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!