O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

I am thankful that I was able to return to home during Christmas break. It was a good time spent with friends and family, but my favorite part was the time spent with my nieces. Six months away does not seem like such a long time for adults, but for kids it feels like an eternity. Each of them had grown so much since August! Also, we celebrated my grandmother's 83rd birthday (Dec. 24), Granddad's 79th birthday, and Emma's 2nd birthday. As four generations sat in one room, I realized how quickly time passes us by without us realizing it. We get so ready for the next point in life, whether it is graduation, marriage, childbirth, or a holiday, that we forget to live in the present. It is important to plan ahead and be prepared for what is to come, but not to let the thought consume you. For my own benefit, I may need to reread this blog consistently to remind myself. I enjoy where I am in life. For me, I enjoy Merida, the school, my bible school kids, my roommate, and friend...

On Saturday mornings, I help at the mission, which similar to VBS or bible school The kids have nothing, but come and are happy to be there. They are walking rays of sunshine in my life. During this time, on Saturday mornings, we sing praise songs, tell bible stories, learn verses, and eat snacks! I am still trying to learn a lot of the Spanish praise songs, but when I am singing the kids notice it (maybe it is my accent). Even when you don't know all of the words to a song, you can still praise God! If the little ones don't know all of the words, they still know when to clap. While my hands were on the table, Karla noticed how white my hands were! It never crossed my mind until she put hers against mine. These kids are soaking in information daily! I want to be sure that get the right stuff! Because the kids range from ages 6 months to 13 years, we separate into two groups. The smaller kids are able to learn the meaning of the songs, and where in The Bible you can find...

Three of my students, Guimel, Lilia, and David, visited the states during the first week of November. We made a deal that if they brought me back some of my favorite crackers and cookies (wheat thins and reduced fat oatmeal pies), I would take them to eat at Carl’s Junior, which is the same as a Hardees. Therefore, we planned a day, and Bryon drove us to eat there! We all had a great time! The other "gringa" in the picture is my friend, Loryn, who came to spend her Thanksgiving holiday with me!

The past few months have flown by quickly, and have been very full at the same time. It is hard to believe that it is Christmas time! It is even harder to believe because it is blazing hot here. The kids still keep things cool in the classroom with their fun personalities and humor. I have realized how much I enjoy teaching. Noreen told me once that I would love anything that I taught. After thinking over this statement for the past week, I have to say that I agree. I love to be with the kids on a daily basis during the entire day. Watching the kid’s behavior in other classes teaches me more about who they are as a person. With this knowledge, I am able to deal with them better as a student and love them more as a person. At Blas Pascal, I can share with them Christ’s love and be specific about from where it comes.

Hi! I will begin posting on my new blog, which you are seeing for the first time! Please be patient because I am learning how this works. If you have any comments or questions about me, my blog, or my ministry in Mérida, please, write me. I will post more soon! Julie