The first full week of school

The past week was a difficult one with the kids. It was gloomy and cold outside, even raining twice, which is unusual for this time of year in Puebla. Maybe the weather stirred them up, or maybe they're just getting antsy, but I felt really thin in my patience level by the end of each day. Although we had a half day with the kids today - we have staff inservice until 5 this afternoon - I still felt worn out by the time the bell rang. Please pray! I'm not sure what to do to pull through the rest of the year with sanity. It boggles the mind how teachers can manage classes of 45 kids - I used to do it!

On Saturday after lesson planning I enjoyed an afternoon and evening with Abraham. We went downtown to the Barrio del Artista to see some drawings and paintings, then we spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around a weekend market, the beautiful convention center, and the garden in the convention center. It's a lovely place, and we had a good time moseying around. I tried some of Abraham's passion fruit icy with chili since it was getting too spicy for him to eat all of it. Interesting...

In the evening, we returned home in time to join most of the rest of the staff back downtown for Jenna's surprise birthday party at a pizza place. It wasn't precisely a surprise for Jenna, because she saw us gathering outside the school. She said, "I decided not to ask Joe too many questions."

Sunday I arrived just a tiny bit late for church, because I got to the bus stop just as the bus I needed passed. That's the way it is; depending on the buses, I can arrive early or late to church even though I always leave my house at 10:30. In the afternoon at Huejotzingo, more kids came then usual, so we had a group of 22. Fortunately, there were also extra adults that day, so we did fine.

Second semester

The two weeks in California ended Jan. 5th, and I flew back to Puebla. Gracias a Dios, it was an uneventful day of driving, flying, driving and driving again. Twelve hours after leaving Huntington Beach in an airporter, I arrived at the door of my house in Puebla.

All Tuesday I unpacked, cleaned house, and prepared lessons for the half-week in school. Wednesday morning, the students all arrived, and second semester began. How amazing that we've already finished half the year!

Friday night the PCS staff celebrated our return and successful half-week. Jenna and Joe hosted a game night at their house, and just about all the staff and some of their kids showed up to play Dutch Blitz, spoons, crazy uno, and more. All the noisy, happy rowdiness was still going strong when Abraham and I left at 10:30pm.

After lesson planning Saturday morning, I went with Abraham to San Martin where several of his relatives live. It's more than an hour from here by bus, and we arrived late afternoon. We cross-crossed parts of San Martin, walking from house to house. That only gave us time to see his grandma, a nephew, and one cousin. Many of the relatives weren't at home.

Today we began our first full week of the second semester. Back in the saddle again! Please continue your prayers for my six students and I. We're learning together, and there is never a dull moment. Also continue to pray for finances. During this time of economic difficulties in the United States, I and the other staff members and missionary families in Puebla are feeling the effects of income loss.