I’m not sure how to start this blog. It’s kind of been a while since I’ve written. I hope I didn’t forget how!! Sorry if you’ve been anxiously awaiting my next blog post. Also, thanks for caring about my blog…and me…and what God is up to over here.

Let me start by catching up on a few things:

At the beginning of November I was able to go to a women’s conference for missionaries in Honduras. It was put on by a team from the States and we were able to live stream a conference from Connecticut (I think). Getting to hang out with other missionaries here and hear their stories was pretty cool, and it was nice to get away for the weekend. All of the expenses for lodging, food, crafts, snacks, etc. was covered by sisters in the States. It was so sweet of them to give their money so that we could get together for a conference here. I felt very special and blessed (:

With my roommates and a few girls we met at another retreat who are also missionary teachers in another ministry!

Last week I celebrated my first Thanksgiving away from my family. But guess what? I wasn’t even sad. Of course I LOVE my familia, and I would have enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with them, but I just couldn’t this time. So I enjoyed being here, and I had a nice day filling up on yummy food, watching movies, and hanging out with my amigas.

Also last week, we went on a day trip to Siguatepeque and the Puhlapanzak waterfall. It felt like a long trip even though it was just about 2-3 hours one way, but it was definitely worth it! It wasn’t the best weather for going to the waterfall, but it was our only day to go, and we got the park pretty much all to ourselves. We had so much fun! We went on a guided tour under/through the waterfall and up into a little cave beneath it. I felt like an adventurer. Like a reporter in the rainstorm when a hurricane is coming. Or some cool person who travels the world doing crazy things. I did not expect it to be so intense, but it really was and I had fun feeling like I was risking my life a little bit 😉 After the waterfall, we drove back to the lake and ate fresh, delicious fish (pictures below). It was my first time to be served a whole fish complete with bones and eyeballs, but I think it was also the best fish I’ve ever had. It was so good!!!

Puhlapanzak Waterfall!

With Kerry & Tiff (:

My very tasty fish…

..and our beautiful view while eating it!

Our first semester is winding down and it’s an exciting time with Christmas just around the corner. My kids are still very sweet…mostly. Of course, we all have our moments. My second graders had a really sweet moment this week. A few of the kindergarteners have had a bit of a rough time. They’re so young and they’ve been through a lot of different teachers this year, so they haven’t really been able to have the consistency they need. While I was reading with my second graders, we heard one of the kindergarteners having a fit out in the hall. We decided to stop and pray for the kindergarteners to do better in class. It was so cute listening to my kids’ prayers! “God, say to him to not be crazy and to be good.” I loved seeing them volunteer to pray and being so excited about it. Being able–and encouraged–to talk about Jesus and pray in school is so amazing. I think it would really be hard to go back to a regular public school after being here–in a lot of ways.

My super second graders!

I’m still very happy in Honduras. Still certain that it’s where God wants me to be. Still learning how to be a good teacher. Still working on my Spanish. And still enjoying the simplicity of living on top of a mountain, walking 5 minutes down the hill to work, and actually having to cook!

I can’t believe that I’ve been here for 4 months. Even more, I can’t believe that I’m going home for Christmas in only 16 days! I’m excited. I love being in Honduras, and it’s my home now too, but it’ll be fun to go to my other home for a little while (:

You always read about how missionaries end up not having a home and feeling out of place once they move away because they don’t belong in either place. But you know what? I don’t think it has to be that way. I think I can belong in more than one place. I think I can be happy in Honduras AND back in the States. Before I moved here, I remember listening to a song from Bethel Music called “We Dance.” There was a line that said, “It’s nice to know I’m not alone/I’ve found my home here in your arms,” and it made so much sense to me. That’s what’s true. I belong with Jesus. Whether I’m in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on top of a mountain, or in Odessa, TX–or wherever else the wind may blow me–He is my home. I’m so glad I can rest in that security. I pray that you would rest in it too!

Thanks for your prayers and support and care!

You are the BEST!!

Amor y bendiciones,

Lindsey

The beautiful view you see behind me is the one we get to see each time we go up or down the mountain!