Day 7. On the Island

Friday morning, June 14th, I woke up feeling just a bit out of sorts. Not as bad as I had the morning before. But still, not as good as I usually do! 

None-the-less, today was our last day. Today we would go to an island and relax a bit before heading home.

We again were up early and ready to go. I think this time it was leaving by 6am! Funny thing is I hear my daughter, Tanise' alarm go off so we all started getting up. One of the girls in our room, Allie, said, "Beach day! Time to get up!" (Chipper is the tone I would use to describe it.) I looked at my phone and it said 4:30! UGH! We were up an hour too early! Back to bed and a sound sleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow!

We headed to the lobby, to the bus, and then to the water taxi. As soon as we boarded the water taxi, I felt a sense of relaxation I hadn't felt all week. I love the water.....it was beautiful! Blue sky, clear water and white clouds. The wind as we surfed the water was amazingly appreciated by me after all of the heat and sweat I had experienced through the week. We were heading for a day of fun!

Snorkeling.... This was something that amazed me! I was afraid to go under and try yo breathe through that little contraption.... but as soon as I put my head under and did it, I felt relaxed. Relaxed from floating peacefully in the warm water surrounding me and relaxed from the scenery, which made me feel as though I were in an aquarium. The rhythmic sound of my breathing was soothing and I began to think it was probably similar to what my babies felt in my womb while I was pregnant...... PEACE. I felt total peace in that water.

Sting Rays! We later swam with them. It was pretty cool, although, I never got far enough under to touch one. I enjoyed watching them under my feet and attempting to go far enough under to get a feel......

Lunch at a restaurant. We still had no ice in our glasses- but it was nice to sit in a chair at a table to eat. All week we sat in pews in the church and had foam containers..... this was more of a back to normal feeling for me! Funny thing, we had 11 people from our group at this restaurant and we ALL ordered BURGERS! I guess we missed our American food, as well! 

Time to walk around the island and do some shopping. This was fun and I witnessed just how good my second Daughter, Tanise and a young woman named Allie were at haggling! I wanted to buy a Hammock Chair for our family and the man told me it was something like $100. These two got him down to $35! Nice! I appreciated the hand made items being sold there. I knew that purchasing them was giving us a nice souvenir and helping some of the locals' businesses. Thankfully, a generous person gave us a little money to do some shopping on our trip and we got hand made jewelry, a couple small carvings, bags (girls love their bags, you know.) and now the hammock seat! 

A little team meeting and recap of the week. We got to hear from 2 individuals about each person in the group. Some encouragement from our peers! How nice! After, we went for dinner (another restaurant) and this time a buffet! Fish and Chicken and Shrimp and side dishes! Cold Lime drink! YUM! Our last meal together. This week had flown by! There were a few staff members from Praying Pelican that I wanted to share something encouraging with. I appreciate them leaving home and comforts again and again to help lead groups like ours in unfamiliar things in an unfamiliar place. We spent a week, but they would be spending their summer there with group after group.

One last game of Silent Football under a canopy of black sky and a Palm leaf roof over our heads outside the hotel.

This hotel had GOOD AIR CONDITIONING! I went in as soon as we arrived and turned it to the lowest setting! It was pretty clean- no ants marching around.....a carpeted floor and solid tiles....no holes in the ceiling, no exposed wires..... we were living a more comfortable life here.... more of the life we were all used to before this week. It was amazing how much I was appreciating it!

Outside of our hotel:

Entrance to our room:

Yes, this life was more like the life a tourist leads while in Belize.... a little blinded by the life of most natives of the place. 

If I lived here, I think I would want to be a captain or ship mate on a boat and take people snorkeling all day...... 

Day 6, Thursday, June 13th

The night had been extremely difficult for me. My stomach was crampy and nauseated throughout. I woke up, took my shower and then laid back down again and fell asleep. The girls got up and I lay there thinking, "This is our last day here and I feel like crap! How am I going to do this?"

So, about 10 minutes before we had to meet in the lobby of the hotel, I got up. We had to walk on this day as our bus driver, Vinson, was driving the other group to the water taxi for their day of R&R. We were up in the mountains and the hills were steep. I could do it. I'm a fitness instructor- let's see how I do in the heat exerting energy while feeling sick.

I lagged. Took my time. Kayla walked with me. She mentioned that she was kind of glad I wasn't feeling 100% as seeing me have so much energy and doing so much was somehow making her not feel as positive about what she was giving or doing on the trip. Something like that. I didn't take offense. I actually understand it. I have been told similar things before. Sometimes, people are somehow intimidated (not sure if that's the best word) by a person with my personality. I am a "go-getter". I make lists and check them off. I give as much as I can to whatever I am doing, or to me, it isn't worth doing. I don't care what other people choose to do- but I somehow can cause others (unintentionally to feel like less- or be intimidated by). I was once a Strength's Coach for Gallop. This Coaching helps people see the way they "do life" in a positive light. It isn't uncommon for people to hear negative comments from others who don't understand how they operate and when you can get an appreciation for how you operate and how others do it helps teams work together, people feel better about how they are and helps people take on roles and jobs that best suit them. My top five themes (which make up how I do life) are "Achiever"- list making and checking off then starting a new list, "Maximizer"- make good better or best- don't bother if it isn't going to happen or isn't a strength of mine- let someone else, "Relator"-relating to people- do well one on one or small groups, "Strategic"- always thinking "what if" looking at possibilities, "Responsibility"- If I say I am going to do it, I am going to... or I will kill myself trying! Now, don't get me wrong. I also relax and play with the same passion and conviction as I work. When I take a day off- I DO NOTHING. AT. ALL. When I play, I PLAY HARD! I say all this to say- no matter how you are made- you have been made in such a way to do whatever is in front of you to do in a unique way! Being different from another isn't bad- it's actually very good as it helps give well-roundedness to the world or project and more completion than if it was only one way accomplished from one viewpoint or one standard or one way of doing it. BE YOU! YOU are NEEDED!! :)


Kayla and I stop at the store right before the church and she buys me a ginger ale. I am trying to feel good and have energy!



So, we get there.... I am giving it the best shot I have. I DO NOT WANT TO MISS THE LAST DAY!
However, I couldn't eat. I was forcing pieces of breakfast fruit down my throat little by little- but it was VERY little. Ginger ale....that was good. Canada Dry- just like at home. I helped put the frames together for VBS. This require little from me. I wouldn't help finish painting today. I would keep laying low and see how far I could push myself. I soon found myself exhausted. I would succumb to it from time to time - but tried to deny it as well. I joked with the students... slept. Tried to do the Cha-Cha slide.... slept. Weird thing was I was sleeping on the tiled floor with no pillow or blanket, loud music playing and people all around me talking loudly. (Totally out of character for me. I usually need complete darkness, no noise and comfort.)



So, eventually, it was time for lunch and I just couldn't bring myself to eat. I kept making myself drink water. I was extremely tired of the water. Jen, one of the PPM staff asked me what I would be able to consume. I needed to have SOMETHING. I said, "Chicken Noodle soup, saltines and ginger ale- but I already had ginger ale- gatorade was probably a better choice." She did what she could to get me some! Along with her air mattress and a fan so I could sleep more comfortably until the bus arrived and could take me back to the hotel and the air conditioning.

Sleep. That was all I could do.



We got to the hotel and I went to my bed right beside the window air conditioner. I slept another couple of hours before I was finally able to sit up and eat the Ramen noodles and the crackers Jen brought me. I also drank the gatorade she got and then I finished off the water I had in my bottle. Water had to be filtered there. I didn't dare walk outside to go find some or get more Gatorade. What if I was too weak? What if I fainted? I took a quick, cold shower to ensure I was cooling off. Then I decided to lay down and sleep more- after I emailed home to have some human connection. I didn't feel well and I think I was alone for about 5 hours.... I needed some human companionship- and reassurance. Tired, I fell back asleep. Around 9:30 my daughters came in with more Gatorade and filled my water bottle with more water. This was some sort of heat exhaustion, I was suffering from. I had every hope that when I woke up in the morning I would feel much better. Have I ever slept so much in my life? I don't think so. But, again, I went to bed and didn't wake up until the alarm sounded the next day!

My comfort foods from Jen-

 

Our room-



Bathroom-

 

The hotel "kitchen" - the family that owns it also lives there- they let me make coffee in the morning :)



Hotel Hallway to the rooms and balcony-

Day 4 - Tuesday

This day was the day I felt it all come together. I felt like my prayers and patience in waiting for God's plan to unfold developed on this day.
We woke up in time again to leave for the church and breakfast at 7:45am. After Breakfast today, we have a little down time to go and see the Mayan Ruins! This is pretty cool, I think. I feel like we traveled North, South, East and West in Belize and I appreciated this as it gave me time to see more of the entire country than just one little aspect. Since we arrived, I had made it my goal to take everything I could in. Billboards, homes, businesses, streets, people- I wanted to try to grasp as much as I could about the place, it's culture and it's people. I had already realized that poverty was everywhere, HIV and AIDS were a big deal, relationships were important (rarely did I see a person all alone- usually they had groups  doing things together.) The ladies and children are a bit shy as far as I can tell, but they are also super friendly and willing to make friends. Men are men- Some of them say comments to women when you walk by. They are more outgoing and sure of themselves it seems.... not too much different than back home- except that they may be a little more forward in their approach! ;)




So, we board our charter bus and head out for a field trip! FEELING EXCITED!!









 









    

  

  

  

  

  

I love the view from the top of peaks! Mountain peaks- but even this one from on top of the Temple. It gives me some sort of comfort in knowing that as an imperfect human being, I have no ability to regularly see the big picture. I see whatever is in front, behind, beside or above me- sometimes, it isn't much as what is near me looks bigger than me..... But, God, He can see the whole picture ALWAYS! I can take comfort in this when I am unsure or afraid or feeling overwhelmed. God sees all and has a plan for it all..... I just need to follow His lead.

 

Following His lead. That is what happened up there that day. It began to rain as we stood up on this monument. How glorious! I love the rain- but especially when I am hot! Refreshing! However, this made some people a little scared. Instantly, my mom mode kicked in and my safety training from various activities though life. It makes me humbled and grateful that as life unfolds you can see how things from your past can be used to help others in the present. Calmly directing people as they climb back down. "Stay low. It's slippery. Go slow. Try to use both feet and both hands. You can do it. Good job." Sometimes, it just helps to hear affirmation. A reminder of what you already know. Everyone made it down safely. It was beautiful.

As we get ready to head out, the other leaders ask for a picture of the three of us together! :) This makes me smile on the inside and the outside. :) Comradery is a beautiful thing!



And, as we are heading back out- a CUTE MONKEY!!!!! I LOVE MONKEYS!!!! This is my first time seeing one in the wild! :) Happy Day!

 

This is truly a beautiful place.....

  



A little time to relax before VBS after lunch and we go back to the hotel. Today, a group of almost all of the girls on the trip came to our room (Our room was a bit different now- Kayla, the other leader and my oldest daughter, Shyanna, went to another room and Haley joined our room.) We had a little time to talk. One of my very favorite things to do is listen to teens. They have a lot of insights that I think many adults just over-look or take for granted. These ladies are intelligent, they have some life-concerns and some ideas about life. It is always helpful to open up to people you can trust and share your thoughts, struggles, fears, joys, likes and dislikes. We are built for relationship with other people and with God. I am feeling extremely blessed to have growing relationships with these young ladies and to see them growing in relationships with each other and God on this trip! Yes, God is showing me why I am there.... and I am loving it!

WOW! Back to the church and VBS is GROWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

 today we have over 100 kids!! Amazing!

We meet as a team again after everything is over. St Richards and Rocky and PPM.
Then we have our own little team meeting. Tonight, Ben has asked Kayla to lead the meeting time and we are able to go have a little ice cream snack in the city and sit outside to do it! Pretty cool!



I wondered what the local thought about us praising God right there in the middle of everything..... Some people stopped to look at us and observe a bit- but not many.

Today was a good day. A turning point where you could really see relationships growing. This was an answer to one of my prayers. THANKFUL!! <3 p="">