Update

Just a few quick updates...

• Yesterday, we had an earthquake. Usually they aren't very strong. In fact, I usually don't feel them unless I'm sitting down. However, this one was long and strong! I was actually at a restaurant on the side of the mountain with two friends. I was sitting in a chair that overlooked the entire city. So my friends and I quickly got up and ran to a grassy area. Betty said all of the windows at the house were rattling. Other people had picture frames fall down! Kind of crazy!
• School is definitely back in full swing. The honeymoon phase of great behavior is over...unfortunately!
• I have started tutoring a 2nd grader for 30 minutes twice a week. I had him write a story about his dog, and he ended up writing a story about a dog named Pepitotito who saves someone from a robber! I had trouble following his story, so I think we have a lot of work ahead of us!
• Last week, a sweet 6th grade girl asked me if I was going to stay and teach next year. I said I wasn't sure yet, and she said, "Well...if you leave, we might get a teacher worse than you!" I don't think it came out the way she wanted it to!
• The weekend before school started, I went with two teachers to some naturally hot pools outside Xela. They were so, so relaxing! One of the teachers that went is actually Guatemalan. Guatemalans only have to pay Q25, while everyone else has to pay Q50. However, guides get in for free. So, he tried to pass as our guide, but the ticket guy wasn't buying it, maybe because I was laughing! Oops! Guatemala is pretty conservative, as in women don't wear shorts. So, one of the teachers and I were unsure how much we needed to wear...until we saw a woman topless. Then I figured my one piece swimsuit and shorts would be just fine! 
• I do miss family and friends in the U.S., but I'm learning to be present with the people I'm with, wherever I am! 
• God is so great, and I am thankful to Him! In Bible we are talking about prayer. God has been challenging me to seek out what it means to pray continually. Earlier this week, I was getting stressed with lesson planning. I prayed, asking God to figure out what we should do! He did, which reminded me that I need to trust Him with the daily things as much as I do with the bigger things. Sometimes it's much easier for me to ask Him when I have a big/important decision to make...Should I stay here next year? If so, how long? If not, what's next? Too often I depend on myself to make the "smaller" decisions. Yet, I think He wants to be in all that I do...big and small!