And I am back.
This day is no different than any other. I have gone through the same motions, through the same routine. I'm barely awake through my shower, I run to catch the bus, and I greet my students. We dance, we sing to get our morning started right. I teach a room full of eager faces. I'm starting to wake up - starting to see again...why I'm doing all of this. I'm doing this to serve Him.
And the truth is, sometimes I forget. I get caught up in small things. I forget to look around. I have tunnel vision. But then, on my bus ride home - I sit next to a man whose hand is wrapped in a towel, blood soaking through. And my vision starts to clear. We don't exchange words, but I pray for him. I look out the window and I see poverty all around, and I pray. Walking from the bus to my house, I see kids looking through trash for something to eat. I invite them to my house and offer them what I can. And when they run off, I pray.
And I ask myself where is God in all of this mess? And I know. My heart knows the answer - God is right here. God is right here with us. And He knows. This pain is not comparable to the pain that He must have felt when He gave his Son for us. But that love is the love we live on every day. His love. His love is what clears my vision. He is using me. And that is enough.
Today, I have my face in the dirt. I am bending down at the feet of Jesus. Thank you Father, for the reminders, the opportunities you offer to me.
Praying for you, as you bend today for whoever and whatever is in front of you. He will meet you there.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
August Already?!
Time has slipped away from me, once again! It's hard to believe that we are already half way through August. I guess time flies when you are having fun. ;) And that is exactly what I have been having!
At the end of July, my friend Meghan and I decided to rent a house together. So my last few days of July and first few weeks of August were filled with moving, organizing, cleaning & painting. We have comfortably moved into the house, and made it ours. It's a cute little casita...very Costa Rican. We have a great outdoor patio and dreams of having all of our friends over for dinner...there just hasn't been time yet.
Things at the school have been moving along smoothly. My students make me laugh every day. I have come to realize how big of a blessing it is to be able to say that - "I enjoy my work, every day." Sure, some days I feel like my room is filled with aliens (9 and 10 year old boys are pretty much aliens), and some days my patience is tested - but we are LEARNING. And we are GROWING. And the most beautiful part of it all is that we are doing it all TOGETHER. For as many things as I teach them, they turn around and teach me something new. We recently had our "Science Fair" at school. The boys were bursting with ideas for experiments that they wanted to do. First, we tried to make rock candy. Unfortunately, with no success. So we decided it was time to find something even better...which led us to "Elephants Toothpaste." It ended up working out perfectly with what we were learning in science (Chemical and Physical changes) - and the boys had a blast. When we presented out experiment to the parents and other grades, everyone was impressed...I was the most impressed. I enjoyed watching the boys research and try adding different things to get different reactions... It was a fun time in our classroom. All those little moments are what make this worth it. In our classroom, it is well known that we are a team - We will win together, and lose together. I am happy to see we win a lot more than we lose <3
Other news? Let's see. I have been battling sickness for almost two weeks - I pray the end is in sight. I will spare any and all details...but I will just say being sick away from home is probably the biggest challenge I've faced so far. I am so thankful to have friends who have been helping me through it.
On a much happier note! I am so excited to share exciting news about my dear friend Ryan Wedell! When I met "Weedle" my first day of college, I never would have guessed that we would become best friends...but it happened! Besides being so intelligent (nerdy, I say), funny, relaxed, and a smart-ass (excuse the language), he's caring and passionate. Weedle & I have a theory about "being uncomfortable" and how when we are most uncomfortable, we usually learn the most and have the best experiences. Well IS HE testing this THEORY! He left this week for the Peace Corps. He will be spending the next two years in Cameroon! Excitement doesn't even begin to describe what I feel for him. I know he's going to have the experience of a lifetime and learn so much. The people he will meet will forever be changed. I ask for prayers that he is kept safe and healthy. I am anxiously awaiting his first message to hear about everything!
How great is our God to give us these experiences? To guide us around the world, to use us. And He is USING US! And this makes our lives so full. I know that He loves us and I do not pretend to know why. I am not questioning the endless thoughts that race through my head. I am just thankful that He is using me now, for these moments. And that is more then enough. I can trust in that.
At the end of July, my friend Meghan and I decided to rent a house together. So my last few days of July and first few weeks of August were filled with moving, organizing, cleaning & painting. We have comfortably moved into the house, and made it ours. It's a cute little casita...very Costa Rican. We have a great outdoor patio and dreams of having all of our friends over for dinner...there just hasn't been time yet.
Things at the school have been moving along smoothly. My students make me laugh every day. I have come to realize how big of a blessing it is to be able to say that - "I enjoy my work, every day." Sure, some days I feel like my room is filled with aliens (9 and 10 year old boys are pretty much aliens), and some days my patience is tested - but we are LEARNING. And we are GROWING. And the most beautiful part of it all is that we are doing it all TOGETHER. For as many things as I teach them, they turn around and teach me something new. We recently had our "Science Fair" at school. The boys were bursting with ideas for experiments that they wanted to do. First, we tried to make rock candy. Unfortunately, with no success. So we decided it was time to find something even better...which led us to "Elephants Toothpaste." It ended up working out perfectly with what we were learning in science (Chemical and Physical changes) - and the boys had a blast. When we presented out experiment to the parents and other grades, everyone was impressed...I was the most impressed. I enjoyed watching the boys research and try adding different things to get different reactions... It was a fun time in our classroom. All those little moments are what make this worth it. In our classroom, it is well known that we are a team - We will win together, and lose together. I am happy to see we win a lot more than we lose <3
Other news? Let's see. I have been battling sickness for almost two weeks - I pray the end is in sight. I will spare any and all details...but I will just say being sick away from home is probably the biggest challenge I've faced so far. I am so thankful to have friends who have been helping me through it.
On a much happier note! I am so excited to share exciting news about my dear friend Ryan Wedell! When I met "Weedle" my first day of college, I never would have guessed that we would become best friends...but it happened! Besides being so intelligent (nerdy, I say), funny, relaxed, and a smart-ass (excuse the language), he's caring and passionate. Weedle & I have a theory about "being uncomfortable" and how when we are most uncomfortable, we usually learn the most and have the best experiences. Well IS HE testing this THEORY! He left this week for the Peace Corps. He will be spending the next two years in Cameroon! Excitement doesn't even begin to describe what I feel for him. I know he's going to have the experience of a lifetime and learn so much. The people he will meet will forever be changed. I ask for prayers that he is kept safe and healthy. I am anxiously awaiting his first message to hear about everything!
How great is our God to give us these experiences? To guide us around the world, to use us. And He is USING US! And this makes our lives so full. I know that He loves us and I do not pretend to know why. I am not questioning the endless thoughts that race through my head. I am just thankful that He is using me now, for these moments. And that is more then enough. I can trust in that.
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