At five thirty this morning I threw in the towel to the battle I had been fighting all night. It was on my mind since I went to sleep that I was in charge of waking up the boys and seeing them off to school. If I slept in, the whole house would pay for it. With that on my mind I woke up constantly from 3 o'clock on. Carmen and Fabian and the two other American girls are all gone in Morelia for the week leaving me with 10 little boys and a 15 month old baby girl.

I threw on my clothes and slipped outside into the darkness. It felt as though it were still the middle of the night, the night sky had not a glimpse of sunlight but the stars glowed brightly. When I entered the boys room I turned on the light interrupting the sweet slumber of my little ones. No one was thrilled about waking up and they all stumbled about still half asleep. They didn't need my help with anything so I retreated to Carmens house to make myself some coffee. By 7:00 all the boys were ready and Baby Celena was awake so we went to the dining hall for a breakfast of quesadillas (very typical of mexico). Meal times are very stressful for me as I attempt to tend to the needs of 11 little ones, I am lucky if I get a couple bites of my meal. Afterwards I practically had to chase the boys to the bus so they would make it in time. I felt a sigh of relief when they all loaded the bus and they were no longer my responsibility for awhile. I got Celena ready and headed to the nursery because it was my turn to watch the kids during our morning devotions. I ended up having to leave early because Celena was so crabby so by ten o'clock she was back in bed for her morning nap.

While Celena was sleeping I had my first break down here. I suddenly felt so overwhelmed and alone. Here I am, in Mexico, the only other American here right now is a 50 year old man. I have only known those around me for less than two weeks and hardly anyone speaks a word of English. My Spanish is not coming at a fast enough rate for me which leaves me stumbling around clueless half the time. I miss my friends, I miss my family and I miss my language! I wanted to give up. To not care anymore and to just go. Its times like these that I am so thankful for my Lord. If it weren't for Him and His constant comfort and companionship I would be utterly alone and I know I wouldn't make it. In times like these when I have nothing of comfort to cling to, that's when I need to cling to Him the most. Well its funny, as quickly as this breakdown began it left. I was walking outside where I saw Santiago(the other american) doing yard work. He had his baby daughter Sally in the stroller beside him and so I offered to care for her. As soon as I talked to him and scooped the beautiful little one in my arms I forgot all about the frustrations that were aggravating me so and I was once again joyful to be where I am.

The boys got home around 2:00 and the craziness began. From the time they get home, until the time they go to bed its constant chaos. To care for 10 boys between the ages of 6 and 12 is enough in and of itself, but to care for 10 boys who speak only Spanish is a whole different story. I am understanding more each day but half of the time that they are telling me things I have no clue what they are saying. Jose the 12 year old cracks me up because he thinks if he says things really slowly or has me say it with him I will suddenly understand but that is not the case if I have never heard the word in my life! Ha! Oh the joys. From 3:00 until dinner at 6:30 the boys had to do their homework, chores, and bathe. I am so thankful for my sister Carmens very strict and structured household because the boys know exactly what to do and when to do it so there isn't much questioning. I am pretty useless when it comes to homework so I am very blessed that Carmen's oldest boys, Sergio and Jose who are 18 and 15 help me. By dinner at 6:30 the boys were squeaky clean and in their pajamas. That is how they go to dinner at night, all in their little super hero pjs! Its precious. Here in Mexico lunch is the main meal and dinner is always just something light so tonight we had cereal and bananas. I think that is something America should do more of because its probably a lot better for your body to eat less at night. After dinner the boys played for a little bit and then my friend Oscar helped me put them to bed. By 8:00 they were all in bed and Celena and I retreated to the house to wind down with some Winnie the Pooh. Now its almost 10. Everyone is asleep and I am utterly exhausted. I must go to bed for tomorrow begins the cycle again!