One Full Official Month

Can you believe I have survived one full official month in Mexico? Some days it seems like it's been ages and some days it seems like I just got here. Just like with other things in life : ) This Thursday will mark 8 weeks since my arrival, so really it's almost been 2 months. Crazy! Thank you Lord for your continued guidance and direction. I am almost half way through my first stretch in Mexico, even crazier!

I will be honest some days at school, I wonder if they are understanding what I am teaching or if I just sound like Charlie Brown! Liz translates, but sometimes she doesn't understand what I am saying, so who knows what she's translating?! Good news, at least one of them understands me : ) Friday night, Liz, the English teacher, sent me a video of her daughter Mia pretending to be maestra Sarah, Teacher Sarah. She was pointing to the pictures of the abc song and naming them and then motioning for the kids to name them. Too sweet! It won't let me share the video here, but if you haven't already watched it, go look on my facebook page. I hope it makes you smile! God knew I needed that reminder that I am right where He has me! Thank you Lord for gentle reminders.

Last week we were giving the kids fast exams and one of the 7th graders was singing the days of the week and months of the year as he was putting them in order on his exam. Thank you Lord for another reminder that yes they are learning and I am making a difference.

I am also reminded each day when I see the smiles on their faces and they greet me with a hello or a hug that I am making a difference. A friend reminded me to look at pictures and their big smiles when I need to be reminded of the difference I am making.

It looks like I just needed to do some journaling to be reminded of the difference I am making. Lord, forgive me for thinking that I am not making a difference or doing enough. Help me to keep shining bright and pressing on. Satan, you get out of here as you don't belong. I am making a big difference in many lives and I won't let you tell me different!!

Some days I still think, what the heck I am doing all the way here in Mexico and why can't I have my routine and familiar back. Then God gently reminds me that I have a new familiar and routine here. Thank you Lord for your guidance, love and reminders. Those of you who know me well, know I need them often!

I was sharing with my friend Margie how much I miss my routine, familiar and dependency and she kindly reminded me that God wants me to depend on Him! So thankful for Margie and her gift of faith. She often reminds me that God is in control and He has it all covered. I know that, but again I need many reminders!!

I am still working on my Spanish. Bless Norma's heart as she continues to tell me it takes time and practice. She is constantly encouraging me and telling me that I am listening well as I understand her when she talks fast : ) I may have shared this before, I can read Spanish well, it's listening and speaking that is hard for me, but I will keep pressing on!

The kids are great at helping me learn. I will often tell them a word in English and then ask what it is in Spanish. We do this in the morning while we are waiting for school to start, in class, at lunch and at the end of the day. Pray that I can remember the words they teach me. Learning another language is hard! Especially when you are in a new country, new home, new job, basically a whole new life : )

I have learned that junior high teaching is not for me. I gave it a try, but it's so hard for me to explain things as I don't know enough Spanish. The students really enjoy Liz and listen much better to her, so I asked her if I could do the preschool class and she could do the junior high. Thankfully Liz said yes to switching. She does a great job at keeping their attention and explaining things! I just assist her as needed. I feel like the class with 5 grades seems to be going well. We have a routine down.

I have learned English is also a hard language to learn and to teach. Many of the things I just know and I am not always sure how to explain it. Thank goodness for google and youtube videos. An example is do and does and don't and doesn't. When do you use do vs. does. I do, we do, you do, they do. He does, she does, it does. Maybe I didn't pay close attention in English class : ) Do you ever feel like there are just things you know, but aren't sure how to explain them?

Well that's some of the things God has been teaching or reminding me and some of the feelings I have been having. You never have to wonder how I am feeling or what I am thinking : ) What has happened since my last post?!

Wednesday evening, Norma got a call from her dear friend, Angela that her time on earth is coming close to the end as she has been battling cancer. Anglea and Norma's daughters went to school together, so they have known each other for about 7 years. I was able to pray with Norma, Ricardo and Michelle for comfort as well as for Angela. Please be praying for them as Angela is still on earth with us.

I shared with some friends in a prayer text group that I was crying as I was praying and I don't even know Angela. My dear friend Margie replied it's because I have such a big heart. I also think it's because this family has had such an impact on my life that I am feeling their sadness with them.

Thursday evening I helped Liz study English. She is taking a class online. I feel like I am learning along with her : ) It's great to spend time with here outside of school with no distractions or students.

Friday we were supposed to have a teacher meeting all day and no students. I asked what time we needed to be there Friday on Thursday afternoon and found out we do have students. No worries, I had a couple extra activities and Friday went fine. Another reminder that things change often and last minute. Thank you Lord that you are in control and not me!

Saturday Fanny came over and we practiced some English and Spanish : ) Fanny's sweet mom brought a homemade cheesecake. It was delicious!

Saturday evening we went over to Norma's mom's house and I got to meet some more of her family and saw some of the family I had already met. Her one brother speaks English, so that was good. It always makes me feel more comfortable when at least one person knows some English. I enjoyed meeting more family, but it also made me miss my family and being with them. Of course it made me miss all my family, but especially grandparents as it's been 10 years since my grandparents have been around. Grandma Leona was the last to leave us and it will be 10 years in November.

Sunday we had church. It was a longer service. I will be honest. I didn't catch many words during the message and was distracted. I may have sent a couple text messages during the service. Lord, help me to be still and listen, even if it's another language. Forgive me for being distracted.

Sunday afternoon was our family zoom and Sunday evening I was able to watch the barn service on Marco. So thankful for Jenni and she sometimes Marcos me to be able to watch the service. I am also thankful to be able to watch services atWater's Edge while I am here. Thank you Lord for technology.

Sunday evening Norma and I decorated a couple rooms at school for birthdays. This was fun as most of you know I like helping people feel special on their birthdays. It's been different not sending cards, but thankful for technology to still be able to wish happy birthdays!

Monday, we took a trip to a nearby park. Be sure to check out the picture of all the kids in the van! We were going to plant some plants. We got there and were ready to plant and after a long discussion, we found out they didn't want us to plant them there. They are doing some work in the park, so we will find a new place to plant them. We were able to play for a bit and then went back to school.

I was able to help Liz study again after school on Monday. We went and got raspados to help us with the studying : )

Thank you to each of you for taking time to read, support and pray! It means LOTS! Thank you Lord for technology to be able to keep in touch with others back home. Thank you for gentle reminders from you, family and friends. Thank you for Norma and her constant love and encouragement. Thank you that you chose me to serve here in Mexico. Thank you for relationships being built at school! Thank you that your mercies are new each day!

Please be praying for Angela as she is battling cancer as well as her family and Norma, Ricardo and Michelle. Of course they don't want her to be in pain, but it's still hard losing a loved one. Also, please keep praying for relationships to be built. Pray for a balance as I want to learn Spanish, but also need to remember slow and steady wins the race. I can't do it all at once. Rest is good too. Pray that God continues to give me those little reminders that I am making a difference as well as that I believe in myself and what God is doing in my life! Pray that I will remember it's not about what I do, but whose I am! Continued prayers for health and protection.

I think that's it for now : ) Feel free to check out pictures. Until next time!

Working on body parts with play dough

Making letters with play dough

More letters

We made crowns : )

Not sure if you remember the steps that were torn apart, but now they are finished : )

We made finger family puppets and song a song. Next pictures are all of our finger family puppets. This was one of our extra activities we did Friday.