Xinia

One of the friends I have made during my time here is the secretary at ILE named Xinia.  I didn't get to know her until this trimester.  Xinia and I did zumba together, and well, lets just say she is about as good of a dancer as me.  For those of you her don't know me super well, I can't dance at all.  Luckily this was just for exercise.  Xinia and I were always at the back of the class laughing and making each other laugh.  Over the semester, she became a friend of mine that I talked to everyday.  She told me at graduation, she had never gotten close to the students before, and that she was really going to miss me.  We loved to joke and be silly together.  Xinia is one of the people here in CR that I am going to miss.

More Goodbyes

The hot sauce wrapper at Taco Bell summed up my feelings best by saying:  The hardest part about this job is saying goodbye. 

This week has been full of goodbyes.  Goodbyes to teachers who have become close friends.  Goodbyes to friends leaving for the mission field.  Goodbyes to neighbors and accuaintances that we have come to know at the park.

Today, our church honored us with a painting.  They said they always hoped we would remember them and come visit them.  Knowing this culture, I knew that if anyone knew this was our last Sunday, Matt would be asked to say a few words, so we jotted something down so he would be prepared.  However, it surprised us when they called all three of us up to the front to present us with a gift.  As expected, Matt was asked to say a few words.  He pulled a note out of his pocket, then they surprised me by asking me to say a few words.  Haley also wanted to say a few words (1 actually)  She waved to everyone and said, "Hola!!"

We are blessed to have family wherever we go because wherever there are other Christians, we know we have some friends.

Kathia

For the last 8 months, Kathia has been Haley's teacher at daycare.  Because Haley was the youngest in the class by at least 6 months, Kathia was always a little more protective with Haley.  Haley loves Kathia and Kathia felt the same for Haley.  Whenever we would arrive at school, Haley would jump out of her stroller and run as fast as she could to give Kathia a hug.  Kathia would greet her with all sorts of complements and have Haley help her to set up the chairs before the other kids got there.  Yesterday, when I went to pick Haley up from kinder yesterday, Kathia cried and cried and cried. 

Kathia is more than just a daycare teacher.  She pottytrained many of the kids even before the parents start the process.  She loves the kids like they are her own, and every day she pours out her heart to the little ones in her class.

God, thank you for Kathia.

Last Day at ILE

Today was a wierd day.  I have been looking forward to finishing my time in language school pretty much since it started.  We have been planning to move to Honduras since before we got married.  However, today I was not elated like I was when I turned in my final exam in Monte Cox's class 3 years ago, and I did not cheer as I walked out of Ana's class today. 

I have been so excited for this day to come, but today, my emotions were heavy.  I knew that at the end of the school day 5 of the teachers in our school would be let go due to lack of money and new students coming to the school, not due to the inability to teach.  Therefore, the school today was filled with tension,  and I think everyone could feel it. 

Don't get me wrong, I am relieved to no longer have homework, tests or papers to do.  I am also excited to visit friends and family in the States and be in Honduras next month, but I was torn because I knew some of my teachers, or friends, would be losing their jobs today.  Hoping tommorow's graduation is more sweet than bitter, although it will be filled with goodbye's to the friends we have made this year.