We're still alive!

The rumors are true- scarlet fever DOES still exist! It's not just on the Oregon Trail game. Shocking, I know. If you want proof, I have it.... all over my body. If nothing else, it was an anthropological experience right?

I was quarantined for 3 days, sick for 5, and I've lived to tell about it. It was certainly not the best time ever, but Beth and I have definitely started a lifelong friendship:) The kids no longer run away from me(I looked pretty scary covered in hives) which I call an improvement, and Miriam(the pregnant house mom) is healthy! Thank you all so much for your prayers- they were such a comfort!

Other than that, life here is blissful. I wake to 9 screaming boys every morning, banging on my door with desperate pleas for toilet paper. I spend my days as a human jungle gym, constantly using the phrases:
"Don't put that in your mouth!"
"You need to be kind!"
"What happened?"

I work in the kitchen with Leo learning all of her Mayan secrets(she's amazing!) and get laughed at when I drop things on the floor and cut myself(which happens everyday). My spanish is improving immensely, and I'm able to converse with Leo and Miriam as we cook. They ask me about American food(they are SHOCKED to hear that we don't eat beans and tortillas on a daily basis) and about American boys(their favorite topic). They are so patient with me in the kitchen. Each time I tell them I don't know how to do something, they always respond with, "But I can teach you and you can learn!" Today both Miriam and Leo told me at different times that my tortillas were "beautiful" and that I should go home and make them for my mother(get ready mom!).

These people are so beautiful and loving, it will be sad to leave them. They have welcomed me like family into their world, and most of the time I don't feel like I've given much back. While we were sick they dutifully took care of us, bringing us food(Leo even made us our favorite kind of Atol!) and entertaining us with their antics through the window(the girls loved to delay their chores by banging on our window and making faces at us while we suffered with the fever). I can't believe it's been 7 weeks already! Next Monday(August 2) we will depart for the states and leave all of these wonderful people behind. It will be so hard to go, but in some ways I'm ready to come back to my life.

-Morgan