An "average" Wednesday in Pre-Kinder

Ah, childhood! It's the best, especially if you are in pre-kinder! Here are glimpses in the daily activity of a cheerful 5 year old at El Camino Academy.

We start every Spanish class looking at the calendar.

We love to sing in music class!

We have also been learning about different kinds of notes.

In the library we have been learning about the snow-capped mountains in Colombia.

During free choice time we love the playdough!

Free play time in the classroom is so fun!

To practice sharing and being good friends, we used water colors to paint pictures in partners.

We love reading books!

This week we have been learning to write the number 3. And then we drew 3 cheeses on our paper

Sometimes we do music class outside in small groups. Today we played drums to practice our notes.

After all that work, we need a nap!

Oh, and Tuesday was the 100th day of school!

Chile 2014!

Our Christmas break travels continue... or really begin in Chile. We spent the first week and a half traveling south through Chile taking in it's history, culture and more than anything the natural beauty. Here's the highlights!

Santiago

The first day of our trip was visiting the capital city of Chile- Santiago. We enjoyed seeing beautiful murals and hearing more about the recent history of the country.

Valparaiso

Located on the coast, this used to be the a big port. Now, it is known as a colorful cultural center. We enjoyed seeing the colorful graffiti and traveling up the elevators located all over the city to get to the top of the hills.

Puerto Montt, Castro, Chacabuco

On our cruise we stopped at 3 beautiful small towns located at the northern part of Patagonia. We saw beautiful volcanoes, fishing villages, waterfalls and breath-taking natural beauty.

Volcanoes and rapids! So beautiful!

Houses built on stilts for when the tide comes in.

Excited to see the first of many beautiful glaciers!

Punta Arenas

The southern-most city in Chile and the first of our penguins stops. We took an hour long trip to a penguin rookery and saw a whole bunch of penguins in their natural habitats. So beautiful and fun!

So many penguins! So much cuteness!

I spy two cute penguins!

Antarctica 2015!

This Christmas break Ed and I had the amazing opportunity to visit our 6th continent- Antarctica! Due to a wonderful gift from a family member, amazing last minute cruise deals and Ed's awesome deal skills we embarked on a 20 day cruise from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina with stops along the way in various small cities in Chile, Cape Horn, Southern Chile, Southern Argentina, Antarctica, Falkland Islands, and Uruguay.

I plan on sharing pieces of our trip in stages as I reflect, but will start with the icy continent.

We spent 3 days floating around the waters of Antarctica, viewing wildlife, taking lots of pictures of landscapes and enjoying the pleasant summer weather (hovering around zero degrees). We had some of the most amazing weather I could have imagined: sun for 2 days and low clouds for the third. This allowed us to want to spend times on the decks and get a wonderful view of the surroundings.

We saw so much wildlife: penguins, whales, penguins, scientists, penguins, seals, and more penguins. Did I mention penguins?

As part of our cruise we had 3 experts on board giving lectures and leading our sight seeing. They offered around 20 different lectures on topics such as: historic explorations, birds, the Antarctic treaty, living in Antarctica, and current research. Our experience was enhanced by their wonderful information and detailed commentaries as we floated along. We also stopped at one of the US stations (Palmer) and picked up 10 scientists and support staff who gave a talk and a Q&A session.

Here are ten facts I learned about Antarctica that I thought I would share with you!

1. Antarctica is not "owned" by any one country. There are 7 countries who claim territories, but that is not really counted. Antarctica is governed by the "Antarctic treaty" which was written in the 60s and any country that wants to do research or have any entrance to the continent must sign it. It governs environmental laws and the use of military.

2. Icebergs are fresh water pieces of ice broken off of glaciers.

3. The ice on Antarctica is over a mile thick. Scientists have been able to drill all to the way to the land underneath. They have even found fresh water (not frozen) under all the ice.

4. There are many rules to going to Antarctica that we had to follow: no eating or smoking on outside decks, the ship was not allow to use or carry heavy fuel, no loud noises, etc. This is to protect the natural environment and keep it as pristine as possible. We also were not able to leave the ship. The rules state that there must be less than 500 people on board (we were with about 1400) and only 100 can disembark at a time.

5. The Drake Passage (between southern South American and Antarctica) is considered one of the roughest seas in the world (we hit a great day and it was very calm).

6. There are only a few land dwelling animals native to Antarctica, the biggest being a beetle measuring 3mm in length.

7. While we were there it was just after summer solstice and it was light for 22 hours of the day.

8. Antarctic waters begin at 60 degrees South Latitude. We were as far south as 55 degrees.

9. The USA has 3 research stations. One is on the Antarctica Peninsula (where we were), one is closest to New Zealand and the third is at the geographical South Pole.

10. Antarctica is bigger than the continental United States. It is also home to the world's largest desert.

Well... there you have it! Now for some pictures!

We saw many whales jumping and blowing!

Around the Chilean research station were a ton of penguins.

The Chilean station... the brown is because of penguin poop :)

PK Service 2014

Christmas is such wonderful time of year. Homes are decorated, special treats are being made, and in spite of the craziness of extra activities, most people are in pretty good moods!

This week I had the JOY of taking my little pre-kinders to serve at the nursing home. Students at our school go twice a year in Pre-kinder, kinder and first grade, so I have the wonderful privilege of introducing my students to this ministry.

This year my students blew me away with their loving hearts! Usually the first experience is a little overwhelming and most of my students are timid around the "grandparents". This year, however, my little angels loved the grandparents with all their hearts!

For example, one student took seriously the task of finding a grandparent to color with. The person she chose was clearly in the depths of dementia and was singing to herself most of the time. In fact a nurse gave her a lollipop to keep her quiet and not to scare the kids. My little student didnt mind at all! She walked right up to her, gave her a hug and got to work coloring a special picture for her.

Part of our time together is singing some songs. We are learning "Do you hear what I hear" for the Christmas program, so I decided to have my students sing it for the grandparents. While they were singing, one of the grandmas got up and started to dance with one of my little students. I was watching carefully to make sure not to scare my students, but the little boy she grabbed joined in. I could tell he was uncomfortable, but was willing to dance with the lady. She made her way down the line and ended up dancing with four of my students before the nurse re-directed her. I was to blessed to see my students show God's love in an uncomfortable situation and I am sure it made that lady's day a little bit brighter!

Towards the end of our time, we pass out fruit salad that the students cut themselves. The teachers dish up the cups and children deliver. My little servants were so careful to make sure every grandparent got a snack and even brought seconds for those who wanted more. I was almost in tears seeing their loving smiles, grateful hearts and responsible attitudes to love and care for the grandparents.

Before we left, another grandmother grabbed me to dance and we formed a bridge for the students to dance under and around us. We left big smiles of the faces of the grandparents and my students got to see what a joy it can be to serve others. I cannot wait for our second trip this spring to bring more joy and love to the wonderful grandparents!

Greeting all the grandparents when we arrive

Singing for the Grandparents some Christmas carols

Coloring special Christmas pictures for the grandparents to hang in their rooms

Serving fruit salad to the grandparents

Giving Thanks

It's been a hard few weeks. There has been a lot going on in and out of the classroom. This is our fifth Thanksgiving celebrated outside of the USA and each year it looks and feels a little different, but as this day comes around it is time to practice what I teach my students: be thankful in everything. So on this sunny, somewhat normal day in Bogota I stop to give thanks to God.

I give thanks to God for the wonderful team of co-workers He has joined together in ministry. From my wonderful co-teacher, our fantastic assistant and the plethora of volunteers he brings each day- I thank the Lord that our hearts are united to serve and love our students.

I give thanks to God for the attitude of flexibility has has given my class this year. We have had a interesting few weeks together. First, my co-teacher is on a leave of absence to take care of her daughter, so we have had substitutes to cover her role. Second, we have had to say goodbye to two wonderful short-term volunteers who helped us throughout the day. Third, we have been blessed to welcome some new volunteers and helpers. Although there has been a lot of changes my students are still eager to come to class, learn new things and are excited to participate in activities.

I give thanks to God for his provision when I am lacking. When I have felt overwhelmed He has reminded me it is His work, not my own, that I am doing When I have felt exhausted, He has provided for me bits of energy through wonderful Colombian coffee, hugs from cute pre-kinders, and encouraging words and prayers from others. When I have felt homesick and discontent He has given me good conversations with family and friends, and wonderful reminders from parents of students of why I am here and doing what I am doing.

Just today I received a kind note from a parent saying "Mrs Trussell in this day thanks to God for your work in Colombia, for your heart and love for our children, thanks for be in Colombia."

As I go through this day- celebrating with Ed and friends here in Bogota (both American and Colombian) This is on my heart: 

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100.

I will leave you with these fun pictures from our Thanksgiving celebration in PK.

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