Sometimes it's obvious I live in another country :)

So a short post with two, maybe more, funny stories.

A group of 8 of us are going to the beach after school tomorrow because we have no school on Friday. We usually take the bus. We had heard that you can prebuy tickets, so Amanda and I went down to the bus station to find out. Since it's a holiday, the bus will fill up quickly. We get down there to find out that that bus you can't prebuy more than 2 hours ahead. So much for that plan. In the taxi on the way back, he suggested taking a mini-boo. We had heard that term before, and it basically means van taxi. I still think it might be the funniest word ever. And really it's not even a mini-bus, as it sounds. It's a normal mini-van that is now a taxi. We asked how many it would fit, and he said 9 or 10. This does NOT include a driver. Yes, you are thinking of a normal mini-van, and that's what it is. Yes, riding in a vehicle is a little different here. The guy telling us all this is not our normal taxi. He called the mini-boo driver and he said he would stop by our house in 30-45 minutes. I gave him my phone number and we went home to wait. More than two hours later I started to wonder if he would show up. So I called my normal taxi driver and explained all this. Within 10 minutes the mini-boo showed up. I love my taxi driver! He showed us how he can indeed fit 8 people and him. Let me just say we will be a bit squished tomorrow. Then he asked us if he could bring someone along to keep him company on the way back. He said this person could sit between the two front seats. We decided we did not want to be quite that squished! We will see how this whole mini-boo experience goes tomorrow. But it sure beats the hassle of trying to get on a bus or it taking 6 hours instead of 2. That has indeed happened to us here too!

Another cute first grade story: One of my boys LOVES to pray. When he prays, he more just talks. It's super cute. Today he was trying to say something about how some people don't do the right thing and God will punish them. He definitely said "Some people do bad things and God you will punch them!" Somehow I managed to not laugh. I love that kid!

God has been doing amazing things in my life. It's so hard but good to work through things with Him. I am excited to get away and just spend time with Him this weekend. I am not bringing ANY work! It should be great.

My kids LOVE a song I have that says "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." Of course, many of you know that that's a verse as well--it's a straight up scripture song :). My goal is that I would be a righteous woman of prayer. May I continue to pray for my taxi driver, my crazy and wonderful first graders, and so much more.

I have more funny stories from today but it is getting late. I will have to write about them later. Let's just say we took a field trip to the main offices on campus today and my kids LOVED it! Haha. It's amazing what can make kids laugh. I am grateful for a patient and kind director and a high school principal who loves first graders and will let them distract him for a bit :). It was pretty cute!

First graders might be the funniest people in the world

My first graders make me laugh every day. A few good ones from the past few days?

We were talking about the word "until" as one of our new vocabulary words. The ESL teacher was in my room and we were trying to get them to finish sentences. She said "I am hungry, but I can't eat until..." hoping they would be able to finish it. One little girl raised her hand and said "until December!" I sure hope we can eat before December!

That same day we were talking about our book which has to do with a pumpkin. We were saying that we had talked about a farmer and the book would be connected to him. We were trying to get them to say "Farmer McDonald," who we had talked about. We told them he was a farmer. One little boy raised his hand and instead of saying Farmer McDonald, he said the PE teacher's name! I guess he's a farmer in his spare time!

Today we were out playing on the playground. I was playing on the jungle gym with them. They wanted me to go on the monkey bars. I unfortunately cannot just shimmy across like I used to. I did it, but not the normal way. I was kinda sideways. The kids were like "You are doing it wrong! I guess you are too old!" Haha. I am now officially too old for the monkey bars :)

They truly are like little mice following me every where. If I was playing tag and left and went to the monkey bars, they all left and went to the monkey bars. And of course all I hear when I play with them is "Miss Seeman LOOK!"

God has been teaching me a lot lately. I will try to post something more soon, but I wanted to at least write a little bit. I am praying for another good and of course funny day with my little mice tomorrow!

Life with first graders

So I can't get these pictures to move. You might want to read the text first and then look at the pictures :)
These boys think you have to wear your soccer socks up as high as they go. Notice you can see no legs :)
They LOVE to read the Beginner's Bible :)
He is one of my American missionary boys. LOVE him and LOVE the half smile. Anyone reminded of my brother? :)

Us being crazy

Trying to get a good class picture. It didn't work.

We have had 16 days of school. 164 to go. Haha. No, it's not that bad :). I am enjoying them, most days at least. It's definitely been a switch from third grade. I am slowly figuring out how to get and keep their attention. I still lose them at times, but we are getting there. I love the things that make them laugh! I love being goofy with them!

Please pray with me that I would really shine bright for Christ to them. I want to show them Christ's love. May none of me and all of Him shine through. I love working at a place where I can share my faith as much as I want. I don't always take advantage of that though.

Please pray as well that I would know how to reach each and every one of them. They are all so different, but I want to be able to challenge each and every one of them.

Amanda and I along with some others started going back to the girls home. The older ones were AMAZING last Thursday. I was speaking more English than I ever have and they got it! Now we just have to get them saying it :)

This year has been very different in terms of hanging out with people. The teachers do a lot more together, which has been super fun. Tonight we sang worship songs for 2 hours! It reminded me of my days at Emmaus. I love singing with people, and most of the teachers have AMAZING voices.

It's amazing how God provides and takes care of us. So often it's in little ways that we miss if we are not looking. I want to make it my goal to keep my eyes open this year, so to speak. I want to be aware of the ways God provides for me, encourages me, and shows me that He loves me. Some things I have noticed the last couple days? I love the people He has put in my life. The one He brought to mind is my taxi driver. Yes, I said taxi driver. Luis has become like an uncle to me. He watches out for me and always tells us that if we need anything he will help us. We invited him to a concert Amanda is singing in and he is coming! I am just amazed at how God cares about the little things, like great taxi drivers. He has also been teaching me a lot about how I need to fear Him and not people. There have been a lot of opportunities to learn that the past couple weeks. Hard lessons but good lessons :).