A day shall be as a thousand years...

That's how I feel here!  It seems like I could do 1000 years-worth of things in one-day's time.  But then time goes by so fast it feels like 1000 years would go by as quickly as a day.  Even though I haven't written an update for over two weeks, it doesn't seem like it's been that long.  A lot has been happening to keep me busy...

1.  I decided that I didn't like the Bible cirriculum I was given for either my middle school or high school Bible class, so I have decided to make my own.  This takes up many, many hours a week as I research, plan, and make my own notes and charts and graphs to pass out to the class.  It's definitely proving to be a worthwhile decision, though.  Below are some pictures of my high schoolers presenting their SIPs (Special Interest Projects) today.  We can only cover so much material in class, so if a question of interest is raised that they would like to know more about, it is up to them to do further research and present it to the class.  All four of my high schoolers did a fantastic job with their first SIP!  I'm so proud of how they are using the minds that God gave them to think and research and come up with answers for themselves! 

Tanya, comparing and contrasting the creation story in Genesis with other religions' creation stories

Kenji, showing locations archaeologists have considered for the landing site of Noah's Ark

Oli, demonstrating the dimensions of Noah's Ark in relation to the SAM base

Andrew, explaining different dinosaur extinction theories, including his own

2.  Another single missionary, Patricia, and I have decided to do youth group for the MK (missionary kid) girls on Wednesday nights when the adults are in prayer meeting.  Tonight was our first night and it went really well.  I didn't realize how much I've come to love (and now miss!) youth ministry.  I felt right at home and am looking forward to doing it again each week!

3.  I'm continuing to teach Middle School Language Arts and Geography  for now (although the other teacher will be here to take those over next semester).

4.  I'm also trying to get involved with working with Kids Alive in the more rural town of San Jose, right outside of Pucallpa.  They have a teen girls' club on Tuesday mornings and on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon they do Awana for the kids.  So far I've only gotten to visit and observe, but they would like me to teach one of the Awana groups each week (in Spanish!).

5.  Speaking of Spanish...I'm also getting tutored in Spanish, for an hour and a half, twice a week.  It's coming along really well and my tutor has already said he definitely considers me bilingual!

6.  I am also responsible for helping to get music together and to practice singing with another missionary to lead worship at a missionary women's conference that's coming up in Pucallpa at the end of October.

7.  I am aware that I do need to take a break every once and a while, so I make sure to have some fun and get some physical activity by playing volleyball and ultimate frisbee with some other missionaries and Peruvian nationals each week.  I also get together with the other single missionaries once a week to have dinner and hang out.  Here's a picture from our most recent dinner, last Friday (I'm in the middle):

That was definitely the shortened version, but hopefully you are all satisfied in knowing that I am staying busy and loving every minute of it!  Thank you all so much for your prayers and support that got me here!  Keep it comin'!  God bless!