Hello and happy March everyone! I sincerely apologize that my last post was in November. My time here is going so quickly, I can barely keep up. We are already nearly halfway through the Spring semester and the school year has continued to go very well. I'm still having a blast and loving what I am doing here. I'm starting to realize that we are merely months away from the school year being over and it is just so crazy to think how fast the time has gone!
The end of 2012 was very busy at school. We had a huge school-wide Thanksgiving feast for all teachers, students, and families. This was a much appreciated event to indulge in some turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes together. Before we knew it, it was December and time for Christmas parties, our school Christmas play, and Christmas break!
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| At the school's Thanksgiving event! |
We finished school on December 19 and several of the teachers headed to Guatemala City to fly to the States the next day. Although the semester was wonderful, it was really exciting getting to leave the country for a while, and even more exciting getting to be with friends and family in the States for the holidays. I arrived in Austin on Thursday and was greeted by Mom, Dad, Alec and Karis (Brooke was still in Florida), and a sweet tea from Chick-fil-A. It still seems crazy to me that I hadn't seem them for nearly 5 months, but it was very sweet to be reunited.
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| Third graders on last day before Christmas break. |
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| The four of us having dinner in Xela near Christmas. |
Christmas break was very eventful and the Lord definitely blessed my time. The five of us did a simple Christmas in Austin, and then drove to Orlando to go visit Brooke at Disney. We also met up with the rest of dad's side of the family. It was a very blessed week of eating, swimming, family, and Mickey Mouse. It was a quick turnaround from Orlando back to Guatemala. We drove in on Sunday and I flew out early Monday morning. Weirdly enough, I didn't experience much culture shock upon my return. It was exactly as I had remembered it and it was just really wonderful to be back. Thankfully, I did miss Guatemala and my students and was ready to return when it was time (there was a small concern that I wouldn't want to!).
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| In the Magic Kingdom! |
This semester has been just as speedy and exciting. We have already had 100th day of school festivities and this past week we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday. My kids are still so full of energy and are as inquisitive and hilarious as ever. I have been enjoying it so much and have felt that my calling in Xela is not over in May. I have officially signed a contract to be the third grade teacher again next year at IAS. I am very excited to continue my journey here and see what new things God has in store.
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| All the elementary students with their 100th day hats (hats they made themselves with 100 objects of their choice on it). |
I am still planning on being in the States this summer. I will be hanging out and possibly working and traveling some. I so appreciate your prayers and will continue to keep you updated. Please pray that God would use me for His will in the classroom; that I would be a useful tool and not get in the way with my impatience, frustration, and exhaustion. Have a blessed week!
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| Just one of those funny things you stumble upon while grading. |
