More Understanding = More Enjoyment

The first week back to school went well! The first day, as all of you know, is a mix of emotions of being excited to be back and being bored because we mostly talk about rules and procedures. I was really excited to see my students, and they were only a little bit excited to see me (oh the life of a middle school teacher).

I have my room looking pretty good, better than it did last year. I had these posters printed so that the students could read something inspirational while also providing some color for the room.

The first week went by fast! I was happy to be back, and I'm looking forward to getting into the meat of the class this week. Yesterday I just had another realization about what I'm supposed to teach, so the year just keeps getting easier because I know what I'm doing!

Yesterday Nikki and I got some shopping done and then ended up at a coffee shop doing some work for school. We both got some hot chocolate (which was really good!) and worked while the rain moved in and ended up soaking us on the walk home! It was a great afternoon. 

In my English classes we're reading (click on any of the pictures for more information):

6th Grade is enjoying this novel.

7th Grade will be on this adventure (as will I because I've never read it!)

8th Grade will listen to this book as I read it aloud

I'm really excited about these books! I've only read The Giver before. The other two will be new to me and I'm ready to start them this week. Let me know what you think about these books and if you have any suggestions of activities/lessons I can do with them! 

Until the next post...

The Beginning of the Second Year

It's time to start blogging again since I am back in Guatemala! Just saying that made me think that I should have posted this summer, too, but I'll catch you up here.

School finished at the end of May, and so on June 4 I traveled back to Oklahoma where I spent two weeks, actually preparing to come back to Guatemala for 10 days. Those two weeks passed by very quickly!

While in Guatemala with my church in Enid, we did our usual vbs, construction on a pastor's home, door-to-door evangelism, and we also added a sports camp. It was a great trip! The Lord revealed himself to a woman who I have been praying for about 4 years now. She and her daughter came to know the Lord! It was such a great time of joy to know that the Lord worked!

A couple of my students from Xela helped us during the trip. Originally they came to be translators, but they became so much more to the whole team. They were a part of the team and we valued them very much. Andres and Maria lived out their faith in a way that they never had before, and as their teacher, it was such a blessing to see! Loved it.

 (Left to Right) Andres, Brendon, Aaron, me. Loved spending time with these guys during the trip.

 Andres and Maria with some from the Kentucky team

 Andres translating a sermon for Jimmy at the church in Totonicapan!

 Andres and Maria with my sister Whitney! 

 Andres and Aaron sporting their jerseys. 

 Aaron, Brendon, and Andres in the market, apparently wearing trash bags as ponchos. 

 Some of the sports team! 

 Some of us went to La Vienesa to drink some hot drinks in the cold Toto weather!

Andres serving the kids at a school in Toto.

When I returned to Oklahoma in late June, I rested. I didn't do anything for the first two weeks, except for frequently visiting the home of Jared and Bekah McClellan. 

I taught swimming lessons during the last two weeks of July, and July 31 I came back to Guatemala to start the school year. 

I have been at the school every day since Tuesday now, getting my classroom ready and organizing and planning lessons so that we can start the year on Tuesday. It's been much much more relaxed than last year! I remember being so stressed out and overwhelmed by everything I had to do last year, and I pretty much have the same to do this year, but with a year of experience! It helps everything! And I'm just now figuring out what all I'm supposed to teach! So it should be a good year! 

 From a hike we went on a week ago. This is right outside of Xela.

 Xela down below from the side of "The Molar" mountain.

 Nikki taking in the sites.

 Random couple we found on the way.

My classroom in the works!

Classes start on Tuesday! I appreciate your prayers for me to focus on what my task is, sharing the Gospel, and for the students of Inter-American School to have soft hearts that are ready to hear! 

Devin