For I know the thoughts that I think toward you...Jer. 29:11

Last week was really a busy one. We had two kindergarten graduations and one 6th grade graduation. They are very big and important events here. The kindergarten class had 40 students so they were split between two teachers at the beginning of the year. Therefore, two separate ceremonies. All the girls wear the same style and color of dress while the boys wear black suits with ties that match the girls' dresses. This year the color was aqua. Very nice looking. A meal is prepared for the students, teachers, and the student's family. The 6th grade graduation reminded me of our senior high graduations. They wore black caps and gowns. A meal was prepared for this graduation, too.

I was asked to "preach" for the kindergarten classes. So I took the scripture that is written on their certificates. It was Jer. 29:11. What a message the Lord gave me. Of course, Becky translated. One of the ladies from the district office told me it was very, very good. And when she addressed the parents, she reiterated what I had said. So I praise God for His timely message to the parents. The director of the kindergarten class gave the message for the 6th grade.

All the decorating was done by the teachers. What creativity. We blew up a lot of balloons with a couple of plastic "hand pumps" and tied all the knots. Our thumbs were really getting sore by time we finished. Basically, everything was hand made. We made a big arch with white and aqua balloons for the kindergartners to walk under as their names were called. One of their parents walked with them to their seat. A walkway was made with pine needles for the 6th graders to walk on on their way to their seats and the walkway had black balloons on either side. Their colors were black and gold. Decorations were also made for each table, and the family could take those home. A photographer was present at all the graduations taking pictures that could be purchased by the families.

Last week the teachers had to turn in grades at the district office. What a chore. All is done by hand in black ink. There cannot be one mistake, smudge, erasure mark, or the use of corrective white out. If so, the whole paper has to be redone. Wow! I'd still be doing it. I always make a mistake somewhere.

This week we have been busy cleaning, sorting, and counting all the supplies. Tomorrow we are going to paint the school inside and out. This was a project of the 6th grade class, and they made enough money to purchase the paint. So tomorrow it's roll up the sleeves and give the school a fresh look that it really needs.

Friday is the Christmas dinner for the teachers at a restaurant in Tegucigalpa. Our cooks and custodians are also included. We drew names last week, so everybody is excited and trying to figure out who got their name. Christmas in November! But we aren't in school in December.

Next week is the teacher conference at Lake Yojoa. Becky says it's a lot of fun and very good. I hope so. Then we come back and have Thanksgiving dinner with the other missionaries and English teachers in Tegucigalpa. Now I'm celebrating Thanksgiving after Christmas!!! This is the second year that I have not prepared Thanksgiving dinner for my family. What a change.

And a few days after that, I fly home for a few weeks. I'm ready to see my family and to have a change of pace. However, my Spanish teacher is requiring me to write her in Spanish via email. I can do that.

So my first year teaching English in Honduras is almost over. It has been a great year. Next year will be better, since the kids and I are more acquainted with each other, and we know what to expect from one another. They know more English, and I know more Spanish. There are some parents, besides the teachers, that are wanting classes, so will see how the Lord works it all out.

God truly is a good God. I am so thankful that I know him, and that He has good thoughts towards me. I can rest in that knowledge.