Earthquakes and Birthday Cakes!

I know its been a few days! But I've been awfully busy! Be happy to know its been with core activities. Just to give you guys an idea of what my usual week looks like, here it is:

Sundays: Children's Class in Arraijan
Mondays: Ruhi Book 7 in Bello Amor
Tuesdays: Jr. Youth class and Ruhi Book 3 in Arraijan
Wednesdays: Two seperate Ruhi Book 2 study circles and one Book 1
Thursdays: Jr. Youth class
Fridays: Children's Class in Bello Amor
Saturdays: Children's Class in Chappalla

Its really great because I try to schedule my activities for the mornings and have breezier afternoons to prep for upcoming classes, work out and chill out. The heat really makes you drowsy so its best to make the most of your day before you start to feel sleepy!
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This last week has been extra eventful however. Sunday, we made our way out to the mall for a fun-fille day of shopping and Birthday celebrating. After some ice cream, fresh fruit, and the most beautiful view of the city! What better way to end your weekend and start your week!

Tuesday night I was up all night...or atleast what felt that way...the dogs in the neighborhood were going crazy! And then around midnight I figured out why as I was shaken awake, to realize that my bed was moving across the room! By the time I figured out what was going on it was over. No one else seemed to have woken up but the last time I felt an earthquake was in the 4th grade so I wasnt sure if I was just going crazy or it was really happening. I went back to bed and tried to get as much sleep as realisitically possible with all the animals acting up. You know what they say right? That animals sense the grounds movement before we do? Ya well explains alot.
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The next morning I woke to find that my host family was off to work and school. So I didnt really get a chance to confirm my sanity with anyone till much later in the day. I went about my activities for the day and afterward caught a bus to the city. Wednesday was Liam's 3rd Birthday! He is such a moosh its crazy! He didnt know I was coming so I surprised him and he literally freaked out! Akh Joon!

Me: Feliz Cumpleanos mi amor!
Liam: Hed-ee-YEH! Gracias!!!
Me: Cuantos anos tienes?
Liam: (Raises two fingers, then says after my birthday, Raises three fingers)

Im going to eat this child! But not before I eat his Pop's delish cooking. You see, his dad is a chef, and his birthday was at his fabulous resturaunt in the city! The combination of Persian and Panamanian Cuisine is out of this world! I could eat it for days!

But aside from receiving DIVINE confirmation that the earthquake did infact take place the night before, my favorite part of the day was watching Liam stick his finger in the cake before they had even lit the candles. One look at this kid, and you sticking your finger in the cake along side him!

After some great company and some good eatin, we headed back to their place to relax and wind down with some Chai, only to find that although the water had come back, the power had gone out! You see while we were at his Resturaunt, this huge thunderstorm hit. We only caught a glimpse of it as we ran through the rain into the resturaunt, but we enjoyed the soothing sounds of rain and thunder of the tropics! Chai by candelight, we visited, listened to old folktales in Farsi that the elders were sharing, and watched as Liam, wide eyed and too excited for words opened his presents! After this stunner modeled his new Jonas Bro's back pack and Hotwheels Monster Truck for me, compliments of who else? We spent the rest of the night jugando! (playing)

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As the power came back on, a few more friends of the family came over, and this included some youth my age! I was so excited to meet them! I had heard alot about them from friends, and it was great to be meeting more people my age. They grew up in the city and attended American schools so their English was perfect, which also made communicating alot easier. We talked about life in the U.S. what its like to be on service, and why THEY prefer Panama to the States. All in all it was a really great day! Busy! But great!

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Thursday I started assisting a second Jr. Youth class. Which was great because it just goes to show, even at the most awkward of ages! These kids are so amazingly intelligent and interested in the Faith that words cannot even begin to express how much they are learning, and so QUICKLY!!!

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Which brings me to today. I had my children's class in Bello Amor. This is my biggest group but today, I think we really maxed out our human resources! Hahaha. 12 KIDS! It was absolutely crazy! So here is the thing about the kids, they're so great, and you can tell they enjoy the class, because as the weeks go on, they just keep showing up earlier and earlier. So today my kids were there before me!!! And I was early! Ayyy Dios Mio!
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Today's class though, it was really special, because this group finally memorized "O Dios Guiame." Can you imagine 12 kids reciting it for you, and its only our 3rd class! With all the crazyness that goes on in this class, you'd think its impossible that they are hearing anything you say, but then they come up and explain to you that their drawing is about Abdul-Baha and this resturaunt, and the server and the glass of water. Everytime one of them actually takes away the message from the stories I read them, I get a little happy feeling deep down inside me that just reaffirms that what Im doing might actually be making the slightest difference! Besides, tell me this group of kids doesnt put a smile on your face!?

On my way home I took the Tocal bus, which mind you was overflowing as usual. But I couldnt help but to be stunned by this image and wanted to share it with you guys as my parting thought:
Young father with baby in arms gets on bus, no room to sit,  lady sitting offers to hold child. Father hands over child. And just like that, shes cradling some strangers kid. And thats safe, and normal, and wonderful! Thats the difference between the U.S. and Panama. And I think its pretty sweet!