.concerts.bowling.swings.kickball.

When you live on an island and work at a small school and don't speak the language well you spend a lot of time with the other people you work with and their friends. This weekend was no exception. For quite possibly the first or second time since being in the DR I have had a weekend that was entirely full!

Thankfully I was able to get all of my work done to and yet manage to have time to play. Friday was a great day because it meant that I had survived the first week at school! Rachel had a friend in from the capital Job who she knew through teachers from last year as well as her many mysterious friends here in the DR. Anyways Job came to visit. Naturally we had a party/gathering/pizza&game night. So over pizza, chips, salad, and salsa our evening began...

After a few hours of food and conversation it was time to bust out the games. Half of us played Tabbo and the other half played "Bang!"(an Italian western game). Once we all got bored with our respective games it was time to pull out a game that resembles Pictionary and Telephone...names pending or yet to be invited...comments or suggestions are welcome. So gathered in a circle there sat twelve grown adults laughing hysterically at stories that transpired from one thing to the next.

Saturday included glorious coffee cake at the Christy, Karyn, and Rachel's house. Nothing to start a day like a warm hot breakfast. Granted it was more like brunch but it was still wonderful. I was also able to finish 98% of my grades on Saturday morning as Ben and Anna had gone to the beach and Nola needed some company. Saturday evening we attended a concert held at my church for the youth of several churches in the area. We all knew several people who were playing in the concert and it was a wonderful time! I loved the feeling of worshiping with people around my age again...it made me very nostalgic for TU chapel. Most of the songs they sang were songs that I have already mastered in Spanish so I felt that I could truly enjoy my time and worship God!

Sunday it was my turn to make breakfast. Breakfast turned out okay despite the long ordeal that it involved. In the span of getting breakfast ready I dropped 3 flaming matches on my toes, nearly burnt several pancakes, had things fall on my head from the cupboard and a few other things. I was frazzled by the time it came ot eat. Thankfully the food tasted okay.

Sunday evening I went bowling. Now had I known that I was going to go bowling in the DR I would have brought my handy dandy bowling brace. Bowling was so much fun; we went to celebrate/send off Revani who is headed stateside to go to college! I would have never guessed that there were serious bowlers here, but there are. On the flipside I also went bowling with people who had never been bowling before in their life and they were 21! Just not that common I don't think.

And then sadly Monday came and it was back to school. I have survived this week but it hasn't been without the Lord's help. My students were absolutely insane early on this week! Today I was given the chance to play at recess with my kids. I had so much fun playing kickball, swinging, giving underdogs to the little first and second graders who can't pronouce my last name. I wish everyday of teaching could be so enjoyable!

Prayer:
Continued joy in my students
For my Bible study with Christy Elmer- that we would really hear what God wants us to hear
For relationships within the school
Migranes - I have been getting very bad migranes lately and I'm not sure why. Earlier this week I woke up and spent my morning before heading to school sick and in pain.

Praise:
For a wonderful day
For a weekend full of fun times and memories...like almost dying on CE's pesola! But don't worry I'm fine...just wasn't on 100% of the way.
For lack of illness thus far::I have had a few stomach bugs but nothing to the point where I have needed serious care.