we've named them all Eduardo

Well, pop pop, fizz fizz! turned unto hack hack, cough cough. Burst pipes bring mold! Thankfully, our landlord came and gave us new carpet in the bathroom (yep, carpet). While it was being installed, I got to catch a glimpse of what our floors look like: nothing but some thin plywood, some of it looking a little...sketchy. I love this place.

As for the ants, there are everywhere: in the food, on toothbrushes, in trash cans. Amazing where those little guys can go! As we named all mice Bobby, we have decided that the ants are all Eduardo. A couple days ago, I put my workout bag on my bed, totally unaware that a half eaten energy bar was inside. Later, I returned to my bed only to see that my sheets were basically alive! A huge line of Eduardos made its way across the wood of our bunk bed, and hundreds of them were crawling where I hoped to sleep. Ugh. In a less-than-refined moment, I uttered the first thing that came to mind: "You filthy bastards, get out of my bed!" Kim had a good laugh with me, and Leah later sprayed Raid on the wood. We still haven't decided if spraying toxins so close to my pillow was wise...

Last week, we spent Thursday night celebrating a neighbor's 13th birthday. It was a great (and totally exhausting) night, and we got to meet some more neighbors. Watching this girl turn into a teenager impresses on us anew the sense of call to communicate truth and strength to these kids. We long to help her navigate this exciting but very awkward time in life. So many days, we simply need reminders that God is able to do far more than we could imagine, and that there is great hope for these little lives to be lived beautifully.

One of the most exciting recent outings was a Spring Break day at the Zoo. A couple of us took the kids to Sonic, the Zoo, and for some ice cream before playing in the park. Since it was a Thursday, they also got to come watch a movie later. It was so encouraging to hear their excitment and joy throughout the day. Spring break trips or outings are a given for many from a different class bracket. Here in the park, they are not at all. It was a great day!

So much has happened in the time since I last wrote that my thoughts are scattered. But suffice it to say that life continues to go on here on these dusty (currently muddy) streets, life in all of its beauty and tragedy and messiness. God is at work. Lives are changing: ours and theirs.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul."