Happy Saturday

Last Friday, we had an all day staff meeting at school. I really wasn't looking forward to the meeting as the Friday before we had a meeting and it wasn't the greatest. I shared with some prayer warriors, but don't think I had shared on here. Rosa, the director, told us we would need to put our cell phones in the office each day. I asked if I could keep mine for translating and she told me I needed to learn more Spanish. She is right, but it was more so the way she responded that hit me the wrong way.

I share this because it has made me more aware of how often I am using my cell phone. Not even just in school, but at home. I almost always have it with me incase I need it for google translation. But I have noticed it is just so easy to go check facebook quick and then waste time on there. I have been trying to be better about only grabbing my phone when I need it to translate. Thank you Lord for meetings and comments that help make me aware.

Rosa and I ended up being partners for an activity in the meeting Friday and it went well. I had to read a few things in Spanish that day and they were commenting on how well I read. I have shared this before, but I read Spanish much better than I speak it. Some day I will be better at the speaking part : ) But again, God continues to remind me that He is still using me without being fluent in Spanish.

After our meeting Friday, I headed to Raquel's for the weekend. Friday night they had a celebration at Tae Kwon Doe for Children's Day. They played a couple games and had ice cream and cake!

Saturday we just hung out at Raquels and relaxed and visited a little bit. That afternoon we headed to the ranch. We made some masks for the skit on Sunday. Be sure to check out the pictures of our awesome masks!

Sunday we went to church at the ranch. You could feel the Holy Spirit's presence there! First of all, their building isn't even an enclosed building. They continue building it, but that doesn't matter. The chairs didn't match and that didn't matter either. It was very simple, but such a good reminder that the building is not what defines the church. Check out the pictures.

The music was powerful, even though I didn't recognize the songs. They had all the children come to the front and prayed for them before they left for the children's ministry. They do this at our church every Sunday. So great to see all the kids up there and how much the church values the next generation. The message was on how we need to be training our children in the way they should go. Then they had prayer time and again, very powerful. People were set free from demonic presence and other burdens. They ended the service with a skit for the kids about how Jesus is our superhero. Then some of the parents shared pictures their kids had drew for them of what they want to be when they grow up.

After church, we enjoyed some food and fellowship. Then the kids had fun with pinatas to celebrate Children's Day.

Monday was Labor Day in Mexico, so we didn't have school. I was able to work on my message for this Sunday. We went out for tacos for supper and then headed to the mall for churros : )

Tuesday it was back to school. They have been busy practicing for their Mother's Day Program. It's a lot of sitting for many of them and they get antsy, so I feel like we are wasting time. Instead of getting annoyed and irritated like I would in the past, I have just enjoyed sitting there and snuggling with the kids that come and sit next to me. Trying to have a better attitude during the practice time.

Tuesday we had our singles missionary devotion time. Barb is such a blessing as she plans the devotional time, a song to share and then takes time praying for each one of us. We continue to talk about abiding. This time we talked about abiding in our thoughts.

Wednesday Norma, Ricardo and I went to prayer time. They started by having people share things they were thankful for. Pastor Francisco asked if I wanted to share anything. The easy answer would have been no, but I decided to be brave and go share. He was going to have Ricardo translate, but I said I will give it a try. It was very brief, but I did it. I even teared up a little bit as I was sharing I only have about 6 weeks left here in Mexico.

The message was about how we need to be doing God's will and being obedient. I have really been praying for God to show me His will and make it very clear. I know I love teaching preschool and that is definitely where I am comfortable. While here in Mexico, God has put children without a parent on my heart as well as challenging students. My dear Dani and his sister Ruth are without their dad and they have such a huge place in my heart. Ian lives with his grandma and shows me so much love, so I try to show him just as much love.

I have been thinking about what that might look like when I return to the states. Maybe I am going to have some students in my class this fall that will need some extra love. I have also thought about foster care. Who knows, maybe God has a totally different plan that I know nothing about yet. Please be praying that my eyes, ears and heart would be open and that He will make His will very clear. I have shared before I think I am supposed to go back to WDC to teach preschool, but I am being open to what He has planned.

Thursday Liz and I went over my message and marked the scriptures in her Bible. We enjoyed some Chinese for supper and had some leftovers to enjoy another day. We ended the day with massages from her aunt. I love massages, so this was wonderful.

Cinco De Mayo was Friday, so we had another day off of school. It was interesting that we had the day off as much of Mexico doesn't celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Norma said they mostly celebrate in Puebla, which is where the war was won.

Norma and I went walking and worked out in the morning. Then I cleaned my room and swept and mopped the floors. I looked through cards that people had given me before I came here. That was fun to look through those. I took a few pictures of some funny and cute ones! They all made me smile, but these made me smile a little extra : ) Read my devotions and looked over my message for Sunday on the patio and got sweaty! They say May is the hottest month here! I managed to sneak a nap in and then we watched a movie last night.

Next week, we have a full week of school. I won't know what to do with myself. Hard to believe I only have 5 more weeks left with the students and staff at school. Their last day of school is July 3rd, but my last day with them will be June 9th.

Today, Norma and I went to prayer time at the church. Then they had a raffle for tickets that they were selling for the school. My family bought some tickets and both Jenny and Jesse won, I think : ) I was telling them they drew 6 names, so I am not sure how much they won, but I would let them know on Monday. We came home and I made french toast, bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Did some laundry, read a little bit and looked over the message again : ) Got a little nap in and planning to relax the rest of the day.

Tomorrow I get to share my message at the other church. Please be praying for Liz and I to be calm. The translation and technology to go well. I put together a little powerpoint to share : ) Pray that the message will be encouraging and each person will take a lesson or reminder to apply to their daily lives. Thank you Lord for allowing me to share my testimony and the lessons and reminders you have been teaching me while on this journey.

As I shared before please be praying for my eyes, ears and heart to be open while I finish my time here in Mexico, but also once I return to the states and figure out what He has planned. Pray that I keep my eyes on Him and don't look too far ahead. To live in the moment and be present!

Pray that I manage my time well and don't waste too much time on facebook. Again, leave my phone for translating and be in the moment.

Continued prayers for strength to finish strong and for emotions as they are up and down.

Continued prayers for safe travels and transitioning back to the states. Mom saw a house for sale across the street from where Jenny and I used to live. I would love to be close to the school again. Pray for clear direction on living arrangements.

Be praying for Ricardo as he has been battling a nasty head cold the last couple days. Pray he feels best soon and no one else gets sick.

Thank you Lord for your love and that you continue to guide each and every detail. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Thank you for prayers warriors, supporters and encouragers back home.

Thank you for snuggles at school and massages.

Thank you for the time at the ranch and the reminder it's not the building that makes the church ,but the people and how they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for the many people that continue to love me here in Mexico.

Here are some pictures from the last week : )

This was a card from mom. She's so creative : )

This one made me smile as it has been such a season of receiving here. Jenny wrote that card before I left in August. Love how God used her to speak to me