Two months Down

You are probably wondering how is it already 2 months down, when the last post was one official month?! I arrived here, August 11th and today is October 11th, so officially two months down : )

A couple things I forgot to post in my last post that I am going to share here. If I don't write it down, I forget.

October 1st, mom sent one last picture of the house Jenny and I were renting in Wadena. Thankful for mom, dad, Margie, Heidi, Tim, Sue and Galen who all helped move the last of our stuff to storage and did cleaning! Jenny is now living in Florida. She lived in that house for 10 or 11 years and I was there for 8, so it was bittersweet to see that last picture of the house. The landlords are planning to do work on the house, so depending on how long they are working on it, I could possibly rent it again when I come back. Or I may be an adult and buy a house. You could add that to the prayer requests. Not urgent, but just that God will guide and direct the housing situation. He has been in each and every other detail, so trusting He will make it clear when that time comes.

I also forgot to add in the last post that on Sunday there were two familiar songs at church, I Can Only Imagine and This Is Amazing Grace. I am always thankful for familiar songs.

Of course this Sunday there was another familiar song, Here I Am to Worship. God continues to give me that little piece of familiar to remind me that He is always with me. I was able to understand more words during the message this last Sunday, so that was a good feeling. I prayed about my attitude before we left. It's amazing how much better things go when you have a good attitude! We looked at 2 Corinthians 5:7 in church and it was part of my devotion on Sunday. It also came up later this week. Thank you Lord for the reminder to Have Faith!

I often remind myself that my attitude helps determine how the day goes. I remember a couple years ago when Jenny got COVID and I had to quarantine because we were living together. I was supposed to be traveling to Kansas with mom and dad, but ended up in quarantine. Of course, I was bummed we couldn't go to Kansas, but decided right away I was going to make the best of it. It was a great time to catch up on things and rest. Jenny and I made the best of it : ) I often have to remind myself to have an attitude of gratitude, even here in Mexico!

Some of the things I miss back in Minnesota, (other than the obvious of familiar, family and friends) is soaking in a hot bubble bath. The three places I have stayed here only have showers : ( I am thankful for showers, but sometimes a hot bubble bath is great. I also miss the hot water with water pressure. Again, thankful for the shower I have, but just little things we take for granted. May you appreciate your next hot shower with pressure or your hot bath. I miss Larry's Family Pizza, do I need to say more?! And fountain pop! Not that I am a huge pop drinker, but always enjoyed a good old fountain pop.

Not too much exciting has happened since my last post : ) We made it through another week of school, so that's good. Oh yes, I did get to go to the neighbor's birthday party last Thursday evening, so that was fun to experience. We had some delicious tomales and cake with jello.

Friday, Liz and Naomi moved a couple totes of book upstairs to put out on tables, so the kids could pick a book to take home. This made no sense to me as we had them nicely organized on the table and in totes, so why wouldn't we just have them find a book in the library. We worked so hard numbering and labeling the books. Why don't we teach them to be responsible and practice putting the books away. I immediately was annoyed with how they were doing it. God kindly reminded me to talk to Liz about it and see why they are doing it that way. Sounds like we will try doing it in the library next week. We will see how that goes.

The weekend was very low key, which is nice to have : ) Saturday and Sunday I was able to sleep in. We watched a few movies Saturday and just relaxed. I even got naps both days! All kinds of excitement : )

I had a headache most the week and wasn't feeling well thanks to being a woman. Sweet Norma made soup for supper on Friday as she knew I wasn't feeling great. Then later that night, she came in my room and said I bought you something. She pulls out a bag of peanut m & ms, snickers, doritoes, a peach drink and an ice cream bar. She says "I know you miss your family, but we are here for you" I have bought peanut m & ms, snickers and doritoes since I have been here. It brings me to tears writing how sweet she is.

Earlier in the week, they were going to be gone in the evening and she was concerned about what I was going to eat for supper. I told her I would figure something out : ) I know I have said it before, but I am so thankful for Norma and her HUGE Heart. I honestly don't know that I would still be here if it wasn't for Norma. She has been my rock. She is such a Christ like example.

Yesterday was a hard day as some of you know because I sent out a prayer request. I was really missing my familiar, family and friends. I think it started at school, I was trying to give an exam and it wasn't going as I planned, but guess what they all got it done. Some of the kids were having trouble, so I felt like I wasn't teaching well. Then I realized it was the younger kids and it was too much for them. I just really wanted to be back at WDC teaching what I know and speaking the same language. I held it together until I got home and was praying before we ate and started crying. Bless sweet Norma, she just put her hand on my back. Then she says we can go get raspados after supper!!

Of course, today it a better today, thanks to God, the many prayers and encouraging texts and e mails and a better attitude. So thankful that His mercies are new each day. This morning, I was rejoicing that today was a new day. I was greeted with a couple hugs this morning and like five hugs when I left school today. Thank you Lord for those little reminders that I am right where you want me!

The weather in the morning has been 55-60, but I am still wearing t shirt and capris. Most of the other teachers come in long pants, long shirt and a jacket. Some are wearing stocking hats : ) They always ask me if I am cold. I always say, no perfecto : ) It will be interesting to see what they will be wearing in the winter time. I think it gets down to like 30 or 40 in the morning.

Thanks again for your prayers, love and support! Thank you to those that have sent a e mail or text with prayers or encouragement! They mean more than you know!! Praising God for the strength these last two months. Praising the Lord for Norma and much she loves and cares for me! Praising the Lord for each one of you! Thank you Lord that the good days outweigh the hard says. Thank you for lazy weekends to relax!

Please keep praying for Angela, Norma's friend that is still here and battling cancer. Norma has felt weak and tired, so be praying for her health. Ricardo is possibly looking at a new job, so be praying for clear direction for him. Continue praying for my attitude, health and strength as well as relationships at school. Be praying with how I react to situations. For this I have Jesus. Help me to remember that instead of instantly getting frustrated. Keep praying for the gift of language or to learn it fast. I feel like I should be able to talk and understand more and then I remember it's only been two months and I have all kinds of new. With time, it will come!!

Not too many pictures this time. Mostly food : ) Enjoy! Until next time!