On Saturday, July 24, 2010, we headed back to our old stomping ground, namely Comayagua, Honduras. We had a long day of traveling, but it was made better and easier by the company of my parents and our friends from Louisiana, the G family. Our first place to visit once we drove into town in our 11 passenger van was Convento San Seraphin where the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal live. It hadn't changed much which was good because a lot of the town had. The turtles were still there in the Atrium. The chapel had only changed in that the altar was set up for the priest to celebrate Mass facing the altar. 
"Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, so that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!" ~St. Francis of Assisi
We stayed in a hotel the first night because a large retreat was being held in Casa Guadalupe, the building we were in Honduras to help build.
On Sunday we had a late Mass and brunch at the Friary before moving into Casa Guadalupe. We also went to the birthday party of some dear friends of ours who were in town for a visit with family and the same wedding we were in town for. Unfortunately I have no pictures of this fiesta, because Marcela's mom went all out: marimba players, a popcorn machine, a cotton candy machine, hand-made Dora and Diego back-packs with goodies for all the kiddos, and dinner of Arroz con Pollo...yum!
The weekdays were filled with gatherings, visits to friends, pila baths for the kids, and the normal things you have to do with kids like naps and snacks and reading books (the same 5 books we brought down over and over again).
On Friday we visited Siguatepeque, the birth town of Juan Pablo. We even went to the doctor I had for all the children since we are expecting #5. Dr. confirmed with his ultrasound that we are having another boy due sometime in February. We also visited the large garden/plant nursery where we would buy plants and pottery.
On Saturday morning, one of the kids favorite events of the trip happened: food packing. The friars give out bags of food to 120 families once a month. A few families come on the Saturday before the Monday hand-out to bag up rice and beans. 50 pound sacks are poured into large tubs from which the beans or rice are scooped into about 3 pound bags. The kids loved sinking their hands into the rice, letting it fall through their fingers, and even throwing it at each other. After all the smaller beans and rice bags were made, heavy duty grocery sacks were filled with 2 bags of beans, one bag of rice, a small bag of sugar, some salt, vegetable oil, powdered milk, and laundry soap. After taking his first bag around to all the stations to fill it with each item, Emmanuel came to me and said, "Momma, that was so much fun. I want to do it again!"
The wedding was a beautiful Catholic Mass with 3 priests, a seminarian, beautiful music in a lovely chapel. It was somewhat bilingual since the groom is from Michigan and his family doesn't speak much Spanish. It was also almost 2 hours long.
Emmanuel took a nap during the wedding, while Juan Pablo fell asleep soon after he'd finished his meal at the reception which was very nice but very late.
Though it was late, these two let the loud music keep them going and happy.
On Sunday morning we went to Mass at the parish which is right next to the friary and Casa Guadalupe. Afterwards we headed up the mountain a bit to the friars' hermitage with Fr. Francis Mary for a picnic outing.
We played the game "Telephone" where you have to listen to what someone whispers in your ear and then whisper what you hear into the next persons ear. This is quite fun when you have our mix of young children and a few adults. Father was obviously enjoying whatever Emmanuel was whispering.
Daniel also made time during the week to help with some design plans for the lay group of Missioners of Christ who he had done work for when we lived here before. They are adding on some extra rooms on the other side of their chapel.
Monday morning after going to Mass, packing up, saying good-byes, and visiting the Poor Clares, we headed north to the beach where we stayed until Wednesday morning when we headed to the airport. Though overcast, the beach was great. It is so relaxing listening to the waves as you fall asleep at night.
Solanus after he rolled up on the beach.
This little cutie had his serious face on for this photo. He is G family baby and we think we toughened him up as Solanus was constantly sitting on him or trying to hug (bang heads with) him. 
Driving to the airport with our friend Brittany who was able to join us for our beach excursion. She and the kids loved telling stories and playing games which made the car trips a bit more bearable.
We made it back to Texas and to our home safely. We are glad to be back, though we enjoyed our visit. We probably won't be able to afford to travel like that ever again, so we are grateful for the experience and pray for all those we left, especially the poor and suffering. Jesus loved them especially and we have to learn from that.
"Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, so that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!" ~St. Francis of AssisiWe stayed in a hotel the first night because a large retreat was being held in Casa Guadalupe, the building we were in Honduras to help build.
On Sunday we had a late Mass and brunch at the Friary before moving into Casa Guadalupe. We also went to the birthday party of some dear friends of ours who were in town for a visit with family and the same wedding we were in town for. Unfortunately I have no pictures of this fiesta, because Marcela's mom went all out: marimba players, a popcorn machine, a cotton candy machine, hand-made Dora and Diego back-packs with goodies for all the kiddos, and dinner of Arroz con Pollo...yum!
The weekdays were filled with gatherings, visits to friends, pila baths for the kids, and the normal things you have to do with kids like naps and snacks and reading books (the same 5 books we brought down over and over again).
On Friday we visited Siguatepeque, the birth town of Juan Pablo. We even went to the doctor I had for all the children since we are expecting #5. Dr. confirmed with his ultrasound that we are having another boy due sometime in February. We also visited the large garden/plant nursery where we would buy plants and pottery.
On Saturday morning, one of the kids favorite events of the trip happened: food packing. The friars give out bags of food to 120 families once a month. A few families come on the Saturday before the Monday hand-out to bag up rice and beans. 50 pound sacks are poured into large tubs from which the beans or rice are scooped into about 3 pound bags. The kids loved sinking their hands into the rice, letting it fall through their fingers, and even throwing it at each other. After all the smaller beans and rice bags were made, heavy duty grocery sacks were filled with 2 bags of beans, one bag of rice, a small bag of sugar, some salt, vegetable oil, powdered milk, and laundry soap. After taking his first bag around to all the stations to fill it with each item, Emmanuel came to me and said, "Momma, that was so much fun. I want to do it again!"
The wedding was a beautiful Catholic Mass with 3 priests, a seminarian, beautiful music in a lovely chapel. It was somewhat bilingual since the groom is from Michigan and his family doesn't speak much Spanish. It was also almost 2 hours long.
Emmanuel took a nap during the wedding, while Juan Pablo fell asleep soon after he'd finished his meal at the reception which was very nice but very late.
Though it was late, these two let the loud music keep them going and happy.
On Sunday morning we went to Mass at the parish which is right next to the friary and Casa Guadalupe. Afterwards we headed up the mountain a bit to the friars' hermitage with Fr. Francis Mary for a picnic outing.
We played the game "Telephone" where you have to listen to what someone whispers in your ear and then whisper what you hear into the next persons ear. This is quite fun when you have our mix of young children and a few adults. Father was obviously enjoying whatever Emmanuel was whispering.
Daniel also made time during the week to help with some design plans for the lay group of Missioners of Christ who he had done work for when we lived here before. They are adding on some extra rooms on the other side of their chapel.
Monday morning after going to Mass, packing up, saying good-byes, and visiting the Poor Clares, we headed north to the beach where we stayed until Wednesday morning when we headed to the airport. Though overcast, the beach was great. It is so relaxing listening to the waves as you fall asleep at night.
Solanus after he rolled up on the beach.
This little cutie had his serious face on for this photo. He is G family baby and we think we toughened him up as Solanus was constantly sitting on him or trying to hug (bang heads with) him. 
Driving to the airport with our friend Brittany who was able to join us for our beach excursion. She and the kids loved telling stories and playing games which made the car trips a bit more bearable.We made it back to Texas and to our home safely. We are glad to be back, though we enjoyed our visit. We probably won't be able to afford to travel like that ever again, so we are grateful for the experience and pray for all those we left, especially the poor and suffering. Jesus loved them especially and we have to learn from that.
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