Some encouragement

GOD is so faithful and awesome! The other day, I read in my devotion book to breath in Jesus. I read the whole page, then read it again slower, as I tried to focus on what it was actually saying, and when I was done, read that sentence again and did exactly that. I quieted myself and imagined I was breathing Him in. Since then, I find myself thinking about that and doing it on occasion. It gives me peace and reminds me that He is there with me.

Also lately, each day I read the book (because I do different things for my devotion time), it starts with "Come to Me," Seek Me," "Rest in Me." Man, the Lord must be telling me something. But those things are exactly what I need to do. And I find when I actually take the time to do them, I feel more at peace and have a calming in my heart and spirit. Yes, things come up and are thrown at me each day, but when I take that minute and breath Him in and rest in Him, even just for a minute, I feel better. So I encourage you, take some time today to breath in God. And when you have a little more time, go to Him, seek Him, and rest in Him, because He wants to give you restoration and refreshment.

Be blessed my friends! And please keep me in prayer as things here are always so crazy. I'm working on an update to post soon, but really just felt like sharing this with you. :)

Have a great rest of the day and week!  

"Bend me, Lord"

So, once again, it has been forever since I have written. :-/ I was totally planning on it while I was home for the summer, but being there is always so busy and crazy that none of the stuff I plan on doing while there gets done. :-/

Oh well. Last semester ended well and my summer was super great! A much needed time home with my most favorite people. I seriously can't believe it is the middle of August and we just finished our first week of school. Seems like such a blur. 

I arrived last Friday, well really Saturday early morning (1 am), and have been on the go since I arrived. I normally come back about 2 weeks before school starts, but a family vacation was planned for the first week of August before I knew I was coming back for another year. So Betsy so graciously let me come back after it was over so I could spend the week with my family and nephew. So glad to have had the opportunity to make those memories! But in doing so, I had to jump right in to work for the semester. I thank God that there was a group here that took care of our welcome back VBS week, so all I had to do was be on stand-by and make sure that everyone was behaving and focused and doing what they were told when they were told. That was super nice to be able to have a few more days to figure out my thoughts and plans and get things ready for this week ahead.

At the beginning of the week, during our morning staff prayer time, a devotion was read that stated, "Bend me, Lord." Wow. What a way to start off the school year. And I feel as though I will be bent quite a bit this year. For those of you who don't know, I am going to be teaching...in my own classroom...by myself. This is a new challenge as I am not, naturally, a teacher. Some whom have worked with me over the last 2 years may say differently, but I do not consider myself one. Not a classroom one anyway. I have no concept of what children should be learning, I don't like planning, I am not creative, and the list goes on. Thank You, God, that Betsy knows/does/is all those things and has provided me with lesson ideas for the students. YAY!! :-D

I will be teaching Reading Comprehension. I did teach the reading program last year and helped out A LOT last semester in Betsy's class on days that she wasn't there, which were many as she was dealing with a court case as well as had other things going on that took her away from the classroom. So I do have some experience, but all of the planning, etc, was hers. I just followed what she told me to do. This year, it is ALL ME!

I am also dealing with getting readjusted back to life here, being away from home and the things from there, and on my own again by myself away from my family and friends.

So pray for me as I deal with all of that as well as get last minute things together for my classroom and finish up my lesson plans this weekend. As I said this is a challenge, part of the bending process that He will be doing, and, although I was very overwhelmed and anxious and nervous before, I am now a bit more at peace and am trusting that the Lord will not let me fail. Why? Because He is for me. And if He is for me, who can be against me??  (Romans 8:31)

Prayer requests:
-Besides above, the students-that they would be obedient and gain much knowledge through me as I teach. Also, that they would gain a better and more understanding of who God is.
-My relationship with with God would grow more deeply.
-For my financial support. It has dropped quite a bit over this last year.

Thanks, friends. And thank You, Father, for you continual love, grace, and mercy on my life. You never cease to amaze me with Your greatness in both my life and those around me. Thank You, Lord. Be with each of the students and staff as we prepare for the start of another school year with You. Help us as we each go through that bending process.


Some pictures of my bulletin boards:

  

Pictures of my time home:

 

A new semester and some new friends

This was originally written in the beginning/middle of February. It is now the end of March and I am just getting this up. The team I talk about, has come and gone and now we are settling back into our normal routines. I have been quite busy with this and that. I also had some computer issues for a while, and that is why I haven't gotten this out yet. But I still wanted to post it and I have added to it since then. I hope you enjoy!

Between 2/8 and 3/10

Wow! It has been an eventful semester already and it's only the middle of February!! I went home for Christmas break and had a WONDERFUL time with family, friends, friends that I count as family, and my precious nephew. I miss everyone dearly.

This semester has had some changes. We have Tess back! She was here for my first year just boarding at the school while finishing up her college degree and working. She then went home over the summer to raise support so she could be full time staff here. She came back the middle of Dec and is here as our social worker/office worker at this point. She also helps out with Juan in the evening.

There is also a gentleman named Philip here for the semester. He is from Canada but plans to come down each year to help out here. Since he is here, and he is a man and is also Deaf, Betsy and I felt it was GREAT for Juan to be with him in the evenings. Juan will be able to learn so much more from him than from me because he is both male and Deaf. So Juan is with Tess for free time and with Philip for the rest of the evening.

That means I am relieved of dorm duty. So what am I doing? I am working in the classroom with Betsy! For the first 3 weeks, I was interpreting math class with a teacher who came down with her husband for a month to escape the snow and to see if this is something they want to continue to do in the future. I interpreted in the morning, and then in the afternoon helped out in Betsy's class.

Since they have left, I have kind of been doing a bit of everything in Betsy's class.  Toward the beginning of the month of Feb, Betsy had to be in court for 2 days interpreting for someone, so I had to be in the classroom all by myself! Boy was that interesting! Not something that I expected was going to happen, but someone had to be there to teach the children while she wasn't here. Since then, I have been in the classroom by myself about 4 days now. Each time I get a bit nervous, but then I remember that I did it before and it shouldn't be that bad.

Also during that same week in the beginning of Feb, Philip's first grandchild was born, so he went back to Canada to meet the little one, and Tess and I shared dorm duty. Needless to say, I was EXHAUSTED! I am SLOWLY getting used to being on a day schedule, so I still get tired easily. And then, with having Juan in the evening a few hours that week, it really wore me out. The tiredness has gotten better, but nonetheless, I still have to get adjusted.

Learning to give up control with Juan was challenging for me also. When you do something for a year and a half and then someone else comes in to take over, it is very hard to relinquish control of things if they don't do things the same way you do, which how often does that happen?!?! Sometimes I still have some trouble with this, but I am learning that there are so many things that he needs to learn and that we have been and are working on, that it is ok to say something that is new and has only shown up 1-2 times before. It's all a process.

As much as I like having a break from him, and feel as though it is much needed for both of us (as he has become dependent on me and pretends he doesn't know things when I am around sometimes), with having him for that one week in the evening, it has made me realized that I do miss some things we shared during dorm time. I miss praying with him, and giving him goodnight hugs and kisses, and saying goodnight and I love you.  Unless I am upset with him, he always smiles during this time and spells H-U-G and K-I-S-S after I do each one. He really is such a happy carefree boy. And that gives me much joy to see him smile, spell those words, and say "I love you too" before he goes to bed. But I am enjoying having my evenings off. :)

Unfortunately because of different reasons, I still haven't gotten into a routine in the evenings yet. I so desperately want, and need that though and I am hoping if comes quickly because we have so many visitors this semester. With visitors here, there is always something happening, whether it is going to the beach, rain forest, store, out to eat, etc. I often am always running when people are here. I hope I am able to find a good balance between being with them, and being by myself as the semester goes on. I don't want to get worn out quickly by not taking time for me when I need it. So many times I get wrapped up in what the visitors are doing, since they are only here for a certain amount of time, that I forget that I need time to myself also so that I am able to be good company when they are here.

So pray for me. There is only about two weeks this semester that aren't occupied with people being here. One is this full week (last week in Feb) and the other is scattered, a few days here and there. I love visitors, but I just need to find the balance of when to commune with them and when to shut my door and hide away so that I get filled with Him and His peace, and not get burnt out.

                                       3/22/15

As I woke up this morning to get ready for church, it was the first time in the last nine days that it was quiet. We were blessed this past week with a group from Lancaster Bible College. I must admit, before they came, I had mixed feelings about them. We have had visitor after visitor this semester and although it is wonderful to have people come and give of their time and skills, it is very tiring for us staff. Trying to keep up after them, make sure they are doing ok, have everything they need, spend time with them, take them places, etc, is a lot of work besides our normal everyday work. Thankfully, this was the first group this semester as others have just been 1-2 people at a time. But before they came, I didn't know if I was ready for a group of 14 people to come, as well as all the work that is involved in them coming. But it didn't matter, because they came, and now that they are gone, my life is changed because of them and I am so glad they did come. I am super exhausted from them being here, but the impact they had on my life was totally worth it.

Ice cream twins :)

It is amazing how much a person/people can impact your life in a short time. I said this a few times since being here, but it really is true. Normally, I have a small connection to one of the girls because the boys are younger and immature and just don't care to talk to a 'old woman.' But with this group, I was impacted more by the guys than the girls. There were 7 guys, 5 girls, and 2 leaders, one of each sex. I had the pleasure of sharing my walls with the boys this week, and it felt weird to not hear them rustling around, talking, and getting ready today. Watching and hearing the guys just unite over the week was so joyful to see. The team didn't have cell phones, because they all decided to leave them behind while on the trip, and the boys knew the unity among them was because they had no access to social media or communication to their friends and family back home. So they talked and goofed off with each other instead of being on their phones.

Their willingness to do hard manual labor and pretty much whatever was asked of them, was awesome. To be on the receiving side of that was so nice. I didn't get the talking under their breath, the rolling of the eyes, or the slight attitude that has happened at times with other groups. And I didn't hear any complaining from any of them about the work they were doing throughout the whole week. In response to something they had forgot to do, needed to be done again, or needed to do be added to their list was always "Sure, I'll get right on that." or "Ok, I'll make sure I do it tomorrow." There was never a sigh of "Ugh, lady we know, just get out of our way and let us do it." And that was MUCH appreciated.

It was also sweet to see that they tried to act like gentlemen when I was around. There was a few times that they didn't know I was near, and one would say something to the other that would be typical guy behavior, but then when they knew I was there, they'd apologize and kind of get a bit embarrassed. Or they'd be talking and when I would come up to ask them something, they would lower their voice or just stop talking so I wouldn't hear the "boy talk" happening. That was a reassurance that someone has raised them right, and that God is working on their hearts and they know how to act when a lady is around.

Sunrise with the group

Throughout the week while getting ready in the morning, I'd look out my window and would see a few of the guys do their devos out back in the stillness and quietness of the morning before the day started. That was so heartwarming to see. Most times, if at all, you see the girls do this more than the boys because sometimes guys think that it 'isn't cool' to spend time in the Bible and pray when they are around other guys. But to see that these guys' focus was on the Lord first, and then other things was very touching to me. It gave me a new hope in men, and made me believe that God is still raising up godly men for Himself. They all made me excited to meet my future husband because they  were examples of what godly men should be like and showed me that God is still at work in the men of this world (which I know He is but to see if in front of you, gives you new assurance :)).

I did have some connections with the girls too, but because there was fewer of them, 2 worked in the classroom almost all week, and where they were staying, I interacted more with the guys. Some of the girls impacted me too, though. Their story's and life experiences up until this point in their lives, was awesome to hear. And from hearing them, I was able to share some of my experiences and/or wisdom about some situations with them, which then made us grow closer. This group of ladies was great too! They seemed to not mind doing anything that was asked of them either. Also girls, many times, can be drama queens and/or create drama amongst others in the team, but these girls didn't. They were all sweet and got along well with everyone. That was also nice to see.

Everyone of them, touched my heart/life in some way while they were here. None of us were ready for them to leave. The work they did was done properly, quickly, and without complaint. And now it is a week later almost, 3/28/15, and I still think of them. I'm so glad they are only 45ish minutes away from my home in PA and hope that I get to see them over the summer when I am there. :)

Bonfire on my birthday!

Some things to pray about, if don't mind.  I appreciate it!

-Strength for each day.

-Wisdom and knowledge for the different jobs I do in the classroom and the days I teach alone (as this semester is filled with times Betsy needs to be out of the classroom for different things).

-I am able to discipline myself to learn a few new things this semester.

-I am continuingly showing God's love and grace to those around me.

-For my homesickness. This semester is the worst.

-I would hear His voice about a few things I am praying about.

-I am able to rest, rest, rest this week of vacation. My mind, body, and spirit need it. It came at a perfect time.

Father, thank You. For a good start to a new semester. For the chance to do something new. For the ability to do that something new. For the strength to face the fear of teaching (and have someone that forces me to face it). For the new things that I am taking an interest in and the ability to learn them. For the people you send in our lives at just the moments we need, for that encouragement, reassurance, and example of You and Your work. And so much more. You are so good to me and continue to bless me each day. Even if I don't see your blessings, I feel them, and for that I thank You too. I give you glory and honor. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

I'm back!! :)

Hello! 

Wow have things changed since the end of last school year!!

Before I go any further, I want to apologize for not keeping up with my blog last semester. I started a few of them, but they never got published and for that I say I am sorry to those of you who have kept up with my life down here and wondered what was going on (if you would like for me to post them, let me know and I will, although they will be out of date ;). But I am hoping to keep it going while I am here from now on. :) I know I'm getting a bit of a late start, but here it is!

Anyway, as I said, lots has changed!! When the end of the school year came, I was the dorm counselor of 3 students, there were 5 staff people (myself included), and 7 students attending school. When I came back, I was most likely only going to have one dorm student, there were only 2 staff members (including myself) and we didn't know if we were going to have 3 or 4 students in the classroom.

As it turns out, 1 dorm student, 2 staff members, 3 students attending. Reasons? Not totally sure. But 2 of the 7 students moved to Florida, so we knew they wouldn't be back. We thought we would have 5 students attending at the end of the school year, but over the summer, two of them decided to change their minds. If you didn't know, last spring we got an additional student from Orocovis come and stay with us. We thought that Maria would be back again this year, but for whatever reason, only God knows why, she decided to go back to her public school where she doesn't learn hardly anything. So there went the first one of 5.

Also over the summer, one of the other students decided that he wanted a life style change and he didn't want to come here anymore either. He wanted to be in a school that had more students, so he could make more friends. He made a decision to not follow God anymore, so why would he want to come here? Needless to say, he kept telling Betsy (and me when I saw him), "I don't know if I'll be back." And then on the first day of school, he showed up to get transfer papers signed so he could go elsewhere. That left us with 3 students.

Side note: The kids often ask for prayer for more students and more teachers. Please join us in agreement for this prayer request.

As far as me and my life here, as I said, I only have one dorm kiddo this year, which is good, but also kind of not. Because it is just me, I have to do everything. Entertain him with fun, active things to do during free time, make sure homework gets done, make dinner, make sure he gets showered, ready for bed, etc, etc, etc. And for a normal kid, it wouldn't be too bad. But for Juan, it is hard. He has such a hard time focusing and paying attention that a math paper that would normally take a child his age 20 mins to do, takes him twice as long or longer. Especially if it is something that he has just learned that day in class and needs to practice to remember what he's learned! So because he has a hard time paying attention, finishing his homework, writing nicely, blah, blah, blah, I am constantly having to be on top of him for everything. TIRING! My patience is DEFINITELY being tested and my frustration level gets thinner each day of the week. I now know what it is like to be a single parent, literally. I felt that way some last year, but I had one/two other students who helped, and two other staff members who helped too. But this year I have no one. Just me! It is frustrating and stressful. But things have gotten a bit better since the beginning of the school year. It really all depends on the day with him though. One day he could be completely not focused and paying attention, and the next he could do really well and get his homework done in no time! I wish I knew if something made a difference.

But either way, I know this is where I am to be. I know that because I am here, this little boy is getting a MUCH needed education. Because if I weren't here, he wouldn't be here. And he SOOOOO desperately needs it. Not just in school, but in life also. So despite that fact that I get lonely, feel like I have no friends here sometimes, feel disconnected to the world as a whole and back home, etc, I know that God has placed me here for such a time as this. I know that I am much needed here, for more than just that little boy. I am here for myself, for those I work with, and for the students. God is teaching me, growing me, and using me in ways I never even imagined. I thank Him!

Some other things to pray about:

Those feelings mentioned above while here: Loneliness, no friends here, disconnected to the world and things back home

Juan: That he learn to focus and pay more attention, that he remembers what he learns in the classroom (many times if he has a few days off-even a weekend sometimes- he forgets what he learned and has a hard time answering questions he could answer quickly the week before), for him to come to a full understanding of what Jesus did and accept Him as his Savior

My financial support as I continue my time here

For those other students who are no longer coming here: that they would not forgot God in their lives, would continue in their walks with Him and/or that He would touch their hearts and bring them back to Him.

For the other 2 students here: that they fully realize how much God loves them and the power they have with the Holy Spirit, and that they remember what they learn in the classroom as well

Father, thank you for your Goodness. You have blessed me bunches, and I give you all the glory. Thank you for letting me realize (again) that I am here for a reason, and letting me know partially what that reason is, because I am sure that there is a bigger reason than just what I see and know. Thank you for teaching me. Help me to remember why I am here in those times that I feel so lonely or like I don't matter. Help me to keep my eyes and focus on You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Another week has passed...

It's funny the way people influence your life. Words they may say, how they treat you, whether or not they keep your trust, etc. But sometimes, a person can say something about their own life and without even knowing it, they touch your life. Sometimes the words they say, make you think more about your own life and how you are influencing others. It isn't a direct influence on your life by what they said, but an indirect influence by making you take a step back and look at the bigger picture that is your life, and in looking at it, gives it more meaning.

That is exactly what happened to me this week. There were some visitors that came to serve for the week, and I believe that they were here for the staff just as much, if not more, than for the kids. They couldn't communicate with the students directly because they didn't know sign, but they did ask how to say some things, and they spent a lot of time talking to us. The one women was sharing some things about her own life and what she does/how she spends her time. It was only a few sentences that was said, and shortly after she connected it with my life in the fact that I am doing what she does, which is influencing lives of young people. The way she said it, and the words she used, really made me realize even more, that my role here is very important. Even before she said anything about me personally (because later she reassured me in what I am doing), I was inspired. I made that connection in my role here. And then she encouraged me in the service I am doing with the children.

I was taken back for a minute. I just sat there and thought about how right she was, and about my time here so far, and how much of an influence I really AM to these kids. It makes my life seem of more importance now. Now, I know/knew that what I am doing does have an influence on their lives, but sometimes, in the everyday routine of things, you look past it, or you wonder if what you are doing really is working, changing them for the better. But hearing it from someone else, and how they are working in children's lives, made me evaluate my life, which then made me see how much of a change the kids have had since being here and that I had a part in that. :)

This week was a busy week!! But I am so glad that it happened the way it did! The visitors made lunch all week for us, painted our laundry room, cut our hair (the one women is a professional), did other miscellaneous stuff, and most importantly, encouraged and touched our lives. It was hectic, but it was lovely, and very much needed and appreciated. It was hard to say goodbye today, but we promised that it wasn't goodbye, but see you later. It's amazing how a person/people can touch your life in just 5 days. They weren't even here throughout the whole week! They stayed at a hotel in San Juan, so their service to us wasn't an all day thing like some visitors/teams that come and stay here are. And even still I feel as though they were here for longer. It's amazing how Christian's can feel like family or as though we've known each other for quite some time just a short time after meeting them. We really are family, brothers and sisters in the Lord. We share that common bond of knowing Him, and that is what makes us feel so close. My heart is blessed from having them here.

Today was even a more hectic day as we had more visitors- a group of children from a small Christian School on the other side of the island. There were about 12-15 people in all, filling the cafeteria to the max. It was lovely! But it definitely set our normal school day out the window. ;) I think a good time was had by all, needless to say. It was great to have more kids, and being able to interpret for all of them, hearing kids to deaf kids, deaf kids to hearing, was just an added bonus. I loved all the questions from their young, curious minds.

After saying "see you later" to the visitors who were here all week, they invited Kathryn and I to the rainforest for a short trip to one of the falls. It was a great way to end the week with them. Now I am just sitting on my porch looking at the sky, kind of wishing I would have went to the beach with Amanda when she left ;), but reflecting on the week and enjoying the 'silence.' I use quotes because it is never silent here. There are sounds of planes, cars, music, bikes, dogs, birds, coqui (little frogs), crickets, etc. But it is a sound that I have grown used to and hadn't even realized how loud it was until I went home a few weeks ago for one of my closest friends' weddings and laid in my bed and heard virtually nothing. The sounds, most of them, are part of the beauty here also.

The serenity of this place is awesome. It's been a while since I sat on the porch and looked at the sky. I have forgotten how beautiful it is. And being in the rainforest today just gave me another minute perspective of God. I wish we had more time to just sit and enjoy. But the small amount of time that was spent there was very rewarding, and a visit will happen again.

Tomorrow is busy with a 3 hour drive to the mountains for a 2 hour visit/baby shower for a deaf teenager and her family and then a 3 hour drive home. Monday is a holiday, so we get an extra day of rest!! Yay!!! And that is how the rest of my weekend will be spent-with rest. No real plans, and sometimes that is nice. :-)

Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your Holiness and Faithfulness. You are so worthy, and greatly to be praised. Father, I praise You for the way You use others in our lives, to help encourage us, to help us realize things, and to just be a listening ear. Lord, I thank You for the visitors that we had this week, and also the ones we had a few weeks ago. Thank You for their willingness to serve You by serving us. Lord, I pray that You bless their lives, as they have blessed ours. Thank You for the reminders of different things that You send our way throughout the days, weeks, months. You are just so Good!

Wow. How blessed I am!

Most of this was written on Sat, Oct 5:

I just continue to stand, sit, lay, whatever, in awe of my God. He is just so amazing and so awesome. I wish there were better words to describe Him, but He is indescribable. Right now, it is 8:19 in the evening and I am sitting on my porch just watching the sky light up with lightning. This is one of the coolest sights I have seen. It isn't raining and I don't hear thunder, but it is behind the clouds, displaying them when it lightning's. I love this place. I really seriously do. Although I am missing my dear family and treasured friends, the fall weather of PA at this time-well, maybe not that much, but I am missing the changing of the leaves and the fall foliage- I don't believe there is a better place that I'd want to be. I love being able to SEE God. When I look at things like this sky I am looking at now, and the wonderful display it is putting on, I can't help but not see God. How can anyone who is a believer not see Him in things like this?? It is just such a wonderful thing. I love just sitting and marveling at His creation, and at Him. I've seen some pretty amazing things in my life, and each of them have just caused me to marvel at my Awesome God-even if it is the same thing, like watching lightning fill the sky, or the clouds up above, or just watching the ocean. It may be the 'same ole same ole' for some people, but for me, I see something different each. and. every. time!

This week, I feel as though I did that a lot. Last Saturday night (9/28), Kathryn, Amanda and I went kayaking on the bio-luminescent bay (if you're not sure what that is, go look it up-it's pretty cool).  I have been there before (last year when I was here) and Amanda went when Nate was here, but Kathryn had not, so she wanted to go and asked if we'd go with her. There was no argument from us! We got there a little later than we would've liked, thus having to kayak out to the bay in the dark rather than light or dusk, but it all worked out ok. When we finally reached the bay, it was just as beautiful if not more than what I remember the first time. I didn't have the same reaction to the bay as I did the first time, which was close to tears with amazement, but I still stood, or shall I say sat, in awe of Him.

The sky was cloudless, full of stars, and the water glittered with bright green sparks when agitated. It was more noticeable and bright this time than last year, and also more beautiful. We paddled out to the middle of the bay and then just stopped. We pushed/pulled our kayaks together, put our oars down, and just sat there for the longest time just staring at God's creation. We talked about serious things then not so serious things. We talked about wanting to stay out there all night, and wished we could just lay in a hammock, or float on an air mattress, and stare at the beautiful sky. ;) We talked about life, and our day. We reflected. It was great.

I just sat there in the silence and thanked God. I thanked Him for His creation. I thanked Him for the stars that were so beautiful and noticeable on that clear, moonless night, for the special water we were floating on, for the fish that were gliding through and jumping out of the water causing bright green streaks to be seen across the bay (and prayed that none would land in our kayaks), and for allowing me to have that experience and so many more while being here. I thanked Him for being so Good to me.  

After a while, we had to leave since it was getting late. I was a bit sad, because I love to just sit in God's creation and take it all in. But we had to leave at some point!

Then in the middle of the week, while the kids were in school, I decided to go to the beach to spend time with God. It's so much better than doing it in my bedroom! ;-) It was so lovely. I had the beach practically to myself. There was a family, whom I am assuming was on vacation because they didn't look Puerto Rican, that was on the opposite end of the beach, and that was it! There were a few people who walked by, but it was mainly just me. I loved every minute of it. Just sitting there, staring at the things around me, reading from the Bible and other devotional book I have, writing in my journal, and just praying. While lying on my blanket, writing, I stopped and took a look around me. As I did, I saw a few crabs come out of their holes and head toward that water. It was so cool! Hopefully, I am able to do that more often!

And then, of course, tonight, just watching the sky light up every few seconds. And to think that God created all these things for His children to see-for ME to see. He is just so Awesome. To think that He loves us, loves ME, that much, that He created all these things just for US to enjoy. Thank You, Father!

Last week was busy, as every other one seems to be. It started way too early on Monday morning with a water pipe leak that caused a flood to occur in our dorm, but thankfully, it didn't reach the bedrooms.

Wednesday I was up late again with a crying teenager. Normal teenage drama, but I have to remember, how I react and respond to her will affect her for the rest of her life. These are the years that start to shape you into the person you will become, most times. How people treat you and react to you stays with you for a long, long time. But I also have to remember my role in her life. I am here to counsel her, and if she is in the wrong, I have to correct her.

This week (10/7-11) was a short week. We had a 4 day weekend since today is Columbus Day. Nothing too exciting happened this week, except the fact that we have a 4 day weekend!!!! :) Friday, I just relaxed, did a few things I've been wanting and needing to do, went to the beach, then to the movies with the girls and Betsy.

Saturday, Kathryn, Amanda, and I got up early and drove 2.5-3 hours to the other side of the island to a beautiful beach called Crash Boat. We were looking forward to snorkeling and hoping to find things that we've never seen before, like sea turtles! But, the water was too sandy and despite having a tour guide (a man named Manny who had a knife strapped to his calf that randomly came up to us to tell us where the best places to go were, then decided to show us them), we still saw nothing; only a few sergeant major (zebra) fish. Even though we didn't have a good snorkeling day, and we got chased out by a thunderstorm, it was still a good day and enjoyed by all.

Yesterday was a rainy day, so nothing too exciting happened. I went to church, took the new girls (who arrived Saturday and are here for two weeks. Yay!!!!) to the store, came home and did a few necessary things, then went out with Betsy and the new girls for a drink and appetizers. Although I would've liked to had gone to beach just to read a book, I was perfectly ok with the fact that it rained. Sometimes, I really enjoy rainy days, and today was one of them. I sat out on the porch, with my intent to read a little, write some thank you notes, and work on my blog, but I found myself, as I often do, just looking around me at this beautiful place I call home. Even when it's raining, it's beautiful. I saw some lightning spark through the trees and again, just thought about how great God is. I had some instrumental music playing, and in between writing, just took a look around me every so often. "Wow, how blessed I am," is a common thought of mine. Needless to say, I didn't get half of what I had planned to get done finished, but I am ok with that.

Today we had a prayer meeting this morning, and Kathryn then took Autumn and Mandy (the new girls) to Old San Juan. I'm just hanging out re-energizing for the week ahead and enjoying my last day of freedom before the students come back! I may go to the beach in a little to just relax and enjoy some more of God's creation. It has been a lovely 4 day weekend so far, and I'm glad that I was able to have some adventure as well as some time to get some things done.

I forgot to mention, Betsy got a new puppy!!! Bazooka was her other puppy's name, and he was a great dog, but got too over protective and aggressive when new people came around. And with as many visitors and people he is not used to coming fairly often to the school, there were times where he went after/actually bit a few of them, and after the last one he attempted to get, Betsy decided the best thing was for him to be in a place that didn't have as many visitors and where he wouldn't be tied up so much. So she gave him to some friends that live in the country. Bazooka seems to like it!

Betsy looked for another Great Dane puppy, and came home with a beautiful girl Dane that she named Delilah. She's so cute! She's black and white, really laid back and chill, and quickly learning the things that Betsy is teaching her! I love playing with her and watching her run all around like a puppy does. And especially getting puppy kisses. :)

I also forgot to mention I was responsible for making staff dinner on Monday, September 30. I made a cheeseburger casserole, potato salad (my dad would be proud ;), and vegetables. It seemed to be a hit! I was proud of myself. I'm kind of looking forward to doing it next time. But that feeling could change by tomorrow! ;-p Haha.

Thank you Father, for being so Amazing. Even though I am in the same place, You still continue to show Yourself to me in different things, and sometimes in the same things only in a different way. I thank You that I am able to see You in many things and that I give You the glory that is due to You. Let me always remember to do that. Continue to show Yourself to me however You please. Thank You for the times that I am able to just sit and experience You. You are so worthy. 

3 weeks of stuff!

Well, I can't believe that it has been over 3 weeks since I last wrote! It feels like it was such a long time ago. I feel that way about my whole time here actually. It feels like I've been here for years!! Maybe I said that already, but it's the truth. So much happens each day, it's hard to keep up! I will try my best to get you up to date with my life here!

Labor Day weekend was full of Krispy Kreme donuts, a trip to the airport so Rachel could catch her flight home :(, exploring one of the forts at Old San Juan and enjoying the afternoon there with Amanda and Kathryn, and then visiting my family for the rest of the weekend. My Aunt and Uncle live in Bayamon, which is about 15-20 mins from Old San Juan, so my Uncle picked me up on Saturday before the other girls drove back home.

On Sunday, I went to church with them, then went to visit one of my dad's other brother's that I haven't seen since I was a little girl and I don't even remember it. I enjoyed church. Even though I couldn't understand it, I still could feel the presence of God there. It only made me want to learn Spanish that much more. I really wished I was able to worship Jesus the way everyone else was. I mean, I worshiped, but I didn't get much out of the message since I didn't understand any of it.

After church we drove an hour to my Uncle Eddie's house where I met him and his wife. While there, I met 2 of my cousins and the one's wife and son. Since I was the only one who didn't know Spanish, I spent the day either sitting there not knowing what was going on or being said, or by myself. I took some pictures around his house, and then later in the evening watched Tangled...which was in Spanish also. How frustrating the day was, but also how determined I am to learn. It really gave me a different perspective of things. A different look at my life and what I want from it, and a better understanding of what it may be like being Deaf.

Sept 3-6

Before I knew it, the weekend was over and it was time to go back to school to get ready for the week. This week was full of the normal activities and some incidents that weren't so normal. We got rain Tuesday night and Betsy likes to 'shower' in the rain. So guess what we all did?!? That's right! We joined her!

Wednesday was church night, and since Kathryn wanted to join Betsy and the kids at her church, I figured I'd tag along too. It is so cool going there. I find it awesome that the message is done in a language I don't understand, but am still able to understand what is being said since it is interpreted into Sign Language. I was also able to interpret the message for Kathryn so she could understand! Once again, I was surprised by how much I understood. Sometimes though, it is hard for me to put into words what the interpreter is saying. I understand it, but to voice it is just hard to do at times. Needless to say, Kathryn understood a lot more than what she would've if she didn't have me! :)

When we came home, Juan was already in bed (he doesn't go with us to church. He doesn't have the skill to pay attention), and I helped Francis with her math homework. Helping them both this week with their homework has really allowed me to see why teachers teach. It is all about that moment they get it, and helping them figure out for themselves how to find the answer. I sat in the kitchen just watching her figure out the problems on her own, and just had a huge smile on my face, and even bigger one in my heart. I had to tone it down a little because I knew if she looked up and saw me smiling, she would give me a funny look as if to say "what the heck are you smiling about!?" I've had moments like that with Juan too, and each time it warms my heart and brings a smile to my face, and sometimes, tears to my eyes. I can see already, the work that Amanda is doing with him is paying off. In the middle of a song during chapel, he will see the word 'on' or 'in' in the middle of another word and he just has to point it out. I'm not even teaching the kid and it still makes my heart smile!! And working with him in the evening with his homework and seeing that he doesn't need much help, does it on his own, and/or does it without crying/whining more than before is just wonderful. :)

Sept 9-14

So Tuesday night the 10th, was the first night I had both the kids by myself for the majority of the evening (Kathryn was away most of the day taking care of Army stuff), and it went pretty well! No one wanted to kill anyone, as far as I know (can't really speak for the kids ;), and things seemed to go pretty smoothly. The kids and I are now taking turns cooking in the evening s with Francis cooking Tuesday night, Juan 'cooking' Wednesday, and me on Thursdays. Monday night we have a staff meal, so we don't have to worry about that. But Tuesday was the first night we did this, and I think it was a success! I enjoyed eating together with the kids, and watching them interact with one another and with me.

There was another change that happened this week. It came in the form of a 3 foot and some odd inch 6 year old boy named Diego. He is hearing (we believe) but because he has a speech impediment and a disease that causes him not to grow and mature like other children, his mother sought out the school and asked if we would accept him. Betsy left the decision up to Amanda since she was the one who would be teaching him. At the end of the week, Amanda said yes, despite the fact that it was the hardest week she's had since she's been here. But she obviously saw potential in him and wants him to learn, and knows that she can do ALL things with Christ!

So after almost 3 weeks, I was able to go the beach with Kathryn last Saturday and just relax. I'd taken the kids in the evening like one time, but this time I was able to just sit and relax and enjoy it by myself without having to make sure Juan wasn't drowning! :-p I love being able to just go to the beach and sit and enjoy God's creation. Some may think, "must be nice to just sit at the beach whenever she wants." But honestly, when I am at the beach, I spend time with God. I am able to enjoy the creation that He made for me, and give Him praise for that. When I go to the beach, I usually just sit there for a little without doing anything but look around. I look at the waves, the horizon, the clouds, the sand, the birds, etc. I look at everything. And while looking, I take in His beauty and thank Him for it. It's all the same, yet so different.

This isn't just a vacation spot for me. This is my service spot that He has allowed me to come to. And being able to go to the beach and enjoy it is just ONE of the many blessings that He has bestowed upon me while here. It is just an added bonus to my service to Him, and I am so very grateful for it. If I wouldn't be here, or at a place that has the beach, I would be perfectly fine with that, because I would be at the place He would've called me to. But because He is so gracious to me and knows how much I love the beach and that it is the place I see Him the most, He has called me to a place that has some of the most beautiful beaches that I have ever seen. And the reason?? So I am able to praise and glorify Him while I sit on them. Thank You, Lord!!!

This past week (16-20) another change has happened and I am now going to be having the dorm kids in the evening by myself. But God is awesome and he let me ease into it with only having one of the children last week. It was a good week! Different without both kids, but a nice transition into having them all by myself. Pray for me as this week is the real challenge. He obviously knows I can do it, or it wouldn't be happening.

One more thing! :) I actually understood how much my total amount of money was at 2 different stores this past week!! I was having a hard time understanding the change on my totals, but this week, I understood! I was so happy when this first happened! I told everyone of my victory! ;) Just thought I'd share that with you all too!

Oh!! Also, the other night I was putting Juan to bed, and every night we pray-sometimes I do, sometimes he does. This time he prayed, and it was the first time that he remembered to and prayed for some of those people in his life here at school! He didn't mention everyone, but for the fact that he didn't need prompted and he remembered some of us as he was praying, warmed my heart. Last week he wasn't here, and I had forgotten how much I loved having him in my life! He makes me smile so much, and for the fact that he is learning, and I am seeing the progress he is making, just makes my heart smile. It's the little things, my friends! :)  God is so good!!!

If you would, just pray for the dorm teenager and me, as we continue to get to know one another and form a relationship. Pray that I am able to help her and guide her the way she needs to be helped and guided. Also pray for the little guy I take care of. He is learning so much , and I pray that his awareness and understand of things would just grow and strengthen, especially his knowledge of God and who He is. Pray that God give me the strength to continue to do what He has called me to do to the best of my ability. Pray for the students. That they would come to know Christ in a more intimate way and for their families and lives at home. And for the staff. There are only a few of us, but God has us in our right spots. Pray for rest, strength, clarity, creativity, and knowledge. Thank you and God bless!