One Month Strong

Adjustment, that has been our word for the past few weeks as we settle in to the routine of school and living out in Los Cedros. It would be safe to say that we have started to feel more at home in Los Cedros as we find our groove in the flow of life out in the Nicaraguan countryside. Josh has started working on various projects, like getting the internet set up on the school property and brainstorming fund raising ideas for new computers. But mainly he has been studying Spanish, which he has done diligently. Now it’s a matter of actually putting what he’s learning in to practice, instead of relying on his walking, talking dictionary and translator (me).

Top: Mac & Cheese, our first meal in our new home. Josh in the hammock with a children's book in Spanish, a great way to learn language! Bottom: Our new favorite thing, hammock chairs on the front porch.

The past few weeks for me have been learning more about my students and how to best inspire and teach them. A verse I read at the beginning of the week said “No day will pass without its reward” and so I have chronicled what small rewards the Lord has been giving us each day. One of the biggest for me this week has been seeing how the students have started to respond more to me. My “problem” classes have been the 1st (which is mainly due to being so young), 3^rd and 4^th graders who have some attention and respect issues. Disciplining is where my Spanish falls short but I can tell you one thing, I will be able to give anyone and anything a command in Spanish by the time all is said and done. However, my reward each day was seeing where the students were engaged and enjoying what they were learning. It was encouraging to see that, I can indeed do this job with some sort of success!

Another reward for us this week happened on Thursday. Two of the school caretakers, Yader and Elvis (both very popular names down here) have taken to Josh. They invited him to come play in a pick-up baseball game after work; ahh baseball, Nicaragua’s favorite pastime. Anyway, so with a little trepidation regarding the Nica’s expectations of his baseball skills, Josh donned his sunglasses, hat and baseball glove and joined in on the game. While it may seem small, simply being able to connect with the people in this way was a huge blessing and encouragement to us both.

Top: Elvis getting ready to toss the ball around. Josh for his big debut up at bat in his first of what will probably be many, Nicaraguan pick-up baseball game.
Middle: Yader hitting the ball hard...the fan base for these games are the youth of Los Cedros.
Bottom: Lennin (one of my 5th graders) and me at the game and a picture of a typical Nicaraguan baseball field.

Finally, I’d say our week’s reward was the time we spent today enjoying a little “R&R” with Lee, Becky and Sadie Lockridge. Although we were tourists, we spent the day exploring the city of Leon, wandering through the streets in search of historic cathedrals and a restaurant to eat lunch at. After lunch we made the trek out to the beaches of Las Pelanitas and Poneloya where we played in the waves, soaked up the sun, and enjoyed the beauty of creation. All and all it was a wonderful way to spend Saturday and a refreshing way to gear up for another week.

Top: Two of the oldest churches in Leon, Nicaragua
Middle #1: So...we haven't had time to work on the tan yet apparent by Josh's use of sunscreen. Sadie and Becky Lockridge and Lillian (a little Nica girl they have fallen in love with).
Middle #2: Josh soaking up the body surfing, fun in the sand, Lee and Becky Lockridge taking advantage of the great view!
Bottom: A view of the wonderful beach we enjoyed today!