Happy Monday

I think I am getting back to this once a week blogging : ) Last Monday, the primary class at school did a storytelling activity. Each student had a part and they each put together their own costume at home. Be sure to check out the pictures as they had some great costumes. The kids did so great at saying their lines.

I have been enjoying doing my devotions on our roof patio after school in the sunshine. I was struggling to get them done in the morning as I am not a morning person. Instead of being so hard on myself, I decided to thank the Lord each morning when I get up and turn on the pulse radio and listen to worship music while I get ready. This is another way to spend time with him before I begin my day. Plus I always look forward to coming home and spending time in the sun with the Son : )

I have been doing an embraced devotion with my friend Brenda and it has been so good for both of us. Last week, it was talking about how only Jesus can truly satisfy us. I shared with Brenda how I have been turning to food more and I need to work on turning to Jesus. I think I shared this in a previous post, but I realized when I first moved here how much of an emotional eater I was. I also shared I wasn't eating as much because the food wasn't here and I didn't have access to it. Well now that I have been here longer and am more comfortable and familiar with places, I often stop at a little store on my way home for a treat. Treats are okay, but in moderation. Please be praying that I turn to Jesus and not food.

Wednesday Liz and I got Raspados and watched a movie at her house. This is good practice for her English and my Spanish. Plus it's just nice for us to spend time together not with students or working on school stuff.

Things at school continue to go well with the students. I couldn't help but smile when posting pictures of their storytelling. So proud of these kids and their confidence! Keep praying for peace and unity at the school. I feel like things have been going well, but I also don't always know all that is happening : )

Last week was a little emotional as it was 20 years on Thursday since we lost Grandpa Ray and one year on Friday that we lost Aunt Ruth. I always remember how Grandpa Ray loved teasing everyone, but especially the grandkids with his false teeth and cane. We always loved playing cards with him. Aunt Ruth had a birthday close to mine, so I always enjoyed celebrating our birthdays together. We often would get together with them for Mother's day and she always brought me a flower because I was a mom to so many students. While they are both missed, I am so thankful for the many memories with both of them.

One day in January when we came back from break, we had a small class and ended up zooming with Mrs. Gallant's kindergarten class. Mrs. Gallant and I have decided to zoom every Friday afternoon. This last Friday, Mrs. Gallant had a game called Where's Wooly. Our class had to close our eyes and then Mrs. Gallant's class hid wooly. We practiced naming colors, clothes and transportation. Our class was able to practice saying is Wooly under the train, car, bus, plane, etc? Then we could ask Mrs. Gallant's class if they knew the name in Spanish. They had been practicing and knew many of the names. Both classes enjoyed this game. Mrs. Gallant's class sang their school song for us. Then we all did the tooty ta and If you're happy and you know it and taught Mrs. Gallant's class some emotions in Spanish.

This was just what my heart and soul needed. Thursday I was really missing home and familiar. I had some of Mrs. Gallant's students in my preschool class last year, so it's fun to see them and just familiar surroundings. We only zoomed for about 30 minutes, but everyone loved it. Even Liz, the other teacher, said she loved that class : ) Thank you Mrs. Gallant for taking time to zoom with us and teach your class some Spanish.

Friday after school, I went to Rosa and Rafael's for the weekend! We stopped and ate at an Asian Buffet on our way to their house. I ate way too much, but it was delicious : ) We just hung out at their house and watched a couple movies Friday night. It was nice to relax : )

Saturday morning, we went to the walking track and their outdoor gym. I think I ended the day with 14,000 steps. Be sure to check out the pictures of the beautiful scenery and fun machines. That afternoon, we headed to Leon to the state fair. This was comparable to the MN State Fair. We ate food, walked around, played a game and went to the Imax theater. It was about butterflies, so that was cool. There were LOTS of people there, but it was a fun experience.

Sunday we came back here for church. Then Sunday afternoon/evening I went to a 3 year old birthday party with the family. It was a fun experience. It was Minnie Mouse themed. Be sure to check out the pictures. I sent pictures to my mom and she joked that it looked like my 3rd birthday. She said I am sure you remember. I laughed and said while I don't remember my 3rd birthday, I do remember many birthdays as my mom always made our birthdays special. Thank you Lord for birthday memories!

Today, we didn't have school, so I was planning to work on lesson plans as they are due this week, my blog and figuring out what I am going to share for the friendship/dating talk, but we ended up going to Norma's mom's house to eat lunch with her. Then we went to the movie Puss in Boots one last wish. I actually saw it when I was home in December, but still went to spend the day with the family. My lesson plans and everything else will be there tomorrow : )

I feel like things are going well in our house. Keep praying for peace and unity as we know things can turn around at any point. Thanks so much for your prayers that have made a difference!

Thank you Lord for another great week of fun memories. Thank you for friends and family that send an e mail, text message or call just when I need it. Thank you for zooming with familiar faces and surroundings. Thank you for memories of loved ones! Thank you for a great school family and host family here in Mexico. Thank you for good health! Praise, Josias is back to school. I think I asked for prayers for him last week as he had been out sick. Thank you Lord for the many prayer warriors and supporters in my life! Praise I have been spending less time on facebook and it's been good.

Keep praying for peace and unity at school and home. Pray that I will continue to learn the language and enjoy each and every day. I do not want to wish my time away as it will be over before we know it. Thank you Lord for this opportunity to serve here in Mexico. Help me cherish these last 4 months here. Continue to pray for guidance and direction with life and my future and that I will trust that He has great plans, even if they are different than mine. His plans are best and His timing is perfect! Continue to pray for time management and that I would be fully satisfied by Jesus and only Jesus!!

This was at the very end of our zoom with Mrs. Gallant's class. It was so fun to see all the smiles in both classes : )

Doing the tooty ta : )

Mrs. Gallant's class was singing their school song for us

The next few pictures we were playing Where's Wooly : )

The next few pictures are tooty ta pictures from Mrs. Gallant

Next few pictures are group photos at the end from Mrs. Gallant

The decorations for the primary storytelling. Jacky, one of the teachers did these all by hand. I have shared before, but always amazed at their gifts for decorating!

Andrea the bee

Sofia the butterfly

Ruth the frog

Angel the ant

Keyla the elephant

Milan the wolf

Everyone taking a bow : )

Aylin the mouse

Close up of Ruth the frog. So cute : ) This is Dani's sister and she has come to love me as much as Dani. Love them both!

Ian the bird

Axel the dog

Dani the pig

Ester the other mouse

Alice the cat

Alice the cat is trying to beat the mouse up

The other mouse comes and puts the fire on the cat

Everyone taking a bow

All the students from school

The parents and students

This is the entrance to the storytelling event

This is the treat table that's available at lunch : )

Bulletin board with names

I had a diet coke on the 3rd in memory of my Aunt Ruth. It was her one year angelversary

The library door

We love to read

Falling in love with reading

More tooty ta pictures from our zoom

We stopped at an asian buffet on Friday. I enjoyed some good old American food-mashed potatoes, FF and Chicken strips : )

Saturday morning Rosa, Rafael and I went walking and worked out

Next few photos are views from walking on the track

Next photos are the area with some work out machines. All outside : )

Rosa thought I needed a picture : )

Rosa working hard

Rafael working hard

Selfie work out

Bright sunshine

Next photos are when we were watching dancers at the fair in Leon. I will post some videos to my Mexico facebook page. I need to catch up on posting videos.