Well...I guess New Years was over a month ago, and Christmas even longer still, so I can't begin my blog with any grand and fancy greeting line. I'm not sure about you, but I find that I am seeing a pattern developing here about the frequency of my updates...it continues to only go longer and longer between each post! I really don't know why I do it to myself because it only becomes more of a chore to go through row after row of pictures of the many random activities that go down in almost two months.
Nevertheless, 2014 is here, and we are going FULL swing here on this little island. The pre-holiday season seamed so busy and full of many different activities, that I was so ready for vacation and just a break from school and the normal grind. But then I soon didn't know what to do with myself with so much extra time, that I just wanted the new year to begin, and for life to go back to "normal". The new year is here, and things are still zooming right along with more commotion than ever! Work crews, visitors from home, rat catching and so much more. But....I will start back in December where I left off in my last post, approximately two months ago. =(
I had a little Christmas party with my class....it was a bit chaotic, but so much fun!
We made a "Christmasy" pop corn snack mix, bagged it,
and tied it with ribbon and they each gave a bag to their parents,
along with a Christmas card they made in art class.
I made them stop for a photo before they ripped their
Christmas gifts open....hence some of the annoyed faces.
Following the photo above: *Gasps* "Miss Miss!!
This is the best gift ever! I never had a ball!"
Of course we need to try them out, so we soon have balls
bouncing all over the living room. Oh, how I love them! ;)
After practicing weeks and weeks for the Christmas
program, it was finally here! They were nervous, and so were we
teachers! But they did a super job...even better than I expected!
We did a skit on "The Three Trees"...Keondre, Kelly and
Hannah did a super job with their parts.
One of the trees is made into a little manger...These
little boys loved their small part of being shepherds.
Leah, a 3rd grader, swinging before school the
day of the Christmas party...
Carrissa and Destiny
Jaden, a kindergartner, enjoying a bouncy ride on the duck...
Kerrianna, Miss Martin, Cadisssa, Rebekah
Moses spinning Kalie around...
Playing games at the Christmas party...
Our drummer man, Mr. Coutain.
Carissa and Leandra trying to walk across the
court with the balloon between their backs.
The two kindergarten girls, Kerrianna and Cadissa
trying to play the game too. They need a bit more
supervision than most! =)
Maleah violently swinging for Jamone's balloon.
Renel, one of my first graders posing with her balloon.
Making Christmas cut-out cookies for a friday night girls club.
Our little buddy Skylar that we babysit after school got in on it too,
because his mother was working late.
Chaotic mess but so much fun!
Keonna eating her handiwork and being her crazy self.
The first week of our Christmas Holiday we spent at GBI. (Grenada Bible Institute)
Two speakers from the States came and gave us a week of amazing teaching. They each
had two classes, and we did a lot of ministry in the nearby town of Willis. Pastor John and Miss
Rachel were our faithful cooks. It was all in all a very good week. Felt so good to have a break
from teaching, and actually get to sit back and be taught! =)
My two beautiful, awesome sisters...
Gineva and Rachel
We had GBI at a Bible camp about an hour away from home. It was a nice
little camp with dorms, dining hall and class rooms. I must say, showering with the
cold mountain water at 5 am was not a highlight, but it was as good reminder for
me to NEVER take for granted my water heater that at least works a little bit!
One afternoon after classes we went to a point and watched the rough,
ocean water crash against the rocks. Notice the blow hole in the back of this picture.
Phil Beiler - taught "Family Foundations" and "Personal Evangelism"
Joel Martin - taught "The Life of David" and "Financial Freedom"
Joint youth Christmas caroling at the Mall...
Shivani being all festive with her hat at Christmas caroling.
Jaxon having fun with a Styrofoam plate...
We spent Christmas eve at Kendall and Ginger's house just eating and playing games.
Christmas day was a very cold, dreary and rainy day. So we three girls just
shut ourselves inside for the day. It was possibly the strangest Christmas day I
ever had but definitely a memorable one.
The Friday after Christmas we had a joint staff Christmas banquet.
I had fun making these cheesecakes for dessert...
We went out by the ocean and watched fireworks to bring the New Year in
Playing a game of football with some of the LaBorie Youth...
Concord waterfalls....I went along touring with Amanda's
family while they were here. A few photos of Grenadian beauty...
A Sunday afternoon at Fort Jeudy. The water was extra rough.
Ryan, James and Tim watching the waves crash into the cave.
Received some snacks in packages from friends,
family and former school students...Oh! What fun!
My wonderful parents came for a week at the beginning
of January...definitely a great way to start out the new year!
And this little cutie was the lucky kiddo that got to come along....Love her
We went out to a point one night and cooked a pot of Oil Down
Roti Lunch with my family
Teaching Lexi how to play Uno...
A fairly normal Sunday night activity...cards and some food.
A day on the beach
A punch break with my family. They were big fans! ;)
Our Church/School is under major construction, but it's coming together nicely.
Dad helped a few days while he was here.
Mom and Lexi posing with Kaden dear...
My awesome little bunch of 1st graders
Celina's dog is named Lexi...these 3 really
hit it off and enjoyed a lot of afternoons together.
Renee, one of my favorite little men in LaBorie =)
This beautiful lady and her husband came down on a work crew.
Was so much fun catching up with you Janelle! <3
Renee wanted on a photo too!
Skyler, one of the Kindergartners took 5 years. His mother
brought in cupcakes for the 1st and 2nd graders
Ready to blow....Skyler is the 2nd one in from the bottom left corner...
It's been a week since Ronnie's passing, and I must confess
his death has cause great joy among his housemates. He lived
with us for almost 2 months and he wore out his welcome!
His favorite foods were mango and banana. But he also enjoyed
anything that was not in a "rat tooth proof" container. He caused
a lot of screaming, excitement, extra spending and lack of sleep.
A hobby of mine became "late night rat watching". I found a corner
on the counter, turned the lights out and held a bat. After a while he
would creep out, waltz around the kitchen, sniffing, with his 8 inch
tail following! geed. He was a smart little...err...big guy and out
smarted two other types of traps and even managed to get the bait off
the trap pictured above a few nights in a row before we were victorious.
He didn't appreciate me doing a photo shoot of him in this pose, but
I took the liberty anyway. R.I.P Ronnie =)
We had a bridal shower for Angie with all of her
friends down here....can't believe her wedding is less
than a week away!
She was "ish" surprised....was a great evening
Congratulations Ang! =)
I read this quote over a month ago, but phrases of it replay in my mind quite frequently.
"If sinners will be damned,
at lest let them leap to hell
over our bodies.
And if they will perish,
let them perish with our arms
about their knees,
imploring them to stay.
If Hell must be filled,
at least let it be filled
in the teeth of our exertions,
and let NONE go there,
UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for."
-Charles Spurgeon
Even tho my soul purpose of being here is to witness and serve the people of Grenada, I so easily and quickly forget it. Life gets crazy and I rush from one activity to the next and fail to share the love of Christ at every opportunity that is brought my way. I was challenged in the personal evangelism class at GBI not to let my fear control me when it comes to sharing my faith. God promises to put the words in my mouth, I just simply need to open it.
It doesn't matter where you live, or what you do on a daily basis. There are people being ushered into eternity and what am I doing about it? Am I burdened for their destiny? The worst thing that could possibly happen is rejection--It's serious--their destiny is at stake!
This really challenged me and I thought I would leave it with you!
Have a wonderful week!
and tied it with ribbon and they each gave a bag to their parents,
along with a Christmas card they made in art class.
Christmas gifts open....hence some of the annoyed faces.
This is the best gift ever! I never had a ball!"
Of course we need to try them out, so we soon have balls
bouncing all over the living room. Oh, how I love them! ;)
program, it was finally here! They were nervous, and so were we
teachers! But they did a super job...even better than I expected!
Hannah did a super job with their parts.
little boys loved their small part of being shepherds.
day of the Christmas party...
court with the balloon between their backs.
trying to play the game too. They need a bit more
supervision than most! =)
Our little buddy Skylar that we babysit after school got in on it too,
because his mother was working late.
Two speakers from the States came and gave us a week of amazing teaching. They each
had two classes, and we did a lot of ministry in the nearby town of Willis. Pastor John and Miss
Rachel were our faithful cooks. It was all in all a very good week. Felt so good to have a break
from teaching, and actually get to sit back and be taught! =)
little camp with dorms, dining hall and class rooms. I must say, showering with the
cold mountain water at 5 am was not a highlight, but it was as good reminder for
me to NEVER take for granted my water heater that at least works a little bit!
ocean water crash against the rocks. Notice the blow hole in the back of this picture.
shut ourselves inside for the day. It was possibly the strangest Christmas day I
ever had but definitely a memorable one.
family while they were here. A few photos of Grenadian beauty...
family and former school students...Oh! What fun!
of January...definitely a great way to start out the new year!
hit it off and enjoyed a lot of afternoons together.
Was so much fun catching up with you Janelle! <3
brought in cupcakes for the 1st and 2nd graders
his death has cause great joy among his housemates. He lived
with us for almost 2 months and he wore out his welcome!
His favorite foods were mango and banana. But he also enjoyed
anything that was not in a "rat tooth proof" container. He caused
a lot of screaming, excitement, extra spending and lack of sleep.
A hobby of mine became "late night rat watching". I found a corner
on the counter, turned the lights out and held a bat. After a while he
would creep out, waltz around the kitchen, sniffing, with his 8 inch
tail following! geed. He was a smart little...err...big guy and out
smarted two other types of traps and even managed to get the bait off
the trap pictured above a few nights in a row before we were victorious.
I took the liberty anyway. R.I.P Ronnie =)
friends down here....can't believe her wedding is less
than a week away!
I read this quote over a month ago, but phrases of it replay in my mind quite frequently.
"If sinners will be damned,
at lest let them leap to hell
over our bodies.
And if they will perish,
let them perish with our arms
about their knees,
imploring them to stay.
If Hell must be filled,
at least let it be filled
in the teeth of our exertions,
and let NONE go there,
UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for."
-Charles Spurgeon
Even tho my soul purpose of being here is to witness and serve the people of Grenada, I so easily and quickly forget it. Life gets crazy and I rush from one activity to the next and fail to share the love of Christ at every opportunity that is brought my way. I was challenged in the personal evangelism class at GBI not to let my fear control me when it comes to sharing my faith. God promises to put the words in my mouth, I just simply need to open it.
It doesn't matter where you live, or what you do on a daily basis. There are people being ushered into eternity and what am I doing about it? Am I burdened for their destiny? The worst thing that could possibly happen is rejection--It's serious--their destiny is at stake!
This really challenged me and I thought I would leave it with you!
Have a wonderful week!
