Hooray! I found someone to practice Spanish with!

Today I met a very nice person who answered my online ad for a language exchange partner. We had a little conversation in Spanish and are meeting again tomorrow morning to practice conversation and do verb drills.
I am working very hard now to pick up what I can with my audios and videos. This will be a great addition. My new friend is offering this help because he knows that I need to learn for the Nicaraguan people that I will be serving. This is exactly how I feel. I not only feel it is my responsibility to learn but I really want to speak Spanish and to show respect and appreciation for the culture that I am about to enjoy.

Continue those prayers for my progress with Spanish lessons. 

Bendiciones para todos ustedes,

Anna

Making Slow Progreso!

   I am trying to recover at least the little bits of Spanish skill that I had three years ago when I spent a year in Panama. If I don't use it... I lose it! Same with Italian...I have family there and have to study for 3 months before my visits. So, I took a couple of leaps today... I changed my keyboard layout to Español and am working on my Rosetta Stone. I also put a local ad online looking for a language exchange partner. I am running out of time, but making slow progress.

  It is difficult for me, even though I am a compulsive list maker and maybe overly organized, to stick to my study plan... an hour of Rosetta Stone, an hour of Learn Spanish like Crazy online, some Byki, and verb drill practice at least once a day. Is that too much or too little?
 
Pray to strengthen my self-discipline and memory skills!
Bendiciones,
Anna

My inspiration for this day.. St. Francis of Assisi

Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Prayers/Catholic/Work/Make-Me-An-Instrument-Of-Your-Peace.aspx#ixzz1QUPe80se

“Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” 1 Corinthians 10:17

From the Weekly Reflections of Prayer (CMMB)

June 26, 2011 Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Singing and even dancing – led by the priest carrying the Blessed Sacrament! I recall so well processions through the streets of Nigeria on this annual feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. One year it rained. It poured. Everyone was drenched. But that did not matter. The procession continued, the prayers and singing of hymns did not stop. Lawyers, doctors, parents, and children stood their ground as if nothing was happening except the Eucharist. Such is the power of faith, Such is the strength and depth of Catholic belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.


Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. May our worship of this sacrament of your body and blood help us to experience the salvation you won for us and the peace of the kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen

Rev. Peter Schineller, S.J., CMMB Board of Directors

Thank you for the toothache!

Yes, I am thanking the Lord for a toothache today! Make that two toothaches! My daughter and I both woke up with toothaches, not just a little ache either, big pounding gland swelling toothaches, and in the same tooth. No kidding! We have matching toothaches!
Why am I thankful? Well, after we walked the six blocks to the storage unit I rented to store the things that I felt I would not need on my mission trip, digging around in my medicine box, I failed to find a single leftover antibiotic from a previous event, (not wise anyway). So,we walked the six blocks back, both of us moaning and my daughter, Jen, crying a bit, I called my doc and got him to call in something for us. My excuse being that I cannot afford a dentist this month! After fetching and taking the first dose of antibiotics and a pain pill I began to pray...to my surprise, Jen prayed with me.
I know that sometimes it takes us some pain or despair to pray...My Jen stopped attending Mass and lost her way a long time ago... oh, she will still attend Mass with me, if it is on a Saturday, when I want to go for reconciliation, and if she has no other plans, but she has been saying that she does not believe for years. Which, by the way, tears away at my heart every time she says it. But, today she prayed! No matter to me if it was only to relieve the toothache, it is, I truly believe, the start of something beautiful.
To make a short story long, "Thank You Lord for our toothaches!"
This is a very blessed day,
Anna

Going to NICA!

Sister Debbie, NCMissionofHope.org, sent my Itinerary for a week long mission trip to Nica the end of July! This trip will be amazing. I am so not prepared... not in a bad way, just so enthused and excited to meet the Team in Nica and experience a small part of what the MOH is accomplishing there. Also, we talked about the year long mission coming up this Fall.
Now I really really need help with my list! Prayers are always welcome and appreciated.
Anyone recommend the best mosquito spray?

Chao for now,
Anna
Mission Fund

Lists

I am beginning to think about the little things...not so little after you think about it. Making lists of things I may need: flashlight, reusable water bottles, first aide kit, cotton clothing, hats, mosquito net?, bug spray, antibiotics?, language dictionary, a fanny pack?, copies of passport, etc...
Anyone want to help me add to the list?

I am determined now, more than ever, to reduce my material life down to two suitcases and a backpack. Challenging, but I believe doable.

Oh, yes, I need to take my laptop in for a good cleaning.

I would like to take a full suitcase of gifts for the children, um, ok, maybe three suitcases...

To answer a frequently asked question...

Recently quite of few of my friends, family members and others have asked me the same question, " Why have you decided on a volunteer service overseas?" and "Why CMMB?"
And the answer came from prayer.

The willingness to learn,to hope,to trust,
and to live on God's promises

CMMB speaks for itself in the values:
Building Individual and Community Capacity
Social Justice
Integrity
Leadership
Accountability
Quality Collaboration
Courage and Risk-Taking
Compassion

Summer is flying by!

I cannot believe how fast this Summer is flying by.  Preparing for my mission I have finally finished my Fundraising page on the CMMB website:  Please click on the following link to have a look at my page and to donate if you can.
Anna's CMMB Fund
Also, I have begun to make lists of supplies and other "to do's" before I embark on a year long journey. I am hoping to eliminate my surplus storage and simplify life a bit. Maybe down to two suitcases and a backpack! That would be a dream for me!

I would also like to hear from any of my friends or family and welcome you to post here and sign up as a follower in the blog. I am hoping that my posts will include the destination of my mission soon.

Blessings,
Anna