First Steps

Solomon's really getting the hang of this walking thing...

Official

I am officially Mrs. Menendez, third grade teacher at Inter-American School. I signed and sent my contract to the director last week, and now I am anxiously waiting for further info about my position so that I can begin collecting supplies and classroom materials. We hope to move to Quetzaltenango in the next month or so. We have begun looking for an apartment or house that will accommodate our family (online). We met a missionary couple who has lived there for 10 years and who will be helping us keep an eye out for possibilities too. It's difficult to really look when we're not there, but God will lead the way - He has already been so faithful!

We celebrated Solomon's birthday last Monday. He is officially 1-yr old. Amazing! Where does the time go? The pastor of the church we attend came by with his family to join in the celebration. Solomon is walking up a storm, mostly with a little guidance from daddy or me. He is practically running...or at least he wants to. We took him to the pediatrician to get his MMR vaccination. He weighs a healthy 20 lbs 13 oz. He took it in the buns - but like a champ! He has been trying really hard to conversationalize, making attempts at "Shannon," "cracker," "hi," and "Danny."

Neftali is quickly approaching his 3rd birthday, and with it, the diminishing need for a nap in the afternoon. Much to my dismay, as that means I don't get one either. But his sweet little smile and our quiet times together the last couple of days while the rest of the house sleeps have been precious. What a little man he is becoming!

Reality Check

What a blessing that we have been able to stay healthy and safe during the last 6 weeks that have quickly passed since our arrival in Guatemala. We have been able to come and go almost as much as we please, thank you to our "taxi" driver, Emilio's cousin Danny. But just recently, the reminder that we are living in a third world country that is still suffering the ravishing effects of a 36-year war has become more prevalent. We continue to pray for safety, and thank the Lord that we don't have to ride the city buses. They are too dangerous, and drivers (as well as passengers) are being murdered daily due to a hideous extortion scheme that the government cannot seem to get a grasp on (or chooses not to?). Needless to say, Guatemala City is not a good place for a young family like our own, and we are anticipating moving to Xela VERY soon. A few details first...and then we hope to be on our way.

Bath time in Guatemala...and other fun moments!

We have to boil the water before we can bathe the boys, since it's not potable, especially with Solomon. Sometimes we bathe Nefty in warmed water only, since we can tell him not to drink it and he won't. But Solomon splashes around so much, as you can see, that his bath water has to be boiled so that it is sanitized and he doesn't get sick.



Yesterday, we took a family outing to the Oakland Mall - the most beautiful mall I've ever seen! I found a delightful little cafe there where the boys and I ate yummy gelato while Emilio and his cousin ran an errand. As you can see, we had fun with our gelato!

More of Panajachel

More pics of Panajachel. A true paradise. Winter here consists of wind. It's still meltingly warm...but just lots of wind. I think we could deal with that!

Picture descriptions: Nefty is sipping an orange Mirinda drink (like orange Crush); the pier of one of the nearby homes along the water's edge; another view from the pier; P.E. class in the town of San Antonio Polopo - Nefty got caught in the middle of the soccer game (he's the one in a blue sweater!); Daddy and Solomon on the boat trip.

Panajachel

While we visited Xela, we were able to take a side trip to Panajachel, cozy little pueblo along the border of Lake Atitlan - one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. We stayed there for one night, took a boat ride on the lake, ate delicious fried fish caught fresh out of the lake...It was amazing! We hope to stay here a few months before we get settled in Xela for the school year.

Mrs. Shannon Menendez, third grade teacher

Monday, March 9th, 2009 I was offered my first teaching contract! During our time in Xela, Guatemala, I was able to visit the Inter-American School, get a tour of the campus, and speak with the Director. We ended up having a good, lengthy conversation while Emilio and his cousin waited outside and tended to the boys. The Director had said that he would need to present my information to the school board, and then he would get back to me in a few weeks. I was officially offered a position to teach third grade for the 2009-2010 school year, which begins in September (with teacher in-service starting in August, as the school is run on the U.S. schedule). We're pretty excited, though I haven't officially accepted the offer yet. But Xela would be a much better, safer place for our family to reside while we are enjoying the beauty of Guatemala. I have two weeks to respond...so I'll be busy in prayer. But I'm pretty sure that the Lord is leading us there, since He has drawn my attention to this school (and this city) from day one. We'll see!! And we'll keep you posted.

I have included a video of the day we left on our adventure to Xela. We wanted to rent a car (safer, and it has insurance included with no limit on mileage!), so that meant we had to take a taxi to the car rental place. Imagine 6 people in the back seat of a small sedan (4 adults, 2 kids). That's what we did! I asked the taxi driver if there is a limit on how many people can ride in a particular vehicle - and he said "as many as can fit!" He said that several days prior he had 11 people in his tiny car!!!!!