daily 5 - 07/05/15

While Ella was still at headquarters, I texted her and asked her to send me a daily text of 5 things from each day in her community.

Even if the texts didn't go through, she would have them on her phone as a reminder of her adventure.

Shockingly, our first 5 things showed up today.

July 5

1. I ate hot dogs for breakfast.

2. Mae and I went down to the river and had a good talk about life at home.

3. I wrote letters in the hammock.

4. I taught

5. I am sooo dirty.

 

Vaquilla

Ella's community is a small village called Vaquilla.

Now that she is in community, communication with the outside world is very difficult.

We know that she doesn't have a bed.  (Thank goodness she took a cot.)
The bathroom is a latrine.
She is taking bucket baths.

In her very brief texts, she has said that her family is very very nice.
She will be working with the community on health and environmental education.

She is doubting her Spanish and feels very stressed about being able to properly communicate with her family and the people in the community.

Her community partner is a girl named Mae.
I am not 100% sure, but I think Mae could be from the Seattle area.  (I don't know where I got that from)

It is SO weird to not have her here with us for July 4th.

Basilia

Ella got her family assignment today.
I got kinda tickled when I got the text picture of the family description.
Seems she forget that I don't really know or speak Spanish.

Thankfully, my dear friends Terry, Linda and Gracie helped me figure out what this piece of paper says.

She left to go into her community today and her communication will be very limited.

She was very scared.
I could tell the self doubt was creeping in.

I know without question that she is going to do great.

I am excited for her to have this experience.

There is no doubt that she will come back a changed person.

Amigos Tumblr

We saw the first picture of our girl on the Amigos Tumblr today.
I feel like I check every single day 100 times a day.
And finally, she is there.

I wish I knew more.

She is at headquarters.
She is excited.
She is kinda scared.

Here is the link if you wanna read the update.

Plantain

stay away mosquitos!

Well, Ella made it.
With her 100lb back pack.

She is at headquarters for a few days to get additional training and get her family/partner assignment.

She is nervous and excited.
There are lots of volunteers.

And she has learned that she doesn't like plantains.
She isn't really suppose to use her phone, but I am glad to be in contact right now.
Text away my dear daughter!

home for a few days

My Amigo!

 

Our sweet Ella Bella left for Cocle, Panama today.
It is almost too unbelievable to even say outloud.

I am so proud of her that I can barely stand it.
I am so scared for her that I can barely stand it.


 

 

She'll be gone 7½ weeks.
She will be living with a host family and be completely immersed in the culture.
She will be treated like a local - not a tourist.
It is possible that she won't have electricity or running water.

It is likely that she will take bucket baths and have to hand wash all of her clothes.
It surreal to watch my baby take malaria pills and preplan for her life off the grid.



 

 



sad sister selfies for snapchat



Since she was a young girl, she's had a desire to travel and to serve.
She found out about this program on her own and made it a priority for herself.

She did not have to be persuaded to make it to the meetings.
In fact, it was the other way around.

She worked many many hours earning a good amount of her trip money on her own.
Our amazing family and friends were so kind and showed her so much love with their kind words and support with their very generous donations to her travel expenses.




incase she forgets

As a mother, I can honestly say that all of the fear and trepediation that I have felt leading up to the adventure is eased a bit by knowing that she is following her dreams and has so many people sending good vibes into the universe for her safety and comfort.

Godspeed my sweet Ella Bella, Godspeed.


i'm counting on you, st. Christopher





Graduate

the family

It is hard to believe that Sam has officially graduated high school.
How can that even be?
It is so strange to think back to that time in my own life.
God willing, we have given him what he needs to navigate through this crazy life.

We are so proud of him!

the friends