Saturday Oct. 2, 2009

Hello!
I GOT MY MAIL!!! It has been 5 weeks, but I got it! A boat came to our island on Thursday & with it came my mail!! :) :) :) :)

This week has definitely been my hardest week to date. Maybe 5 weeks is my limit for isolation? It was the most encouraging thing to see all the love & support in letter form that I have. I haven't even been able to read all of it yet and I'm still reaping the rewards & benefiting. Here is a HUGE thank you to everyone that has written. I cannot say how great it is/was to know people are supporting me at home. Getting my mail was 1000 times better than Christmas, if you've ever been isolated from your family & friends for 5 weeks you'll understand! And, since most of you haven't, just trust me, mail is the best thing in the world!!!!!

I got my mail late Thursday night & couldn't read it then, had to teach yesterday (what a challenge it was teaching a full day knowing I had a LARGE stack of mail waiting for me!) & finally around 3:30 I was able to read my 1st letter. Unfortunately, it's been an unordinarily busy couple of days and I've only been able to read my letters up to Sept. 8 (yes, of course, I put them in order as best I could!) There is supposed to be a plane this afternoon so I don't have time to read, let alone respond, today but I'll get it all done!

I'm going to throw out some special thanks since I won't get personal letters out for a bit.
Grandma, Grandpa & Grandma J your letters brightened my day! :) Thanks for thinking of me! Ronnie the pictures you sent are great! I love pictures, especially of family!! Chelsie-OMG! I loved your pictures. What an adventure you had, lucky! :) Dad, I appreciate the jokes- it makes me feel like I'm at home & is a great touch to your letters! And, finally, to everyone, thank you, thank you, thank you for writing!!

My field director is here (hence why it's been so busy) trying to make changes to my host family. Today we will be working out those messy details. I also have to do my laundry, grade papers, write a test, plan lessons, and clean my room (the cleaner it is the less bugs I have). I need to also find the time to open my packages & properly store all of the goodies I'm dreaming are in them! :) Oh yeah, and tonight there is an island wide birthday party!

I have so much to say but for once I'm under a time crunch.
I'll wrote soon & hope you get it soon!
Sending my love & appreciation!
Heidi :)