In Wendy's Words: January 2013

I thought it was going to be really hard to come back to the Philippines and to school after such an amazing trip. But then when you receive letters like this from one of your 1st Graders, it touches your heart and makes the reality of being back so much easier.

We had a good 1st week back at school. We have a new little girl in our class. Her name is Eva and she is from the Netherlands. She was a little tearful and scared at the beginning of the day, holding her teddy as close to her as she possibly could. But we had won her over by snack time and are delighted to have her in our class.

Our theme in reading over the the next few weeks is change. Everything Changes!!! I am a little blown away by how much my 1st Graders have changed. Not only has their reading and writing grown and changed so much, but they are growing taller, loosing teeth and just getting bigger in every way!!!

Below is a picture of the class eating the candy canes that I brought back for them from the U.S. I really love these guys!!!

So even though it is back to reality after such a dream holiday. I am excited to be back with these guys and where I know God wants me to be!

The Lord sure does take care of me. After 18 months of not leaving the Philippines, I couldn't ask for a better overseas trip.

One week of crazy fun and go, go, go with my sister and her wonderful family in Orlando Florida. Epcot, Sea World, Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom, Bush Gardens all in just 7 days. I feel totally filled up with entertainment. My favorite places were Sea World and the Magic Kingdom. I just am totally in love with dolphins and killer whales. What beautiful animals. The Magic Kingdom is just what it says, magical. Every place was filled with Christmas lights, fireworks, incredible rides and entertainment. Sharing it with the Copeland family was extra special. Keeping up with their pace, a little harder, but I think I did pretty well. I just love my niece and nephews and to make new special memories with them was so lovely. Thank you Pips, Andrew and clan for blessing me more than I could imagine with such a special time. I love you guys.

Mikes, Sarah, Dan & Me with Mickey

Fireworks over the beautiful castle in the Magic Kingdom

Gotta wear those mouse ears

Splash Mountain Baby!!!!

The beautiful dolphins in Sea World

The beautiful Christmas lights in Hollywood Studios

Then it was off to Greeley Colorado to spend time with my very special friends, the Reinhards. I just love this family. They just made me feel so much part of their family this Christmas. I couldn't believe that it started snowing on Christmas Eve just as we were leaving church and we woke up to the most glorious Winter Wonderland on Christmas morning. What an incredible treat. Christmas morning with little children, stockings, log fire, delicious coffee and blender pancakes was such a delight. Going for a walk in the snow in the afternoon in below freezing temperatures so much fun. Unfortunately we all managed to catch the stomach flu which set us back a couple of days. But then on Sunday we spent the most glorious day in the mountains sledding, drinking hot chocolate, walking on a frozen lake, wearing so many layers of clothing I could hardly move and having snowball fights. What an amazing day. There is just a few days left here, but I know that I am going to enjoy every moment.