Mi Vida

School is in full swing. I have 4 kids that keep me on my toes (2 more to be added in the near future). I think that I have the loudest, most rowdy bunch in the school! Quite a different school dynamic from last school year. It's also official, I now keep the hours of a school teacher (aka I am worn out and not quite used to the routine just yet).

The Water Heater- One of the things that I have learned how to do in Mexico is to use gas things- oven, stove, water heater, etc. I have several experiences where I thought I nearly (or so it felt) exploded ovens when trying to light them. Yesterday morning I had to take a cold shower. Granted our water heater is small and the hot water doesn't last long, I still expected somewhat of a warm shower. Well, last night we discovered that the piolt light was out. Now the problem is that the water heater is in a rather ghetto place...just outside our kitchen window, with the switches facing away from the window. To make matters worse, the washer/dryer combo unit is hooked up just infront of the window and there is only enough room for a tiny person (my roomie!) to fit in (yeah, I didn't even give it a try. If she had trouble getting in and out...). So, picture her smushed up next to the window over looking all our neighbors' windows...Remember, we're on the 4th floor. Kristy tried for nearly an hour, all total. We bugged Ann Boyter a few times. Kristy tried asking her dad in NY via telephone. Nothing. Finally at about 11 pm David Boyter showed up, squeezed in to the space, turned a few knobs, pressed a few buttons, and within 2 minutes, *presto* the piolt light was lit. Go figure. That's what we like to call a "where's my husband when I need him" kind of moment (lol).

Any suggestions for Spiritual applications to this story?? :)


Verse to Ponder:
"...Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven..." Luke 10:20 NASB

Pics

A few shots of my classroom.














Kids at church and David Boyter





















A few shots from the baby shower!

A baby shower, an english lesson, and a birthday party

Saturday morning I went to the Boyters' house for a brunch with the Crino family. This was probably the last time that I'll see them until around Feb. of next year because they're going back to the states for 6 months. Then after that, the Boyter ladies (Ann & Emily) and I went to a baby shower (and yes, they call it a baby shower here, too) for Keren (my first Spanish teacher). Needless to say, after picking up some of the ladies from church, we were about 20 minutes late for the shower that started at 4. However, this being Mexico, it didn't start until well after 5. We played lots of those cheesy shower games that many of you in the states are familiar with (but of course, all in Spanish). Thankfully, I only misunderstood the directions one and thus missed up the games only once.

Yesterday I began teaching English to a girl who works at the place where we buy our drinking water. I am very excited about this opportunity that God has literally dropped in my lap. She seems very kind and really wants to learn English!! Of course this will mean more on my plate but at the same time it's the opportunity that I've been praying for. Please pray for her and for this opportunity! Maybe this friendship could lead to a housechurch being started in my neighborhood...!!!!!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Last night we had church/birthday party. We again ate tamales (this time I didn't manage to stay away from the mole -cocoa flavored sauce, not exactly my favorite, but not too bad either). And of course here in Mexico they have a different song that they sing. They don't typically sing the "Happy Birthday" or "Feliz Cumpleanos" song. I need to learn that song. Jorge (the birhday boy) said that he is planning on buying a fish with his birthday money!

La comida mexicana (Mexican Food)

Making Tamales for Church!

Tinga! One of my fav. Mexican dishes. (chicken, chiptole, onions, garlic, and tomatos).

Random Pics

Why I'm here...













The Mexican flag. Viva Mexico!















My friend and former roomate(she student taught and the school where I teach), Deanna and I.












And in other news...we had an earthquake this morning. I handn't quite gotten out of bed and our building began to shake. Sometimes it shakes a little when a big rig truck drives by but this time I didn't hear a truck. Crazy.

Read what Fox News has to say: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207929,00.html

Lots...

So much has happened in the past few weeks. I went to Puebla with Alli and Beth(2 college student mks) to visit Amy and Heather. It was a fun, refreshing trip! Lots of quality girl time. Then the following week I went to Leon for lots of meetings. But not to worry, there was plenty of time for fellowship! I am now back in DF. More to come later...