missionnannyhannah

[missionnannyhannah]

Big Family Boot Camp

Hey Friends and Family!

After 2 months of big family “boot camp” I am still doing well. The verse in Isaiah seems very real to me right now. Realistically I should be dog tired and ready to head home - but I am not. God has given me renewed strength that’s for certain. He has also blessed the children’s school in many ways.

Here are some achievements in the children’s school: - The kids have been so excited about school … probably because candy has been involved 😉 - All four have memorized 6 fairly good-sized bible verses! - Josiah has been able to sound out more than 20 words all by himself! - The two oldest girls have been reading more and learning their multiplication and division.

After school the kids and I have begun cleaning out a small building on their property that we call the club house. And recently, we have officially begun the Candy Club. I think The Little Rascals has been a primary influence in this … we use their signal to get into the club house. So far we have sat in there and successful eaten their after school treats (Laffy Taffy) and told the jokes on the backs. 😄

[missionnannyhannah]

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

-Isaiah 40:30-31

[missionnannyhannah]

Me and the Goodwin children on a bridge over some falls

[missionnannyhannah]

Field Trip!!

Yesterday we took the day off school and loaded into the jeep with backpacks, water bottles and nature books. Our Destination: a mountain called Celaque on Honduras's National Park. From the front gate we hiked up a steep, uphill rode for about 45 minutes. I think the 2 five-year-olds did better than the rest of us! We did bribe them with Oreos once we got to the top though :). The view along the way was breath-taking. The mountains are all close together in little clumps with a fog often surrounding the tops and streams running in between. Oddly though there were pine trees, reminding me a lot of Colorado. We made it to a rest stop with really nice benches, clean bathrooms, and lots of nature. The kids started collecting plants for their nature books. They were so excited to show me what they found ... even if it was as simple as a leaf or pine cone. We are going to press some of the flowers and things for their nature books. We had to keep moving though or the mosquitoes would eat us alive, so from there we hiking to this man-made bridge running across some falls. It was beautiful! Everyone had fun playing along the water in our rubber boots and taking some pictures on the bridge. After we were done we headed back down the steep path. It was a lot easier going down that's for sure! I think the kids really enjoyed getting out of the house for awhile and enjoying God's creation. It was an overall wonderful and memorable day :)

[missionnannyhannah]

Birthdays, birthdays, and birthdays ...

This month has been loaded with birthdays (about 6 total including some of the worker ladies and Melissa) Lots of cupcakes and pizza! No one has been complaining though … except maybe for the adults who get to deal with a bunch of children on sugar highs and pick up the remains of a bazillion popped balloons.

Jaelle had her 5th b-day and chose a Frozen theme. Which we delivered on with all home-made decorations including lots of snowflakes and a cut-out picture of Olaf on the wall. She dressed up in her Elsa dress and had her hair braided of course.

Josiah’s rocking 7th birthday party themed around Toy Story. We had so many cool decorations that we had gotten from a friend. We watched a couple of the movies and ate some amazing Oreo cupcakes and ice cream.

Annalise’s 11th sleepover party went over wonderfully with manicures, face masks, games, and a movie. She had the entire party planned and I helped her make all the bright summer decorations a couple days before.

[missionnannyhannah]

Me and baby Christopher

[missionnannyhannah]

What's New ...

So I’ve been living in Honduras for 26 days, eaten an estimated 136 tortillas, been about 5" taller than everyone, heard ½ the conversations around me being spoken in Spanish, and thoroughly enjoyed the 90+ degree weather. I love the culture, the family I’m living with, and the Awesome God I serve. It’s stretched me in ways I wasn’t expecting and taught me things I thought I knew … but overall it’s been a wonderful experience.

Prayer Requests:

- That I will stay healthy and energetic for the remainder of my stay - That I will have lots of patience and kindness towards the children - That I will be glorifying to God in everything I say and do - That I can learn how to be a better homeschool teacher

[missionnannyhannah]

Jaelle, Genesis, and me on the hammock during Josiah's 7th Toy Story Birthday!

[missionnannyhannah]

Update on School

So school has been going on for about 2 weeks now! Wowza!! I have learned so much ... probably far more than the kids. :) My respect for teachers who teach 7x as many children as I have been has definitely grown!! The grades of the four children are 5th, 4th, 2nd, and pre-school. All of them are super smart and very inquisitive. Helping them to understand their school work has been fairly easy. The curriculum is all online and it has the basic subjects organized by grade and separated into 'days'. On top of completing their daily assignments (which is mostly math, reading, and writing) we all come to together for history, science, bible, art/music, and PE. From trial and error I think we've found the best order of classes to help with the transitions. But as should be expected in a busy home ... distractions and interruptions do occur. Please pray that I will be flexible to each unique day and be excited to help them learn every time I wake up.

[missionnannyhannah]

My amazing mother had her Sunday school class do a lesson on "Hannah in Honduras". They found me on a map, looked at some trinkets purchased from Honduras, saw photos on the laptop of kids and houses in Honduras, and made homemade tortillas! So encouraging!! Thank You!

[missionnannyhannah]

Hannah in Honduras

Hey Everyone!  I’ve only been here in Honduras for about 5 days … but it has definitely already been an adventure.  In order to reach the town of Gracias from the airport in San Pedro Sula we had to take a series of public buses.  It was 5 hours of riding along twisting roads leading up into the mountains.  The Goodwin’s house is right on the edge of town on a beautiful plot of land that is home to 2 adults, 6 children, 3 babies, a dog, and me!  Along with this small tribe they have several women from town that come and help with the child care, house keeping, cooking, and the Goodwin’s special needs, foster child.  As for the events of each day, no day has been like the last … except that it has been very warm and physically tiring.  Please pray that I will have the strength and wisdom to fill my unique roll as a nanny to the oldest children in their busy home.  Thank you all for your love and support!

[missionnannyhannah]

[missionnannyhannah]

This is the Goodwin family that I will be serving soon!

[missionnannyhannah]

Huge Praise!

Thank you everyone who supported my nanny trip!  I just got back from a week of camp and found out that I am fully funded!!!  Praise Him!  It’s so incredible to have friends and family backing me up as I set out on this journey to serve in Honduras.  Now any funds that I receive will go toward blessing the Goodwin’s ministry.  Thanks Again!

[missionnannyhannah]

“In every job that must be done, there’s an element of fun.” - Mary Poppins

[missionnannyhannah]

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future

God

[missionnannyhannah]

Upcoming Mission Nanny Trip

Hello Friends and Family!  Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  I will attempt to post before and during my trip.

This fall I am going to be a nanny to a missionary family with 10 children in Honduras.  God willing I will be leaving in August and coming home in November (a 3 month period).  Please pray that all the details and planning will fall into place.  

I will keep you all updated!  Thank you again for your support and prayers.