Happy New Year

Hello from Mexico! Yes, I am still doing my missions work here : ) I had good intentions of doing a blog post on the plane or during my overlays, but that obviously didn't happen. Then I thought I would do it while I was home, but that didn't happen either. So it's been almost a month since my last blog, but I will do my best to recap the last month : ) Thankfully I have pictures to help me remember. Although, I don't have many from when I was in Minnesota as I was just soaking up my time with family and friends! It will end up being a long blog with many pictures.  I may ramble as it's been awhile, so I may get wordy. 

I officially arrived back in Mexico on December 31st. Just in time to ring in the new year : ) Joe and Corinna picked me up in Leon and I spent the evening with them. We visited, made pizzas for supper and watched Fiddler on the Roof. I think we were all in bed by 10:30 p.m. I was very tired as I was up at 4:30 a.m. and had a full day of traveling. I am not much of a New Year's Eve celebrator anyways, so I was okay not making it until midnight.

Thanks for your prayers! Travels back to Mexico went well. Jenny, our friend Margie and I drove to Minneapolis Friday afternoon and met Margie's sister Mary at a hotel. That way I could just shuttle to the airport in the morning. We went out for supper and went back to the hotel and played games and visited. It was a fun night! Took a couple pictures during out intense game : ) Also took some pictures of the snow for my family and friends back in Mexico.  So Saturday, I flew out from Minneapolis to Mexico City to Leon. Things went great at Minneapolis. Mexico City was much crazier than last time, but I did make it to my gate in time. I was beginning to think I might not find my gate as it wasn't labeled very well. Plus there were lots of people. Guessing because of the holidays. 

Sunday I went to church with Joe and Corinna. Then we went back to their place and had ham, sweet potato fries and some fresh veggies to eat while we watched some football. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Eagles lost and so did the Minnesota Vikings. I came back to Norma and Ricardos that evening and visited with them for a little bit before unpacking some things. They gave me some delicious chocolates for Christmas : ) I brought a little gift back for them from my parents. I also brought a little something for them, but the gift I got for Ricardo was not in my suitcase! Not sure if it fell out when they opened it or someone else really wanted a MN hat. LOL! 

Monday we were back to school. We had a short week with students only three days. Thursday we had a teacher meeting and Friday we didn't have school because of a The Three Kings holiday they celebrate here in Mexico. I will write more about that later.  It was so good to be back! I always enjoy breaks, but I am always ready to get back to the kids, co workers and routine! 

We had lots of students missing as some were still on vacation and some were out sick. Liz, my co teacher, was out sick. This is how low our numbers were...Monday, we had 4 of 12 students in our primary class, 2 of our 5 students in secondary and 2 or our 9 students in preschool. Tuesday, we had 5 primary students, 2 secondary and 5 preschoolers. Wednesday I think we had 4 primary students,  1 secondary student and 4 preschoolers. Because we were missing so many students, we just reviewed and played some games to help us review. We zoomed with my sister Jenny and our nieces as she was in Kansas visiting. We also zoomed with Mrs. Gallant's class, one of the kindergarten classes at WDC, where I teach when I am in Minnesota. We are hoping to do this again as the kids had fun teaching each other English and Spanish. 

The evenings this week were pretty quiet as Liz was sick, so I didn't study with her and we didn't have our Mexico missions prayer time on Wednesdays like we usually do. It was good to come back to a slower pace of life, but it was almost a little too quiet. I enjoyed this quiet time and even took a nap each day after school. While I loved being back home visiting family and friends, it was very busy, so I was excited to come back to a slower pace of life and get back into my routine. Thinking next week will be a happy medium as I will get back to some things in the evening.

While it feels good to be back in my routine, a slower pace of life and warmer weather, I sure do miss my family and friends. But June will be here before we know it. I am thankful for technology, so I can keep in touch with many while I am here. I honestly, even miss the snow a little bit! I love seeing the beautiful pictures that people post on facebook or text me. Do you ever think you want to live somewhere warm and then when you are there and you miss the weather you are used to? That's one thing I love about Minnesota is the seasons and how the weather changes! 

Yesterday, Friday was Three Kings Day, so we got the day off of school. If felt great to sleep in. I moved furniture and dusted and cleaned my room. I even washed the bedding. Finally finished going through my suitcases and got those put away. Feels so nice to have a fresh, clean room! Last night, we went to Norma's mom to have Rosca de Reyesis and hot chocolate.  Rosca de Reyesis is a bread with a circular shape and a hole in the middle, made with a sweet dough and decorated with dried fruits. This bread hides a special surprise: the figure of a child, Jesus. The lucky person who gets this figure will have to pay or invite tamales on the Candlemas Day. Norma, Ricardo and I all were the lucky ones that got the special surprise, so we will make tamales together on February 2nd : ) I took some pictures, so be sure to check them out. 

A little more about Three Kings Day, "Dia de Reyes". Mexico claims Three Kings Day as one of the most important events in the different festivities of Christmas.  It is one of the oldest traditions in Mexico and many families keep celebrating this special day where children are the focus.  The children wake up very early in the morning and run to open the gifts that the Three Kings of the East have left at the Christmas tree or near the representation of the Nativity. Most kids just receive gifts on three kings day and not on Christmas. A festive day of games and family reunions where everything is special and where children continue believing in the magic of Christmas. 

I obviously was not here for Christmas, but we did have a program at school where the kids danced to a couple songs. One in Spanish and one in English. Then they each brought a chocolate treat that they had decorated and did an exchange.  They were all dressed so fun! Be sure to check out the pictures. They sang the English songs so great during class, but of course hardly sang during the program. I will post some videos on my Mexico missions facebook page as I don't know how to do videos on here. 

They also had a special time at the school where they made some fun crafts before break. I left before they did this, but did get some pictures from others that were there. 

Some people here do Christmas trees and decorations. While traditions like Christmas trees and Santa Claus have found a place in Mexican festivities, the holiday celebrations are firmly rooted in Spanish culture. I know Norma and Ricardo got together with their families and ate and visited. People also do candlelit processions, elaborate nativity scenes, Spanish Christmas carols, dancing and fireworks. Feel free to google Christmas celebrations in Mexico if you want to learn more : ) 

Today was a quiet day. I spent some time soaking up the sun on our patio/roof and just listening to worship songs. I have also been working on this blog post, which seems to be taking awhile : ) 

Let's see what I can remember about my time in Minnesota. It was busy, but so good to see so many family and friends. There were a couple days where it was VERY COLD, -40, so I didn't get to see everyone I had hoped, but will be sure to see those people this summer. While I was sad I didn't get to see those people, it was nice to stay in the warm house and rest and relax a little. Only being home for two weeks there was no way I could see everyone I wanted to either, so if I didn't get a chance to see you, we will get together this summer : ) 

I was trying to make a list of all the people I saw when I was home and there was probably about 100 people if not more! Man was my heart so full and I was so tired! Of course, some days I saw more than one person at a time, but sometimes it was just one person. Some days I would have breakfast with people, stop by to visit a friend at their house, lunch with another friend and then go to my parents for supper and spend the evening with them. The really cold days I slept in and even napped! 

I won't even list everyone I met with and everything I did as I don't want to forget someone or something. Some of the things I enjoyed were....getting together for breakfast, coffee/hot chocolate, lunch, supper, Bible Study and Sunday night service at the barn, Church at Water's Edge and visiting, movies, swimming, wallyball and just visiting.  Like I mentioned before I didn't even get many pictures. A couple people shared some pictures and I snapped a few, but that was about it : ) 

I was so happy to take a few bubble baths while I was home and have a hot shower with great water pressure. I was excited to eat at Larry's Family Pizza and have some delicious home cooked meals as well as make a few of my favorite things I like to cook-home made pizza, caramel rolls, lasagna and wild rice soup. I even made some puffy caramel corn, puppy chow and chex mix. It was great to go into Wal Mart and know exactly where everything was and be able to speak in English : ) The snow was beautiful and the weather was mostly good, other than those frigidly cold days!

All that to say my time home was great, but went way too fast! Thankful for the time to be home, but also thankful to be back! 

My last weekend in Mexico, Ricardo, Norma, Michelle and I went to central Irapuato to walk around and enjoy the decorations. We also went on a trolly ride and enjoyed some churros! Be sure to check out the pictures! 

My last week in Mexico was filled with fun! The Monday before I left they had a good bye party at school with students and parents. We had chicken and rice to eat and cake for dessert. This made me giggle as they knew I was coming back, but still had a good bye party. They even gave me a beautiful necklace, bracelet and earrings. Be sure to check out pictures. The love they have shown me here in Mexico is just a small fraction of how much God loves me! 

Wednesday, we had our program at school, which I talked about earlier. Be sure to check out those pictures. I left school early to head to Joe and Corinna's for the afternoon and evening as they came to the program and brought me to the airport on Thursday. Joe had a doctor's appointment, so that's why we left early. I was able to put an exercise bike together for Joe as he couldn't as he had shoulder surgery. We had soup for supper and watched a Christmas movie. 

Thursday morning I flew home to Minnesota and thankfully travels went well. My brother picked me up at the airport and I was able to spend the night with them and see them a little bit Friday morning before we headed to Little Falls to meet my aunt Joyce and Uncle Jarel to bring me back to Wadena.  We also met my other aunt Mary and uncle John for lunch. This was the first of many gatherings while in Minnesota.

So back in the beginning of December I had a stuffy nose and then it turned int a cough. I think I wrote about it in my last blog as I went to the doctor here. Well, I felt much better, but then think I over did it and went two steps backwards. Went back to Minnesota and my voice would still get a little crazy in the afternoon and evenings. After those really cold days with extra rest I felt really good. Then I went back into the cold and think that affected me again. I think I am finally close to the end of being sick, but voice still goes out sometimes. Sweet Liz brought me some food and a little bag with kleenex and teat while I was sick. 

All that to say, please be praying that I will feel best soon! Guessing the weather change didn't help things out. I also hadn't been sleeping well, so hoping now that I am back to sleeping better that will help too. Pray for health for our whole family as I came back and Norma and Michelle were both sick. Please be praying for the transition back to go well. For the most part it's going well, but I know there will be hard days to come. I also know God will get me through those hard days. Be praying for my time management. I am really good at wasting time on facebook. Thinking I may need to take a little break. Pray that I will keep my eyes on God and his plans for me. Keep praying for the marriage and relationships in our house. Also be praying for the school as they are struggling financially.

Praise for safe travels to Minnesota and back to Mexico. Praise for time with family and friends. Praise to be welcomed back with open arms and so much love. Praise for the warm sun and chirping birds. Praise for faithful prayer warriors, supporters and encouragers. 

That was a lot to read. I think I got it all covered! If I forgot something, I will include it in the next blog. Enjoy the many pictures!

Our classroom door at school. Each student brought a CD with                 their picture on it to make a tree.

The cake for my good bye party at school : ) 

Students and I at my good bye party

Lady Co workers and I

Me with cake a flowers from one of the students

Taking the first bite of the cake 

Norma and I

All the co workers

Students and I

Few students and I

Making silly faces

Taking the first bite of cake-Mexican tradition

Preschoolers dancing at program

Decorations at program. The made the snowflakes                                                                                         and ornaments. Ornaments are plastic ball with cup                                                         hot glued to the top. Super Cute!

Staff picture day of program

Primary class dancing 

Secondary class dancing

All students doing silent night with sign language

Another staff photo

Close up of staff

Next pictures are during program

Group photos before program

Nativity scene in central Irapuato

Next few photos are decorations in central Irupuato

Trolly we got to ride on

Next photos are just some shots I took during our                         trolly ride

Look at all those trees

Family Selfie : ) 

Huge Tree

Nativity scene on the wall

Beautiful tree

We found churros : ) First time having churros in                                                                                          Mexico. They are a little better than Taco John's : ) 

Norma and I enjoying our churros

Sweet Liz brought me a little package when I was                                                 sick, so we took a picture

She even brought some food

Package from Liz-kleenex and tea

One of the students brought me a bag of candy for                                     my good bye party

Later her mom dropped flowers off for me, too                         sweet

Me and the cake : ) 

Another cake shot

Our awesome team

Me and the kids

Meal for the good bye party

Everyone eating at the good bye party

These great ladies served us our food

Maribel, Pastor Francisco's wife, and I with the                                                 jewelry they gave me

Norma, Ester and I

Norma and I

Getting ready to play musical chairs

Intense game of musical chairs

So intense

Working on decorations for the program. I am                                                                                 amazed at their creativity and hard work!

Jenny gave me a journal before I left and had this note about                                                                         half way through : ) I made it to that page right before I left for MN

Sweet Fanny stopped by to give me a gift before I                                 left for MN!

Program day : ) 

Some of the students with their decorated chocolate                                         pops for the exchange

Next pictures are decorations for the program. Kids                                                                                         did the nativity scenes and coloring pages. The rest                                             was all made by staff. 

Preschoolers dancing

Primary class dancing

Secondary class dancing

Liz and I

Liz and I

Eating pizza after the program

Treat bags for the kids

Close up of the treat bags

Jenny sent these for my birthday : ) I got them right before                                                 going to MN as they were at Joe and Corinnas

Mom and dad sent a card and note : ) 

Note from Jenny with the shower things

The Dokken Family sent me some cards : ) 

Joe, Corinna and I before my flight to MN

Next few pictures are from inside airport and plane

Good bye Mexico

Beautiful tree at my brothers

Snow!

Jesse and I the morning after he picked me up

Vivian and I before she heads to school

Ruby and I before she heads to school

Look at the trees. Our drive to Little Falls

So pretty

So cold!! Had to send this to my family and friends in Mexico on the -40 days!

Look at all that snow!

An intense game of beat the parents on Christmas                     night

Putting flower headband on Lauren. She was so excited

Eating cake : ) 

So yummy

Lilli and I

Silly faces

Secondary dancing

preschool dancing

Primary class

Special craft day

Fun crafts

Making Ruldolph

Making wreaths

Staff enjoying food before break. I was already in             MN!

Dad, mom and I with shirts I had made for them.                                 Last day in MN!

Mom, Jenny and dad

Family Selfie

Sisters

Arcade fun with Lauren

Lauren, Lyndon and I

Movie fun

Snacks for Christmas Eve. You think we had enough?

Working hard on the puzzle before we left for                                hotel.

Sunset on our way to hotel

Next pictures are some fun writings I did in the                                                                                     snow for family and friends back in Mexico

I fell and that's my handprint!

Snow hill to show back in Mexico

Our intense game of 25 words or less

Jenny is thinking so hard

Fun snow picture at the hotel

Making a snow angel for Mexico 

So pretty : ) 

My in my fun shirt I had made : ) 

Beautiful trees with frost the morning I left for Mexico

Look at the trees

Selfie before leaving the hotel. I only had about 3.5                                                     hours of sleep, can you tell?

Breakfast at the airport : ) 

Good bye MN! Next few shots are from the                                 airplane!

Hello Mexico. Lots of shots from the plane!

Dani and Ruth working together

Zoom picture with Mrs. Gallant's class

Another zoom shot

They were so excited to see the snow : ) 

Zoom pictures

Few more zoom shots

Chocolates from my mexican family

More chocolates

One of the students gave me this cute pen

It even lights up

Norma in her apron I brought back for her : ) 

 Rosca de Reysis-sweet bread we had for three                                                                                                     kings day

My bread and hot chocolate

Ricardo with his bread and child

Norma with her bread and child

Close up of child

Look what I found : ) 

I shouldn't have another piece! Look what's in there!

Beautiful Sun

Just laying on a towel listening to some worship                     music

My cheeks got a little red

sunny selfie

I am back to practicing my Spanish on Duolingo. I was slacking while I was home.