The Son's still Shining in Mexico!

Hey everybody!
 For those of you who were wondering, I'm still alive and kicking!  Man, in the last month since I wrote to you it has repeatedly hit me over and over again how hard it is to be a teacher...Of course it is even harder to do it while going to school and trying to speak a different language. 
 Needless to say I've been pretty tired in the last few weeks.  And...here comes my excuse for not writing to you sooner :).... really, really , really busy trying to turn in my portfolio to the state of Colorado in order to be able to begin to apply for my teaching license. 
 But I turned it in Wednesday, and though I still have work to do (look for a job, and continue to teach until the first week of July) I have begun to feel a bit of accomplishment and moving forward.
 Anyway, let's get on to the good stuff... The biggest thing I want to tell you is that I have learned a lot in the last few weeks.  We received a new technical director about a month ago, and her input and observation has come to point out the fact that my students are very behind still.  This comes somewhat from the environment, the school system, but also has some to do with the teacher, and I have learned in the last few weeks areas in which I have lacked in instructing my students, and ways in which I can improve.
 It has been kind of rough to realize, but I've learned a lot (and from learning to snowboard) that you have to get back up when you fall, and in the last few weeks I have begun to use more assessment in my classroom, to guide instruction, and I have worked and focused really hard on being sure that my students as a whole are improving.  The cool thing is that they are in improving in reading and math: the two areas that are most important for them right now!  And I'm learning ways to really help them grow...and be a better teacher.
I’m grateful for everything that I have learned, and that this will make me a better teacher in the long run, and how I’m seeing my students improve…

Finally! Prayer Requests!!

The biggest thing I need to ask you all for now is prayer.  I am REALLY tired, and I think burned out from teaching.  But I still have three weeks to work hard with the kids to be sure they move forward as much as possible before the end of the year.  Please pray for

1) Wisdom in giving my students instruction and assessment so that they continue             to learn as much as they can in Reading, math, and writing.

2) Perseverance in planning lessons and doing my best in the last three weeks of school.

3) A job:  I have decided to return to Colorado next year, to continue to learn as a teacher, and I would like a teaching job using the Spanish I have learned.  I think it is also important that I am teaching for my last year of my Master’s degree.  Please pray for my job searching and finding the job God wants for me. 

4) That I can enjoy and get the most out of my last month in Mexico, with the students at school, in the bible study, and with my friends here in Piedras Negras. 

5) That I would know that it is God who does the work not me, that I would rest in that and focus on that.  Also that I would be able to focus on the fact that I am in Mexico, working at the school, in to show the love of Jesus and that is most important.  Pray that I know the best way to share that with the students in this next month.

Thanks!