Fruit flies like a banana.

Wow. So much has happened! It feels hard to catch up. A factor in my lack of blogging is the fact that my camera broke before school even started, after a bad fall. If anyone has an older but operating digital camera to share with me, I would love you forever and ever. Blogs are just more fun with pictures.

First things first, teaching is hard. I suppose this is the main reason for my lack of blogging. Up early to go to school, come home only to do more lesson planning, test creating, or searching for something interesting to do in class. My students are awesome. 5th grade is SUCH a fun age. I now have 9 boys and 3 girls. I had a new girl begin about 2 weeks ago, which has caused some interesting ripples, but we're doing just fine. As with any group of kids (rather, people in general), I have my complainers and whiners, "thespians" (aka drama queens and kings), liars or tattlers. I feel like a referee for about 30% of my day, but I try not to get too sucked in. Classroom management is a killer. Sometimes I feel a bit harsh, but I think my students are finally understanding that the reason I discipline is because I care so much about them. I want them to learn so much, but a few of them just haven't found their academic motivation. Most of my students LOVE to be heard and yearn for attention, which can make the whole teaching/learning thing more difficult. Others are a bit more reserved, but have been coming a bit more out of their shells lately. I love 'em.

Ms. Lindsey with a few of her boys.







Time has been flying by. Hard to believe I've been living here for 2 1/2 months. Parts of it are wonderful, but I'm surprised at how much I've missed home. Video chats help to see some of my loved ones, but it's also the conveniences that I miss, the familiarity of home, Fall. On previous trips to Central America... lasting anywhere from 8 to 20 days, I've come home hesitantly and a little angry with the United States. Living in a world of excess and instant gratification and individualism made me upset. Now, I ache for access and moving a bit more quickly and productivity. I'm surprised at myself.

I'm thankful too. Thankful for the education that I received, and family that supported me in working hard and getting good grades. Education isn't on the top of the priority heap here. Things like family and community and celebration are. I want that happy medium of both for my life. Some have definitely found it, but it requires being very intentional - I think.

The good news is, there have been fewer personal bumps in the road since my last post. Unfortunately, our school has hit some bumps in the road though. About 2 weeks ago, they had to make some tough decisions about which teachers they had to fire in order to make ends meet. Our student numbers aren't as high as they need to be in order to pay everyone, and then some families haven't been able to pay tuition since they registered their students at the beginning of the year. They aren't sure how they'll make it work at this point, but we're now down 4 staff. 3 teachers and a cleaning lady. These people were apart of our family here, and now they are gone. Pray for our school and pray for those who lost their job. For provision and for those perfectly timed doors to open... soon.




Weather-wise, it's rainy. There are two seasons here, rainy and not. It's pouring now, as I write this, and it isn't going to let up until Monday. Then it's going to start up again on Tuesday. Joy. Don't get me wrong, I love some rain, especially at night. I just don't want it to interrupt my beach excursions or make it hard to hitchhike. Unfortunately, I see a few taxis in my future.

Oh and here's my 25 year old self. Posing with my incredibly delicious birthday strawberry angelfoodcake.



"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him."
-Romans 12 (the message)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Roatan, Honduras

in with the new.

3 weeks. Hard to believe!



After an easy "jalon" (hitchhike) to a coffee shop down the street yesterday afternoon, as our new friend Mr. Sherman (who runs the local iguana farm, of course) bought us all granitas, the Honduran frozen coffee sensation we love, and jelly rolls... Courtney and I looked at each other and said, "I could get used to this."

Time and again, I am overcome with the welcoming nature of the people on this island. It never ceases to amaze me. Strangers become new friends every day. Generosity and graciousness abound.


It's an exchange, this lifestyle. No air conditioning means super-sweaty nearly always. Daily cold (yet grateful) showers... After all, who even wants a warm shower when it's blazing hot out? But, daily? If you've ever lived with me, you'd know that daily isn't likely. But its true, I promise. August and September are the hottest months, so we hear. If we can survive these temps., we can push through. After a fearful first extermination of our apartment the first week, I now find myself totally okay watching a roach cross before me while I finish using the restroom. Priorities. Accidentally crunched a roach on my bedroom floor last week... with my bare foot. Chequepues. (kind of like Costa Rica's "pura vida" here, meaning no worries, okay, it's all good, or thanks) Though I did almost vomit and cry a little. This morning, a roach that no doubt had 3 inch long legs crawled out from under my bed, stood up, slapped me in the face and walked in the living room... Where I proceeded to track him down, and well, you know.

As expected, there have been some bumps in the road:
(as Helen would say, life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all...)

- food poisoning from clearance yogurt (lesson: splurge a bit next time...)
- first snorkeling experience, collision with fire coral. Ouch.
- from above, pooped on by a gecko (who knew?)
- tropical storm Harvey granting us a visit
- a little thing called staph infection

On the final note, I'll add that my Honduran doctor was the jam. Better service than I've ever had in the States. No health insurance? No problem. A mere $150 for the visit, antibiotic shots (3 visits) and a bajillion other meds. that have treated me real nice. Only 3 days later, I'm almost a new woman. In a few days, I'll be completely good to go.

No matter the obstacles, I love my life here. If you're keeping up with Facebook photos, you probably think we play most of the time. It's certainly a priority, but photo opps are less frequent when lesson planning or otherwise more productive things are going on. And duh, most are just curious about the beaches anyway. Get real.

As far as casa dulce casa goes, Courtney and I are roommates again, sharing food, phone and responsibilities - alternating making meals, doing dishes, waking one another up when oversleeping happens (let's be honest, it's mostly me sleeping in...).




Fears are conquered daily. Showering with moths, which I recognize as a highly irrational fear. Nevertheless, still not a fan. Snorkeling among the 2nd best reefs on earth (Bay Islands rank 2nd after the Great Barrier Reef), pushing past the minor panic attacks of being in the vast blue, among FISH - which also kind of freak me out. Jumping in trucks with strangers. Practicing my Spanish. And more importantly, maintaining my fake-it-til-I-make it mentality as I learn to be a 5th grade teacher.

A few photos:

First of many beach outings - Turquoise Bay with part of our teacher family.



Alexandria, myself, Laura, Tricia, David, Courtney.



Uphill and downhill resort wanderings, leading us to encounter a guard wielding machete and rifle kindly sharing that particular beach was closed "due to construction"... No importa, because it eventually lead us here, to Parrot Tree, at sunset. Lovely.







Like to stay here, no?



Afternoon after school spent at the private beach of a family from school, essentially across the street from us, complete with hungry sand fleas. Not so ideal for basking in the sun.

West End. Nikki, Laura, David, myself, Courtney, Jhon, Alexandria, Tricia.



Saturday sunbathing at Half Moon Bay.



Sunday afternoons after church are spent enjoying West Bay, one of the World's Top 10 Beaches.




Snorkeling in the great Blue.















That's Courtney, not

me. Don't worry, family. ;)



Part of orientation, spent painting the school.


My classroom... Before.


After.



Mucho mejor.

My classroom, all decorated in it's academically-stimulating decor.










Our evenings outside of school are mainly spent on our glorious front porch. Playing Bananagrams (thanks Aunt Staci! Such a hit.), UNO, rummy, Apples to Apples, what have you. Enjoying our local entertainment, Jhon - aka Mime of Love - delighting us with his musical talent



Aside from the rain misting my bedroom completely, amongst lightning and thunder crashes throughout both nights (windows only close so much), Tropical Storm Harvey wasn't too big of a deal. He came by night, in two seperate sweeps. During the eye of the storm, we unknowingly ventured to the beach. Enjoyed several hours of swimming, photoshooting, and sunset viewing.

What hurricane?



Myself, David, Courtney, Laura, Jhon, Brittany, Tricia.




Our way fun crew. Myself, David, Luisa, Courtney, Laura, Jhon, Tricia.

Ignore the underwear substitute for swim trunks, por fa.

This past week was our first official week students! and believe it or not - we survived! So proud of each of us, and the educators we're becoming.

My class is made up of an adorable and hilarious group of 5th graders, 7 boys and 2 girls. They are chatty Cathys and can't stay in a line to save their life, but they're working on it. I love them so much already, no matter how many times I have to tell them "English in English class, Spanish in Spanish class" or remind them that the holes go on the left side of their paper. It's a daunting task, this trying to figuring out what they already know and how to get them where they need to go. Some know English better than others, which also throws a whole new spin on things.

This post only touches on our experiences. I hope to find a better rhythm in posting, catching more of the day to day goodness and reflections for you.


Thank you for your love and your prayers! They're much-needed and much-felt. Pray for my students, for me, for the impact that I know is happening through me and everything that is transforming me. I love you!




You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.
-Mary Manin Morrissey

Location:Roatan, Honduras