Less than 10 days.

Sorry for the delay in updates.

Field Trip!

Things have been great here. Trying to relax as much as I can before I head back to the states in less than 10 days. That's just so crazy for me to believe. I can't believe this is my last week with my class! I will miss them dearly and their hilarious personalities, but then again, I won't! Haha, not after the week I had with them... I am not cut out to teach in this culture. It would be a huge challenge for me, but I am SO entirely greatful for the experience, for what it's taught me, and for the relationships I've built here. I wouldn't change a thing.
Fish Faces with Maya.
This past weekend I went to El Yunque rainforest. It's the "number one place to go when you're in Puerto Rico." It rained. No wait, sorry, it down poured on us the entire time. It was cloudy when we got to the top. I was completely sore the next day. But. It. was. awesome. Again, wouldn't change a thing. Well, I would have liked it to not rain as much because it made taking pictures difficult, but it was kind of fun to hike in the rain. Can say I've never done that before!
Craig and Linds climbing to the top/look-out point of El Yunque.
This sums up our view. We saw nothing!


Yesterday morning me and Lindsay went and watched the sunrise on the beach. It was incredible. So so pretty. I was exhausted yesterday and today, but it was worth it.






There's a few more things we're going to do this next week and my last weekend.. still is just so crazy to me. Even crazier, when I get back to Knoxville, I have SIX (thats right, count them up, S-I-X) weeks left of Grad School. Praise.the.Lord. I couldn't make it any longer.

As far as jobs go, keep the prayers coming please!

Just to Be With You

As I sit here and read the passage of Jesus' trial, death, and resurrection in Luke, I can't seem but to feel so many emotions.

Anger- Starting in Luke 23, Jesus is passed along to Pilate then Herod and back to Pilate. Even though he is already getting mocked by the guards, neither Pilate or Herod find anything wrong with him. Pilate says, "He seems harmless to me." And yet when they present him to the crowd, the crowd is the one that wants him crucified. After everything he's done for them, for their families... it makes me so mad. And then it makes me even more mad because Pilate GIVES IN. What kind of ruler are you that you give in and not stand your ground!?

Wonder- I also can't help to wonder about this all. It makes me mad, and yet, this is what God had planned all along. Jesus knew it and yet he prayed in the Garden and asked if there was anything else that could be done. So I know it had to happen. Because of this, it makes me wonder about Pilate and Herod's life. THEY chose to crucify him, even though it's what was intended in God's plan, so where does that lie in their life? They ultimately killed the Messiah. THE MESSIAH. Alpha and Omega. King of Kings. Adonai. Does that play a part in their life? I know it's not for me to decide, but it makes me wonder.

Unworthy- How can you read any passage about what Jesus went through and not feel like you're unworthy? WHO AM I to deserve what He's gone through? But that's the amazing part of grace... none of us are, and yet, He thinks so. Who am I to argue? Who am I to not live my life for him?

Relief- He rose. He rose! HE ROSE! Why do I worry about other things? HE ROSE to fulfill his promises. He died so I may live. He rose so I may live. HE'S COMING BACK SO I MAY LIVE.

Humorous- Jesus asks, "Do you have any food in here?" :] haha. "Ya'll got any food up in this joint?" makes me laugh.

Excited- for his promise. "I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."

"Love Song" by Third Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ninMQnXoYnk&feature=related

Serenity

My first graders. More pictures to come.


Have you ever just felt like something was on your heart, but you didn't quite know what it is? I feel that way.. There's just something there but it's like I can't find the words for it.

Anyway. Let me update you on some things that have been going on.

God decided it'd be a great and humorous idea if not only I went to a jr/sr high retreat, but that I led a family group as well. Let me tell you, I changed my major to Early Childhood for a reason. My personality just doesn't go well with the "big kids." So when I heard I'd be helping with the retreat, I thought, "Okay, what's four days?" and when I got there and was told I'd be leading a family group with another person, I got a little leary. However, things went okay. If anything, the KIDS weren't opening up which was making it difficult. Luckily, I was with someone who works in student ministry at his church back in the States. I told him leading the discussions was all him and I'd chime in.. which is how it went. Our group started to open up more the last night, but it still wasn't much. The last night's session was really good though. God was apparent and it was clear. Not just that night, but all week. Keep these students in your prayers. A lot of them are going through a lot.. not just typical high school things, but things they shouldn't have to be faced with.

The speaker for the week was a friend of Craig's from Rainbow Christian Camp in Indiana. Joe, the speaker, his wife Melissa, and their adorable son Jake stayed with us while they were here. It was a house full, but it was a lot of fun. Having a baby around made me realize how much I DO NOT want kids for awhile :] Luckily that works out since there isn't even an other half to that equation around. They are great people though and I had a lot of fun getting to know them.

After the retreat, Craig, Joe, Melissa, and I (Linds stayed home with Jake) drove about 2hrs to the center of the island to Torre Negro. On our way there we stopped at a point where you could see both sides of the coast.. as in, I look North and there's the ocean, I turn around and look South and there's the ocean. Pretty stinkin cool if you ask me. It was cloudy and dreary outside so the pictures aren't the best. And speaking of pictures, my batteries died. I stole Joe's pictures and I need to get Craig's. Anyway. We hiked up the mountains to el Torre.. which is the tower. I've never hiked for the sake of seeing a tower, but again, pretty stinkin cool. On our way back, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall. I wish we would have had time to get in it. Craig says the waterfalls at El Yunke are better.. that's the rainforest. I can't wait to see more of this beautiful island.

On the way back from the retreat, driving past the ocean on the Beach Road, I thought, I've missed seeing this everyday. Then I got to thinking how I am half way through this already. HALF WAY. wow. It doesn't feel like I've been here almost a month already. I'm going to have a rough time when it comes time to leave. God has given me such a feeling of serenity, that if that was the only reason I was here, it would be okay. Words can't even begin to tell you how much I needed that... How much I longed for that. All the time... God is good.

Please continue to be praying. And why you're at it, through in the job hunting too. I have all the applications that I've been in the process of working on, sent out. I was praying about it yesterday and I just have this strong pull towards Knoxville. I really can't see myself leaving. I can't see myself saying goodbye to the relationships that have formed there. I know a lot of people are just, "Well, where I get a job is where I get a job!" And don't really care where it is.. But there is just this tug on my heart saying Knoxville. I know that God will provide.. But I don't know if that tug is for my own selfish reasons or if it means something. I don't want an opportunity in Knoxville to come up, and me just take it because it's Knoxville.. And I'm sure when the time comes and I go through interviews and the decisions are sought prayerfully, I'll know. But I just ask that you keep that in your prayers, please.

On this Friday.. On this weekend... I pray you not only remember what it's about, but that you live it daily, everyday. Don't make what He did not worth it.


Isaiah 53
1 Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?
2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong,
on him, on him.

7-9He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn't say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he'd never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn't true.

10Still, it's what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.

11-12Out of that terrible travail of soul,
he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many "righteous ones,"
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

For you complainers..

For you complainers who like to complain but don't even leave me comments to read...

We're headin out to a Retreat for the Jr/Sr high schoolers. It's like camp pretty much. We're leavin in a few minutes and will be gone til Tuesday.. I'll update this when we come back!


Have a great weekend!

End of Week Two.

I miss one week and I'm getting harassed. I have been meaning to update this though. My goal is at least once a week. Apparently, I missed that. Sorry.

Everything has been really good. I was telling some people that that's what it just is.. GOOD. No drama. No stress. No working on the weekends. It's just simply good. I'm enjoying my time with my kids. I feel like I have a story everyday from them. They are so stinkin funny. I'm enjoying my time with Lindsay and Craig, spending nights that I'm laughing so much I'm crying, spending nights staying up late and just talking with Linds, like the old days :]. It's just been so relaxing.

Last weekend we went to the beach and the largest mall in the Carribbean, along with the largest Old Navy. This weekend we didn't have school Friday or tomorrow, so we went to the beach in San Juan on Friday, the outlets yesterday, Old San Juan today, and tomorrow we're going to another beach on the opposite side of the island. I think this one is one that's part of the Carribbean Sea, so it's crystal clear water. So pretty.

Um. What else.. I tried what I think is the most popular form of puerto rican food.. monfongo. Look it up. It's like mashed plantains. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't think there was much taste to it.

I did end up talking to my teacher on her expectations of me. She said I've about finished my student teaching so she didn't think I was expected to teach at all and it was more observance and if I did teach, it wouldn't be until after I've been there a month. Lindsay said it's more because I need to get acquainted with the culture before I'm able to teach the kids.. that's understandable for sure. I talked to my internship coordinator and he said that this placement is different and my requirements are not the same. He said whatever I do will be between me and my mentor teacher and what she wants me to do. He said I will gain the teaching experience being there and helping when needed and just being involved in that way. I can see that too. What makes it hard is that I don't even feel like there's "teaching" anyway. The only thing that seems to be taught is Math. I haven't really seen a lesson in anything else. There's so much I wish I could do and change as far the teaching methods go. It's very teacher-centered and not student centered, which is what I've been taught. For those not familiar, teacher-centered is workbooks and the basic solid teaching in that matter. Student-centered is more focused on getting the students involved and doing something other than worksheets and workbooks. It's more hands on learning and instruction that will best meet their form of learning. So it's been rough in that aspect.

Other than that, things are good! I got a call about a week ago about a potential job at a preschool opening up in Knoxville. He left me a message, I called him back and got the voicemail and left him a message. Last week I hadn't heard from him and every time I got the voicemail. I left another message on Wednesday just forming him that I was interested and would like to talk to him more about the preschool and everything. We'll see where it goes. It was really, really exciting getting that first call. It also helped because someone talked me up to him and said he had nothing but great things to say. The guy happened to be one of the officers that does security at the theater. Picks on me all the time but told them I was a great worker and that I would fit right in with the people there. :] We'll see what happens. Hopefully this week I'll get a call back. Be praying. I've also got 3 more applications I really need to get on the ball with. That will be my goal this week. It's mid-March. I am definitely slacking.

Sorry it's so long. I will really try to update more frequently so each one isn't a novel.

Instead of trying to get pictures on here (it's a pain), you can go to the following links to see some. Let me know if they don't work.

Where I'm staying:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2016174&id=157200049&l=a2deeb5392

Beach Number One:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2016177&id=157200049&l=2211baab6c

Beach Number Two (visit from my sister) plus more pictures including Old San Juan:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=2016254&id=157200049

here's the mail it never fails...

Okay.. I've been asked for an address.. so.. if you'd like to make my day, you can send something to:
Craig and Lindsay Beatty (Katrina)
Cond. Lago Playa
Apt. 2621
Toa Baja, PR 00949

I should receive it then and you'd make me happy :]

So today.. me and Linds went grocery shopping and I went to pay and had my first official moment where I was spoken to in Spanish and just kind of froze. Lindsay finally jumped in and helped and told me he wanted my ID. haha. And then we went to Taco Bell (yes, they have Taco Bell!) and as we were walking in Linds was like, let's see how good my Spanish is when ordering! ...DUH! I'm not even thinking when it comes to that. Luckily, this girl was like, I speak English.. and she was from PR but her English was sooo good. So yeah.. it was a pretty relaxing evening. Now we're just hanging out watching American Idol. This time last night, I was already in bed. I don't know what it is about this place, but it SUCKS the energy right out of you. I slept for 9hrs last night and couldn't manage to stay awake this morning. I also had felt like a truck hit me.. don't know why.. but my body just ached.
anyway.
Didn't get a chance to talk to my teacher today.. She kept me busy grading and running copies.. this placement really is going to be rough. I don't see me teaching much... so that's going to have to be okay with certain people back at home.
um... so I got called a name by one of my students. Have no idea what it was.. but one kid was like, he's telling jokes about you. And then another one gasped and said, he called you a really bad name! And the teacher dealt with it.. but I have no idea what he said! The little punk.
Another kid asked me if I knew that Hannah Montana lived in Tennessee where I lived :] And then she was like, when is she going to come to Puerto Rico!?? aw. poor girl. I should have been like they were in the movie and be like, I know Hannah Montana. :] hahaha.
Oh. and we have a student with ODD.. which I've never heard of. It's Oppositional Defiant Disorder. HA. yeah.. no joke. it's a disorder. Anyway. He was really sweet to me. He kept coming to me for help and then in the cafeteria we have to sit with them (I know, it sucks) and he was like teacher! teacher! here! (The students called you "teacher"). Anyway. At least he's not being crazy for me.. yet.

I felt like I was going to say something else... but I don't remember.
Anyway. Keep on reading. Keep on praying. Send me mail. I love you all. :]

I'm gonna go with Molly's title... Sorry for the book.. but its my first update in PR!

I wish I could tell you I was in the beautiful city of San Juan (or right outside it), but I can't. I'm here, but with this weather, it hasn't been beautiful. I refuse to take out my camera until the sun comes out! It's been in the 70s which feels nice, but this gloomy rain thing has got to go. And when it goes, it can take my allergies with it. My nose has been nothing but stuffy and I have done nothing but sneezing!

To back it up a bit, I came in on Saturday. My flights were good. The first one from Knoxville to Charlotte was a little rough, but luckily, it was only 30-40ish minutes. It was on a teeny plane with two seats on each side. Lucky for me, I sat next to a bigger gentleman, making me lean into the aisle a little bit. Just like in the movies though, I fell asleep and then someone walked down the aisle and hit my shoulder. Nice, huh?

So I got to Charlotte, which was a nice airport, and had about an hour and a half wait til my next flight. This one was a lot better. The day before when I checked in online, I changed my seat to a window so I can take some pictures (it was cloudy so that didn't happen). I sat next to a girl my age that was on her way to relax for Spring Break. We got to talk a lot and she happened to be from CA, which some of you know I'm applying for a job there. She was telling me how pretty that area was and how I needed to just go for it. She's studying in DC in International Politics. Crazy, right? I know. Anyway. She was sweet and it was good to talk to someone... as well as good to sleep during the flight!

Craig and Lindsay were there to pick me up. It was sooo good to see them. I'm so excited I get to spend this time with them and it's so comforting and such an enouragement to have them here as well. Like I said, it's been raining, so the drive wasn't too much to see. It all just looked so crummy. We dropped my stuff off at the apartment and went to the mall to go to Chili's for dinner. Okay.. When people asked me how I was going to do this teaching thing here, I kept saying, oh! It's an English instructed school.. no big deal. But what I didn't think as well is how everything else around me would be Spanish! The menu for instance. I could read like every other word so I figured it out, with Linds' help as well. But everywhere you go it's Spanish.. street signs, menus, receipts... and then you'll run into Puerto Ricans who speak better English than you. But it was a little bit of a culture shock because I wasn't thinking of the obvious.

Sunday we went to church... it's no Crossings, that's for sure. And I wasn't expecting it to be. It's a small church, the organ plays 2 songs and then the guitar and drums play 2 songs.. and that's because they can't agree, but that's another story. Craig preached though, so that was good.
We did some shopping at Costco and came home and all three of us slept the afternoon. It was kind of nice to nap. That evening we went to one of their friends' house to celebrate Lindsay's birthday. They are all super sweet and very welcoming. They made some kind of Puerto Rican steak on the grill, which was soo good. I think it's called... chureso? Or something along those lines. But I had a good time. It was nice to get to know everybody right away.

And today... it was my first day at school. I'm going to love these kids. One of them came up to me and started talking in Spanish and I just looked at him and smiled and then he was like, Are you from another country? And I laughed and said yeah.. so he got out a map and I showed him where.. then he said, You speak in Spanish? And I told him very little and he just laughed and said, hok. I talk to Ingles. haha.

The teacher's aid that's in there will not be in there while I'm there. She's on doctor's orders not to go back to work, so my teacher said it was like a blessing in disguise that I got to come be here. It was a little rough today, but we're meeting during their Spanish class first thing in the morning tomorrow to talk. So I kind find out what she expects of me, what I expect of her, etc. Hopefully it will get better than what it was.

Anyway. I won't keep writing a book. They'll be pictures soon, I promise. Maybe next weekend when the sun's out? And I can show you mi casa as well :]