Four Weeks Down

I started this post last night and then ended up having to save it as I had to shut my computer down and didn't get a chance to finish until tonight. It seems like it has been forever since I posted. Maybe cause it's been over a week?!

Well, yesterday was 4 weeks since I arrived her in Mexico. Crazy! Only 9 more months left to go. Unless God has other plans. I am just taking one day at a time and trusting He will make His plans clear. I think I shared details about that in my e mail prayer/praise.

We have officially made it through two weeks of school! I feel like each day gets a little easier. This week was interesting as Liz had meeting with parents most days, so I was on my own for the secondary and preschool class. Thankful for google translate to help : ) The secondary kids giggle when I try to talk in Spanish. So good to laugh and learn with them!

I now have 5 grades in the one class instead of 4, but think I may have gotten a routine down. We will see how next week goes : ) I will also start teaching the secondary classes next week. Liz will continue to do the preschool/kindergarten class for now. Keep it simple has been my motto! We repeat many things like colors, numbers, months and days of the week. Lots of singing as that makes it fun to remember. We do the days of the week song I did with my preschoolers and they love it!

Besides school, what else has happened since my last post? I think I need to not wait so long, otherwise I forget : ) Last Saturday they had a walk/run at the church. That was fun to see people come and gather together. Liz and I walked it together. After, I went to Liz's place and we ate and practiced some English and Spanish. I was trying to help Liz with a class she is taking. The lesson was on do/does and she was asking how do you know when to use do and does. I had to google and find a video as I said I just know what makes sense in the sentence. I will be learning English myself : ) It was nice to hang out with Liz outside of school.

I also finished unpacking pictures and a few other things and organized my desk : )

Sunday we had church. They were talking about family, so I actually caught some of the words during the service : ) Again, even though I can't understand everything, I can feel God's presence there. Some of the adults were telling me they want to take classes. Please be praying about that. I know I can't right now as I need to focus on school and the kids, but we will see what God has planned. They think because I speak English I can teach it : )

Sunday afternoon I zoomed with my family back home. They were able to meet Norma as she wasn't here last time when the family met Ricardo, Michelle and Marlen. It was fun for them to meet each other. That evening we went to old town Irupuato and walked around looking at all the beautiful buildings. So many details! They had lots of food and shopping spots. Check out the pictures to see some of the views.

This week has mostly been school and trying to get a routine figured out. Tonight, Fanny, a daughter of one of Norma's friends came over and we sat and colored and visited for about an hour. She takes English classes at school. She was here one other day and really enjoyed visiting with me, so came over tonight.

Overall things are going well. I had a little moment this morning as I went to go work on the labeling and organizing in the library and their were books that were all messed up. I was feeling frustrated like why did I even bother organizing. As I began to reorganize I had to remind myself that Jesus loves organized book and that I was doing this for Him. Later, I was convicted as God often has my life organized and then I do something and mess it up. Good news, He gives us grace and helps us get back on track.

I am still so thankful for my host family. They are the best!! Last weekend Michelle opened up and visited with us for a little bit. Otherwise she's pretty quiet. Norma usually has a shake or apple waiting for me on the table and often brings me lunch to school. I often help her cook supper and we visit. Good memories!

Again, thank you for all your prayers, love and support. I couldn't do it without all of you! Praising God for my prayer warriors and host family. Praising God that we have made it through two weeks of school and things seem to be getting better each day. Praising God for sun and rain, his faithfulness and that his mercies are new each day!

Please be praying for me to have a good attitude. That makes the days go much better. I often get frustrated as it's crazy and chaotic or I find out a detail at the last minute. This is their culture and I need to adjust to that. Pray for my relationship with Liz and other staff. Also be praying for my travels home in December. It seems far away, but it will be here before we know it. I got a message the other day saying one of my flights changed. The Minneapolis flight to Brainerd is an hour earlier, so thinking I won't be able to make that one. It may change back, but who knows. Otherwise I will just get picked up in Minneapolis. Delta tells me 97 days until check in : )

Alright, it's time for bed. Check out some pictures. Until next time!!

A sample of as assignment-They had to write How old are you? I am __ years old and draw a cake with that many candles. There are more pictures below. Very Creative children! Drawing is not my gift. You can guess which cake is mine in another picture : )

Karen is the coordinator in polka dots. Next is Rosa, director of the school, teachers and then the last one is Rafael, Norma's husband.

Waiting for opening ceremony to start

They had a walk/run at the school/church last Saturday. I thought we were just helping, but we ended up walking : )

We did some stretching and warming up before the walk

Some of the teachers and Rosa at the registration table

And the walk begins : )

Everyone that participated or helped at the event

How old are you activity

Can you guess which cake is mine? The middle one!

I bought this parachute at a garage sale this summer. Best purchase ever! The kids love it!!

Parachute Fun!

And more parachute fun!

Liz, the other English Teacher and I after the walk. For each lap you did, you got a different colored string : )

This is where we lined up to exit for the race

Registration Table

Stand for the first three finishers

Selfie after the race

Another selfie

A dentist sharing with families after the race

We did a little workout after the race

I think I moved more this day than since I have arrived here : )

The men's first 3 finishers. Look at the size of those trophies.

The ladies first 3 finishers. Why didn't they get the same size as the men?!

Family first three finishers

My race number and we even got a little medal : )

One of my devotions that spoke to me. Trusting He makes His plans clear as He has been in each and very detail so far!

I got this from my aunt Joyce. Hanging on a curtain in my room.

I rearranged my desk

Desk from afar

My lamp is magnetic : ) Originally I brought some things for my fridge, but since I am living with a family, I put them on the lamp

More magnets, that trust word : )

Here is George again : ) Just a random picture my mom had sent to Jenny when she was in California and Jenny shared him with me : )

I finally got a few pictures hung up. I only brought from one frame, so don't be upset if you aren't in the pictures. I still love you!

I got my calendar hung up. I can't send cards, but will try to at least text or message on birthdays. Maybe even call : ) Hung some other signs up too.

I usually sit in this chair when I do my devotions, so it's like my quiet corner. There's that trust word again!

Guardado, delicious fruit in Mexico : )

I hung some art work/cards on my closet door : ) A little piece of home!

Close up of art work/signs from mom and barn kiddos

More close ups of art work from barn kiddos

Cards/pictures from Claire and Morgan

Pictures/cards from Ruby, Vivian, Stacey and Justin

I will have to take pictures of some of the other cards and share another time. Didn't hang on doors cause they would get stuck.

We went to look and walk around old town Irupuato on Sunday. This was inside a Catholic Church.

The outside of the church. So big and so many details

Church from afar

Big clock and beautiful tree

Very detailed art work

Another Church. If you look close, there is a girl taking pictures for her Quinceanera (15th birthday). Fun Fact, I attended Malani Segovia's Quinceanera in Wadena.

View of the street

Decorations for Mexico's Independence Day-September 15th they celebrate

Another street view

Street view

Some of the houses

Church view

Restaurant View

More houses

Not sure if this a slide, but that's what the boy was using it for.

Such a detailed door

Beautiful sculpture

Couples were dancing

More decorations

The picture says it : )

Iruapuato is known as the strawberry capital, so Ricardo thought I should have a picture by the strawberry : )

Government Building. We even got to go look inside. It's not normally open on Sundays, but because I was visiting they let us go look. So special!

Inside the building

Beautiful artwork in building as you go up the stairs

More artwork

And more artwork

More artwork, different view

More artwork

So detailed

View of inside from upstairs

Looking out to the city

Another view of inside from upstairs

The hall upstairs

Other side of hall

Going back down-Ricardo and Norma : )

Strawberry sculpture

Strawberry sculpture again

Beautiful fountain

Another church

So large and beautiful

Inside the church

Another shot inside

Look at those details

Sun is starting to set

Fun little shopping spots

This was one of my verses I worked on memorizing last week

The other verse I worked on memorizing

Working on stamping, labeling and sorting books for the library. The library is also a computer lab, music room and room for teachers to work in.

Some snacks from Wal Mart. Can you guess what time of the month it is? LOL!!

Secondary Activity. They had to draw a school and write Monday-Friday and then a house and write Saturday and Sunday. We were learning about the days of the week.

Days of the week activity