Futbol and Teaching

So here is my first attempt at a vlog (video blog). If it works, I may keep it up! :)

Help me pray for PEACE

This summer the president of Honduras, Mr. Zelaya, was ousted for trying to change the constitution. Some say this was a military coup, others say that removing him from office was simply following the proper motions of the constitution. Nevertheless, it has caused political unrest as both sides of this political situation are heated about the matter.

Well, Zelaya somehow got back into the country on Monday and is seeking sanctuary at the Brazilian embassy. A curfew was imposed on the country so people would not leave their homes to flood the capital with political riots. School has been cancelled for the past two days and nobody knows when things will go back to normal. A compromise must be found between Zelaya and the interim government.

Please join me in praying for PEACE in Honduras and that a peaceful solution can be found.

A perfect vacation....well, almost.

This week my fellow volunteers and I had a week off from school for the celebration of Honduran Independencia. Instead of having to be in a march with the school, we got the week off and four of us were off to the beach! We looked to the guidebook for guidance, which lead us to Trujillo for the prettiest beaches! We set off early on a long and windy bus ride through the mountains. Once there we heard the best place in town was Casa Kiwi (http://www.casakiwi.com/), a quiet place outside of town run by two sweet women from New Zealand.

We couldn't believe our eyes...this place was PERFECT! I'm talking about beautiful white beaches, thatched huts, hammocks, a room for 100 Limpira ($5) a night, and the best food and hospitality one could as for. We basically had the place to ourselves except for one sweet couple with the best British accents I've ever heard. The whole week was amazing...and the sunsets were breathtaking.

Every day I'd get up early, get a hot cup of Honduran coffee, have some quiet time in a hammock while looking over the beach, eat a hearty breakfast (like banana pancakes), and then spend the rest of the day on the beach reading or in the glassy water. We even snorkled out to a shipwreck off the shore...which was phenomenal until I got stung by a jellyfish!!

We went into town one day to see the sights, and were approached by two men with a gun. They took our bookbags (mine had my purse, new digital camera, and other little things like my headlamp!) Luckily our stuff was all they wanted...and they just left with our stuff. This experience was one of the scariest moments of my life, but I know that I'm blessed to be alive...things are replaceable, but people are not. I was upset about my things (mostly my camera) but the next morning during my quiet time, God showed me a few things that I needed to see: (all from Matthew 5 and 6)

1. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

2. Give to the one who asks you and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

3. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

4. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

5. Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

*I'm thankful for good friends to laugh with through the good times and bad. I'm thankful for a loving family. I'm thankful that God has called me to this country. I'm thankful that every day Christ makes all things new. I'm thankful for every breath and so much more.

Oh, Honduras!

So....yeah I live in Juticalpa, Honduras. I've been here for over two weeks (sorry it took so long for a blog) and I've been pretty busy! So much has happened, but here are some of the important things so far:

1. Honduras is beautiful and amazing..I love it here! I wish I knew more Spanish...but I think that will come with time.

2. The food is amazing...so far my favs are gringas and boleadas (good thing I like beans)!

3. There is something so beautiful in living simply!

4. I don't think my roommate, Sarah, and I could be any more compatible than we are...and we love our house...(even though we usually only have running water 1 day a week....thank you, Lord for our pila of water...and for Carlos!)

5. My principal gave me a hug when I met her (I bet that doesn't happen much)...and all the other volunteers are wonderful!

6. My first graders are ADORABLE....and FULL of energy.

7. Teaching is tough...challenging, but rewarding!

8. I'm so blessed that God called me here and I can't wait to see what He's going to do.

9. This experience will change me forever!

10. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL! Es verdad!

The journey ahead

I finally bought my plane ticket to Honduras! On August 20th I will be stepping on a plane that will lead me into the next chapter of my life! I have graduated college with a degree in Elementary Education and am not wasting my time as I will be a 1st grade teacher In Juticapla, Honduras for the next year! I could not be more excited as my departure approaches.  I have much to do before that day and have decided to spend as much time as I can with family and friends.  I have made the first big step towards the journey ahead of me...and I'm ready for this beautiful journey. 

Here's a taste of what I have to do in the next month:

1. Go through and organize the belongings I've gathered the last twenty-two years of my life to pick out what I need in a developing country for a year.

2. Choose the essential items I will need for my very first classroom.

3. Brush up on my Spanish.

4.  Enjoy American cuisine as much as possible.

5. Spend every precious moment I can with the ones I love. :)

First Blog EVER

So this is my first blog...ever. I know blogging has been going on for some time now and I used to think it was kinda silly to post one's personal thoughts and feelings online for the world to see. However, now I have a new purpose for this type of technology. I have recently decided to volunteer in Honduras next year teaching math, science, and English at a bilingual school. This is a huge step of faith for me but I feel that God has called me and I'm ready to serve! I wanted to use this blog as a way for me to keep my friends and family updated as to what's going on before, during, and after my travels. The past year or so of my life has been crazy, but amazing. One saying I have found myself using quite often is "Take it one day at a time." This has become my motto for life in general. Quite often we want to know what God has planned for us and where He's going to lead us...but I think the best thing we can do is take it one day at a time and see what that day brings. I'm graduating in a few short weeks and then a new chapter of my life will begin. I'm excited about this amazing opportunity I have to serve, teach, love, and grow, and look forward to keeping anyone who's interested updated with the exciting (or so I think) things that will be going on in my life. Thanks for reading my first blog...this is pretty fun!