make a reading promise

"No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books." 

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

My mom bought me The Reading Promise for my birthday and sent it to El Salvador with my dad. I devoured it in my spare time over the past three days and believe it is worthy of an entire post.

When Alice Ozma was nine, she and her father made a promise to read aloud together every night for 100 consecutive nights. Upon reaching that goal, they decided to continue for 1,000 nights, and then for as long as they possibly could, ultimately ending "The Streak" on day 3,218 - the day Alice moved to college. While this story is about a girl, her father, their relationship and their love for books, it also shares a message about the importance of reading and supporting reading programs in our schools and communities.

As The Reading Promise asserts, I wholeheartedly believe that one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is a love of reading. Reading, especially reading aloud, improves children's listening, vocabulary, verbal and written language skills. It increases attention spans and builds social skills by teaching them about relationships, personalities and life situations. Curiosity, creativity and imagination are developed. Studies also show that children whose parents read to them perform better in school.

I am a bibliophile because my parents understood the power of this gift, and for that (as well as a thousand other reasons) I am convinced I won the parent lottery. As far back as I can remember, and even before then, Mom and Dad were reading to me. I know this is true because I have pictures of me at six months old, sharing their laps with a stack of picture books. I am told my favorites were Katie the Kitten and Little Hedgehog Helps Out.

Reading aloud didn't end when I became too old to sit in their laps. I can remember snuggling in bed with my mom, through at least middle school, having her read me Little Women, The Swiss Family Robinson and other classics. In fact, I recently found my copy of The Swiss Family Robinson, and upon opening it, discovered a list of vocabulary words in my sixth-grade handwriting. Beside each word was also a page and paragraph number denoting its location within the story. These were the words looked up in my trusty dictionary either during or after our nightly reading sessions. Nerdy? I think so, and am proud of it.

This is my support of Alice Ozma's commitment to spread the word about reading and the importance of making a reading promise. With 52 Books in 52 Weeks, I am renewing my love reading and creating a reading promise to myself. Someday I also hope to make a reading promise with my children and read aloud to them, just as Alice's father did with her and my parents did with me.

six more

I know God sent me here, but I don't know for how long. I will get on a return flight in December, but have been thinking and praying about whether or not to return to Love & Hope for another six months after the New Year.

About a week ago, Shelby and I were laying in her bed, chatting before bedtime. After some teasing and laughs came a question routinely asked by all the kids: "When will you leave here?"

I've learned this question doesn't indicate that they want me to leave, but that since so many visitors and missionaries come in and out of their lives on a regular basis, they like to have a sense of what to expect from each person.

"In December," I answered, sure the conversation would end there.

But Shelby surprised me with another question: "And when will you come back?"

The kids have asked many times when I am leaving, but this was the first time anyone had asked when I would come back.

I think it was in that moment with Shelby that I made my final decision.

"In January," I replied.

And we both smiled.

sweet dreaming

short, but sweet

My dad has come and gone too quickly, but his visit was a blessing. There are no words to express my love and gratitude, or the joy his presence brought me and the kids.

We celebrated my birthday...

and ate ginormous burgers.

He took a machete to our backyard...

goofed off with the kids...

and did a spectacular job painting our hallway.

We played at the beach...

and he taught Moises how to swim.

We visited the Platanillo...

treated the kids to pupusas...

and had an overall jolly good time!

I HAVE THE VERY BEST DAD IN THE WORLD!

really?

Last night I walk into the kitchen and find several kids and Americans watching She's the Man. I figure I'll be social and join for a few minutes (but just a few, having already written off this movie as a teen flick not on par with my cinematic standards), so I take a seat at the back table.

Fifteen minutes later, I realize that I not only haven't left, but am also utterly enthralled in the film. It's embarrassing to admit, but I actually found it quite funny. In my defense, this could be the result of living with twenty-four children and constantly being bombarded with low-quality entertainment (i.e. Justin Bieber, Hannah Montana and Zoey 101).

Anyway, a third into the movie, the character Eunice, a plain-looking science nerd, is introduced and when she proclaims

Kevin, sitting on a bench in front of me, turns around, looks at me and, without missing a beat, exclaims, "¡Es Amanda! (That's Amanda!)"

Immediately, the entire room, me included, explodes in raucous laughter. In fact, I laugh so hard I cry. And Kevin is beaming because he made a joke that everyone found funny (which doesn't happen to him often).

I can see why he thinks I look like this girl (except for the mouth apparatus), especially with my glasses on, and I was also wondering if Kevin was able to look into my past and see what I dork I was in middle and high school.

The other movie character the older girls believe I look like is Katherine Brooks from Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel:

REALLY? I don't like this option either, but am not sure which is worse.....silly kids...............

amazing grace

On Sunday, Dad and I, along with a few friends, toured the land that is to become the future site of La Casa de Mi Padre, another children's home run by our friend, Gary Powell.

About halfway through our tour, he brought us to the tiny, white Salvadoran colonial-style chapel. After opening the windows, we sat down on the backless wooden pews, noting the resonant acoustics of this simple, beautiful space. Then Gary said, "You'll appreciate the acoustics even more if we sing. I'd like to pray for our group, and then perhaps Amanda would be gracious enough to lead us in song."

While Gary prayed, I listened, but was also striving to think of a worship song to which I knew all the lyrics. For 45 seconds I couldn't remember a single song and my stomach knotted up. Then, suddenly, "Amazing Grace" popped into my head. Okay, I thought, I can sing that.

And then God revealed himself.

After concluding his prayer, Gary asked. "Amanda, would you lead us in singing 'Amazing Grace'?"

My jaw literally dropped. "G-g-gary!" I stammered, amazed, "That is the exact song I was thinking of singing!"

"Is it really?" Gary drawled in his Southern accent, serenely smiling. I don't think much surprises Gary.

And so we sang, basking in God's presence, marveling at His sweet, sweet surprises, blessings and amazing grace.

everyday miracles

So do not worry, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear? ...for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. 
~ Matthew 6:31-32

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Yesterday I took my dad to the local pupusería. Sam, Brittany and Eric (other American volunteers who have arrived within the last month) came along and we also brought six kids. (Dad's opinion of pupusas: "Kinda bland.") 

After I asked the waitress for our check, a well-dressed Salvadoran man approached us and, in broken English, said "I like to pay." Then after discovering I speak Spanish, he continued to explain that he lives in Los Planes, has seen us and the children around town, always wanted to do something for us. He knows it's a small thing, but he would like to pay for our dinner, and anything else we need, any small thing, please don't hesitate to ask. 

His kindness and sincerity deeply touched my heart. We exchanged business cards, and I told him to call to set-up a visit to our Home. Everyone thanked him profusely. When we got in the car, we prayed, thanking God and asking Him to bless this generous stranger.

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We are still in a tough financial situation, and this week our budget is especially tight. Praise God that one of our Salvadoran sponsors sent over a large donation of food today! It will save us a bundle on this week's grocery bill.

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But my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:19

slumber party

began @ 6:00 p.m. with pizza and pop

movie marathon: The Wedding Planner, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Enchanted

 continued feasting with ice cream sandwiches and popcorn

sweetly slumbering until 6:00 a.m.

fun times were had by all

I love these chicas

And now I am probably going back to bed!

what I'm loving today

I am loving that my dad will be here in FOUR DAYS! About a month ago, I was feeling homesick, so I called Dad and asked him to visit me. Without hesitation, he started searching for flights that day and booked one within a week. 

I am so incredibly blessed to have a father who has always supported my ideas, dreams, gifts, talents, and endeavors. He loves, believes in, and has always made me, and my brothers, a priority. I love you, Dad, and can't wait to share my world with you!

I am loving the Salvadoran hello and goodbye. No matter how often you see someone, or how well you know someone, greetings and farewells always include a hug or a kiss on the cheek.  

I love hugging my family and friends, but in the U.S. it isn't as common to hug your friends hello and goodbye. I appreciate Salvadoran friendliness and feel that people bestow a hug or kiss not only because it's a cultural norm, but because they truly care.


I am loving connecting with friends and deepening relationships, despite being 2,000 miles from home. 

Okay, so this isn't a picture of MY friends, but you get the point. And I also love this TV show.

Whether it's Skyping, talking on the gringo phone line (when it's working), chatting on Facebook, or writing e-mails, many friends have made concerted efforts to stay in touch on a regular basis. Thank you and I love you all!


I am loving la madrugada (taking a page out of KES' book). me. The Spanish word madrugada means early morning, daybreak, or dawn.

During the rainy season, the sun both sets and rises early, which helps me jump-start my day. I usually wake up between 6:00-7:00 a.m. and follow a morning routine of exercise, shower, quiet time and breakfast, before starting work at 8:00 a.m. Mornings are peaceful times to focus on myself and God before the craziness of living in a home with 29 other people begins.


I am loving the Union Church of San Salvador. I am attend both the local Catholic church and the Union Church, a nondenominational, international, English-speaking, Christian congregation. The pastor is also the Executive Director of another children's home in San Salvador, as well as our good friend. The church members are a friendly, encouraging, faith-filled population, often in El Salvador on a short-term basis (1-3 years)as missionaries or U.S. Embassy employees.

I've found comfort, support and new friends at Sunday services and have recently joined a women's Bible study, where I hope to make more connections and deepen by knowledge of Christ. It's beautiful when so many people, from different countries, cultures, and faith traditions, can come together to worship the same Lord.

I am loving Wednesday night at the movies. Only $2.25. Tonight we are going to see Los Agentes del Destino (The Adjustment Bureau). During the previews, there is always a commercial in which several actors congratulate Cinépolis, the primary theater in El Salvador, on its 40th anniversary. This is one of my favorites:

What are YOU loving today? 

izalco

Yesterday Justin, his dad and I visited Cerro Verde National Park and scaled Volcano Izalco (I swear, I work. I just don't blog about it because it would make for a rather boring post). According to Wikipedia (the most accurate source for all research topics), Izalco was formed in 1770 and erupted almost continuously from 1770 to 1958. It has been dormant since its most recent eruption in 1966.

our guides

from the bottom looking up

We have to go this way!

And so we went up...

and up...

and up...

and up some more...

I am not in perfect shape, but I do exercise regularly. Even so, I found climbing Izalco challenging. Halfway up, my thighs were burning, my breathing heavy and my pulse beating rapidly. Slow down, Nelly. I started taking short rests and breathing deeper as the atmosphere became thinner.

Thankfully, it was a cloudy, balmy day.

When we reached the top, it was shrouded in fog...

and then it cleared up.

 

I celebrated our summit arrival by eating PB&J and an apple.

See the man walking? Our guide said takes about 15 minutes to walk the perimeter.

Check out the fumaroles!

A fumarole is an opening, crack or fissure, that emits steam and gases, like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrochloric acid and carbon dioxide. On Izalco, the steam is created from rainwater seeping into the cracks and contacting the hot rocks under the surface.

Fifteen minutes after reaching the summit, we were forced to begin our trek down sooner than we anticipated because - crash, boom, boom - the heavens opened and a marvelous thunderstorm commenced. Wow, I thought, this is cool. It also crossed my mind that we were flirting with danger, but my awe outweighed any fear.

Climbing down a volcano is difficult enough, but now we had slick rocks to contend with. Although, slipping and sliding was unavoidable, I managed to avoid injury. By the time we reached the bottom, we were drenched. Only the top of my head was dry, thanks to my Ohio Wesleyan University baseball cap (thanks BW, RW, CM).

Unfortunately, the bottom of the volcano was not our final destination, as we had begun our journey by going down the side of the neighboring mountain. All in all, we actually scaled two mountains because we went down, up, down, up. The final leg of the journey was the worst. As we walked up muddy stairs carved into the mountainside, my wet clothes, especially my jeans, weighed me down. My thighs felt like lead, my skin damp and cold, and with every step I had to tell myself, You can do this. Keep going. That last uphill was the longest walk of my life.

When we finally finished, we had been hiking three and a half hours. Unfortunately, I hadn't thought to bring an extra set of clothes, so the drive home was soggy and uncomfortable. All I could think about was taking a hot shower and changing into dry clothes! While getting caught in a rainstorm wasn't my favorite, I am happy we climbed Izalco, and chalk it up to another great adventure in El Salvador.