http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8Gxv9CRRVM

My mom sent this link to me today... it's so true. God has the answer. Sometimes it's not the answer we want, but we need to follow his plan. He knows what's before us and has a much greater perspective. Trust, trust, trust. We constantly try to take back control of our own lives, follow our own plans, live for ourselves. Trust in God's 'yes', and trust in God's 'no.' I rediscover each day how difficult it is... the call to go, the call to wait for what I want... but God is faithful, and he blesses us so much each day. When we open our lives and give up control, he knows exactly where to take us.

God Bless.

Birthday in Honduras!

This weekend was great! Yes, I'm now one year older, wiser, more experienced in life, etc. But besides that I had the opportunity to meet so many new people this weekend and be blessed by some of the amazing people here! Homemade cinnamon rolls and cinnamon bread were on the menu for breakfast! Then a Skype date with those I love back home as I opened a package that had been sent. The afternoon was filled with Yoga and basketball. Saturday evening was a fiesta here at the apartments for the 5 people who have birthdays within a week and a half of each other. It was great: tacos, friends, friends of friends, games and dessert (and lots of it)! Our apartment was packed with around 50-60 people! We started at 4:30 and people stayed until 11:30ish. (For us teachers that's pretty late!) Needless to say, I was a bit tired on Sunday, but had a great start to the week today. Despite the fact that it was raining and half my classes had to be in the classrooms... it went fairly well. I just pray it doesn't rain tomorrow... I'll have to start getting creative with indoor lessons! It's a lot more difficult to be active with desks and chairs in the way.

Good night and God bless!

Basketball Cancelled due to... RAIN!

Unfortunately, our first 2 basketball games have been cancelled due to rain! I don't think I've ever experienced that in the states before! Thursday we loaded the bus with the Infantil (7th-8th grade) boys team and headed to Del Campo. They have two courts so we could play at the same time, but... they're outside and were covered with water. As we waited and someone started to sweep water off an incredibly slippery court, the rain started to fall again. We decided to postpone the game to a later date. Meanwhile, the bus driver had dropped us off and left! It's normal that one drops us off and another picks us up. However, we couldn't get another bus driver right away so we hung out at Del Campo for an hour and a half! The players totally made the most of it. I taught them the tip drill, we did some ball handling, and then they started a boys vs. girls game on the wet court. Today, there was forecasted a tropical storm to hit this morning in the city. The school we were going to play cancelled yesterday and our athletic director decided to cancel practices as well so that the students in the city didn't have to travel. I'm not sure what the weather is like down there... but here on the mountain we've had rain almost all morning. It's just starting to stop. It doesn't seem too bad- just overcast. We'll see! The weather here changes so quickly sometimes!

Blessed are the flexible...

"Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape." ~Brother Teddy Turrentine

I first heard this play on the Beatitudes when I traveled to Guatemala for a week the summer after high school. It's true. How many times do we get all bent out of shape because we wanted things to go the way we had them planned? The reason this came to mind was because yesterday.... let me tell you the story:

5:45am- BEEEEEEEP..... BEEEEEEEEP. Smack as I shut off my alarm clock and roll out of bed. I get myself ready, have some fabulous leftover baked oatmeal for breakfast as I do my devotions, and then off to school.

6:55am- Teacher devotions this morning were in 3B. Every Tuesday we rotate classrooms among the elementary school to pray for each class specifically. Mr. Osberg greats us with a smile, and then the news that a tree fell over the road that goes up the mountain. The one the bus drivers take up and the buses take down... and neither had gotten thru. It was going to be a long morning.

7:20am- The teachers go to their own classrooms and I head out to the playground to help supervise the students who arrived at the normal time because they live in the neighborhood.

8:30am- Still playing soccer, basketball, jumprope, etc. So we give them a drink and snack break.

9:00am- Still playing.

9:30am- Still playing. Buses finally start to arrive.

10:00am- School begins... 2.5 hours late. :)

Needless to say, it was a long day for everyone. We have 2 hour delays in the states, but that usually means we get to sleep in. Teachers were able to get some grading done before school, but most of the kids were waiting around for a couple hours and several didn't come to school once the buses were able to pick them up.

So, moral of the story: be flexible, and make the most of whatever circumstance you're in. I was able to cherish over 2 hours of free time with students, getting to know them better and having fun. You never know what will be thrown in your path today. Enjoy it and glorify God through it!

Another Day

Another day,
another week,
more to say,
more to speak,
but...
as I teach,
may I learn,
as I reach,
may I yearn,
for...
not what's brief,
or on earth,
but for relief,
and new birth,
that...
only God
can provide,
as I trod
by his side.
So...
to you Lord
I give this day,
with your word,
enrich my way.

ENGAGEMENT PICTURES!!!

Thank you Phrene for taking our engagement pictures! Here's a few of them!
phrene.com

Valle de Angeles

This is an update from last weekend! We went to a place called Valle de Angeles, it's a tourist trap sort of town with tons of shops, restaurants, etc. I got my hammock there a few weeks ago. Last weekend we went with a bus full of teachers for the day. It was so much fun to spend time with people outside of school in such a relaxing atmosphere. We shopped around, had some coffee (never get iced... it's over half ice), looked through the shops, ate some lunch (I had amazing chicken shish kabobs). I don't have a ton of pictures, but thought you all might like to see what it's like. :)

The beautiful green countryside.All the teachers on the ALP bus! Love them!Testing out the hammock. Trying on some dresses! (No, I didn't get it)