just John and I sitting in their living room with two incredibly LARGE bowls of yams and cow meat! Well, I do not eat cow meat...so I proceeded to eat the yams and John ate the cow meat. There was so much food, and Clara kept shouting from the other room...."EAT, EAT!" After 35 minutes of sitting at the table trying to eat all the enormous amounts of food...Clara came in and put more food on my plate, along with the cow meat. I tried to explain to her that I do not eat meat...she did not care....So, after she left again...I snuck the food over to Abob and told him that he needed to take it. Ha....what a dinner event.
Then we needed to get back home...it was around 7 pm. OK, you do not understand how dark it gets here at night....really dark! No street lights or anything. So, John and I are going to cross the street and a taxi was coming so I decided to sprint across, TOTALLY forgetting that they have a deep trench along side of the sidewalk....well, my luck has it....I fall right into the trench...I thought I broke my knee....John was shocked that I did not break anything...I could barely walk on it. He wanted to take a taxi and I decided to walk in hopes that it would subside. By the time we walked about 2 miles back home, my knee had a huge lump on it....it was throbbing. I put some frozen tomato sauce on it because they do not have ice here.
But, I have to say that I awoke today and it feels much better...a bit sore, but not too much bruising....another adventure. I actually had a laugh about it today....so, all is good.
Have a great day and I hope to write by the end of the week. We are prepping the students for the midterm test next week. Love to all, Nancy~

Beginning to feel like "home"

Bon jour to all! I have been very busy over the last several days and have not had a chance to get to the computers...But, I have to say that I am feeling so much more at home here. I have developed some friendships and it is so rewarding. I feel very loved here. Last Thursday I was all prepared to teach and get observed by my supervisor. I visited the internet prior to class and lucky for me I saw John there. He informed me that there was no school for that day or on Friday. Thursday was "spiritual" day for the students. Friday was teachers day. John and I had special shirts hand made and we went to an all day celebration. The africans love to have celebrations. I went to the school at 10 on Friday and began the celebration. That ended at about 3:30 and then all the teachers went out to a restaurant and ate and drank. It was a blast!!!!!! Except for the bathroom facilities at the restaurant which consisted of a cement slab that you relieved yourself on!!!! It was extremely rainy and chilly on Friday and then to have to go the washroom on a cement slab....rather interesting...I am becoming so adaptable...Ha...Ha.....I met my cooperating teachers wife..She is so kind. She is expecting a child in April. They have a daughter that is 5 years old. They did have a son, but he died at about the age of 1 1/2. SO SAD!
On Saturday, I went with a friend out to the town of Limbe which is along the Atlantic Ocean. We went to the botanical gardens and ate at a restaurant overlooking the ocean. I was in Heaven! I think that I am meant to be by the ocean...it felt so wonderful...We took public transportation...which also was an experience....military people are at the sides of the road and they randomly stop vehicles...they stopped our vehicle both there and back to Buea and of course...I forgot my PASSPORT!!!! That could be a big problem....both times the military looked in our vehicle and gave me the big, long stare....but they let us go...!!! I was a bit nervous...but all turned out ok...
Sunday, I was invited to go to the Baptist church with my teacher and his wife. It was a very nice morning. The people were so gracious to me. After the service, we went back to their house and they made me lunch. They live on the school grounds....very humble home but very welcoming. After the meal of rice and fish...we walked to the downtown area and had some beers! Victor told me how impressed he is with how much the students miss me when I am not there....I am telling you...I feel so loved!!!!! This is truly an amazing experience which will be in my heart and soul for the rest of my days here on earth.
I went to teach today and was observed by my supervisor. She liked my lesson and gave me some suggestions on how to improve in certain areas....I was not that happy with my teaching today...78 students in a classroom is a rather challenging environment. Luckily, the students are so sweet and respectful. I love them!!!! After the classes, Victor and I looked over a midterm test that he prepared and he wanted me to help with the usage of proper English. The rest of the week is review and the midterm will be next Monday.
As for the weather...the rain is still amidst us and I keep asking everyone when it will subside. They are trying to reassure me that the dry season is on its way...I would like that...but I am embracing every moment here...even the challenging ones....each day is definitely an adventure!!!!
I have gotten a cell phone and if anyone has a desire to call...do not hesitate...the number is
237-79-96-61-34
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO VICKI
HELLO TO ALL BACK HOME
I MISS YOU ALL
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR REPLIES
LOVE TO ALL
Nancy~

Back to school!

Hello....I went back to teach today after being gone for a few days. I talked with Victor (my cooperating teacher) before class began and he told me how much the students had missed me and they were concerned that I would not come back. He reassured them that I would be here for the next couple of months....It felt so good to know that they felt that way. Victor also told me that he missed me...ha....! I feel so loved...ha..ha....Well, I went in to teach and things went alright until I put a word on the board and totally mispelled it and a girl in the back of the room was trying to correct me but I just could not understand her.....It was very ackward...then I realized what I had done and went to correct it and I mispelled it again..........(I am not even sure if I am spelling mispelled correctly...) I just could not believe it...I was so embaressed...I left that class to go to the next one and I told Victor how stupid that was...He reassured me and said that those things happen...I was bound and determined NOT to make the same mistake in the next class....and guess what?????? I DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do not know what the problem with me was....After class, Victor said that I seemed a bit lost today...he said that I was away to long......mmmmmm....well, it was ok. We learn by our mistakes. Victor has invited me to go to his baptist church on Sunday...I am going and will be curious to see how it differs from the catholic church down the street.
There is a lady around the corner from where I live and I always go past her house (actually it is more like a shack) to go to school. The other day she, Regine, said to me that she had a gift for me. She brought out a big bunch of bananas. I thanked her and thought how nice that was for her to do that. I am sure it is not easy for her to purchase such items. A couple of days later I brought over one of my necklaces that I brought with me from home. I put it on her neck..You would of thought that I gave her a million dollars...she kept saying Thank you...Thank you...Thank you....she is so sweet......those types of things are what truly make you smile :)
I will let you know how the rest of the week progresses....Love to all...Nancy~
ps thank you Patty..my dear sister for the message...I miss you very much and love you...