¡Hola from Rachel! : What is Happening in English Class?

There are many ways of saying things in our language that we native speakers don't even think about.

Direct Questions (simple and straightforward) Did you read the newest blog?
Indirect Questions (more formal or polite) Could you tell me if there is a new blog?
Tag Questions (added at end to seek confirmation) You read the latest blog, didn't you?
Negative Questions (may express surprise or annoyance) Haven't you read the latest blog?

That was a peek at what we have been working on in grammar class. These different sentence structures take a bit of practice to learn.

The people who normally drive to church were not available last Sunday. Paul Q drove us--three students, one staff member, and me. We all know each other well, but the four Mexicans have limited English, and Paul and I have limited (for me, very limited) Spanish. We decided ahead of time to go to a church called Mustard Seed in Cuernavaca, a bigger city about an hour away. One student said that he wanted to be dropped off at the hospital. I wondered about that because he didn't look or act sick, but I didn't ask because he doesn't know much English. I was a little concerned as I thought he might be visiting someone at the hospital. When we got to church, I asked Paul about it, but he didn't have a clue either. Then I asked a student who knows a little more English. She explained that the student just caught the bus at the hospital to go to a different church he wanted to attend! She was laughing so hard asking me if I had been praying for him. 🤣

After church the Mexicans wanted to go to a Japanese restaurant. We gringos were game. There I was trying to figure out what Japanese food to order from a menu all written in Spanish! 😂 Finally a chef who spoke English came out to translate.

Driving is another story. I don't know if I have ever seen a stop sign or a yield sign here, and traffic lights are few and far between. I took a picture when we were stopped behind a motorcycle. You can't see the driver. The rider was holding a new TV and texting at the same time they were moving--not unusual. I also spotted a motorcycle rider holding a gas container (like we would use with a gas grill).

Paul used his GPS, but there is so much traffic to watch, that he had to have help from one of the students who thankfully knew "right" and "left" in English. It was a fun adventure for all of us!

The students again made a special dinner Wednesday night in honor of this week's teacher. We had tostada de tinga. I would describe this as an open-faced taco. The tortillas were fried and therefore crunchy. A thin layer of refried beans was spread on that. Then it was topped with shredded chicken cooked in a light, flavorful tomato sauce, shredded cheese, lettuce, and "creama", a thick cream that is poured over the top. It was good! When I asked my student about the dish, she laughed and said that most Mexican dishes have tortillas, chicken, cheese, and a sauce. That definitely is true, but yet they each have character.

However, the most interesting food of the night was the dessert. I would call it a jelly roll--moist and delicious! The name here translates to "Wrapped Child" because of its similarity to how a baby is wrapped in a blanket. I like their name better.

El Monte is hosting a family camp this weekend. This morning I helped wash dishes after eating breakfast with my neighbor girls. We had a popular dish--tortadechilaqui. It's a mouthful! The base contained softened corn chips covered with shredded chicken in a spicy sauce topped with "creama". Refried black beans were served on the side. I was told that many people eat this as a sandwich--putting it all inside bread. I also had a cup of "leche" which is Spanish for "milk", but it was really warm chocolate milk.

I am still amazed with the beauty of El Monte. The rains have stopped, but the flowers continue to bloom, and some are just starting to go crazy like the wild Morning Glories--those blue flowers are climbing to the tops of trees and along the side of the road The tree with the white flowers has even more this week.

Praises--Thank God with me.

First a non-El Monte praise that I cannot resist--Rib Lake volleyball girls have been prayed for all season. God graciously blessed them, their families, the school, and community. Today they won the state championship!
This afternoon I finished the majority of the lesson planning for next week when I will be teaching all of my classes and my director's classes as she is away. I am certain some of the ideas came together because God has been hearing your prayers.
Two of my students have been sick; I didn't catch what they had. Thank you for praying for my health too.
God is so good! If it is important to us, it is important to Him.

Requests--Ask God for His will in His timing.

Stamina, energy, and wisdom for the upcoming week with so many hours of teaching
Stamina, energy, and wisdom for some extras that students have asked me to do; I am happy to help
An English teacher for next semester
A medical appointment on Friday for a student who has some health issues
Direction for students whose plans are not yet set beyond graduation/their needs
El Monte's needs