"I Like to Move It!"

I'm not sure how I continue to be in charge of dances for my students, but somehow it keeps happening! :) First, it was teaching the Spanish flamenco to 5th grade for International Night. This time it was teaching "I Like to Move It!" from the movie Madagascar to 1st grade for the school assembly on November 6. At each month's assembly, every holiday that was celebrated that month receives a special presentation of some sort. For instance, Cassidy was in charge of teaching 2nd grade a dance that paid tribute to National Teacher Day. 1st grade was given National Animal Day. I immediately thought of zoo animals, which lead me to think of Madagascar, one of my favorite animated movies! As you can see in the pictures, the students went ALL OUT with their costumes!! They were some of the most adorable sheep, lions, bears, tigers, elephants, horses, etc. I've ever seen!! I even wore some sort of animal hat to ensure that I at least somewhat followed the dress code...lol. Obviously, I didn't have a full costume like the students did because I didn't bring anything like that from the U.S and they don't make animal costumes in my size here! :) The 1st graders learned all the movements in about two class periods, so I was impressed!! A few of them had more fun than others, breaking into some pretty funky dance moves on stage!! These kids and I really do know how to have fun. The classrom just isn't always one of those places...LOL! I really appreciate all of the help that the students' mothers provided, as they arrived early to help me dress the students in their costumes. I definitely couldn't have done it alone!

1st grade jamming away at the school assembly

These kids went all out!!! :)

LOVE them :)

1st grade - tribute to Animal Day

On November 7 and 8, Cassidy and I attended the annual national women's conference for Methodists. The conference theme was "Unidas en Cristo" ("United in Christ"). As you can see from the photos, there was a great turnout of women! Each year, a photo is taken of all the attendees with the group's banner. We had two Brazilian women as our guest speakers for the weekend, and I really enjoyed meeting them and being able to listen to them speak Portuguese to each other. On Friday evening, the 7th, we listened to a message, ate dinner, watched a video of women's conferences throughout the years, and finished with a long session of playing games, with the intent of getting to know one another better. We were asked to form groups where we had to discover what we ALL had in common, such as the fact that we all like chocolate, for example. Every group member had to be in agreement. We also had to form 3 teams for a relay race, where we had to blow up balloons, run up to a chair to sit down and burst the balloon, and then get back in line. The final person on each team to pop her balloon had to read a Bible verse aloud. My favorite activity was when we had a list of phrases such as "someone who has 7 grandchildren" and we had to find a woman in the room who matched the description. We had to try to find a different woman for each item on the list and write her name beside it. The following day, we had devotions, breakfast, praise and worship, two more messages, lunch, a craft time, and free time. The message about three ways we can bless others was my favorite! This women's conference was lots of fun because I was with some of my closest friends here in Paraguay and also had the opportunity to meet many women for the first time! :)

annual national Methodist women's conference

all of the women in attendance

game time - pop the balloon by sitting on it! :)

some of the women on game night

praying for one of the guest Brazilian speakers

Our host dad, Andrés, turned 46 on November 10. We had an asado as a church family after church on Sunday morning, the 9th, for him. As you can see, the youth and young adults made a sign for him and signed it. Andrés is such a wonderful example of a Christian man, and Cassidy and I are extremely grateful to be living with his family this year!!! :)

Andrés turns 46!!!

celebrating as a church family with an asado

Wesley, missionary Mary's oldest son, turned 15 on November 9. We celebrated with a large, and I mean LARGE, birthday party at his house that evening. There were literally 100+ people there, and I was beginning to feel a bit claustrophobic by the end of the night...LOL. Wesley invited many of his friends from his school, ACA (Asuncion Christian Academy); family members; church members; and family friends, such as Cassidy and me. Cassidy and I enjoyed going shopping for his gifts and being creative in wrapping them. We got him food because that's what every 15-year-old boy likes, right? He plays lots of video games, so we figured it could be his "gaming stash" :) Alcides, Mary's husband, fixed the asado (traditional Paraguayan birthday meal), and then we ate cake afterward. Wesley opened his gifts later after everyone left. I enjoyed visiting with MANY people whom I already knew and meeting people I had never seen before (particularly Wesley's school friends). It was a well-organized party, and I'm glad that Wesley had a memorable 15th birthday! :)

panaramic of one of the tables of people present at Wesley's 15th birthday party

Wesley and me at his party :)

Well...the schol year is just about finished. I teach this coming week (the week of the 17th) and one day the following the week. The final day of school is Thanksgiving Day, the 27th. I gave my final oral exam to my 1st graders this past week and graded all of their books. I have grades ready to turn in on Monday, the 17th. The teaching that I do after that isn't for a grade, but rather to continue with topics we didn't get to throughout the year and lead into next year. I have to say that I am super happy to be finishing with 1st grade, though it has been a positive learning experience for me this year!!!

I can't believe that in 3.5 short weeks I'll be on a plane to the U.S!!!!! Cassidy and I went Christmas shopping today, but it sure was weird buying gifts in 85 degree weather!!! :) I had a successful day, starting and finishing my gift buying in one morning. As we head into summer here in Paraguay, I hope all of you are staying warm in the frigid temps and snow back home. Unfortunately, I have join the "cold weather/fluffy white stuff" club in just a few weeks...LOL. I will write again before I leave. Until then, God bless! :)

Ways you can be praying...
1) my students, as they finish this school year and prepare for the next, and their families
2) my host family and roommate Cassidy (She is currently raising funds in order to return a second year. She'll be home for Christmas and comes back to Paraguay late January.)
3) my daily spiritual life
4) the flooding in Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina
5) the spiritual bondage in Paraguay
6) the young people of Paraguay
7) our school, as it is passing through some VERY tough times right now!!!
8) Cassidy and me, as we prepare to deal with lots of reverse culture shock upon our arrival to the U.S. in a few weeks!!!