I survived!

It hit me today that we have been here exactly 4 weeks- NUTS!
So you know you’re in Honduras when:
1. You go to sign in and there is a huge tarantula over the door!
2. During communion you look down and realize the bread that’s broken is a tortilla!
3. After each bathroom experience it takes 6 flushes for a success.
4. For the first time in your life you are so amazingly thankful to only have cold showers!
5. You spend your Friday night floating in the sea, watching the lightning strike over the perfectly lit sky, singing worship to 5 shooting stars! Did I mention, with the most amazing little family :)
Many more to come, just a glimpse!
So I made it, praise the Lord! I have a very new respect for teachers! Getting up at 4, riding the bus to and from school with the kids, getting home at 6 just to do lesson plans, and grade work… it will take some time to get in the rhythm. Wednesday I got 3 more new students, and am so excited to be getting to know them. One thing I love about the 6th grade is that it’s definitely the age where you start to try to find yourself. In their journals this week I asked them questions about the adventures they have been on, places they would like to go, and who they want to be?! This week was hard, but even amongst behavioral issues and complaining I see kids that the Lord is going to use in mighty ways! I’m really having to take it one day at a time, celebrate the small victories, and pray for a lot of patience and guidance! Thankful to be able to encourage them and speak into their lives, there is so much opportunity! Also, SO THANKFUL for grace because I feel like I mess it up a lot- very humbling but very good!
Saturday we finally got to meet the group of boys that Harrison fell in love with last year. All of these boys are around 13 years old, full of personality and spunk, but many don’t have support and are only in the 3rd grade! I look forward to hearing more of their stories, but am so encouraged by the way Harrison loves them. They all lit up to have him back! Most of them rode their bikes from French Harbour to West End (like 14 miles) and even though we weren’t allowed to fish, we had a blast swimming and playing on the beach/ eating bailiados !
Another praise, the Lord stirred in conversation today and created an opportunity to reach out to my neighbors. It all stemmed from asking sweet Santos how the kids were doing… one thing led to another and by the end he asked so humbly “do you know anything that would help my son”? This is a really hard thing, especially in the Honduras culture to admit that a kid is special and might need extra/ particular attention. (In order for this to make sense you had to of read a past post about m and by the end he asked so humbly “do you know anything that would help my son”? In order for this to make sense you had to of read a past post about my precious 6 year old neighbor Ederick who has un-diagnosed autism). I definitely continue to pray the Lord would move and bless this family, it’s frustrating when I definitely continue to pray the Lord would move and bless this family, it’s frustrating when you don’t understand what’s going on- but I know Jesus is molding an amazing man in Ederick… he just needs to be understood and invested in! Will keep you posted!
Pray everyone's doing well, as always just want to say how blessed I am by you! Love to all!

Mas Picturas!

Attempt to make cupcakes- haha, FAIL!




Our taxi driver :)

They don't tastes like what we eat in the states. I am guessing we add A LOT of sugar!

Walking through Coxen Hole trying to find some school supplies!

You know, just our afternoon water taxi to church and home!

Yes!!

Group at West Bay!

Week 1, HAY!

Thank you so much everyone for praying, I feel completely better- praise the Lord! Watching me eat the past few days, you literally would think I hadn’t eaten in weeks. Oh the beauty of enjoying food, mmm mmm good! Note to self, no taco restaurants on the street! This past week has consisted of getting the classroom ready/ lesson plans from sun up to sun down. My thumbs and wrists will be jacked from coloring and taping! It has been so helpful to crank out long days in order to feel a bit more prepared in starting! Today is Open House, and we start full force Wednesday. I love praying over my kids and their families by name, but it’s going to be delightful to finally get to know them! My class has grown to 10, but they are still expecting more to sign up. It’s just so crazy walking into this adventure, I have no clue what I am doing or what to expect, but I can’t wait for it! The Lord is already blessing so many relationships here! Our new neighbors just moved into the apartment above us, and they are lovely! One thing that I love about God is he is so intentional with details! The mom only speaks Spanish but after spending some time around the kids and listening to her speak of some difficulties with the son, it became obvious to me that he has undiagnosed autism. With my experience working with the most amazing Brett in Boone, I developed a heart for and some tools that could be helpful! Praying for opportunity to build a relationship with them!
Friday night, when Regan (our friend/ school busdriver) was taking us home, we encouraged the bus to go out to dinner all together and it was the best decision. Going out is a splurge, but we defiantly found our splurge spot! It turned out the owner of the Thai restaurant is from Charleston South Carolina and his dad owns AW Shucks- it's such a small world, I love it! Saturday was spent doing our long range planning for school, so when Sunday arrived we were more than ready and so excited! I have a feeling that no where else in my life will we be catching water taxi's (small motor boats) to get to church- THAT'S TIGHT! The community at the RChurch that we went to both last and this week is so refreshing. So much of the island are a community of people who are trying to escape their lives, but its so beautiful when the Lord starts tearing those walls down and getting raw! We got to spend the rest of the day on West Bay soaking up the rays, splashing in the water with the kids, and meeting new people- that is what I call a wonderful day! They ended the service with one of my favorite songs, which just made my heart estatic! It has been a daily prayer of mine ever since blaring it with Stacie every morning in Boone! Its called From the Inside Out by Hillsong United! We are missing the point when our walk becomes about what people see from the outside, verses the true inward tranformation that the Lord longs for us! Its a daily challenge, but I love that Jesus just says come, plain and simple. As you are I love you with an unwavering love, I will meet you where you are at, but expect that your life, your heart, and your perspective will never be the same! It is a messy, but life changing, mind blowing, grace filled, and BEAUTIFUL process! So thankful to be in the process!

A thousand times I've failed, Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again,Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
..........

Buenas Dias Amigos!

Yes, slowly but surely I am learning some Spanish! The expressions I know I use quite often with a huge smile on my face in excitement! The first weekend off was amazing and much needed. It really starts to set in that you are a teacher when you spend your Friday nights around a table doing schoolwork. Thankfully, everything is more exciting and a bit less overwhelming in that we are walking through it closely and all together! Saturday, Arthur drove Zach, Kelly, Jessica, Jairo, Hulio, Delby and I to West Bay. All I can say it- WOW! West Bay is literally paradise, with the powder sand, crystal clear water, and so much sea life to explore. I would compare snorkeling here to an afternoon hike in Boone, both are incredibly peaceful! We splurged and had a delicious meal, skipped around attempting to play volleyball (hot sand), and were so blessed by meeting a guy named Tristen. Tristen became a believer 3 years ago, and there is nothing more refreshing and encouraging getting to talk about all that the Lord is teaching us, the ways we’ve seen him move, and just the excitement of the walk! He is on Fire! After reading Crazy Love my prayer has been and continues to be that no longer I/ we walk being lukewarm, but instead OBSESSED with Jesus! Sunday we caught a taxi to church, but before met some really interesting islanders at a coffee shop. The nice thing about staying a year is that you can start to be intentional in going back to the same places; to build the relationships that you might not have any other way! Turns out one of the guys is an atheist, but his kids were at the church we went to! Coincidence, I think not J
This week is super busy trying to get the classrooms set up, and everything planned for next week. Open house is this coming Monday and I have a lot to do since I am teaching 6 subjects all together. What an adventure trying to learn the best methods of lesson planning! I will be learning more than the kids I am pretty sure J Can’t wait!
A few things to be praying for- I have had a stomach bug and fever the past few days. Pray for healing, and supernatural energy/ strength! Thankful to have this now versus the first week of school, but defiantly am in need of working hard to get all the preparations done!
Also please pray that the Lord provides a way for families to be able to send their kids to school. One thing I love about the Children’s Palace is that even though it’s private, most of the kids come from middle class families. Right now I only have 7 students, but there are so many families that have been going to the CPBS and want to return- just are waiting for funds! The Lord has handpicked and knows exactly who will be/ needs to be in the classroom, so excited to watch this process!
Pray that our school/ the classroom are a place where kids (and staff) encounter the Lord’s grace, crazy love, and intimacy daily! To be honest I have always been kind of hesitant about Christian schools because I believe we are called to be in the world but not of the world. I can say however that it really is a blessing to experience SO MUCH freedom to celebrate the goodness of the Lord! To be bold and not hold back in the classroom is such an honor!
Thank you so much for being you- so wonderful! Love you friends and family!

pictures :)

Agua- saves everyone on the island from the poops :)





Sandy Bay- muy bonita!

WHAT A BLESSING! These apartments are brand new for us this year, so spurprised to be living in such a beautiful locations.. with the most amazing community :)

Orientation!

Praise the Lord! My heart is overwhelmed with joy and thanks :). This morning we started out orientation with worship and prayer... it leaves me in tears to hear everything in both english and spanish! Just to look around the room at all the teachers, it's the most beautiful picture of the body! We had the opportunity to share our stories, what brought us to teach at the Children's palace, and basically whatever we wanted to. It was such an honor to get to stand up and share my story- the Lord's good! Even though a lot of us are different races, from different parts of the world, and speak different languages... our common bond is the strongest of them all- the love of the Lord! The islanders have been amazing at just welcoming us right in! Just got to play soccer with Roberto and my sweet maintenance friend (names are sometimes hard to understand the first time, still working on that)! Even though my shirt is literally dripping with swet, it feels good to connect with the natives and brush up on my long lost soccer skills! Friday we should be able to get a cell phone, and hopefully get a little more time on the internet to be a bit more in touch! I love you all very much and just light up to show everyone here pictures and stories of my family and friends! Have to go, we are about to be assigned our rooms! Hope to make it very welcoming and colorful for the kids, even though I don't have a lot of resources! Thankful for the ones we do have though- they stretch far! Talk to you soon lovely ones!

Start of something GOOD!

After going to sleep at 1am and waking up at 3:30am to scoot our boots to the airport (did I mention my parents are the best?), Mom and I were proud to find both bags to be 49.5 pounds- SUCCESS! I wish I could say the first flight I had really intentional conversation with the kids beside me, but no… I was conked out! A power nap that was just long enough to be overwhelmed with joy and hugs when meeting with Kelly and Jessica in Houston Texas. I am so thankful that the Lord chose us to walk together this year, they’re wonderful! Flying in over the water and arriving to Roatan was breath taking to say the least  Everywhere you look is green, with rolling hills, muy bonita playas (beaches), and such a great mix of races- LOVE IT! Mrs. Nina and Jaime picked us up from the airport and really couldn’t be more gracious and caring! I can tell that as teachers we are going to be so supported and loved on by them. Our first meal was at none other but Wendy’s, and surprisingly I was able to order my salad in Spanish! Where we live is 12 miles from where we will be teaching, which is a 40 minute drive to the Sandy Bay. Our apartments are so much more than what we expected! A few things to get adjusted to have been to not drink the water, bugs galore/ EVEN A CRAB IN THE APARTMENT, to not have ac, and to not be able to flush toilet paper (can cause quite the stink). I am SO THANKFUL however to be living in a clean/ safe place, simply, but so beautifully! My roommate Kelly and I started to unpack a bit, but before we made a dent we decided to get Jess and venture around Sandy Bay a bit. The beach is only a 10minute walk from where we live! Diving in with our clothes on has never felt so good, it’s very hot here. Walking back was an adventure, we not only had guys try to pick us up, but we also had to climb under a barb wired fence to get back in at 7:30pm! It’s been a blessing to have time just to sit still with the Lord, read, journal, and rest in the Lord before starting up orientation. Between going to get groceries, meeting our neighbors, and just walking around I can tell I am held back in really building relationships because I don’t know Spanish. This excites me though because not only will I learn it as I go and get to be creative, but I will also have so much opportunity to see the Lord tear down walls and really be the one moving/ speaking! Zach just arrived from Texas, what a wonderful addition he is! This morning is day one of orientation and I am so excited to get things prepared so that we can start strong! Mrs. Nina’s daughter Prinella joined us in running a couple of errands yesterday; she will be in my class! Apparently my class is crazy, loves to laugh/ talk, and loves Justin Bieber- YES!!