Catch Up Day

The best laid plans were led astray by a sinus infection and upper respiratory infection.  After not feeling good for a month I gave in and went to the doctor this week.  Between starting a new exam prep class, new medications, and fighting this infection I got way behind on the blog.  But today is catch up day in so many ways - laundry, cooking, studying, correspondence, and yep, blogging.

Evangelical Christian Academy

#4  My students - I am thoroughly enjoying being back in the classroom.  I forgot how much I enjoyed teaching!  These 8 students are fabulous.  Each have their own story to tell - some are missionary kids others are not.  Some have lived more time in Spain than in the US, while others began their lives in other countries, including Morocco and Mexico.  Two of them are learning English as a second language and one is here only for a 6 month intercultural mission experience.  I am learning more from them than I think they are learning from me.

#5  Doctors and Medicine - Although I try to avoid the medical system here, it is actually very good.  I avoid it only because dealing with a foreign system while you are sick is just incredibly taxing, however, when I finally give in and go I am thankful.  I am thankful that the doctor understood my need to feel better quickly (exam is less than 2 weeks ago) and was willing to aggressively treat these infections.  I have been on a regimen of drugs for four days now and am finally beginning to feel better.  Now praying that this is the end of being sick and that I catch up on all I let go.

#6  2nd Chances - So many times I "mess up" and am so glad that God and life offers second chances.  I failed the Spanish proficiency exam last May and will be taking it a second time on the 22nd.  I am so glad that I am not judged on my first attempt.

#7  Flexible Husband - In preparation for taking the exam a second time I am taking an exam prep class.  It is from 7 to 9 PM at night and is in the town where I teach, an hour from our house.  As a one car family this has created a need for flexibility and creativity.  I am thankful for a husband who has been willing (and will be for another week and a half) to be creative in our daily routine.

#8  Fellowship with Friends  - As a result of the class I am taking I have not been home every night and have had lots of hours to kill.  Sophia and the Davis family have opened their house to us, allowing either Alex and I both or just Alex to crash at their house throughout the week.  Friday I got to have lunch with a group of 7 friends, some new and some old.  Then we went to a fellowship with a few teachers and their spouses.  The host even made a bed for me and let me crash for an hour so that I had the energy to enjoy the party.  I am so thankful that God created us to be relational people and then put beautiful relationships in our lives.

#9 - Sunshine  - It is November so the temperatures have dropped but today the sun has been shining.  Although I am always thankful for the sunshine in the winter I am especially thankful today because it means I might actually master the laundry pile this weekend.  Without a dryer I either depend on the sunshine to dry my clothes or allow 3 days for them to dry inside.  After a crazy week of classes with another crazy week ahead I don't have three days, so I am thankful that God blessed me with sunshine today.