LOVE

I love what I do.
I love listening to Spanish music while having the windows open and feeling the breeze.
I love hearing the neighbor kids splash in the pool...in February.  :)
I love 70-80 degree weather...in February.  :)
I love Guatemala.
I love the people in Guatemala. 
I love the kids.
I love seeing 15 beautiful faces every morning, faces that need me and are counting on me.  
I love Hamin calling me mommy. 
I love Hamin saying, "Can I give you something, Miss Rigel?"  I say sure and she says, "a hug!" 
I love Sophia squeezing me so hard and saying, "Miss Rigel, I'm never going to let you go!"
I love Gaby giving me a kiss on the cheek and saying, "I love you, Miss Rigel!" after I have to discipline her.
I love how all 15 of them will jump out of their seats and give me a group hug...just because. 
I love hearing them pray.
I love hearing Nico say, "Thank you Jesus for our wonderful and beautiful teacher." 
I love hearing Sofia say, "Thank you Jesus for bringing Miss Rigel to us to teach us this year."
I love ministering at the Kairos House, where I can forget about my silly problems and focus on little kids with leukemia.

I love holding Josie's little hand and begging God to cure her of this terrible disease and let her live.

I love going to the zoo with friends.

I love singing in the praise team at church.I love God for bringing me here....among other reasons. 
I love Skype for keeping in contact with family and friends back in the States. 
I love what I do. 

Shall I go on?  ;)

1 Spider, a half-birthday, and driving in Guatemala

Let's start with the spider.  The other day, I was typing on my laptop in my classroom while the kids were in Spanish class.  I took my hands off of the keyboard for a moment, and while I did that, I looked down.  This is what I saw.  

I'm not really sure if the picture shows you just how large it was.   Once the students came back, I asked for a brave boy (I was taught that you let the men be men when the men are around!)  I had one brave soul who tried, but quickly freaked out when the spider ran away.  As far as we know, he's not dead, and still roaming the classroom somewhere.  Yay.

Next, the students (with the help of my super sweet room mom) threw me a "half-birthday" party last week.  Since my birthday is in the summer and we wouldn't be here to celebrate it, they did it for my half birthday, January 16!  It was so much fun, as I've never celebrated my birthday in January or during a school year for that matter.  However, the weather was exactly the same here in Guate as it would have been during my birthday in July, so that was nice.  The only down side-the reminder that I'm halfway to 27.  Oh well.  The kids were SO cute and generous!  I got WAY too many gifts, in addition to a little party during lunch. 

(For those of you who know that I haven't had chocolate in a year; I found a good home for the Snickers and 3 Muskateers bars on the door.)  :)  

No pictures of this one, but I had another unforgettable driving experience here in Guate yesterday.  I was going to ride with a friend from school over to another friend's house.  She asked me to drive because she was very dizzy and didn't think she should drive.  As it turns out, I'm not sure who was more capable at the time!  I won't even try to explain it because it was one of those "had to be there" moments.  But, I will say, that I'm glad Becca's brakes work and that my reflexes are fast.  I'm not sure Becca was any LESS dizzy by the time we finally reached our destination.  Sorry, Becca.  I have some practicing to do before I get my own car and start driving here next year. 

Lastly, a fun picture.  If you come into my room after 3:30 on any given day, you may find this.  If it's been a really bad day, I may be right there with them.  I have the desks set up nicely for us as teachers to lay on them after the kids leave.  

Shelly is on the left, she teaches first grade.  Becca is on the right, she teaches fourth grade.  She's the one I unintentionally tried to kill with my mad driving skills yesterday.  

Happy Saturday!!

Side splitting laughter is like medicine for your heart

It's been a rough week...for many reasons.  But, tonight, I laughed harder than I have in a long time.  Read on and you will understand why.  This conversation took place tonight at the table playing cards with Randy and Brenda. 

Brenda:  Randy's old enough to be your dad, or your grandpa for that matter
Randy:  Hey now!
Me:  Wait a minute...aren't you older than him, Brenda? 
Brenda: NO!  He's 54, he's much older than me!
Randy: I am not 54!
Brenda:  Then how old are you?
Randy:  Wait...what year was I born?
Me: *laughing*
Randy: I was born in September 1958.  That makes me.........?????
Me: 52
Randy:  Yes, 52. 
Brenda: You're like 3 years older than me!
Me: *laughing*
Randy: No, because you're 51 today!  I'm a little over a year older than you.
Me:  You are 16 months apart. 
Brenda:  No, that can't be right.
Randy:  That's the same age difference as Nate and Leah.
Brenda:  What year was I born?
Randy: 1960. 
Me:  Yes, it's right!  September of 1958 to January of 1960 is s16 months.
Brenda: Hey, that's the same age difference as Nate and Leah! 
Me: At this point, I thought I was going to wet my pants, I was laughing so hard!

And that's what made my night tonight....it doesn't take much to amuse me.  It's the little things in life!  :)

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that

My New Year's resolution is to update this blog on a regular basis!  Starting...today...January 15.  My goal is every week or two.  We'll see how that works out, I may not have anything interesting to say for a while!  For now, I'll update you on everything that's happened since my last post. 

We took the whole elementary to the Museo de los Niños on December 4.  It's a really cute Children's Museum in the city and we all had a good time.  First bus ride and first outing with the kids and I must say, the second grade class was the best behaved class in elementary!  No partiality, of course.  :) 

 I love Denny's expression on the spinning machine!

 Nico, Ha Yean, and Bo Gyeong

 Coffee: the pride of Guatemala :)

 Sophia and Vianka "shopping" at the child-sized grocery store

The giant-sized game of Operation

The two weeks before Christmas we did a unit on The Polar Express with the first grade class.  Doing this story was especially fun this year, since some of the kids have never seen snow!  When they see those pictures in the book, they are amazed.  It's really cute to see their faces.  :)  My favorite day was when we all got on the Polar Express (a train set up in the first grade class) and traveled to the North Pole!  The fun was complete with everyone in their pajamas, hot chocolate served (by me) and little chocolate nuggets.  I love teaching.  :)

 All aboard the Polar Express!

Sophia, Byeong, and Ha Min~ after we returned from the North Pole :)

On December 10th, the children had their Christmas program.  I felt like a parent sitting their snapping the camera every 5 seconds; they are just too cute!!  They were singing their little hearts out for Jesus; I thought my heart was going to burst.  At the end, everyone sang Silent Night in English, Spanish, and Korean.  Absolutely amazing.  

 Getting ready in the classroom before we go on stage

 How could you NOT love these faces???  ;)

A week later I came home for Christmas!  It was SO nice to see my family and extended family and friends!  I wish I could have spent twice as much time in the States and been able to spend more time with everyone.  However, I was ready to get back to my little ones.  :)  

 

 Tinsley, one of his aunts, and a Great aunt (his shirt says, All I want for Christmas is my Auntie)

 best friends

 Sisters :)

 baby Levi

 Lydia and I playing dress up

 Me and the T man

 

I also have made it official now, so I can post the big news...I am staying in Guatemala another year!  I will be home for the summer and then go back in August.  These kids have completely stolen my heart and I am excited to serve at least one more year at CAG.  Please be in prayer for me as I continue to seek other ministry opportunities.  Hopefully soon, I will be able to go out to a children's home called Amor del Niño.  They have children of all ages (LOTS of babies!) with special needs.  Here is a picture of some of them.  I CAN'T WAIT to go and hold those babies!  I can't think of anything more wonderful.  :)

Look at all those babies that need me to hold them! 
(That's one of my students there with one of the babies.  Her family goes to the children's home often.)

I cannot thank you enough for your love and support for me over the years, and especially this past year.  I thank God for each one of you!  I couldn't be here without you. Have a wonderful day in the Lord!

In His grace,

Amy :)

For my sister...

This post is dedicated to my sister, who told me the other day, "you haven't updated your blog in forever!"  I know dear sister, I know, but neither have you!  :)  So, here is an update on my life since my last post.  November went so fast, I hardly knew it was here.  It never felt like the 26 Novembers I've had in the States.  Without the changing of the seasons I feel like I'm in a time warp, so I never knew November was even here.  It's still in the 70's during the day here, and at night it gets down into the 50's...which doesn't sound cold to most gringos, but when you live in a house made of concrete and you have no heat, it gets cold! 

My students are amazing, as always, and I love them more each day.  They are so receptive during our Bible stories, I pray that their little hearts are being drawn closer to the Lord each day.  We did several fun Thanksgiving activities with the first grade class the week before Thanksgiving.  My class dressed up as Native Americans, and the first grade class dressed up as Pilgrims.  We had the students "ride" in the Mayflower and then we came together for a "Trail Mix" feast. 

 enjoying the Mayflower

 Trail Mix feast

Ellen and Sarah~ the Pilgrims and Native Americans coming together :)

I have also been tutoring a little girl, Min a,  a couple days a week.  She is in second grade at another school and they would like her to come to CAG next year for third grade.  We are hoping by the end of the year that she will be able to pass the English test to come to CAG next year.  She is a very sweet little girl and is improving greatly!  She has a difficult home life, so I've tried to get to make a point to get to know her more and let her talk about things. 

Some of you may already know, that I surprised my parents and came home for Thanksgiving!  They were VERY surprised!  It was a quick trip, but well worth it to see my mom's face.  :)  

I also got to see the rest of my family; brother, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew!!!  It was so nice to see my sweet baby nephew again.  I missed him so much and he grew while I was gone!

The next couple of weeks will be very busy with Christmas coming up.  We are getting together with the first grade class again, to do activities revolving around the book, The Polar Express.  We have some REALLY fun things planned, I'm excited! 

Buenos Tardes!

Same old, same old

Nothing new to report here.  We had parent/teacher conferences on Friday, so I've been working on grades and getting everything ready for that the last couple of weeks.  It was nice to meet all of the parents!  In other news, our class pet, the grasshopper has died.  :(  His name was Nipity, and his middle name was Mr. Rigel.  He just dried up one day.  The kids took the news very well.  :)

We had a bridal shower on Saturday for my friend, Jennie.  She teaches 3rd grade at CAG.  She and her fiancee are getting married on November 13.  At the shower, we made a wedding dress for her out of toilet paper and newspaper.  She loved it so much, I think she might want to wear it instead of the other one she had picked out.  :)

 Isn't she lovely?  :)

I tried on her "Bride" tiara for fun

We had a good time, and we are so happy for her and Alan!  They are a very sweet couple.  

I also got to babysit my sweet Sam.  I love that I can still get my baby fix while I'm here.  :)

I love the string of slobber!

As my dad says, "that's all the news that's fit to print!"  

Have a great week!

Picture Post

Some more pictures of my little loves...soon followed by a picture of the unnamed grasshopper later this week.

 Vianka

 Marcelo-Mr. Lovey Dovey-  I love it!

 Sophia and Sofia

 Shelly and me

 Flory (receptionist), Millys (admin assistant for the principal and director), and me

 Karina helps with our reading intervention program

 The view from school the other night as I was leaving...one perk to staying late I guess!

Sadie and Ellen