Dear Snot,

Snot, oh snot, why doest thou love my sinus cavities so?

Your role of protecting from dirt and dust is greatly appreciated

However, the issue at the moment, dear friend, involves the fact that the continued reproduction of yourself is leaving no room for oxygen to arrive in the necessary locations.

My other concern with your party in my face, is that there frankly isn't space in the party room for you. The Nasal Cavity will need to either continue it's policy of periodic expulsions from the premises or explode.

The other option would be you voluntarily leaving.

I prefer that option.
Again, thank you for your consistent defense.  You normally do truly magnificent work.
Love,
Emily

First Grade

May I take a moment to discuss 1st grade students?

I don't think I've ever had a cuter class.

Full of energy.

Inquisitive.

They take chances.

They make mistakes.

They get messy.

They find fun in anything.

But, sitting in a desk isn't so much fun, really.

Understanding the lack of effectiveness in repeating yourself eight times in Portuguese, is still a difficult concept.

Mastering the importance of sharing, is still slightly iffy.

Listening to someone explain things in another language, just doesn't flow with their personal goals.

Pretty much, my 1st graders are kinda killing me.

I'm pretty stubborn.  

They will be able to write in their notebooks properly, 

listen to directions,

and not interrupt during story time by the time we have parent-teacher conferences.

Of course, there are other, more academic goals.

But if we could just get those three goals down,

the academic ones would be much easier.
What it comes down to is that Lindsay should be teaching these classes.
She's good with crianças that can't sit still.
She has fun with little ones who can barely get anything done.
Cause she sees the goals in the games.
I get that.
But it's not me.
I like to accomplish things.
I like to check things off my little list.
Second, third, eighth grades....I can accomplish each little part of my lesson.
First grade just doesn't really check very well.

And, the Semester Has Begun

So, pretty much everything started this week.  School & ministry stuff, that is.
I spent the week training our newbies.  Taught their classes and meeting-ed with them.
(I just wanted to spell "meet" m-i-t.  Sigh...Portuguese, English, they start to confuse my brain after a while. Perhaps teaching English isn't the best career choice for me...)
Next week they'll teach, I'll watch and meeting some more.  And THEN, I'll go back to my class and get settled in with the munchkins of level 1.  Woot!
This weekend was also the start of English outreaches.  I teach a kids' English class in Lagoa de Itaenga on Saturday afternoons, an adults' English class in Guadalajara on Monday evenings, and each Saturday night we either have an outreach in Lagoa de Itaenga or Guadalajara.
We started English class in Lagoa yesterday.  We only had about 10 students show up for the first class, but they were excited to be there.  I always tell a Bible story at the end of the class.  That's the fun part.  Watching their faces as you tell them about Pentecost, seeing them make connections from the Bible verse, to the Bible story, to their own lives.
Last night was American night at Guadalajara.  It was the kick off for the English class.  We had an English class there 2 semesters ago, but due to a lack of people to help with the class, we had to cancel it last semester.  So, this semester we're excited about what God's going to do through the class and especially through the outreaches.  Anyways, last night the American night was focused on food.  We had hot dogs, peanut butter, pancakes, chips, veggies, & ranch dressing, brownies, and root beer.   The band played, Ricardo preached, everyone ate, and then the kids & I played soccer.  It was hot.  I was tired.  But it was good.    
Today is my day off...lovely.  Tonight I teach Sunday school at the church.  And tomorrow is a new week.  Please pray for the International School, the English classes, the outreaches, the churches, and that we will glorify God through all of this.