Los Ancianos

So I don't remember what I've written here about the service learning class I am taking. There was a bunch of complicated stuff because I thought I wasn't going to be able to take it and then I was and then I wasn't, but now I am, and it is good. Every Monday evening I will be going to a Convent for Ancianos (the Elderly) to help out with supper. This past Monday was my first night.

We met at 5:30 to have a tour of the convent. That was a bit overwhelming because I didn't understand a lot of what the Mother Superior was saying. But in other ways, it was so wonderful because it reminded me so much of Swiss Village and University Nursing Center. Oh, I love nursing homes! Me encantan ancianos!

The people who go on Tuesday and Thursdays left, but since I'm a Monday person, I stayed with Jenelle. I was pretty nervous. We started in the upstairs dining room at 7, and it was kind of awful. I almost killed a woman. The nurse told me that I had to feed the woman so that she wouldn't eat too fast. But I didn't really understand, and she seemed to be doing fine on her own. Then the nurse came over all frantic like and made choking motions like "No, no, no! She's going to choke and die!" I felt awful. So then I had to steal the fork from the woman and help her finish. She was not happy. The people in that dining room are more severely handicapped and less capable. They kept asking me things, but I could not understand anything. All I could do was smile and say "Lo siento, no se." I don't know if I couldn't understand because they were mumbling or just because I don't know any Spanish. I had no idea what I was doing, and it was horrible. I felt so stupid because I couldn't understand anyone. I almost cried. The only thing that was nice was when a couple people would smile at me. Smiles are glorious. But at that point I was really wondering what in the world God was trying to do.

At 7:40 we got to go to the downstairs dining room. That is where the more capable people eat. It was so wonderful!!!! We started talking to the ladies who work there, and they were very nice. I felt like I could understand so much better. Jenelle and I followed them around while they served the food so everyone could ooh and aww about how "guapa" these new Americanitas were. Our job was to bus tables after they ate. Then at the end of the night we set up for breakfast the next day. It was so good. It reminded me soooo much of Swiss Village!

I think this is going to be an awesome opportunity. On the one hand, it will take me out of my comfort zone because it will force me to speak Spanish. But on the other hand, it puts me right into my comfort zone because even in Spain, nursing homes are much the same. I'm excited to do this...excited to serve...excited to get to know people there. Praise God for this opportunity!

Yesterday (Tuesday) was an incredible day. I had Skype dates with my parents and my friends at school, I got 2 Valentine's Day cards in the mail, I had a chocolate muffin, an Oreo, gelato with Sarah, and Carmen made us Flan, our prayer group met for the first time, AND it was sunny! But, after the wonderful day, I had kind of a rough night because I started feeling really sad and lonely and upset about some stuff I thought I wouldn't have to deal with anymore. Prayers are still greatly appreciated. I love you all!