First real snow!!

I so love snow. I was so excited to spend this special day with my special boy. :)

Black Friday

Ronnie and i decided to be brave and try out shopping on black friday. We had shopped the day before too and thought we could get our prices adjusted while we were out. PawPaw, Bobby, and Ronnie bet that I couldnt be ready by 7:30 AM with shoes on purse ready. At 7:20, Ronnie came to check if I was up. I was not. So he hopped in the shower. Five more minutes went by and I decided to go ahead and win the bet. I jumped out of bed, threw on a seatshirt and put my hear in a ponytail before banging on the bathroom door to tell Ronnie he had one minute to win the bet. It was hilarious. I so won.

Anyways, ronnie and I went shopping.... We got our prices adjusted at Kohls but couldnt bring ourselves to buy anything in fear of staning for hours in the check out line that wrapped clear around the store. We went to several places. It was really rather frustrating...

Our plan for next year: Shop the day before and then go get the prices adjusted... it's the shorter of the lines.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving with the Fam. :)

Elegant Date

On Tueday, Ronnie and I headed to Ft. Wayne after my last morning class before Thanksgiving break. I knew that Ronnie had planned an elegant evening out with the help of my grandma, but I had no idea what was really in store. All I knew was "dress up." So I dressed up in my formal dress and Ronnie in a suit. We headed out to the mall where we shopped around and Ronnie bought me some slippers. We then headed to a restaurant. Ronnie told me to close my eyes once we got close. He helped my out of the car as I begged him to let me open my eyes. Once I opened them I saw Eddie Merlot's. It is a beautiful restaurant with towering pillars, twinkling candlelight and dazling stained glass. The lady took my coat and seated us in our reserved table. It was beautiful. We ordered desserts (which were splendid by the way) and sat and talked. I have the most amazing boyfriend!

Got Service?

Weekend in Indy

Ronnie and I spent his first weekend in town with the McCullough's, my second family. We had a great time!

Sun and Snow

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was cold yet sunny and the snow gently floated down in big fluffy flakes all around campus. Of course, I didnt even notice. I was too busy thinking of all the stuff that I HAD to get done before I could go to Indy for the weekend to hang out with my second family and my amazing boyfriend. As I was in line for a quick lunch after chapel, I felt my phone buzz (NON STOP) in my pocket. I finally dropped all of my lunch onto a table and set down my backpack. I called Ronnie back.

"I cant really talk right now. What do you need."
"Um, where's 92nd st?"
"I dont know.... why?"
"never mind. are you wearing a polka-dot snow hat?"
"What?" I quickly looked around.

Yup, Ronnie was standing right behind me. It was an amazing surprise. I was swept off my feet and forced out of my business mode. It has been a great weekend :)

Anni

Yesterday was the 8 month anniversary of when Ronnie and I started dating. I cannot believe how fast 8 months has flown by. It feels like so recently we were in Honduras sharing our first few days as a couple taking walks to the beach and up to the water tower. *sigh*

Thank you, Ronnie for an amazing 8 months.

I'm Officially....

OLD!!!
Yup, I'm now 20.... the big 2-0.... no longer a teen... *sigh*

But on a happier note, My birthday was a blast! It was jam packed full of things to do (most not birthday related) and lots of friends. My suite came into my room at midnight on the 12th to sing me a wild and crazy loud version of "Happy Birthday." Nope, I wasnt asleep yet...

I had three classes on my birthday; bio, chem, and world changers. I know, I know, i should have taken the whole day off but duty calls. I also had a Kem Hall meeting, a unit meeting, and a chem study session. :-P We had a unit dinner too! Home cooked by Katy Bullman, our RA. It was delicious but I couldnt eat with them because of my chem study session (test the next day to study for).

I got lots of surprises for my birthday! The girls in my suite got icecream for us all to enjoy and i got presents from a few friends and packages from my parents and aunt. My new bed set from gma and pawpaw even came in the mail. It was thrilling. :-D

Here are just a few pics from the big day...

Update from Honduras-- Urgent Need

Hello, Everyone,

Just wanted to give you an update on what's been happening here. After 4 days of heavy rain, flooding, and power outages our electricity was restored on Friday night. Local people walked miles in the pouring rain and crossed rivers at flood stage in order to work together with the power company crew and one of our own missionaries to get new poles and wires up. Even so, the hope was to have it back on by today. But incredibly, even in the midst of a heavy downpour and well after dark on Friday night, it was restored and has stayed on despite the nasty weather since then. We are rejoicing to be able to wash our wet and muddy clothes, cook, and keep refrigerated food at home again.

We've had many maintenance issues at the hospital and in the homes with water leaks, mudslides threatening the stability of our roads, bursting pipes due to too much pressure from flowing rain water, lack of fresh water supply in some homes and the Children's Center, etc, but nothing compared with what the local people are suffering in their villages. There has been much flooding, the worst of which was in Balfate where the hydroelectric dam opened their gates all at once and without warning, sending a wall of water down river, as I described in my previous e-mail. Four people drowned as a result of that event. All the local people are still dealing with lots of water and mud in their homes, no clean dry clothes to put on, no dry blankets with which to warm themselves, and now, lack of food. The rain hasn't let up long enough for the crews to even think about coming in and beginning to make needed repairs to roads or bridges, therefore food is in short supply. We hear that it may be another week or more before there's enough dry dirt to repair the bridges. Fortunately, it was fairly dry for the better part of the day today, which allowed government helicopters to fly food in to some of the more remote areas. They were flying back and forth overhead all day delivering packages of rice, beans, and corn, but unfortunately none were dropped in Balfate or the other towns around the hospital who also desperately need it.

Local church leaders are calling and asking for help, but we have very limited resources with which to respond. The hospital is already low on food for our patients and Children's Center, however we are doing what we can to meet the most pressing needs, especially for our Honduran staff members and their families. Today the hospital brought in 200 pounds each of rice, beans, and Maseca (used to make corn tortillas), as well as 100 bars of soap for washing clothes, which were transported across the rivers by canoe and by foot. Once at the hospital, it was all measured out into 5 pound allotments and these were put into the hands of the local schools and churches for distribution to the neediest families. Our desire is to do much more in the days and weeks ahead, but that will only be possible if we have others willing to stand with us and help in this effort.

We have been told that the Hospital finances are extremely limited right now and that we will only be able to make this response if there are sufficient funds being offered to Cornerstone to cover the costs the hospital will incur in purchasing these supplies. We have been asked to call on our home churches, friends, and families to help in this relief effort. If you are willing and able to help, please send donations directly to the Cornerstone Foundation office as soon as possible, and designate them for the "flood relief effort". Your money will go directly to help many of our neighbors and friends who are in great need.

The address is as follows:

Cornerstone Foundation

18384 W, Lake Dr.

Saucier, MS 39574

On a more personal note, the Concepcions (and Katy, too!) are all doing fine. With rainy season approaching we were already stocked up with plenty of food in the pantry and freezer for such a time as this. The missionary community has really pulled together and pooled food and resources where needed, and is working together to make necessary repairs to the hospital property and homes. But our main concern is to try to meet the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. That's why we're asking for your help at this time. Thanks for your prayers and notes of encouragement. They are keeping us going!

For the only cause that matters,

Margo, for all of us

The Concepcions are serving with Latin America Mission at Hospital Loma de Luz in Balfate, Honduras

"However, I consider my life nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Field Address:
La Familia Concepcion
Apartado 94
La Ceiba, Honduras
Central America

www.LAM.org www.crstone.org

Support for the Concepcions may be sent to:
Latin America Mission
P.O. Box 52-7900
Miami, FL 33152-7900

**Please enclose a note designating the funds for the "Concepcion support account". Our names should not appear on the check itself for tax purposes. Thanks!

Honduras Update

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update. From what I know, Balfate, Honduras has electricity again but the bridges are still out. Supplies such as food have been air lifted into the community and left for the hospital to distribute. Clean up has been the main focus in spite of the continuing rain. Many homes have been flooded with up to 4 feet of muddy water causing damage to not only the home, but furniture, appliances, and other belongings. Please pray for the displaced people of the community and for the safety of those who reach out to them.The Catholic Church in the center of townFlooded roads