It has been way to long since I have posted. So, I have lots to tell you. We have been busy in school trying to prepare for next weeks spelling bee. We narrowed the participants down to three first grader. All of them were in my class, ha, I was so proud!!








We practiced by spelling words in shaving cream. Ha, that always means lots of clean up for Miss Wilcox.











My kids honestly get so excited to read the Bible. It is a wonderful thing to see and a good reminder of how all Christians should be!








I started a reading incentive program after Christmas. If my kids read at home they get a star for their chart. Once the chart is filled they get to pick out a book to take home. Some of them filled their charts this week. It is great to see them so excited about getting a book. I would not have been able to do this without help from some of you. So, thank you! You made my kids very happy and gave them some incentive to read.




















On Saturday my roommates and I went to the capital city. We had so much fun! It was a great adventure. I think it was because we all get so excited to see new things. The city was completely unlike any other city I have been to here. It was so clean and the parks were so nice. We walked around the city and found the oldest military fort in the America's. It was built in like 1502. We didn't want to pay extra for the tour guide, so we just made up as we went along, ha it was more fun that way.







































This is a picture of the oldest church in the America's. It was beautiful inside.











































Kristy and I were scaring the pidgins. I always wanted to do that, ha.


























Well, I should be going to bed soon. Mondays are always harder when I don't get a good night sleep. I have started searching for jobs for next year. I would love it if you would be praying that God guides me to the right place and that I stay encouraged throughout my search. I love you and miss you all!

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Happy Valentines Day! We had quite the celebration today. My kids went way out. They all came in wearing red and you would not believe the amount of candy we had in our room today. Some of them brought me big boxes of chocolates and mugs filled with candy. It was crazy.





I squeezed a little bit of learning in today. We played an estimation game with candy.









Just look at these piles of candy! Good thing it was only a half day.


















Jose missed a little bit with the sucker. It was everywhere. Oh, the sugar highs!



























My roommate and I decided to take each other out on a Valentines day date tonight. Ha, we went and saw a movie. For a while we had the theater to ourselves, so we took some pictures while we were waiting for the show to start.



































Well, I hope all of you feel very loved on this Valentines day! I was sick a few days this week because I have been having a hard time keeping my blood sugar levels steady, so I could really use your prayers with that. I also wanted you all to know that I have officially decided not to come back next year. I feel completely at peace with my decision and I know that it is what God has been telling me to do for a while now. It will be difficult leaving though and now I have to start the job searching all over again. I really appreciate your prayers. You are in mine as well. Love you! "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. " —Proverbs 3:6

I am sure you would all be laughing if you saw me now all cuddled up in a blanket because it is only like 60 degrees here. Ha, funny how quickly you can get used to the hot weather and sensitive to the cold. I am actually making soup for dinner right now, hoping that it will warm me up. I am not complaining though, I am enjoying the cooler weather so much! I have had such a relaxing day. It was very much needed and I have enjoyed every minute of it. The only thing I did all day was watched a few shows on my computer with some friends and baked a cake. It was great! I never left the apartment once.




















We read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" this week and the kids had to retell the entire story by memory. They did great, so smart. There are so many words that they don't know, so it is always a challenge to choose the most important ones and help them stick in their minds.



















































I hope that all of you are having a great weekend! I wanted to share a few verse with you that have been helping me for the past few days. I hope you find encouragement in them also. "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:11-12. Predestined and chosen, what a wonderful thought. Miss you lots!

This last week of school started with many challenges and a difficult first few days, but just as always everything seemed to come together just the way God intended it to. Just another reminder to me that worrying is a useless waste of time. I always seem to forget that. So, we ended the week with a all day party to celebrate our 100th day of school. The kids had to come in with either 100 things on or dressed like they are 100 years old.























They are all pointing to our 100 chart that we have been using to count down the days.













Here are some of the fun activities we did on Friday. First we counted by 10's to 100 by using different foods. They loved this and every one of them waited to eat till the end, just like I asked.


































Next we counted how many licks it would take to get to the center our their suckers. Ha, it was way more than 100.


















After lunch we used 100 noodles to make a picture and then painted over top of them. What a fun day it was!



































This weekend my plan was to just stay home, work on school stuff and spend time with God. I got to do all of that today, but yesterday I took the opportunity to go see Monte Cristi. It was only about 30 miles from the Haiti border. It was so beautiful! Dave, a friend from the church I have been going to took us up there. It was so great to see another part of the island and to not have to see it on a bus. It was also nice to be around people who know a lot about the DR and Haiti who I can learn from, just by listening to their stories.

































We hiked up this hill that had 12 crosses on the way up. The last cross was on a cliff. It was such a beautiful sight. Just ocean for as far as you can see.
































Well, I hope all is going well at home. I have been missing you all so much! It is already February though. Spring break is coming! I read this today and thought I would share it with you. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. What good news, we can reflect the Lord's glory and be formed into his likeness. Love you and miss you all!