Smiles for All

Hey Y'all! It's that time where I write to you again and tell you about my Pohnpei adventures. I hope all is going well for you guys wherever you may be. Please get comfy and enjoy!

January has been a great start to the year. I began teaching again, knowing that I am more than half way done. 4 more months people! This makes me think about going home and what that is going to be like. It also makes me think about leaving my kids. I feel a lot more confident this quarter in the classroom. I have my crazy, wacky, animated teaching style down. It is so much fun trying to explain what words like "compare" mean, but what is even more fun than that is hearing a child say, "oh I get it now!" The best.

This week I had a great "Jesus moment" at Bible time. I told them the parable of the lost sheep. I had them close their eyes and imagine 5 sheep, 30 sheep, 60 sheep, 100 SHEEP, and then I told them that God knows every person, loves every person. It was a special, quiet, focused moment(these moments are hard to get sometimes). Then after praying little, smiley Norman raises his hand and said, "teacher when we were praying I imagined 100 sheep." These kids are killing me with their cute faces and happy comments. I love them. 

On Saturdays we will occasionally do an outreach ministry. This month we went to the hospital to sing. It is easy to sing in a big group, split up and pray, then move on and not realize that you are a blessing these people. On this particular Sabbath we were singing and a lady came up to us and put lotion on each of us. This is very meaningful in Pohnpei. It is a way of humbling themselves and saying thank you. It reminded me that God uses us even when we are unaware of it sometimes. Yesterday, we went to a village to sing and color with children. I was singing "Father Abraham" with the children and they were cracking up. Big, hardy, joyful laughter! I have sang this song countless times since being here, but yesterday I could not be more happier singing it with kids who were having so much fun. 

As of the lates, I have been cooking. No, not just macaroni & cheese. Actual, healthy cooking! (See mom, I told you there was hope for me one day) My friend and I have been making scrumptious meals such as eggplant, salads, homemade bread, and stirfry. It has been so much fun to turn the music on and loose myself in cooking and the occasional smoke. One challenging thing on this island has been eating healthy. The first couple of months my diet consisted of pop-tarts, mac & cheese and pancakes. Woo. Finally, after 5 months I have learned how to eat right here. Anyways, I can probably make you something special and delicious when I get back. Just ask;)

Well folks, not too much else has been happening. I think about you all often and I am so happy to have friends and family who support me. It means the world. I love you all! 

Island love.