A day full of gifts!

Today was a great day.  I worked with the preschoolers on my own for the first time.  They were great!  We practiced "Please", Thank you" and "You're Welcome".  Since we had worked on thank you Wednesday, I thought it would be okay to add please.  But then it was hard not to add "you're welcome".  For me it was a good lesson.  It was too much, but some of the kids got it.  We practiced passing things around the classroom, asking for it with please, then saying thank you.  We'll work on it more next week.  We also reviewed the number one by counting things in the room and using a little rattle, shaking it ONE time.  One time up high, one time down low, once with a jump...  You get it.  Then we colored a teddy bear with one sun on his belly, and one heart on his foot.  Afterward we had free play time.  They were amazing!  They took out one toy at a time and shared (with some reminding).  I was so proud of them!  We had a time of prayer, then ate breakfast in the classroom.  With their food sitting in front of them, they sat with their eyes closed and prayed.  I waited for someone to sneak a bite of food, as the prayer time got longer and longer.  But eyes stayed closed and everyone stayed focused.  So awesome for 3-5 year olds!  The older kids all want to be a part of the class, so Lourdes sent some of them in to "help".  Preschool is the cool place to be!

We take off our shoes before we play on the rug,
just don't get your nose too close  - pyew-eee!

Lorenzo was one of the older kids who visited.  He didn't want to play with trucks and bulldozers.  He asked if he could color.  Then he asked if he could use the magnetic letters on the side of the freezer.  He made shapes out of play dough.  I was surprised at his choices, but enjoyed watching him sit and relax and play.

Lorenzo!

All of the anxiety I have had about teaching preschool is gone.  I know some days will be more difficult than others, but I really love the kids.  They are smart and excited for the opportunity to learn.  I am honored to offer them the opportunity to be in the classroom.  I'll probably learn as much as they do!

Mailin and helping her brother, Misael, with a puzzle.

While we were in class Walter brought me a huge, heavy package.  I had to wait until later to open it.  Inside was a beautiful purple and gray yoga mat with a video and the sweetest card from a high school friend.  I haven't seen him since 1985!  He is a soldier.  He and his family are stationed in Germany.  I mentioned on Facebook that my back was sore from doing pilates on a bath mat, so they sent a yoga mat with the sweetest card from Germany!  I am really grateful.  THANK YOU BILL AND CHRISTINA FRAUSTO!

The church received a huge gift today too.  A huge truck pulled in and the older boys unloaded box after box of canned turkey, boxes of blankets, and sacks of towels and hygiene products.  The kids were excited to be a part of receiving the delivery.  We took pictures and videos.

The words on this package hit home.  Sometimes I forget how deep the need is.  Food For Relief.

The kids with the all of the gifts!

The cute ones seated in the front are preschoolers  :)

After we ate, Lourdes spent hours giving out clothes that have been donated to the church.  The clothes were mostly for girls.  The girls left with bags full of full, which is such a blessing to them.  Just last week one of the mothers was in tears, worried about how she will provide for her 4 children.  This should ease the burden a little bit.

After the Breakfast Program was over, Lourdes asked Jairo to take me shopping for my own bed.  All of the things in my house belong to other people.  Nobody is pressuring me, but now that I am here more permanently, it is time to get my own bed and start returning things to their owners.  We went to two second hand stores downtown.  I like going downtown.  You have to be very aware of your surroundings.  It is not safe, but if you are there with others, it is okay.  Jairo found a cool thermometer.  Lourdes and I found a nice bed for me and a recliner for her, but they were too expensive, so the ladies went home empty handed, but we still had fun.

I got home in the evening, hoping to catch the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  However, the only thing I could find on my (free) 92 channels of cable was a recap on ESPN :(  Apparently the Olympics are not as fully covered in Honduras as they are in the US.  I was really disappointed!  I love watching the Olympics.

I did a load of laundry instead and reminded myself how nice it is to have a washing machine.  I have never fully appreciated the spin cycle until now.  My clothes dry so quickly!  They were dry a few hours later.  Now none of my bedding or towels smell musty anymore.  Yay!

Jetty was very playful tonight.  It is good to see her running around and getting into trouble like she always did in the US.  I was afraid she was a little lonely, but I think she is doing okay.

Today was another good day.