Parents, Copan, and Teacher Retreat!

Since I have written last, a lot has happened here. Perhaps that is why I have not found the time to blog lately...Anyway, my parents and Sonny and Patsy Peaster came to visit in Febrauary. The visit was great! I think they left loving Honduras-something they didn't expect! There was so much more we could do, but the things we were able to do and see were good experiences for them. They were able to meet our friends here, see our apartment and school, appreciate the meaning of "going down the mountain", driving in Honduras, and the many other beautiful things here. I have posted some pictures of our trip to Copan where we visited Mayan Ruins, Macaw Mountain, and a coffee plantation. Our B&B that we stayed in was probably the best part of the trip. It exceeded our expectations!

After our visitors left, the school had their anual teacher retreat at Bagope. This is a retreat center located near a large lake about 3 hours from where we live. The place itself is not great at all, but the fellowship is always fun. This year, the weather permitted us to visit a waterfall near Bagope. Not only did we take plenty of pictures, but we went on a HUGE adventure!! (Probably one of the most daring things I have ever done, but I didn't know it was that daring until I was doing it!!) A group of us teachers went with a guide BEHIND the waterfall. It sounds easy, right? Well, maybe you can tell from the pictures that the waterfall was quite large and had a good bit of force behind it. We didn't just walk up behind the waterfall. We swam into, then behind the waterfall, basically. There were random placed rocks, which made for an eventful maze to get around. Our group held hands the entire way (led by the guide) because we couldn't see ANYTHING, and at times, I couldn't breathe because of the water hitting my face. At one point Aaron thought I was going to let go of both hands because of the look of panic on my face. I didn't realize how hard it would be!! Needless to say, we made it! The adrenaline rush was crazy! I don't think I will ever do it again, but I have that as a memory that I will never forget!! I felt much closer to the teachers in our group because we were all helping each other so much. It was a fantastic memory, now that it is over!

Our friend, and former youth group member, Jake Garner is here right now on his spring break. It has been a great time!

Routine

(Here are a few pictures from our trip to Virginia for Andrew and Julie's wedding and our trip to Washington D.C. for New Year's Eve)

Yes, we have settled back into our routine here in Honduras. Now it feels like forever ago that we were in the States!

A new semester always brings new challenges in a classroom. Aaron has been so diligent to get his grading done the day it was turned in, instead of waiting until Saturday to do it all. I have continued my routine from last semester of going in to my classroom on Saturday afternoons to set up everything for Monday. I know this may sound strange because that should be the last place I am spending my time on the weekends, but the truth is that I enjoy feeling "caught up" and ready to go Monday morning. I cannot tell you how much more relaxing Mondays are for me this year since I started doing that. I also have time to organize things that I never thought needed organizing!! It is amazing what an hour or two can do for you in the classroom!

Aaron and I are both having a few more behavior problems in our classes this semester. His are from the students not liking his reorganization skills because they enjoyed being lazy! Mine are because my students are not allowed to speak Spanish in the classroom anymore. They have 4 times that they can speak Spanish: Snack, Lunch, Spanish Bible, and P.E. During the other times of the day, it is a constant process of encouragement and reminding them to speak in English. I have an individual incentive set up for each day, as well as a group incentive that they will get a party once they meet the goal. It is taking every bit of energy out of me to help them in this, but I think they will benefit in the end. If they stay in this school, they will eventually learn English one way or the other. However, I don't want them to leave my class feeling uncomfortable about speaking or hearing English. I feel as though I will have let them down. So, I am doing everything I can do to help the process along.

The only other piece of news for now is the my parents are coming to Honduras a week from Monday. They will arrive February 9th and return on February 14th. We are so looking forward to their trip. Please pray for safety in travel for them!

Happy New Year, Everyone

We are back in Honduras, and are trying to get back to normal. When we came back we had our usual unpacking to do and we had to take down all of our Christmas decorations. Now that we have officially cleaned off the window display, Polo is our friend again. I honestly think he was in a bad mood the whole time it was up there. It is nice to have things organized again, even though the process was not fun for neither Aaron nor me.

Right now, we are helping my parents plan their trip down here for February. We are excited about the chance we will have to show them around our home. I believe this will be their first time to travel to a 3rd world country. Many people have thought before that we live in huts with dirt floors and grass roofs. If you could only see the things that we actually have here in Honduras!! (And the silly things that we take for granted that we cannot get here)

There is no real news from us right now, other than our safe arrival back home. I just wanted to let you all know that! Also, I am hoping that I can be better this year about posting (even if it is only a paragraph).