Friends,

Morning breathes the cool air of night. I walked to school feeling fresh, alive. With the turning of spring into summer I am grateful for the morning’s relief because I know that as soon as the sun shines her face above the palm scattered mountains each ball of moisture that dwells in my space will be heated and I will be heavy with humidity. Every afternoon for the past week or so we have been graced with the powerful presence of  thunder, lightening and rain more heavy than I have ever witnessed. I stare in awe at the speed of puddles collecting. My ankles are speckled red with bites as the wet, humid conditions prove to be ideal for blood sucker breeding. I still get frustrated when water is not available and I have to wash dishes camping style and wait to do my laundry. But I am learning patience and gratitude. I have no right or place to complain for all around me I see homes that are everything but weather proofed and I am humbled by the way folks just seem to take it with grace.

I can hardly believe that there are less than 10 days left of school and that I will soon be back to my homeland preparing quickly for our joyous celebration. Reflecting, I am humbled by God’s great provision and encouraged by the way God has transformed me as a teacher and woman over these past 8 months. I am hungry for more. I am feeling more comfortable in my position as la maestra de arte and looking forward to applying what I have learned this year to the adventure of the year to come.

We had our annual teacher retreat a few weeks ago; a day started with worship (led by my beautiful fiance) and a message from our director, interjected by a time of sharing how we see God in one another (50 of us sharing our hearts and encouraging one another in love) and laughter as our administrators passed out yearly awards of excellence. I was honored and blessed to have received the annual Teacher of the Year Award. I have been blown away by the amount of encouragement I have received since day one and am proud to be a part of such a nourishing community. Our retreat day ended with swimming en la piscina (pool) y jugando (playing) volleyball. A beautiful day of camaraderie and rejoicing.

I am preparing to venture into a gigantic life change. Patrick and I are working through the painfully beautiful frustrations and joys of planning life together as one. Although our emotions and feelings get snarled and tangled from time to time our love remains steady, unchanging and somehow grows stronger with each passing day. With communication, tears of apology and open arms of forgiveness, prayer and the desire to learn to love one another well, mingled with an insatiable hunger for our Creator’s touch and our Savior’s guidance I believe that we are going to thrive and continue to be transformed into more Christ like beings. For that I am excited. We are not disillusioned in our understanding that marriage is no easy calling but we are faith filled that God is big enough to see us through all of the storms that undoubtedly will come.

Thank you for prayers and total support. I pray that this finds you walking as children of light and breathing in God’s sustaining love. My love and Christ’s grace be with you all.

Excited to be……Erin

Doulos Art Teacher