Went to the Ballet, for FREE!

From March 24, 2011
Yesterday, a friend told me that her daughter’s ballet teacher was going to be performing in a ballet. It was to begin at 8pm & was FREE! So, I went online to find the famous Theatro Alcala, to make sure I wouldn’t get lost. Then, tonight, I got dressed up, made sure I had my cameras, & got on a bus I’d never been on before. I found my way there with no problem. The theater is absolutely beautiful! Here are a couple of pictures:

The ballet was really interesting. I was so glad that the guys wore street clothes, instead of tights! I was fully prepared to walk out if the guys were wearing tights!

BUT ~ when I left, I was too cocky – felt too comfortable with where I was & where I needed to go…I ended up walking like 8 blocks out of my way to catch a bus! Oops!!

My First Baseball Game In Oaxaca!

From March 20, 2011
I had an absolute BLAST at tonight’s baseball game!
It was exciting minor-league baseball.
http://www.guerrerosdeoaxaca.com.mx/
We had great seats.
It cost under $5.
I think I’m hooked!! I’m excited to go back!
Here are a few pictures:

Receiving Comfort Through Scriptural Lyrics

From March 17, 2011 Last night, I saw these lyrics on a friend’s Facebook status.
I had never heard the song before, but since last night, I’ve probably listened to it a dozen times…It is so comforting and such a good reminder to speak God’s truth into our lives!!


For I know the plans I have for you,
I know just what you’re going through,
So when you can’t see what tomorrow holds,
And yesterday is through,
Remember, I know the plans I have for you,
I’ll give you hope for tomorrow,
Joy for your sorrow,
Strength for everything you go through,
Remember, I know the plans I have for you…
He’s got a plan…
He’s making a way…


These are the lyrics to Hillsong’s “None But Jesus”
In the quiet,
In the stillness,
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence,
I know there I am restored…
Now I live to bring Him praise,
In the chaos, in confusion,
I know You’re sovereign still,
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will…
All my delight is in You, Lord,
All of my hope, all of my strength…

The Blessings & Problems of Using Skype From My Computer:

From March 13, 2011
I am so psyched that I got to hear the voices of my Mommy & Daddy AND my Grammy Noll this afternoon through Skype!
They were on the phone with her and they put the call on speakerphone & called me on Skype! It’s been almost 3 months since I was home for Christmas & saw my Grammies. I sure miss just being able to pick up the phone and call them! My Grammy Noll is such a prayer warrior & such a blessing in all of our lives! For blessings like being able to hear her voice & her words of encouragement, I am so thankful for the blessing of technology!

Another blessing is that I have been able to “meet” 2 of my nieces through Skype, while I’m living here in Mexico & they’re in Pennsylvania & Florida!

The problem I have with Skype though is that the Dell laptop that I bought in the middle of April, 2010 ~ began having a particular issue when I came back to Oaxaca in September, 2010. When I am using Skype (or trying to watch a movie, or using Windows Media Player) the laptop starts to get really hot & then suddenly the whole screen goes one color & the speakers scream ~ it’s frightening, because I never know for sure if the laptop will turn back on or not…

So, when I Skype with my family, I have to be aware that we can’t use the video-chat for more than about 10 minutes…then, we have to switch to voice only. I tried getting this fixed through Dell, while I was home at Christmastime, but the hours that we spent “fixing” it, didn’t fix anything.

But ~ even with this problem, it is still a true blessing to be able to see their faces & hear their voices, their laughs, & blow kisses to them!

Dear God, I Messed Up…

From March 13, 2011
Dear God,
I messed up yesterday & I’m gonna try again today.
Please, uplift my weary spirit with Your love!
Your Daughter,
Jenn <><


I am SO glad for God’s promises, like this one:
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!’” Lamentations 3:22-24

My 3rd Trip to Monte Alban

From March 7, 2011
I left the house at 9 this morning, for an adventurous day, which included spending more than 3 hours traveling on buses…before finally getting home at 10pm.

I took a “new girl” who just arrived in Oaxaca a few days ago, to the Monte Alban archeological ruins. Even though it was my 3rd time there, it is still a sight to behold!

Then, I took her to the torta shop my friend & I discovered 2 days ago. We got take out so she could get back to where she was staying before dark. Meanwhile, I went over to a friend’s who was only here for 3 weeks, & we played cards for 3 hours.

It was a great day!

Sounds Like It’s Right Next Door!

From March 5, 2011
So, the parties in my neighborhood are typically pretty loud! Every weekend night is an adventure, at times with me wearing earplugs just to try to relax. There are dj’s, pounding music, cheering, singing, fireworks… Other weekends, there’s nothing to be heard!

Well, this evening’s dj on the microphone, the pounding music, the clapping, & squealing children – all sounded like it was right next door. It was SO loud! So, out of curiosity, I went up to my roof – only to find that it IS LITERALLY RIGHT NEXT DOOR!   Well, that explains it! ;)

Apparently, it was a child’s birthday party ~ complete with a huge blow-up bouncy thing, piñata, Barney songs, & bunches of screaming kids. Fun, right? :)
Living here is an adventure!! 

A Day Touring The Cathedrals Of Oaxaca

From March 5, 2011
I spent this gorgeous, sunny Saturday morning on a walking tour of 5 beautiful cathedrals in downtown Oaxaca! I met the 1st/2nd grade teacher in the zocalo (town center) where the tour was to begin. I had only been in 1 of the 5 cathedrals before. It was a VERY interesting & worthwhile tour! The guide was an ex-pat artist. She gave us a lot of information on the cathedrals’ history, along with humorous stories. I’d totally recommend the tour to anyone visiting Oaxaca!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the tour:

At the end of the tour, she gave us a page with her recommendations for places to eat, shop, see, etc… We chose a place from that list to eat lunch. It was a place that had delicious, warm sandwiches (called tortas) for 2 dollars and less. They cook the meat & assemble the sandwiches right there in front of the place. Here is mine:

Then, we walked to the Artisan’s Market ~ where I shopped for handmade earrings. I asked one lady about a particular style – they were large circles, but I couldn’t tell what the material was. She told me they were fish scales! I ended up buying 2 pair of black pottery earrings, for about a dollar each.

Then, my friend showed me an office supply store, where I picked up a bunch of school supplies, before getting on the bus for home.

Days out on the town are GREAT, but they take a chunk out of my dwindling bank account! So, I don’t go out much!!

The 7 Personalities In My Classroom :)

From March 3, 2011
I so appreciate the personalities of the 7 students in my class!!! <3
They range in age from 7 to 11. They are at a variety of learning levels. Some have never been to the United States, some go there yearly to visit, some have just returned from a year there, some are spending next year there…
What I love the most is that they each have their own unique qualities. I especially love that we crack each other up! Belly laughs are good for the soul!
Earlier this week, one student said to me, “Miss Noll, stop laughing, you’re making me laugh too hard!”

Dear Lord Jesus, please give me wisdom in how to best help every child in each subject and the energy to carry that out!

Working With All Your Might

From March 1, 2011
I came across another Ralph Waldo Emerson quote today that I really like. It says, “Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.”  Enthusiasm is so important for a teacher to have ~ what you're excited about, the kids will more likely want to learn about... 

This quote reminded me of one of my favorite verses from Colossians. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for others. You know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Chapter 3, Verses 23 & 24)

This passage of Scripture has always been a challenge for me. It is so easy to fall into doing what I do to please others – my parents, my boss, the parents of my students… I have to constantly remind myself that it is not about me! It is not about other people noticing my efforts! I need to be seeking the approval of God alone, to find my fulfillment in Him…

Having F-A-I-T-H

From February 28, 2011
There is so much going on right now in my life & in the lives of people I care about ~ things that require me to be prayerful and to walk in faith! But, that is just part of life, right? We all have things we’re going through…

Today, I came across a quote I really like, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He said, “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.”

In my life, this is so true! God has been so faithful in the past! When I focus on how He miraculously provided in the Bible stories I know & in the lives of other Christians & in my own life…then, I am able to hold confidently onto the promise that He has not brought me this far to leave me, but He will make a way, where there seems to be no way!

Here are 2 other verses about faith that I’ve been thinking on. I hope you’ll read them & think about how they can apply to your life, & be encouraged:
* “Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
* “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

No Water, No Gas, No Electricity...But All Is Well!

From February 26, 2011
The gas I use for cooking and for making hot water ran out on Thursday.
My electricity went off on Friday.
And, today (Saturday), I ran out of water.

BUT…I am SO thankful that:

The electricity came back on within an hour!
I caught the gas man today, so I now have 2 full tanks of gas!
The water ran out JUST after I’d finished my cold shower! I’m so glad it didn’t run out during it! And, water has now been pumped too!
(For those who don’t know, the water here needs to be pumped up to a tank on the roof. Then, we can only use the water that is in that tank, because it comes down through gravity. The tank runs dry about every other day, so more water needs to be pumped up.) 

This is my first time, living my myself in a foreign country. 
I often recognized how blessed I am that I've got a Prayer Team upholding me and God looking out for me!    

My First Big Earthquake! & Other Firsts

From February 25, 2011
I had several firsts today:
* At 7:07 this morning, while getting my lunch ready to pack in my schoolbag, I experienced a 5.7 earthquake that was REALLY loud & shook everything for a VERY long minute or so ~ including all of my dishes, windows, & the wall I was leaning against! There have been several earthquakes since I’ve been here in Oaxaca, but this was by far the one I’ve felt (& heard) the most! Thank you, Jesus, for your protection!
* I bought my first pizza here. I grew up in Pennsylvania, where we have New York style pizza – a slice is thin enough to be folded in half, it has a bunch of flavorful sauce, it is super cheesy, & has a big, chewy, bubbly crust on the outside. Also, I was blessed to grow up in a house where my mommy made homemade pizza – again with flavorful sauce, lots of cheese, & a thin, yummy crust. This pizza I bought today was about $9. It didn’t taste a thing like how I like my pizza, but it was edible.


* I unintentionally walked 30 minutes to the grocery store. I was trying to find an ATM. The closest one to me (a 15 minute walk away) was out of order. I needed money, because I pay my rent on the 25th of every month. So, instead of getting on a bus to go to the grocery store’s ATM, I just kept walking…and walking…and walking…and, I walked all the way home too, with groceries on my back!

*  I also bought my first ice cream today too.  Every Friday, the seniors of our school sell lunch, to make money for their senior class beach trip.  They were so crazy, they wouldn’t let me just buy the dessert!  I had to buy the entire lunch.  But, another teacher agreed to buy the lunch part off of me.  So, the hassle was worth it because the ice cream was so yummy! 

So, it was a day of several firsts!

It started with an earthquake & ended with ice cream!

Do you think the hour of walking balances out the pizza & ice cream?