Videos in class!

I've never been a big fan of watching videos in class.  But, the last two years here have converted me.  There are so many useful resources available on the internet these days!  A music video or cartoon clip really grabs the kids' attention.  Thank God for youtube!  

Here's two great videos I used today with my Freshmen boys.  We watched the first one then wrote our own poetry/rap about what we've learned so far in our chastity lessons.  Can't wait to see what they come up with!

Sexual Healing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlJFvxad1_A

Love, Marriage, and Fairytales
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4OK9DmLpCY&list=UUc4yillQaNo6a-iG2PYbbrA&index=3&feature=plcp

4 Weeks Left

There are four weeks of school left.  Well, it's four weeks of regular classes then a "review week" and "finals week"... so, six weeks total.  I can't even believe it.  I've been here two years already.

In some ways the last month of school here feels like it does every year.  I feel tired at the end of the day, I wonder how another week has flown by so quickly but at the same time I'm counting down the days to the end, I'm sooooo ready for summer break.  But, in other ways, this time of year is different than the years of teaching before... since I know this is probably my last month of teaching in Belize.  It could still change, but I'm pretty sure this will be my last year teaching in Belize.  

I feel worn out as usual, but it doesn't bother me as much as usual, because I guess I'm trying to savor my remaining time.  I want to appreciate the little time I have left with these kids.  Everyday I realize more and more how much I like it here.  Isn't that about right?  You don't appreciate the things you have till you don't have them!  So I'm trying to really appreciate my life here, my students, the volunteers, and the community before I leave, instead of waiting to appreciate them when I no longer have them.

If it's already tough to think about leaving here, if it already makes me sad... I can't imagine how tough it's going to be on June 9th.  I think I should stop moving around so much, so I don't have to say goodbye so much!        

back "home" in Belize

     Had a wonderful Easter with my sister!  What a treat to get to spend time with her and my brother-in-law, their two sweet girls, and even my mom for part of the break!  As if that wasn't enough, I also got to visit with college friends and after-college friends.  So much visiting in so little time.  God is good.

      

     Now back to Belize, back to MY life.  While I enjoyed the vacation immensely, strangely enough, I was ready to get back here.  I've been here long enough that it feels like home now.  My house, my Church, my school, my town... it's not only where I live but it's now part of who I am.  Funny how a place can do that to you.  Home really is where your heart is.

     When I was 9 my family moved from IL to MS, I remember my mom would refer to IL as "going home" all the time, and then while visiting IL she would refer to MS as "home", I didn't get it, I wondered why she called both places home and assumed it was accidental.  Now it make sense to me.  It is possible to have more than one home.  Every place you've lived that still holds a special place in your heart, that brings back sentiments and memories, every place that has been such a part of you it's somehow formed who you are . . . is HOME.  

      Now I'm back "home" in Belize.  I feel comfortable here, I love it here, it feels right for me to be here, it's part of who I am now and part of me for the rest of my life I'm sure, so, for right now Belize is home... and even when I don't live here it will most likely still feel like home.

     

sending my love to all my friends and family at home :)

40 Things I'm Thankful For

Day 39

Travel

I'm thankful it's so easy to travel in this day and age.  I can visit my family and friends all over the place and they can come visit me (good to see you Jess and Mark :)  If it's too far by car, a few hours on a plane will get you almost anywhere.  What a blessing to be able to see family, friends, and different parts of the world so easily! 

40 Things I'm Thankful For

Day 38

Divine Mercy 

One soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

"Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 
Jesus, the Son of God, 
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace 
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."      Hebrew 4:14-16

The Divine Mercy Novena starts today and ends on Good Friday for all who are interested:  http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/novena.htm

Day 37

Technology, especially the internet

It amazes how easy it is to stay in touch with people these days.  Minutes after someone has a baby or gets married you can see pictures and share in the happiness from thousands of miles away.  Sure, it may get out of control and we may waste too much time on facebook, but that's our own weakness that's the problem!  Thank God for the internet :)  And here's a video of my baby niece for you to enjoy from thousands of miles away!

40 Things I'm Thankful For

Day 36

Forgiveness

"My dying Jesus, I devoutly kiss the cross on which you would die for love of me.  I deserve, because of my sins, to die a terrible death; but your death is my hope.  By the merits of your death, give  me the grace to die embracing your feet and burning with love of you.  I yield my soul into your hands.  I love you with my whole heart.  I am sorry that I have offended you.  Never let me offend you again.  Grant that I may love you always; and then do with me as you will."  -Stations of the Cross, Jesus dies upon the cross

Thank God for His death on the cross for us.  Thank God for Confession.  And thank God that even if you've slacked on your prayer and sacrifice this Lent (as the priest reminded me in confession yesterday) it's the now the Triduum, perfect time to draw near to Jesus in His passion and death.   

40 Things I'm Thankful For

Day 35

Friendship 

(again)

Sirach 6:5-17

5 Pleasant speech multiplies friends, and gracious lips, friendly greetings. 6 Let those who are friendly to you be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. 7 When you gain friends, gain them through testing, and do not be quick to trust them. 8 For there are friends when it suits them, but they will not be around in time of trouble. 9 Another is a friend who turns into an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your disgrace. 10 Others are friends, table companions, but they cannot be found in time of affliction. 11 When things go well, they are your other self, and lord it over your servants. 12 If disaster comes upon you, they turn against you and hide themselves. 13 Stay away from your enemies, and be on guard with your friends. 14 Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure. 15 Faithful friends are beyond price, no amount can balance their worth. 16 Faithful friends are an elixir of life; those who fear God will find them. 17 Those who fear the Lord enjoy stable friendship, for as they are, so will their neighbors be.

It wasn't until last year that I knew what "elixir" (in verse 16) means.  It means "life-saving remedy or life-saving medicine".  And haven't we all experienced friendship that is truly a life-saving remedy!  I am so thankful for the amazing friends God has given me in my life!   

40 Things I'm Thankful For

Day 34

The Mass

I just love that I can go anywhere in the world and find my Church and participate in the Mass.  The same Mass that's being said in Rome, the same Mass my parents are attending in Mississippi, the same Mass that has been said for 2,000 years since Christ gave it to us at the Last Supper and the Crucifixion.  And we can partake in it everyday!  When you stop to think about it... it's pretty amazing, and beautiful.  So next time you're in Mass, don't forget to think about the awesomeness of what you're partaking in.   

40 Things I'm Thankful For

Day 33

Megan Elisabeth Percy

my sweet little baby niece! 

40 Things I'm Thankful For

Day 32

Hot Showers

The cold showers aren't so bad right now.  Because it's so hot outside they're actually refreshing.  But they don't compare with a hot shower.  You're never going to want to stand there and let the strong water pressure beat down on your head, neck, and shoulders in a cold shower.  There's no chance of spending more than 10 minutes in the shower when it's cold water.  There's just no reason to be in there that long; it's not that enjoyable.  Hot showers are a treat, and I'm thankful I get to enjoy them for the Easter break!