The time finally came for our week-long retreat! Jenna, Carmen and I took a perilous regional flight to the town of Sucre. Upon arriving, I felt like I was back in Italy! The streets and architecture were entirely quaint Italian with a bit of French flair. The town is famous for it's chocolate so we were bound to have a marvelous time. The week was both spiritual and touristy - lots of praying, masses, dining, and shopping. I made my first confession in Spanish! It was one of the highlights of my retreat. We were thrilled to have our Pentecost mass at the main Cathedral with the Cardinal. The people of Sucre were very kind and we had some great encounters with the locals.
We spent a leisurely day at The Mirador, an outdoor lounge restaurant that overlooks the whole city. We enjoyed reading, journaling, talking, eating, and eavesdropping on all the tourists from England.
This fountain was incredible!! I loved it almost as much as fireworks. We came upon it one evening as we strolled through a park, just as the fountain show was beginning. For about thirty minutes, it was choreographed to music and colored lights beneath the water, as the fountain shot up in beautifully arranged designs. There I stand, mesmerized by the beauty.
Jenna and I spent a while searching for the Convent of Santa Teresa. I had heard the nuns sell marmalade through a revolving door. I'd always wanted to interact with a cloistered nun through such a door, and I was determined to do so there. We found the convent one afternoon and my little dream came true. A nun, known only by her muffled voice to the outside world, sent my requested marmalade right around! I loved the holy, mysterious aura that emanated from the cloister. Jenna and I remained in the little square for a while, just thrilled to stand outside those walls enveloping so much prayer and holiness. A definite highlight!
This is an example of the ornate Bolivian religious art we saw in many churches. I'm not sure which of the Virgins this is, but she is the most bedecked I have ever seen. The Bolivian's devotion to Mary is a beautiful thing!
Besides our incredible retreat, the month of May was yet another jam-packed month. Carmen's brother Carlos from CA left after a fun 2 week stay with us. He was great to have around and reminded us of the gentlemanly American men we have to look forward to back home. Here he is with Margaret. Doesn't he have Carmen's great smile?
Jenna and I, with our less than savvy tech. skills, have had much trouble with the library computers. Consuming time and energy, this annoyance wreaked havoc on us and the girls' homework. Then... one blessed day our fellow SLM Chris, Mr. Genuis, paid us a visit and we put him to work! He fixed things right up, right quick. In my delight, I vowed to praise him in my blog...so I'm pleased to present our miracle man and "tecnico":
I've been cherishing my little Jugue darlings more and more these days. With Zulma, Pica, and Miora's adoptions, plus Pepito going home with his grandparents, I realized how much these kids mean to me. From the madness to the mundane, I'm noting and loving all they do these days.
Adorable! Lisbeth has taken one of the favored "nit picking" seats of the Hogar, and is imitating the older girls as she searches Fernando's head for lice. I've gotten to watch Fernando take his first steps this month and quickly become a speedy waddler (which he wishes he were doing right about then).
Here's a typical mealtime, sans the highchaired babies. These crazy kids can get pretty orderly and peaceful when it comes to food.
Meet Moira, entertained as a I dangle and flail from a high-bar, pretending to be afraid for my life.
I mentioned Moira as one of the adopted kids, although her parents still haven't arrived. They should be here any week. I've always been especially fond of Moira and her spunk, and while I was in Sucre I always pictured her goofy smile and quirky dance moves when I missed the girls. I couldn't wait to hold her in my arms when I got home. The night we arrived, I was shocked to see her up with all the older kids so late, running to the truck as we pulled in to the Hogar. She jumped into my arms and excitedly told me she had been moved out of the Jugue and in with the older girls. Since I've been back, it's been great to spend the extra time with her, since she's around all time - not just when I'm in the Jugue. She's having a rough transition out of the Jugue where she'd lived most of her life. With her seeking me out and me seeking to comfort her, we've bonded quite a bit.
She feel asleep on me! Love that.
It's been fun writing this post, hope you enjoy! Though I'm trying not to live by countdowns, I want y'all to note that I've got 12 weeks left. I know! Where has the year gone?? The other day I realized - as I said the words to Carmen - this has been the greatest thing I've ever done in my life. An exhilarating thought!
