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Check out China's blog!

China just updated her blog too:

http://adventuresinbanica.wordpress.com/

Learning Las Partes del Cuerpo

Over the past many weeks, my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade English classes have been learning how to say, read and write

"The Parts of the Body" or "Las Partes del Cuerpo."

After much hard work and memorizing, I took my 4th graders on a special trip outside to trace their bodies and write out each body part in English. They loved it and had a grand ole time :)

Here is Idalia tracing Carlos Ramon

Angela writing out a few body parts

"...Eyes and ears and mouth and nose...Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes!"

Ahh they make me so proud :)

My cutie patootie 4th graders and I

Normal but special nights with my family...

LIVING as a missionary in Banica also means sharing in the "normal" experiences of the daily life of the people.

I have been blessed to live with such a wonderful host family, who has really become like a family to me in so many ways.

Here is Hefredes and Virtudes with sons Nestor (almost 1 yr) and Dani (2 yrs)

Whether its helping Dani to brush his teeth at night, or learning how to make thread from cotton Dominican-style from Hecfredes, or sharing the joys and sufferings of the day with Virtudes as we wash the dishes... it's going to be hard to leave the little things that have come to mean so much.

Often when I come home at night the boys are up and running around, but often enough too they are exhausted from a long day. Here they are with their mom, Virtudes, both passed out on her lap :)

The other night I was blessed to witness the first steps of baby Nestor!! It was so exciting to be a part of such a special event! After building up the confidence, Nestor took turns walking from his mom to his dad to his older brother and to me... I think the most we counted was eight steps without falling :)

Confirmations and Weddings with the Bishop!

Over 100 of our catechized kids received the sacrament of Confirmation during a visit of the bishop at the beginning of January. China and I were both asked to be to be "madrinas" (Godmothers)! There were a few weddings too, with more to come, God willing!

Luisa, Kuky and Ory graduate from high school!

Finally, after many delays of the date, Luisa, Kuky, and Ory have graduated high school! And with the donations given to each of them through the "1-4-1" scholarship program, they will begin university this January!! (*you can refer to China's blog for more details, there is an initiative started by Father O'Hare called 1-4-1: One for One: 100/month, 4 years, 1 college graduate).

To celebrate this grand achievement, China and I hosted a surprise party for them, where, with tears streaming down their faces, they shared how unbelievably grateful and excited they are.

And why is this such a big deal, you may ask? Many of the youth here, especially girls, are not motivated to do well or to finish high school, moreover, college. So many young girls end up living with older men just out of high school or even before finishing, because they have no hope of advancing to university. Luisa, Kuky, and Ory are different. They each have their own story of how they came to be the missionaries they are today. I feel so blessed to be able to share in this experience with them, as they have all expressed how much this scholarship has truly been a life-changing gift.

Making "Dulce de Mani" (Sweet Peanut Snack) Dominican Style...

First, peel the peanuts. Then in a hot pot, mix with milk and sugar. Form into chunks and let cool until ready.

Eat up :)