Things are starting to happen for me!

I think the thing that makes this adventure living in the DR hardest for me is that I call it an “adventure!”  Although it is…I need to remember to call it home.  I often think about how things will be when we move back to the US but that is dangerous thinking for me because I need to remember I live here right now.  I’ve gotten a lot of advice from people that have studied abroad or served a mission here or moved here to teach English…all adventure kind of things.  While I do appreciate all of the advice, I feel different because I didn’t come here as a young college student or someone looking for an adventure.  I came here as a thirty year old mother whose husband got a job and I am here raising my family.  It’s just a different scenario.  However let me now tell you that things are starting to happen!

First, I picked up a job teaching English part time.  I figured since I’m a teacher by trade, why not use my skills to get out of the house, do some good and meet more people?  So that’s what I’m doing and so far I really like it! I teach a class of 15-ten to twelve year olds. The school serves pre-school through high school so it seems to be doing rather well.  I’ve only taught for three weeks and already love the kids in my class.  During the week I am on call to go to the corporate office in a different city and help the Director teach adults but I haven’t had to go yet.  I am really looking forward to a different professional atmosphere to teach in!

I don't have a good picture of all my kids or the whole school yet so this will have to suffice.

 I also joined a very intense work out class at my apartment.  There are about 6 or 7 girls that come and we all work with this trainer cycling through sit ups, push ups, lunges, running and more all non-stop.  I have never felt so much pain from working out and I seriously thought I was going to puke the first day.  I was in pain the rest of the week but the classes have gotten a little easier each time and I really love it. 

This is an accurate before and after of how I feel on a daily basis in this class

Last night I also received a calling at church!  I am going to serve with the young women as a counselor in the Presidency. Serving with the youth is always fun and they are more likely to speak English than the older people.  For those of you who aren’t LDS, in our congregations, people are given different callings (jobs) to do to help the congregation function.  People teach Sunday school, work with the youth or the children, keep track of secretarial duties and other responsibilities.  None of it is paid and it is all done by service including the Bishop who leads the congregation. Jesus also received a calling and will be teaching in the Elders Quorum.  Although he is bilingual, he thinks in English first so is nervous to teach in Spanish but I’m so excited for him to do it!

Tonight we had another couple and their baby over for Family Home Evening.  (There’s some more LDS jargon…Family home evening is a time for families to get together typically on Monday evenings to share a spiritual thought, play games, eat treats, do family planning, go on outings or essentially whatever you want).  This couple is great! For the spiritual thought, we talked about families and how we’ve been entrusted by the Lord to raise new little spirits and then we played some “Minute to Win it” games at our house and ate pizza. Thanks Katy for the minute to win it FHE idea!  It was so fun to get to know this couple better!  We’ve met a few other young couples as well so I am going to try and be my ”social butterfly” self and bring us all together.  Nothing will me the same as when the Showleys, Lines, Gilles and Druckers got together often in MN but you better believe I am going to try and make something happen!  And maybe these moms can come hang out with me during the day since I think we all don’t work full time…cross your fingers for me!  

One minute to pull all the tissues out of the box one by one using one hand

One minute to grab a peso out of each panty hose leg and your hands must work independently not touching the other

One minute to get two oreos in your mouth from your forehead using only your facial muscles and no hands