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| This is #11, I can't wait for baseball season to be in full swing! |
Let me clarify...Some of these things were already revealed to me at an earlier time, but there has been clarity and confirmation this past month. Let the countdown commence!!
10. I love TeachBeyond!
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| TeachBeyonders: Esther, Mark, me, Rachel, Christine |
This weekend and the earlier part of this week we had overcast skies that kept out most of the heat and made for some amazingly cool days. God is so faithful to give me those days when I am at my point of wanting to sit in front of an air conditioner for the rest of my life (ok...maybe a little dramatic... but seriously it is HOT here!)
8. I love my family!
These last few months my family has had some pretty big ups and downs. My niece, Haley had a virus that caused her brain to swell which in turn caused many side effects one of which was a seizure that put her in a coma. Since coming out of it, she has been in constant therapy to help reteach her some of the everyday things that most of us take for granted. I am thrilled to say that she is improving everyday and that her community has gathered around her and my brother's family to provide support and have even done fundraisers for them. It is great to see the love and support they have had through this whole ordeal! Please pray for her has she continues to improve!
Through Haley's ordeal, as awful as it was, our family has seen healing. Six years ago, because of our reactions to the horrible actions of one man, our family saw much separation and anger. Yet through the inexplicable ordeal of a 14-year-old girl, we were brought together again. Although I rejoice in the healing, I am sad I am not there to experience it full-on with hugs, conversation, and tears (well, I have had tears). God has once again proven to me his faithfulness to provide healing, physical and emotional, in his time. I can't help but think today, as they lay to rest the man whose actions tore us apart, if he ever allowed himself to experience the true faithfulness and grace that our Almighty Father can give. Grandpa, I pray you sought that relationship, forgiveness, and grace that He so freely gives.
7. I am not the best teacher!
These last few months my family has had some pretty big ups and downs. My niece, Haley had a virus that caused her brain to swell which in turn caused many side effects one of which was a seizure that put her in a coma. Since coming out of it, she has been in constant therapy to help reteach her some of the everyday things that most of us take for granted. I am thrilled to say that she is improving everyday and that her community has gathered around her and my brother's family to provide support and have even done fundraisers for them. It is great to see the love and support they have had through this whole ordeal! Please pray for her has she continues to improve!
Through Haley's ordeal, as awful as it was, our family has seen healing. Six years ago, because of our reactions to the horrible actions of one man, our family saw much separation and anger. Yet through the inexplicable ordeal of a 14-year-old girl, we were brought together again. Although I rejoice in the healing, I am sad I am not there to experience it full-on with hugs, conversation, and tears (well, I have had tears). God has once again proven to me his faithfulness to provide healing, physical and emotional, in his time. I can't help but think today, as they lay to rest the man whose actions tore us apart, if he ever allowed himself to experience the true faithfulness and grace that our Almighty Father can give. Grandpa, I pray you sought that relationship, forgiveness, and grace that He so freely gives.
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| Mama, Haley, and Papa at the hospital |
I have always knows that I was not a great teacher. When I was determining my major in college, I proudly told my parents that I would NOT be a teacher. Well, I am now in my 10th year of teaching. Little did I know what God would do in my life with the students and fellow teachers that I have worked with along the way. I count them all as blessings! But it is new cultures and new students, that continue to humble me. When I came here I thought that the classroom would be the place that I would find comfortable compared to the discomforts of a whole new country. Boy was I mistaken! It has been one of the most uncomfortable places since I have been here and at times I want to run far away from it! As I sit in the midst of 9 boys and 8 girls, I have found that they are the best teachers. They know each other better than I do. They communicate to each other in ways that I can not. When I try to teach them I let my allergies, frustration, and expectations get in the way of the student. Two young ladies in my class have taught me from their actions that I need to put myself aside and let God use me to help them instead of standing in their way. Thank you S and C! I love my students more each day!
6. I love working with high school students!
My first time to work with high school students was at North Atlanta as a trail guide. I loved every minute of working with Peyton, Laura, Ana, and Caroline! They are still some of my favorite people on Earth. My love and work with them was what catapulted me into looking for a school where I could work with students like them. Since September, I have been working with a group of amazing students here at SCCLC. They are open and willing to disciple other students within the school into a relationship with our Lord and Savior. Through this group, I am discipling two young ladies that continue to surprise and impress me with their vulnerability and actions, just like my 4 in Atlanta did! I love you Emily, Sophi, Peyton, Laura, Ana, and Caroline...and nothing will cause me to not love you...NOTHING!!
This next week, I get to take a break from working with 6th graders and attend the high school camp with our school. Please pray that this is a spiritually uplifting time for our students as well as a time when those that have had their hearts and minds closed to Him are open and vulnerable to what He has in store for them. Pray for safety, confidence, strength, and openness for all!
This next week, I get to take a break from working with 6th graders and attend the high school camp with our school. Please pray that this is a spiritually uplifting time for our students as well as a time when those that have had their hearts and minds closed to Him are open and vulnerable to what He has in store for them. Pray for safety, confidence, strength, and openness for all!
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| Emily after her performance as a scary mom...I look scarier in this pic! |
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| My Atlanta girls-- Caroline, Laura, Ana, and Peyton |
As you know, I love opening my home to the single ladies once a month. This month we decided to go out on the town. A lot of us enjoyed dinner at a Peruvian restaurant and the opening night of Les Miserables as a Valentine's treat to ourselves! It was so great to be surrounded by some great women. God continues to provide a great community around me here in Bolivia, yet I continue to ask him where the men are...haha... he has not shown me yet. :) Please pray for our March get-together that it will be fun, full of fellowship, and bring glory to God!
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| Dinner with the single ladies...and one married |
4. Saturday morning market runs are some of my favorite times of the week.
My neighbor Kaitlyn and I usually gather our market bags and money and walk the kilometer and a half to the closest market. I really enjoy almost every aspect of our time together the walk, the talk, the laughter, the ladies we know by name that sell us fruits and vegetables, the smiles on their faces as we greet, the Spanish lessons that divinely occur, and the great fresh food we get every time. These far outweigh the honks of Bolivian taxi drivers as they see the gringas walking down the road, dodging crazy drivers as we cross the street, and the gross smells of hanging meat in the market. I know I have a few months, but I will really miss my market time with Kaitlyn when she leaves me at the end of the school year!
3. Honesty strengthens friendships!
Since I have been here, I have learned that being a friend is a give and take, and my true friends will call me out when I am not doing either one. If I am going to be honest, there are some people that I thought would communicate with me on a regular basis and some that wouldn't. With most my instincts were right, but their have been some surprises and disappointments. There are moments that I have blamed others for not communicating yet I don't look at what I have or haven't done to communicate with them. I have to remind myself that this is a two way street with different amounts of give and take at different times in life. I remember a fight that my bf Amy and I had once where she laid it all on the table about how I wasn't being a good friend and I in turn did the same. I remember that being a turning point in our relationship to being true friends that will fight to keep the friendship. I have had a conversation like that recently with a friend here in Bolivia, and although I haven't known her that long I believe that it was life-giving to the friendship we do and will continue to have.
Since I have been here, I have learned that being a friend is a give and take, and my true friends will call me out when I am not doing either one. If I am going to be honest, there are some people that I thought would communicate with me on a regular basis and some that wouldn't. With most my instincts were right, but their have been some surprises and disappointments. There are moments that I have blamed others for not communicating yet I don't look at what I have or haven't done to communicate with them. I have to remind myself that this is a two way street with different amounts of give and take at different times in life. I remember a fight that my bf Amy and I had once where she laid it all on the table about how I wasn't being a good friend and I in turn did the same. I remember that being a turning point in our relationship to being true friends that will fight to keep the friendship. I have had a conversation like that recently with a friend here in Bolivia, and although I haven't known her that long I believe that it was life-giving to the friendship we do and will continue to have.
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| Love you Amy! Miss my long hair! |
2. God is faithful to provide community and family here in Bolivia!
Outside of the friendship of many single ladies, God has given me two families here that love and take care of me when I need it. The Reeds and the Kienzles have been some of the most loving and life-giving people I could ever ask for. They are not old enough to be my parents but they treat me like I am their own. They have been a beautiful display of what it means to be a part of the family of God. They bring meds when I am sick, laughs when I am down, and hugs when I am in need. Their children are like my brothers and sisters (even though I teach one of them). They invite me for meals, support me in my coaching and teaching, and encourage me in who I am made to be! I love you all...yes, even your dogs...I know, crazy, but I am growing in dog like because of you guys too! God moves in mysterious ways...:)!
Outside of the friendship of many single ladies, God has given me two families here that love and take care of me when I need it. The Reeds and the Kienzles have been some of the most loving and life-giving people I could ever ask for. They are not old enough to be my parents but they treat me like I am their own. They have been a beautiful display of what it means to be a part of the family of God. They bring meds when I am sick, laughs when I am down, and hugs when I am in need. Their children are like my brothers and sisters (even though I teach one of them). They invite me for meals, support me in my coaching and teaching, and encourage me in who I am made to be! I love you all...yes, even your dogs...I know, crazy, but I am growing in dog like because of you guys too! God moves in mysterious ways...:)!
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| Rhonda and JD Reed |
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| Nathan, Abie, Grace Reed |
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| Abie Reed and Bekah Kienzle |
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| Paul and Laura Kienzle |
1. The word of God is living, breathing, and will continually give joy to a weary soul.
Three weeks ago, I was at wits end with some of students and it brought me to tears and the realization that I was trying to do all of this on my own. That night I skipped out on other obligations to spend time really listening to God, longing to be refreshed by His word and His spirit. He delivered. He used 1 Kings 19 to speak to me again about the fact that he is faithfully preparing me for the future and He is present in my present giving me strength and hope in times of despair. He has used 1 Kings 19 at two significant times in my life and yet again the Holy Spirit took me there again. I love that he keeps taking me back to this passage. I believe it deserves its own post, so be on the look out for the next post on the provisions of God to prepare us for what is ahead even in our fear. Until then know that His word is living and has the power to change your mind and heart about the situation you are in.
Our God continues to move here in Bolivia in spite of my attitude, my fear, and my lack of confidence! Nothing is impossible for Him!
