Each one is loved

I have gotten to the point where I have started to see some certain things in each of the students that amazes me and could also make me go crazy if I didn't have the Holy Spirit. :) My cooperating teacher has helped me to understand the kids a bit better, and so far it's been quite a journey learning more and more about them. Even though there is no way to describe them all to you, I would like to help you catch just a tiny glimpse of the kids I am with 5 days out of the week.

First of all, there is little L., (just to protect their names), a Korean-Brazilian boy who just craaaacks me up sometimes. He has a little rough voice, and when he talks to you he sort of cocks his head and sideglances at you the entire time. He is dead center in front of me when I'm teaching, and whenever I have a questions he absolutely feels he needs to answer, he raises his hand and mentions desperately, "I knooooow!" I have to swallow hard to not laugh, and instead to correct his talking without being called on. Then there's J, an incredible Chinese-American girl who is suuuuper bright, but would never brag about it. She is almost like a motherly student, and she's taller than anyone else. Whenever I'm teaching and I say something that needs affirmation or I am saying something important, she is the only one who will nod her head, encouraging me more than she knows :)

There is also S, who is one of the only full American kids in the classroom. He has some trouble getting through assignments quickly, and has to be prompted consistently to work a bit quicker. He is also an incredibly sweet boy, and wouldn't hurt a fly (that I know of so far :) One of the funniest things I have ever seen was when the kids all headed to swimming and we were sitting eating lunch with the teachers. And who walks by but S., a blond headed, swim-suit clad, (complete with a waterproof shirt,) with his goggles ALREADY ON, his towel slung over his shoulder, and the swagger of a 9-year old ready for action. OH my goodness, Christine (the third grade teacher) and I about died laughing. So great.

These are just a few of the kids and I'll try to describe them to you a bit more in the days to come. I am having a wonderful, relaxing Friday night. I corrected their memory verse notebooks tonight, while chilling with my roomate. Their verse for this week was Psalm 121:3,4: "He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not sleep; indeed, He who watches over Israel will never slumber nor sleep." What an amazing promise. Never let your foot slip. Even when we think things are sliding away and we cannot keep up, He is not sleeping. He is wide awake, projecting the plans for us, and helping us to serve Him in so many diverse and necessary ways for His kingdom. It is pretty exciting because by correcting the students' verses (which they write four times each week,) it's pretty impossible to not memorize them. One more gift from God.

Keep rollin' on

Life continues to be rich and full. Today I was reading about how we have been made ALIVE through Christ, and there is no darkness in us. I pray I will never get tired of thinking about this! This week I will be teaching two subjects, Bible and Science, and working on keeping on top of other things I need to get done too.

It's amazing how similar São Paulo is to Boa Vista but also how very different it is too. We were driving back from the mall on Saturday night, and as we drove past, I realized how much bigger and more varied it is. There are so many neighborhoods, and only a few streets are familiar so far. In Boa Vista, it was easy to recognize what part of town we were in, but here, it takes some effort to think about where we are, since "downtown" is such a relative term here.

Today was a great day, though I was kind of tired from skyping with Mom, Dad, Melissa and then Nelton, Bethany and Aulo all together last night. So wonderful but it took me a while to fall asleep after all that talking. It is so nice to be in the sunshine. Today was particularly hot, and the only relief I got was jumping into the pool for a while. There is no better feeling than all the heat washing away right when you get into the water. :)

Tonight Sarah and I had leftover shepherd's pie I made yesterday and watched "Skylark" which I haven't seen in years. So fun! I managed to get some stuff done while we we watched too, since I've seen it before.

Better head to bed so I'm not as tired tomorrow :)

So apparently it's not a good idea to post pics of the kids all over facebook, but the blog is a better way. So, here a few of the kids. They are so great and they really help me to keep things in perspective. I think I just love their fresh view on things, not complicating things more than they need to be.

I have a four day weekend which is really nice. And I miss my man a lot. You can pray for me in that. Less than 3 months til I see him!

First few class days :)

I can't even explain the joys of being with the kids each day. I know I am still in the honeymoon stage, but talking with the teacher about the kids and being able to interact with them is so much fun. Today the kids were so open with me and came over and just chattered like crazy. It was wonderful and I enjoyed each of their little comments. :)

I had a fun evening last night with my roomate. I've been hanging out with the other teachers the last couple evenings, but last night Sarah and I made dinner of putanesca (pasta, green olives, tomatoes, salami and garlic,) green pepper slices and parmesan toast. It's fun because we make casual but delicious meals during the week, and I have some recipes pulled out to make over the weekend. We'll see if that happens.

I've been getting out on the town to make little runs to the mercadinho (little grocery stores) and it's very safe in this area because we're pretty far away from downtown. The first trip I made was with an Mk who is a junior high teacher named Kendra. She actually is a Moody alum and was a KW in the kitchen! She know Charlie, Uncle Marty and a few others in the kitchen. That's been neat to see the connection. As we were leaving on Sunday night there were some loud claps of thunder and looming dark clouds. We decided to go anyway because I really wanted to get out after being on the base all day. We hurried and the store was closed so we went to a padaria (bread store) and we got some necessary groceries.

Eating lunch with the teachers is also a highlight. We sit in this roof place, with the breeze going through, and the staple is my favorite, rice and beans with different side dishes each day and fresh salad stuff. We grab our food along with the kids and then get to leave the noisy chaos to sit in the beautiful tree-covered area. I have met quite a few of the staff already, and they are all so great. It's interesting because they are all so surprised when I can speak Portuguese. A lot of the staff are more comfortable with Portuguese so they are excited. Also, when you pass people on the sidewalk or by the classrooms I never know which language to use. Half the time one will say an English phrase and the other a Portuguese one. haha

Well, this is getting long and we're about to have leftover putanesca and tuna melts. I need to write a letter to the parents as an introduction, but that's about all for tonight. All glory to God for this beautiful place!

On my way...

This is what I wrote in a notebook while at the airport...enjoy!!!

Wow- I made it. Here I sit at gate C20 in O’Hare airport, about to head off, finally!! Surprisingly, I am calm but also excited beyond belief. Somehow, I already feel at home with Portuguese flowing all around me and being just about the only one with real blonde hair sitting at the gate. The friendliness of Brazilians is making its impression again, having just had a neat conversation with two Brazilians. Speaking Portuguese just makes my heart so happy!

It’s funny because I was in this exact terminal 4 ½ months ago when I embarked on another adventure to Perú – somehow it makes me miss him. It’s amazing how many times I said the phrase – “We’ll keep up on facebook and Skype,” when hugging people goodbye. I am so thankful for technology that allows me to keep up with my wonderful friends and boyfriend. Also, I found out we’ll have pretty reliable internet at the school, so Skype will be a frequent activity. 

Getting through check-in and security was breezarific. I feel like I’ve travelled so much in my life and even the last year, that I feel so at home in airports! Two of the United personnel asked me what was in my 2 check-ons, and as soon as I said “Clothes. Books. Memories. My life….I’m moving,” they smiled and waved me on. Hehe… One suitcase was just 1 ½ pounds over, so I quickly switched those to my carry-on, and said goodbye to Joel. I’m so glad he was able to see me off!

The line for security was virtually nonexistent, I guess because people don’t really travel overseas in the winter? Who knows…God does.  There are some things I really appreciate about Brasil, like free carts at the airports. Goodness, they made me pay $4 here at O’hare for a cart I only used for like 20 minutes!

It’s so funny, looking around, even if I wasn’t blonde, my tennis shoes would give away the fact that I’m American. Brazilians girls enjoy going through extra pain by wearing cute shoes while they travel….crazy! Goodbyes were not quite as painful as I thought they would be, though I’m sure I will miss people more in the days to come. I got some fun pictures at early eats, which I’m sure I’ll treasure forever.
For now I will close this. I am looking forward to the journey I am starting with God right beside me. I am certain He has amazing, and even difficult things planned!

And so, I enter the sea of Brazilness, a wonderful place to be!