~My God is All-Wise and Gives Wisdom~

"Trials of various kinds"...we all have them! But how do we respond to them? God has been teaching me this week the importance of giving my trials to Him and seeking His wisdom in how to handle the temptations, worries, fears and frustrations in my life instead of "leaning on my own understanding."

James 3:13 asks, "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." Is this my response to trials that God sends into my life? Meekness? Wisdom?! No, unfortunately my response is usually the total opposite! 

This wisdom from above is characterized by being “pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (v.17) It stands in direct contrast to the wisdom from below that is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic…full of jealousy and selfish ambition…disorder and every evil practice.” 

Looking at each of these characteristics individually this week was an eye opening experience for me and God definitely showed me my need for wisdom from above. I'm thankful for His promise that if we lack wisdom (which I do!) we can ask Him and He will "give generously to all without reproach!" We must have a dependent spirit, one that daily runs to Him...the only source of true wisdom. 

His wisdom will enable us to respond correctly to the "trials of various kinds" that He sends into our lives!

Romans 11:33 – “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Colossians 2:3 – “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Proverbs 8:11 – “For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”

Isaiah 28:29 – “This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.”

What is "thin"?!

One of the 3rd grade spelling words for this week is "thin"...so today I was trying to illustrate it on the white board by drawing wide objects and thin objects to show the contrast. I wasn't sure if they were getting the idea of the word...until one girl raised her hand and said, "Teacher, YOU are thin!" Then the students were all like "Ohhh, thin!!" Wasn't planning on using myself as an object lesson, but if that's what works! lol

Picture of the Day

"Teacher, this is you!" lol

My homemade "arroz con leche" :)

Asemblea - 15 de Septiembre

Tomorrow is Mexican Independence day! To celebrate, the students all came to school this morning dressed in colorful, native Mexican attire...they were so cute :) We all went to the gymnasium where the sixth graders performed several skits and songs for the entire student body and their parents. After the 'asemblea', everyone eagerly rushed to the 'comedor' where the mothers were busily serving all kinds of Mexican food...tacos de carne asado, enchiladas rojas, postres, etc. It was delicious! Then most of the children went home with their parents, making the rest of the school day a breeze for the teachers :)

Ruben - always the photogenic one!

Maria...and her bebé :)

3rd and 4th graders all lined up to watch the skits

Hungry first graders going to get some food!!

Joshua - the lil ranchero

Tacos...

Postres...

More tacos!

Love having their pictures taken :)

And then they wanted to take pictures of me!

Hanna brought me a plate of red enchiladas that her mom made. So sweet!!

Only two 3rd graders came to English class today...so we had fun coloring and playing old maid!

Cute <3

Romina and Dulce coloring away!

1st Grade Favorites

Hector lost a tooth in class today!

The boys LOVE the car puzzles :)

Busy copying their spelling words...well, most of them are ;)

Sweet Darah :)

Reading with Miss Rebecca. SO thankful to finally have a helper...she has been such a blessing to me already! And she speaks English too :)

Can't help cracking up at this pic...Ruben is such a funny kid!

Look I have red hair :) Card from Maria.

Ok, I had fun with this one...me and Hanna

Sunday afternoon

Ok, time to sit down with a cup of coffee and update this blog! Sorry it's been forever. :/ My friend, Susan Bixby, taught me how to make super good iced coffee this week...it's my new favorite treat! I was surprised to find that Mexicans do not drink a lot of coffee here. And if they do drink it, they use instant Nescafe...which is actually really good!! I'm addicted lol
Can't believe that I have been here for over 3 weeks already. The time has flown by!
My roommate, Elizabeth McAchren, arrived back on Wednesday. She has lived here and taught English classes at the University for 5 years, so she knows her way around! Hopefully I won't drive her crazy with all my questions ;)
There are 5 American missionary families that also live here and work at the University...Chapmans, Greens, Raymers, Bixbys and Lathams. They were all away on vacation when I first arrived, but they are all back in Monterrey this week. It's been fun to meet to them and be able to speak English again! The Bixby's invited me over to their house for lunch on Wednesday. I really enjoyed getting to know their family. They have 3 children...Aaron (9), Ana (7) and David (5)...who loved beating me up on their Wii :) My arms were sore the next day!
School is busy, but classes are starting to fall into somewhat of a routine. I love my first grade class...the kids are SO cute and they give the BEST little hugs :) I taught them the "5 Little Monkeys" action song this week. They love it haha Every time we do it they yell "otro vez, otro vez!" (again, again!!) It's so fun to watch them learn. Second grade is still super challenging with 37 students...getting them to all sit in their chairs and be quiet for more than 5 minutes is just about impossible lol Hopefully I will be getting a college student helper soon!
On Sundays I have been playing flute in the orchestra at church with my friend Claudia. She lives in the apartment downstairs. She knows a little English...and I know a little Spanish...so we have some great conversations! lol We spend most of our time together laughing and trying to figure out what each other is saying!! But she has been super sweet and helpful. Last Sunday night we went out for tacos - SO good :)
Sunday is also market day. The streets are lined with little stands selling everything from shoes to tacos to hair accessories to fruits and vegetables! Vendors rapidly yelling out prices, little children running everywhere, loud music blaring over the speakers, the aroma of tacos cooking...it's definitely a cultural experience! I'm loving all the fresh fruit...mango, papaya, bananas, pineapple, etc.
I am so thankful for the opportunity that God has given for me to be in Mexico this year. And I am thankful for all of you who are praying for me! Your support means so much. Please continue to pray for wisdom and patience as I teach my students.
Love in Christ,
Heather
~ Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart, for consider what great things He has done for you! I Sam. 12:24 ~