Rom.10:15 how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace...

Wow! It has been a while since I've posted. We have had two teams since my last post.. One from CA and the other from RI. The one from CA ministered at my school. What a blessing they were. They also preached at the church next to the school, and the Holy Spirit moved mightily. What a blessing.  Several were baptized in the Holy Spirit. The team from RI went to our school in Choluteca. The team did a VBS for the students. It was great! The weather was extremely hot just like San Pedro Sula, and everybody sweat buckets. The last couple of days that we were there, it rained in the afternoons. Those kids were so happy to see rain that they were out in it playing. Forget the shoes and uniforms, it was raining! One of the teachers said it had been a long while since it had rained there, and those kids were rejoicing!  Choluteca is kind of like the southwestern U.S. Hot and dry.

God's people are such a blessing to those that come to minister. They try to take care of any needs that we have or that they think we have. And all the team  loved the typical food that was served to them.  Good stuff!

So this last week, I returned to my normal schedule except it wasn't normal nor will it be for several weeks. We have entered the time for different holidays: The Day of the Child, Teacher's Day, and Independence Day. So three out of five mornings are spent practicing the drum band, and all the students marching in  the Independence Day parade in Valle the 15th of September. And I just found out that nine week exams are to be given for my students on Monday! There is no such thing as a school calendar. Sometimes you're just flying by the seat of your britches as my Dad use to say. I don't feel like my students  have received much these last few weeks. However, Eva helped me out this last time when I had to be gone for which I thank God and her, of course.

And one of the greatest blessings for us is when members of a team decide to sponsor a child or children as the case may be. When you see the children crying because a team is leaving, you cry, too. Relationships are formed regardless of the short time that is spent together. And when you see a boy cry, that really touches your heart. 

So I praise God for all that He does not only when teams come, but the things you know He is doing in hearts even when you cannot see it. Just as a seed starts growing beneath the soil before you ever see anything, so also the Word of God. To Him be the glory forever.

I taught my three high school grades to sing Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord last week. They have a Spanish version, so the tune wasn't hard for them. They will sing it at the all school devotional in a week or so. Their faces showed their pleasure in singing one of their songs in English. 

Four hours were spent this week with Elida. Me helping her with her English, and she helping me with my Spanish. I've decided it's a lifetime adventure! However, I'm better than I use to be. When I write, it's Spanish and English intermingled! And sometimes when I'm giving the students new vocabulary, I'm writing in Spanish instead of English. We just laugh! I'm sure they must be thinking "crazy gringa" sometimes. And that's not used in a derogatory way. And I heard this week that another lady wants me to teach her English. Will wait and see how the Lord moves.

Please pray that our kids will be taught the practical side of God's word. They can memorize and repeat scripture like you wouldn't believe, but knowing how to apply it sometimes is another story. Thanks for all your support in this.

Eccl. 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever... r

So many days have passed since my last post.  And many things have taken place since, of which I cannot remember all.  But two more teams have come and gone since then.  My students did their homework while I was in San Pedro Sula, and that made me happy.  Them, too!!   So I need to work backwards here.

This last week the colegio had a four day seminar here in Valle that was sponsored by a young lady from California. The first two days were about moral values: honesty, self-discipline, good citizenship, etc., and then sexually transmitted diseases.  All were excellent, and these students needed to hear it all.  I asked a couple of my students, who I knew would tell me the truth,  if they learned anything and if they liked the seminar, and both responded with a strong  "yes". I wish the same could be done and said for adults, especially parents.  You can't teach what you don't know, and many of our parents have not been taught and therefore they can't pass the knowledge on to their children.  Things that we take for granted have not been taught here for the most part.  Things like waiting your turn, throw trash in the trash can, cross streets at that corner if there is one,  get out of the way of oncoming cars, etc.  The last two days were for crafts.

The team that came to San Pedro Sula was from San Antonio, Texas.  About half of them were Spanish speakers.  What a team!  The helped build a classroom and also ministered to the kids when they weren't building.  They also ministered in the church services.  One young man witnessed to one young national in particular.  He stayed behind one afternoon to help build when the rest of us went to the banana plantation.  Well, the last night they were here, which was also a Sunday night, the young national brought his sons and his nephew to church.  Of course, he and the Lord had a talk, and now they have a walk!  That's what it's all about in the end.  Jesus cares!

It's interesting to watch teams when they come!  You can tell the ones that could not live on the mission field.  Then there are those whose hearts have been touched and want to return.  The ones who only want American restaurants and food, and the opposites who want typical food.  Those that are afraid of everything even when we tell them they don't need to fear, and those who aren't fearful.  Those who realize that the missionary is the head honcho, and those who don't.  What a difference in their attitudes! Those who came to minister and serve, and those who came to increase their number of mission trips, etc.  It's interesting to me who was never on a mission trip before the Lord called me here.   Am I judging their hearts?  Nope.  It's just things I've observed.  But I am amazed at times.  But all in God's plan and time.  

A funny thing happened with one of the ladies that came for the Missionettes.  She was Skyping with her husband when she came running into my house yelling that a man was coming in through the gates. She was so scared!  I tried to quiet her because it was Wil, the man that takes care of my place.  We all started laughing because it was funny, not that she thought so!  Finally, when she was calm, she realized who he was. Evidently she wasn't here when the others either met Wil or was told who he was.  She called her husband back to explain what had happened, and he had almost called another husband of one of the other ladies that was here.  Can you imagine the chaos that would have caused???  She did give me permission to tell the story.  But it was so funny.  Wil is not a big person at all, nor scary looking.  Are you kidding?  There were 13 women in this house!  But her fear was partly because she didn't realize that he used his keys to get in the gate, and she didn't know if he had a gun.  What a time we had with that incident.  When I told Wil about it, he laughed, but then said how dangerous it can be in Tegucigalpa, but not here.  So he understood her fear.  He's such a blessing.

I am so thankful for the life that God has given me here.  Yes, I miss my kids and theirs, a lot.  My home church and my friends.  But when you are where God wants you to be, there is nothing like it, even in the loneliness that comes from being away from those that mean the most to you.  But the One is never away.  He fills that place with himself and with others that he puts in your path.  So for the last two months, He has put Gabrielle here.  What a girl!  I will miss her when she leaves this coming Tuesday.  I thank Him that He found me worthy enough for her to live with for two months.  She did learn that she could cook chicken by boiling it, and that macaroni and cheese could be made on top of the stove instead of the oven!  What fun!

So what has God been doing! Everything!  He is always  doing something even when we can't see it. You can't plant a seed today and reap a crop tomorrow.  He is so awesome and has such a sense of humor.  I praise Him for loving me and taking care of me. He knows exactly what is needed and when, and He is never late.  I praise Him for lifting my sad heart.  In the last couple of weeks, two friends have died, and another is on her deathbed.  I know all are appointed unto death once and then the judgement, but I will miss not seeing them again or hearing about them.  I pray the Lord comfort their loved ones, and I know He will.

There's nothing like getting a message from a program that has worked for four years saying that it is no longer supported by the previous program. Whatever!! Amazing how we trust something that is so unstable. The internet, cell phones, etc. Oh well, that's life in the 20's.

And it's amazing how time seems to fly! It seems I just posted and here it's been almost a month. And about that long ago, Becky, Gabrielle, and I was in a bank in Tegucigalpa getting a check cashed when this lady walked by and started speaking in Spanish. I had no clue to what she said. Several minutes later, she was in my face telling me how bad my country was, that I should leave Honduras, and that they were poor and broke. And then she proceeded to tell me that we were the biggest killers in the world. I just sat and listened and never said a word. What an experience! After she left, a lot of thoughts went through my mind. It's interesting how much she hates Americans, but spoke perfect English! I just hope she got everything off her chest. I sent a prayer up for her. Poor thing!

This Friday we leave for San Pedro Sula to be with a team that is coming. Again no English for my students, however, I'm leaving plenty of work for them to do. Will wait and see if it gets done.

1Cor. 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit...

In the last five weeks we have had two groups come in from the U.S. What a busy time it has been for Becky and me, and what an exciting group that came from Louisiana State University.  There were three girls and two guys. They came to minister to the kids at my school, and they also went the youth group from Becky's church to several places in Tegucigalpa. They helped minister in a nursing home, a hospital, a girl's detention center, and a center for boys. They were here from the 17th to the 30th. What a terrific group!  Their being here was like a shot in the arm for Becky and me. Sometimes you need a lift and don't even know it! But our Father sure knows, and supplies the need. I was telling them one day what a blessing they were for us. Alex said that when she was praying about being here that the Lord told her to be a refreshing for Becky and me. Wow! They were a great group.  Absolutely no complaining or grumbling about anything. Their personalities were so different but yet, they flowed together. One of the young ladies is from Tegucigalpa, but she didn't know the Lord when she went to the states to go to the university. Through Chi Alpha, on the campus university, she heard and accepted Jesus as her Savior.  What a testimony she has. The other kids also testified how they came to meet and accept Jesus.  Every Christian has a testimony about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  What a miracle salvation is.  To believe something totally different than what you have or have not been taught is truly a work of the Lord through his Holy Spirit.

Now we have a group of ten from North Dakota.  What a group!  Some are Methodist, Lutheran, former Catholics becoming Methodists, and one that was raised in the Assemblies.  It's a blessing to watch the Holy Spirit at work.  From these denominations comes a group ready to serve and share the gospel.  They have been painting the outside of the buildings where I teach.  And some of the young people at Becky's church has come to help them.  What a blessing for us at the school.  A couple of the guys are building cabinets for the kitchen in the elementary school.  The cook is so happy!  They have also done ministry for the kids.  In the afternoons they go to Tegucigalpa to minister in some of the places where the first group has gone.  They were telling me how happy the old folks in the nursing home was to have lotion put on their hands.  Some would push up their sleeves to have the lotion rubbed on their arms, and some asked to have it put on their knees.  Such a small act, but such a blessing for the receivers and the givers.  The group also had small stuffed animals to give the people, and  they received them with such joy, even some of the men.  God knows how to lift our spirits.  A touch, a small gift, it all comes from Him.  

So today the group is going to Teen Challenge outside Tegucigalpa.  I stayed home to sweep and mop, and to have lunch with another family here in Valle.  Another one of the girls from LSU has an uncle and aunt that live here in Valle.  She called last night to invite me to lunch and to meet her family.  Another door the Lord has opened for me to get acquainted with more people from here.  I don't know all the Lord has for me, but I do know that this is part of His plan.  Where and what exactly He is planning, I haven't a clue.  I just know it's good.

So yesterday, I had my ninth grade girls reading Little Bear in English.  They did really good, and understood most before I read it in Spanish.  And I have started teaching the 7th, 8th, and 9th graders  nursery rhymes.  It not only helps with more vocabulary, but also present and past tenses.  And the kids have done well speaking English with the Americans that have come, especially some of the girls. I'm so proud of them!

My Spanish?  Well, yesterday I started to tell one of our ladies from the states that it was time to go, and I said "Ustedes" instead of "You all" and stopped, realizing what I had said.  The teachers that heard me started clapping!  So one of these days I'm going to speak good Spanish automatically, in Jesus' name, of course!  But I do understand a lot more when I hear people talking than I use to, so I'm making progress.  And I've learned to add the last vowel to the next word that begins with a vowel when singing at church.  In other words, you make one word out of two words.  And I need to do that when I'm reading!  Poco a poco says Wil.  Little by little.

The residency is being worked on, so will see if I have to leave in July.  Unless things have changed, I should be able to buy a month and leave in August.  We will have 2 teams in July, so that would not be a good time for me to leave.  But all is in God's hands.

What a week I had in the states! I never realized that I had so much stuff stored at my daughter's house. I invited my kids and grand-kids to come and go through the stuff and take what they wanted.  So I had to unpack everything and then repack it all when they were done.  So I didn't get to visit much.  I did get to go shopping with my grand-daughter and her two little ones.  That was wonderful! I told my kids that this was a pre death sale, although I wasn't selling stuff. A couple of them said something like that being kind of morbid. Well, I think that depends on your outlook of dying and death. My Grandma died when I was seventeen, and she had things that were to be given to people when she died.  They never got them! I learned then that not all your wishes are respected or granted when you are no longer here.  So I was happy to give certain things to certain people.  What they do with them now is not a concern for me.  It had been on my heart for a long time to take care of this.  So I did, and now I just feel free.  God knows what we need to do and when and leads us in all things.  When I didn't know what to do with the things that were left, He laid it on my heart to ask my oldest if his church had yard sales.  Sure enough.  They had just finished one, but my son said he would keep the rest of the stuff at his house, go through it all again, and then put it in the next sale.  That was great news.  His church encouraged me when I was preparing to come to HN.  In fact, when I attended  their women's group, Pastor Annette always had a word for me, and it was right on target.  When we rest in the Lord like he said to do, all becomes so much more peaceful and easier.  I am so thankful for my relationship with him.  It has taken me a long time to get where I am, but I'm so thankful that He truly loves me and has my best interest at heart.  He has forgiven me of ALL my sins, and they have been many.  I'm so thankful for his love and patience and his continual work on me. 

My son-in-law asked when I was coming back to the states for good.  I told him  when the Lord tells me to do so.  He said something about choice and will.  Yep, we have both.  I told him that my choice and will is to do what Gods wants.  My youngest son told my youngest daughter at Christmas that I would probably die in HN.  She about came unglued!!!  But God will take care of all that.  It isn't something that I usually think about, but I'll know what to do when the time comes.  In fact it's kind of like when I was praying and asking God what to  do with the rest of my life before I knew I was coming to HN. Just like now, I couldn't see anything down the road, not even a coffin. So I am where I'm suppose to be, doing what I'm suppose to do, and when it comes time for other things, God will let me know.

My youngest son made a remark that I had heard and believed when I was a little girl.  It was  sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.  What a lie!  The Bible is full of instructions about the tongue and the damage or blessing that it can cause.  Proverbs 18:21,  tells that death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.  In verse 8, it says that the words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.  Words do hurt, and they separate friends, family members, etc.  Sometimes, it's better to say nothing. My Grandma use to say that if you can't say anything good about someone, then don't say anything at all.  Good advice for us all.  I know we all need a confidant, someone to whom we can tell our hurts and sorrows, but it is someone that won't repeat to others our innermost thoughts and feelings. Proverbs is loaded with advice concerning our tongues, not to mention James in chapter 3.

So now I'm back in the swing of things. A week ago this Monday, I fell flat on the right side of my face on the street corner up from my house.  I bled like a stuck pig!  I had 2 little cuts under my eye.  Of course, I rushed back to the house because of the blood running down my neck.  Well, the next thing I noticed was Will with his nose smashed up against my window looking inside.  He has never done that before, and I was wondering what in the world  was he doing.  Then it dawned on me that he was looking for me.  I went outside and sure enough he was wanting to see how hurt I was. Either his son or another boy had seen me fall and went and told him.  He asked me if I wanted to go to the doctor, and I said no.  So he in his wisdom went and got some herbs, made a solution and told me to use it with cotton to wash my cuts, because this would prevent infection.  And then I was to use aloe vera for the cuts and bruises. And then I think I got a scolding because the only thing that I really understood was that he was here to serve me, but it was his tone! So God forbid that this happens again, but if something does, I will be sure to get Will! Pronto!!! So the cuts have healed and the bruises are almost gone. I praise God that I didn't break anything other than my glasses, and they were replaced last Saturday.  It's interesting because I knew that people who didn't know me would think that my husband gave me the black eye.  Sure enough, some of the kids at school asked the other teachers if my husband had hit me, and they explained what happened, and that I didn't have a husband.  It's quite common here, just like everywhere else. So sad.

So what other exciting things are happening?  The kids are learning English, and my Spanish is being used more.  A team of college kids will be here next week ministering to the kids here and in a couple of our other schools. That will be good. Ah, yes, I'm going this Monday to Tegucigalpa to get my driver's license. And hopefully I can also get my physical for the application for residency. That will be the last thing I need to complete the application.  Woohoo!!!!!

Before I went to the states in April, I had asked my youngest if he could get a KBI check for me through the internet. A friend had told me about this.  Well, he did and then told me that it would take 7-10 days which would be about the same time that I had to return to HN. I asked the Lord to put a rush on it if possible and if it was his will so that I could bring it back with me.  AND the report had to be translated into Spanish in the states! Lo and behold, I got it!! Praise God! Doug received it a few days before my departure and one of the secretaries in his office translated it for me. Muchas gracias Lariza!!!

God truly is good all the time.  What a wonderful God we serve. Truly his will will be done.

Ps. 30:5...in his favor is life...

This week is Semanta Santa-Holy Week, so no school. Yeah! However, I have tests to write :(

I return to the states this month in order to renew my visa here. I am applying for residency when I return to HN. There is not a lot to do, thanks to my age! I have to give 2 passport size pictures, copy of passport, police report from the US, letter from LACC, and have a physical that I can get here. The police report has to be translated into Spanish. They already have my birth certificate. So I am excited. I won't have to leave every three months or at all if I don't want to. I don't have to renew it, and I will be able to earn money if I want. I don't see that happening, but who knows? This will make everything so much easier for me. I can take the same weeks the students have off from school to go to the states. Therefore they won't miss English classes. They miss enough when teams come, and I go to help Becky. That's not a complaint. It's just the way things are, and I enjoy doing it and meeting other people from the states. Plus, having my residency will save me a lot of money. I can do other things with the money besides buy airline tickets.

It appears that Silvia cannot help me with Spanish or me with her for English. She is working in Tegucigalpa which means very long days. But Wil asked me about teaching a neighbor down the street, and she in turn will help me with Spanish. So will see how that turns out. In my spirit I feel one of my goals this year is to become acquainted with more people here in Valle. Perhaps teaching the neighbor is one open door. My friend in town told me this morning that I was a good Catracha-Honduran! I praise the Lord for giving me favor with the people here in Valle. It's interesting that people here know who I am, but I have no clue when I hear, Hola, Beberly! (they pronounce the v like the b) who is greeting me! But I respond with Hola! Valle de Angeles is a good place to live in Honduras, unless you have to have the conveniences of the big city, which of course, I don't.

When I left in December 2010, there was an empty lot across the street. Well, now there is a small pulperia with another building that has 4 rooms with baths for rent. And the fellow that owns it has asked me to teach him English! I already have one young lady on Saturdays. I will have to see how the Lord moves.

God protects us from so many things, and a lot of those we aren't even aware of. But I have to give him praise and glory for protecting from a goose attack. Geese can be as good a watch dog as a dog. We have two that have lived here longer than I have. There is one male and one female. Before I left last year, they were pretty friendly. I don't remember them being out of their pen much. I always took peelings, etc. to them. They love banana peelings! Well, one day after I returned here, I was walking to the pen to give them some food, and here came the male with his head down, hissing, his wings spread out, and he was moving fast right towards me. I was flogged once when I was little by a hen. And I remember how it hurt. A goose has to be twice as bad. All kinds of thoughts were going through my mind. I knew I couldn't out run him, and besides that, I didn't want to turn my back on him. And all of a sudden from deep, down inside me came this loud, HEY, NO. That goose stopped right in his tracks. He started peeping and muttering to himself and turned and walked away. I praised the Lord right then and there, and still am. I shudder to think of what that goose could have done! When I told Wil about it, he told me to carry a broom with me. This goose had once bitten Doris on the back of the leg. Boy, when God protects me from a goose, I truly don't have to walk or live in fear. Bless his name. He takes care of his kids! And there's proof that he is always with us!

Well, I have returned to the church that I attended before. I feel that is what the Lord would have me do. And when I went two weeks ago, the missionary was preaching about God's word being true, and when God's prophet says something, it will happen. Wow! I felt the anointing, and when she started praying for people, over they went. Wow! I had not seen that in the two years that I went there. Something has happened in that place. Praise God!

I praise the Lord that he always hears me. And when I am troubled by different things, he always answers, and those answers bring me peace. And it amazes me how and who he uses to make me see clearly what was so troubling before I brought it all to him. Truly there is no God like ours.

Ps.34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good...

And now school is in full force! I have 74 students in all, not counting one adult that comes to my house on Saturdays. Spanish is so much more ........than English. It's a repetitive language. Many times you repeat yourself, like "a mi me gusta" which literally translated means "to me it is pleasing to me", but actually means "I like." One of my student's father said he likes English much better because it is brief. You don't repeat yourself. Oh well, such are languages. Good news! My former tutor is coming to my house to help me continue with my learning. AND she wants to learn English! Woohoo! And since she will be learning from me, I don't have to pay this time. Thank you Lord!

The weather here is so unseasonal. It has been raining a lot , and cool enough that even I wear a light jacket to school. It has started to get hot about 2:00 in the afternoons, but yesterday and today the sun is actually shining at early morning. I am so thankful for that.

Today I didn't have to go to school. One of the teachers has to pick up workbooks for the 7th-9th grades to use to learn English. Therefore there are no classes for them today. No such thing as substitutes. I have really prayed for the Lord to help me change my attitude towards using this program. Many schools here use such programs, but the teachers nor the students can converse or understand English when it is spoken to them by a native English speaker. So we will see how it goes. The program means less work for me, but...I just turn on the CD and let it do the speaking. The kids repeat, and fill in the blanks in their books. These books would be ok if the kids already had 5-6years of English. I have one student who told me that she has had 5 years of English. Really? Bless her heart. However, she can't speak it or understand it! But praise God, Eva is teaching the 2nd-4th grades and that is a big blessing. And I will continue to have the students practice speaking and listening everyday with their partners. Last night on the way home from church, a mother and her two children were riding in the car with us. The little boy was counting in English, and then he started to sing Old McDonald Had a Farm. I recognized the tune more than his English. I have no idea which school he goes to, and he probably wasn't older than 2nd or 3rd grade. But he's learning.

The first two years that I was here, all I did basically was teach and study. This year I believe the Lord has a different course for me to follow of which I am so thankful. It's to meet more people here and to know more about Valle and Honduras in general. I am attending a very small church on Sunday evenings. I go with one of the teachers from the school. That was a prayer answered, because I was so tired of doing everything by myself. And I prayed about it. Lo and behold, here came Doris and invited me to her church. They pick me up and bring me home. It has brought us closer together, and I praise the Lord for that because she was one who use to just drive me crazy. I couldn't understand her when she spoke, and I never knew when she was teasing because of the tone of her voice. Now I know. God takes care of his children in everything if we just tell him our hearts. And, boy, do I!

So today, I have to buy groceries for me and some school supplies for one of my sponsored students. I asked Doris to find out if she needed anything, but at the same time, I didn't want to take responsibility away from her parents. So some school supplies it is.

What else has happened? A couple that came with the team from McPherson gave me a bilingual Bible. I am so thankful. Mine was stolen at the church in San Jose last year. The team was here from Feb. 23 to Mar.3. We went to San Pedro Sula to help build 2 rooms onto one of the schools there. It was hot!!! I love to go with the teams to help them and Becky, but when I'm gone, my classes do not receive English! The same thing happens when I go to the states every three months for my visa requirement. This really bothers me. So I am applying for residency here. Therefore I won't have to leave but can if I want. And of course I want to see my kids. But I will be able to choose the weeks when we don't have school here in order to go home. Evidently my age will have a lot to do with the requirements for residency. And from what I have heard, it's better than being younger. I will not have to renew it every year. Woohoo, and I can earn money if I want. Well, I don't think I will do that. The Lord sent me here to teach English, and freely he has given to me so freely I will give to them. (And of course, I am to be a witness of his glory and mercy, etc. That is a given). So here's hoping all goes well.

We still need teachers at the school, and the money to pay them which comes from the sponsorship program. So please pray for more sponsors for our students.

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Amen.

Phil.4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Wow! Yesterday the sun shined ALL day! What a blessing. It has been chilly and rainy ever since I returned. Ugh! And today it is shining. I am so thankful. It is really cold in IL and KS, brrrrr!

So the last couple of weeks has been spent at the school enrolling students. As of now, we have 40 in the 7th-9th grades. I will be teaching 5th and 6th grades also, but I'm not sure of the numbers. I received a blessing yesterday from two former students and one is now attending elsewhere. The English that he is receiving is malo(bad)according to him. Nothing is translated for him, and he fills in the blanks on the pages after listening to the lesson on tape. (I have been told by different people that I should only speak in English when I teach. That may be okay for little ones who still have the God given ability to speak any language when they are born, but as they get older and don't use those specifics, those not used go by the wayside. Therefore, it becomes more difficult to learn and speak correctly in another language as the child gets older. Granted, there are people that God has given linguistic ability/talent, and they pick up languages very quickly, but most of us don't have that talent. And during some of the conferences I attended on how the brain works, the brain has to have some kind of info(schema)to attach incoming information in order to use it. Therefore, I believe the kids will learn quicker if that schema is provided, hence, translations). So one of the students asked if he could come back to my class. I said absolutely. I was pleased that he remembered English so well. I learned when I was teaching children with disabilities that students can fill in blanks correctly and not have a clue to understanding what they just wrote. I want these students to be able to carry on a conversation in English, and to be able to read and write with understanding. I want the kind of quality where the students will remember how to use the language after they finish the classes. I believe God for the grace and help for both me and the students.

So what else has happened? The dryer is now fixed, thank you Lord. And we learned that there was nothing wrong with the land line. It was the phone that was bad! Calling long distance is better on my land line. It sounds like the person is standing next to me, whereas on the cell, they are in a tunnel with a lot of static and difficult to hear and understand what is being said.

We need two more teachers desperately. Our first grade class has 46 students. Way too many for one teacher, if quality is the goal. And of course, we always need sponsors for our kids. And the need is now. I have to stand on God's word that says he will meet our every need according to the riches in Christ Jesus.

Heb.11:36 For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God...

Wow, the month of January is almost over. Much has happened in the past two months. Graduation from CINCEL took place December the 9th, and I left San Jose, CR on the 10th. What joy to be going home after being there a year.

I was able to spend time in IL with my brother. We had such a good time together, basically just enjoying each others company. And of all things, we visited the cemeteries where family members were laid to rest. I was thinking we must really be getting old, because that's what "old" people did when I was a kid! But Donnie and I never grew up together in the same house, so we have a unique relationship. When I call him on the phone, we spend most of the time giggling! And over nothing, mostly. We definitely don't agree on lots of things, but we sure do love each other. The rest of the time was spent with kids, grand kids, and great-grand kids. What a family God has blessed me with. And it just keeps getting bigger!

And of course I was able to spend time with my friends and pastors Byran and Julie and their new little one. What a precious bundle he is. How I miss my church in Kingman. I always spend the last Sunday that I am home with my youngest at his church in Wichita. God blessed him as a child to play drums in church, and he is still playing. I praise God for that.

I wasn't able to be at the meeting with the ladies in Martha's Circle, but I did get to see and talk with some of them at my friend Amy's 90th birthday.

It was so different in the states after living in a foreign country for 3 years. I had to remember to throw toilet paper in the toilet instead of the waste paper can. Then I was waiting for a friend to come to a restaurant so we could have breakfast together. I arrived a little early, so I'm sitting on the benches inside the door waiting for her. After 15 minutes had passed the time we were supposed to meet, I told the waitress that I would go ahead and be seated. A minute after being seated, the waitress said my friend was sitting in the other room waiting for me. She had also arrived early and was waiting for me! So two things I learned: there is not a smoking area anymore, which is where my friend was sitting, and I need to look around before I sit down to wait for someone. But we had a good laugh, a good breakfast, and a great time visiting. And of course we talked about the Lord and what he is doing in our lives. Not always what we expect!

A couple of my children and I had a great time discussing the Lord, the end times, etc. And to watch the Lord at work is totally fantastic. A young lady asked me to explain a scripture to her while I was home, and I did to the best of my knowledge. But the amazing thing was that a friend had given her the Bible and it "fell" open to the exact spot that she needed. Some would say it was coincidence. I personally don't believe in coincidences. The Holy Spirit is always working, and especially when someone is searching for answers. I love that. God is so faithful.

Some relationships were restored, and I give thanks always to God for that because he's a restorer of broken relationships. Hallelujah!

Becky and her friend Mary, from the U.S. picked me up at the airport. They stayed here until Becky's new apartment was ready this past Tuesday. So now I have been in my house in Valle for a few days. What a great feeling, but at the same time, it is strange being totally by myself since Dec. 10! At first I didn't know what to do with myself!! But school for teachers will start this coming Wednesday, and then I will be very busy. It will be good to see some of the students I had in the 5th and 6th grades. I ran into one of my former students last week, and he hugged me for the longest time. Bless his heart, he was such a good student. He didn't cry, but his eyes were sure wet. He will be in 10th grade this year, and I don't know if we will have that grade where I teach. If not, he will attend the public school that is about a mile away. Here high school ends at the end of the 11th grade. One of my other students is working in a coffee field, so I don't know if he will return to school or keep on working. If the family needs money, most likely he will continue to work. Things are so hard here for kids, especially in the country.

And my friends here in Valle came to see me. What a great reunion. I missed them a lot when I was in CR, but we did email each other.

And my Spanish? Well, I can understand numbers better when I am buying something. And I'm trying to talk more with Wil, the fellow that takes care of the property here where I live. He always tells me, poco a poco, which basically means little by little, Beverly. So I need patience and practice.

I praise God for all he is doing in my family and my friends, and for all the prayers he hears and answers. And I thank him for this life he has given me. Blessings to all.

Ps.100:5 For the LORD is good;his mercy is everlasting...

Woohoo! Graduation Day! We made it! Hallelujah a Dios. Paul, Gabriella, and Lucy came to the ceremony for me. They are such good friends. My part in the ceremony was to read scripture in Spanish, of course. I chose Psalms 100. But what a relief that it is over! I survived! And I'm ready to leave. But not until 8 in the morning. Will get to St. Louis around 3 in the afternoon. I'm so excited about seeing my family and my friends. What a year this has been. And no, I don't want to repeat it.

Last Saturday I went on the picnic with my special group. It was a good time. I met Minor's (who is blind) daughter and family. And what a great treat for me, but not the only one, because his granddaughter is named Beverly. She is about 4 years old. I was so happy to hear that they spell and pronounce it correctly. Thanks to Beverly Hills!!! Most Latinos spell and pronounce it Beberly. Esteban, Beverly's father, and I will be emailing, because he wants to learn more English. They are such a beautiful family. Several from the group told me that I needed to stay here in CR. They said I could teach English here! Bless their hearts. I love the friends I have here, but the heart is in Honduras.

I presented my project on the church and their relationship with people with disabilities this past Monday. My teacher gave me a big hug, said I did very well, and that I made her very happy. And that made me happy!!! But the real blessings come when God ministers through you to another person. He did that this week, and I praise him for his goodness to us and his love.

I praise God for the things that I have learned and the friends that he has given me. God is truly good all the time. One chapter closed and another to begin. How exciting it is to serve God the Creator. You don't always know what he is planning for your life, but you can be sure it will turn out well. Even the bad, he has promised to use it for our good. Hallelujah!

Well, I have to wash out the microwave and a couple of other things, and I'm done.

So Lord, thank you for this year even when I told you that I didn't like it here. You gave me your grace, and I finished well. Thank you for what I have learned, and thank you for multiplying it. Thank you for the people you put in my path to be my friends and vice verse. I ask you to bless them in the coming year, to save their loved ones that don't know you, and to help them know you more intimately. I love you Father. Gracias Jesus por total. Amen.