I read quite a few blogs and many writers take on a theme for the year to focus on for personal growth. Even though I am not an “official” blogger I like the idea of being faithful to growing in one area. One of the things that is challenging for me is to focus on the positive. In general I consider myself a positive person, but at times that is just the front I put on. Inside I struggle to think positively and meditate on the goodness around me.
For that reason I hope to let this be the year of joy. My goal is once a week to write a “moment of joy” from the previous week. The Bible says we are to be joyful in all circumstances- with our eyes fixed on Christ. Real joy is not just happiness, rather a comfort and peace that the Lord is King of all.
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. - Psalm 47:1-3
To start off this adventure, one story comes to mind. It was both joy and pain in the same moment.
Last week, Ed and I took advantage of really cheap tickets and went on a cruise for Christmas. We had a wonderful time relaxing and seeing many new sites in the Caribbean. At the end of the cruise there was a special presentation of flags from all the countries represented by the staff on board. Each country was named one by one and a representative waved the flag for all the passengers. There was music and celebration of the wonderful togetherness of the world on the ship.
I was taken aback by the pride and joy shown in each country represented. How amazing to be surrounded by so many people from literally every tribe, tongue and nation. I was enthralled with this celebration and the little taste of heaven represented.
Then I realized- not everyone on that ship will experience this type of celebration in heaven. The world is full of people who do not claim the Lord as their King. Although the moment of “all nations” was before me, it was for earthly reasons. I was saddened by the fact that it is so easy to settle with this as “the best” and forget the best that is to come.
My joy was mixed. I saw people from every tribe, tongue and nation together- but it was not to praise God. I look forward to the day it will be at the feet of Jesus- but know there is much to be done before that can happen.
It’s Christmas break and a very welcome chance to take a break from the day-to-day activities and rest. This year we had a series of events that led to last minute plans being made.
Originally Ed was going to have jaw surgery and we were going to stay in Bogota, but his teeth have not all moved into place so the surgery had to be postponed. Then we looked at going to the States but because the last minute searching the tickets were more than we wanted to spend. Instead Ed found amazingly cheap tickets to a cruise in the South Caribbean so we did that instead! (Anybody who knows my husband knows he can find deals on pretty much everything! It’s like a super power.)
So for Christmas we went on a cruise and explored a little of Panama. Take a look:
We spent our day in Bonaire snorkeling. This was a first for both of us and it was breath-takingly beautiful. I even was face to face with a sea turtle! Thanks to BonFoto for the pictures.
On Christmas day we toured Aruba on the banana bus. It was more like a desert than a tropical island- with cactus not palm trees.
We also spent a day on the island of Curacao (cure-a-sow). It had beautiful colored buildings with lots of Dutch influence.
Hanging out in Panama city we saw lots of old architecture mixed with the new.
We went on a hike in a rainforest located in the middle of Panama City in the 90 degree heat. We saw lots of cool bugs like these caterpillars (there were 37 of them in a line) and leaf cutter ants. I was hoping to see monkeys, but didn’t happen!
Can’t forget the Panama canal!
Over all it was a very relaxing time. Cruising may be our new favorite way of traveling because we can see so much and don’t have to worry about the details. I knew it was a good vacation because I was able to turn off my school brain and just enjoy the wonderful world that God created. I wouldn’t be surprised if we do this again!
It’s officially Christmas break for El Camino! Right now teachers are finishing finals and putting in grades. I am in the classroom listening to Christmas music and taking down Christmas decorations. It’s like Christmas is over, but hasn’t even really started.
Today we decided to do a family Christmas party! It was so fun to interact with the parents and spend the last day together as a community. Here are some of the highlights:
Starting the day with a fun coloring page.
Decorating cookies that we made the day before. I think they were more into eating frosting!
Snack time outside!
We played some minute to win it games such as move the cookie down your face, pass the ornaments with spoons in the mouth, move the ornament across the room and blow the card off the table.
The kids sang some songs to the parents.
Then it was group and family picture time!
And of course my co-teachers had to join the fun!!!
Every year our school designates 2-3 days as “virtual day”. This means that a full day of school activities are done at home. Some of the activities are computer-based while others are not.
For pre-kinder I try to keep the activities fun and family-friendly. I usually post 3-4 different choices for the families to choose from for their activities. I also include one of our math resources which gives ideas of using math concepts at home. For example counting steps as your walk up a stair way or organizing plastic containers from smallest to biggest. This hopefully gives the parents ideas of how to have a math rich environment in the home.
This year for Thanksgiving I gave students a few options of Thanksgiving activities. One of them was to create a “turkey sandwich” using materials in the kitchen. They then send me a picture. Here are some that I have received.
