I have a ridiculous amount of chigger bites, which consumed my attention for most of the day. They are definitely getting better, though. I've smothered myself in clear fingernail polish and just took two benadryl, so staying awake through the rest of this post will be a miracle. Oddly enough, no one here seems to know what chiggers are. I don't know how that happens. Maybe they call them something else. I'm not sure. Julian, one of our fourth graders was cracking me up talking about it. He kept calling them sugar bugs, because he didn't understand what I was saying. He'd hit me with his towel and say, "don't worry Miss Liz. I'm just killin' the sugar bugs".
My kids started discussing the pay it forward project today. So far, they've decided that they want to do something to help Grandma Perkins, her assistant and groundskeeper, Theo, and take on some sort of neighborhood clean up project. It would be so great if we could tackle that vacant trash-covered lot that we found the week we picked up trash. I'm not exactly sure who to talk to about that, or if we need approval from the city or what, but hopefully someone that works here will know. Tommorow we're going to make cards for Grandma and then read them to her since she can't see very well.
I don't remember if I told you in my last post, but Theo asked me to give the devotion in chapel again for today (and after today asked me to do next week as well--though I don't think he like mine much today). I used this verse...
Isaiah 46:4 (NIV) “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
I asked the older kids about the last time they were carried, who carried them, and why they needed to be carried. The main point I was getting at was that no matter how old we are, and how big we get, God will always be able to carry us. Grandma liked it I think, because I told them that even Grandma is still being carried by God, especially right now with all of her fear and pain in her eye (she hollered "Amen!"). I think this is a good reminder to me as well, especially when I have rough days here. It's hard being away from my usual family and friends that will hold me (quite literally--Kels you know where I'm coming from) when I need to be held. Okay, stepping off my soap box now. Anyway, my devotion was really short, and I think Theo wanted more. I just didn't really have much more to say than what I said.
Yesterday morning, Kate, Kellie, Thad, and I went to a house church with the aunt of one of our campers. The service was pleasant, and the family that was hosting it consisted of some WONDERFUL singers. I could have listened to them for a long while. They want to fix us dinner some day, and none of us will turn down that offer! The people around here know how to cook, and don't cut any corners...or leave out any fat. I don't think I've had a bad meal here. It's a good thing that I sweat so much during the day!
All of us interns are worn out, and we're having a quiet night at home. It's nice. I think we are hitting the point of extreme exhaustion or something. It's weird. Pray that our strength is renewed.
Peace,
LH
