When I go back to Texas in the summer, I’m overwhelmed by all of the options at the grocery store. “Whaaat? I can choose between 15 liquid coffee creamers?! When did they start making Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie?? Why aren’t these delicious creamers making it down to the Honds?”

There are so many options that it’s hard to make a decision. That’s kind of how I feel now. It’s been a couple months since I’ve written, so it’s kind of tricky deciding what to tell you about. But after much “staring at the coffee creamers,” I’ve decided to dedicate this blog to school things. I hope you enjoy your school-flavored coffee.

Our 2016-2017 school picture.

This is my third year teaching at the Ranch. It’s hard to believe. I originally committed to teaching for two years, but decided to extend my contract. I’m so thankful that God has kept me here. I so enjoyed my first two years in Honduras, and I’m happy to be back for more! The first years were great, but it wasn’t until now that I finally feel like I’m in a groove, teaching-wise. I know the curriculum, I know the kids, I understand how things work here and what goals I should have, and I’m not overwhelmed! It’s so nice to be able to go to school and feel confident in what I’m doing.

Let me tell you, in case you didn’t know, that I LOVE my little students. This year I have 5 first graders, 11 second graders, and 7 third graders. Last year’s first graders were the craziest. There are so many big personalities in that class. I was a little nervous when I heard that they would be my homeroom, but I was excited too, and very hopeful.  We’ve gotten into some good routines and I’ve gotten to know them better, and I’m so pleased with how they’re doing this year. So pleased! I was remembering the insanity with one of the little boys last year, and it’s so different from how he is now. Yay, God!

One of the biggest reasons this year has been so much more enjoyable for me is that I was actually able to put into practice what we learned at our trainings this year. I set clear expectations for my students and was consistent in enforcing them. I became “predictable.” And I saw the truth in how that brings security to the kids. My kids know what the rules of the classroom are, what behavior I expect of them, and what our routines are. I remind them sometimes when I have to write them down in the behavior notebook, “You know what the rule is and you broke it.” I know that consistency and set routines are healthy for my kids, but they’ve been so helpful for me as well. It feels good to have a plan that we follow each day. I’m not second-guessing myself, wondering what to do.

My first graders in “Position 1.”

I’ve so enjoyed disciplining my kids this year! That sounds funny. I don’t delight in punishing them or seeing them get in trouble. But I’ve been really thankful for the chance to train them and teach them.

If you came to Rancho Ebenezer around 8:00, you could witness our fun, little morning routine. Every morning, my sweet peeps hang up their backpacks, get out their agendas and homework folders, and sit down at their desks with agendas open and homework out. As they’re hanging up their backpacks, I start “Lean On Me” on my iPad and then once they’re seated, I go around to stamp their parents’ signatures and completed work. They put their work into the homework tray, put away their agendas and homework folders and have to be seated & ready at their desks, before the song is over.

Recess time.

Now, I want to share a story with y’all. 🙂 It’s one of my favorite moments from this year. One day during recess I looked over and happened to see one of my little boys pushing a girl from his class. I called him over and told him what I thought I had seen. I asked him, “Did you push her?” He looked down at the ground with his little mad face and wouldn’t answer me for a while. I asked him a couple more times though and finally, he looked at me and admitted that he did. After a few questions and a lot of waiting and listening, he told me through his sniffling and crying that the girl had been making fun of him because he’d lost to her friend in tetherball. I teared up seeing how much a comment like that had hurt him. He normally acts like such a tough guy. I told him I was sorry that she had done that and that it was wrong of her. I said that it would have made me mad too. But I asked him if he thought pushing her was the best way to deal with it? No. And if he could have done something different? Tell a teacher. And I told him that he’s stronger than her and that boys should never push girls because they can get hurt. I told him he would have a consequence because he had broken the rules, but that the little girl would have a consequence as well. We finished off hugging it out, and as he tucked his head into my stomach and stretched his arms around my waist, it became one of my favorite moments of this school year.

I was so glad that I didn’t just call him over and say, “You pushed a girl! No recess for you tomorrow!” I’m so glad that I took the time to talk with him and see what was behind the behavior. I think it made him feel valued and understood. It was loving correction. And isn’t that how God deals with us? He doesn’t throw our mistakes in our faces and just start doling out punishments; he lovingly helps us see areas for change. He helps us understand why what we’re doing isn’t okay. And even if he doesn’t show us the why, if we know his love for us, we’re able to obey without seeing the whole picture. He disciplines us because he loves us. I want my kids to get that. I want them to see the way that I love (& discipline) them as a reflection of who God is.

I’m glad to be getting that right this year (at least more than I have before), but I still have so many areas where I need to improve. There was one time at the end of the day when my kids were getting really loud and I had already told them to quiet down more than once. I got really frustrated and ended up yelling at them. Sometimes I’ve had to yell just so they can hear me and know that I’m serious, but this was a mad-yelling. So I had to apologize to them. Haha. They still bring it up. If I say anything like,”Everyone makes mistakes,” they’re quick to remind me about “that one time when you got mad and yelled at us!” They’re fun. And they keep you humble!

My sweet & spicy second graders.

There’s probably a lot more I could say, but I think this is a good stopping point. If you have any questions for me about school or anything else, I would love to answer them. Comment on the blog, email me, message me..whatever works best.

At this point, I’m running kind of low on funds. I’m good on the day to day stuff, but I’m not sure how I’m going to get my plane ticket to come back after Christmas. And I need to come back, y’all! 😉 If you would like to make an end of the year donation or you know a company that would be interested in doing so, please make your way on over to our website. I would be so thankful for your support!

https://www.wgoreach.org/Support%20Missionary-28.htm

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for donating and praying.

Thank you for caring.

Much love,

Lindsey