This is my attempt to post more than once a month. Let's see if this works. As far as I know, I only have about three readers. oh well. I guess I will update you three on the mundane and hilarious things in my life, though I may be the only one to find them that hilarious.
Lately we have had many adventures in our bathroom with frogs. A few weeks ago I was about to get in the shower, so I opened the shower curtain and something jumped off it. I, of course, start screaming when I realize there is a FROG in my SHOWER! I hastily wrapped a towel around myself and went and told Robin, my roommate who was here. She suggested we kill it. I was not too keen on frog guts all over my shower, so we decided to catch it. I was too chicken, so she caught it in one of our drinking glasses! Then we switched it over to an old peanut butter jar. It lasted through the night and we took it to school to show our students. Then we let it out in the grass at school, a good three miles away!
The next week, I was home alone and taking a shower. I was almost through and went to grab the conditioner bottle. There was something behind it! Of course, it was my favorite creature, a frog! I resisted the urge to scream, since I was the only one home! We spent the rest of the shower staring at each other. Thankfully he did not jump on me. If he had, I think I would have really gone crazy! I am hoping he does not invite his friends to join him in my shower.
My roommate Amanda and I had a new experience/adventure today. We went to the beach with another friend Jenny. I hadn't been for a long time, so it was cool to go enjoy God's beautiful creation. Jenny and I went out snorkeling. Besides a leaky mask that I returned for another bad one, it was really amazing. I will probably never get over the awe of seeing real live fish that look like the ones you see in magazines that look fake. Anyways, we took the bus back, no problem. Instead of calling our regular taxi, we took a random one at the bus station. We were about a mile from home and it sounded like we ran over something. It started to get really bumpy. The driver pulls over and says, "la goma," which means the tire. He gets out and Amanda and I just stare at each other like, "can this really be happening?" He goes and opens the trunk to get out the spare. Then he comes and turns on his hazards and tells us "un momentito," one little moment. To change a tire? Yeah right. We start laughing hysterically. Here we are, in the middle of the Dominican Republic, with a taxi with a flat tire! It was pretty humorous to say the least.
In other news, the drama at my church went fairly well. There were times where I was lost and didn't quite understand what was going on, but that happens in other settings too. The mothers seemed to enjoy it, and I did too. After that, some of the people started calling me the wife of Noah instead of my name since that is what I was in the skit. We'll see if that continues!
The next day all the third graders went on a field trip to the capital. We went to a children's museum there. The kids seemed to really like it, and it went well for the most part. We went with a tour company, which was the best thing ever. They had three guides with us who do this kind of thing all the time. They had snacks, games, and songs planned for the kids. The kids really liked it.
I've been thinking a lot about how much God has blessed me. Sometimes I question "why me?" I had the privilege to be born into a household with two loving Christian parents who had the means to provide for me. There was always enough on the table. I look around here and see so many children who do not have that. And then I go to school and see students who are far more well off than me. Why them? Then I remember that God has a plan in all of it, though sometimes it's so hard to see. I get frustrated with my students and with their families who ignore that there is even poverty in this country. Most of my students didn't even know there were people in this country living in shacks without electricity or toilets. They were shocked when I told them that. It is easy to wonder if I am doing any good here, if the students are even learning anything. I have to live "by faith" and remember that God has a plan. I may never receive the things promised--I may only see them and welcome them from a distance. May I dwell in the hope of the things to come!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Grace Like Rain
As I sit here listening to the rain outside my window, I can't help but think about the "grace like rain" that pours down on me. The last month, and more, has shown me so much about grace and what it means. It's been a long time since I've posted, so I will try to catch you up on the happenings of May.
First of all, I only have EIGHT school days left! One is a field trip, one a half day, and one is field day! Really, the time is going to go so fast! Our last day of school is June 4. I cannot believe the year is almost over. I'm ready for a break but I'm not ready to give my kids up. I told them i am keeping them all and they can't go to fourth grade. They didn't like that very much! We have grown so much together this year. I love seeing their passion for Jesus. They are AMAZING prayer warriors! They are still praying for needs I brought to them months ago.
Last week was spirit week, and they had a ton of fun dressing up for it. Here are some pictures of the craziness:
The next 50s boy band! For oldies day, I showed them pictures of Elvis and most of my boys dressed from that era. It was hilarious! They did most of this posing on their own!
Oldies Day Crazy Picture!
Pajama Day. Taking a nap--Miss Seeman wears us out!
Yes, to all you teachers out there, it was CRAZY having spirit week so close to the end of school. They were even crazier than they would have been, but it was a good week.
I have been getting more involved in my church, specifically in the area of the kid's drama. A lady approached me at camp about helping with it. A few weeks later, she asked if I would write a skit for them. She needed a drama for Mother's Day and wanted to use one the kids already knew about Noah's Ark. Yes, I know what you are thinking--how in the WORLD does Noah's Ark relate to Mother's Day? You're right--it doesn't. I wrote a skit about Noah's sons talking about how their mother didn't give up and helped right alongside them to finish the ark and how much they were thankful for their mother to go before the drama. Okay, so that helps it tie in at least a little :). Then, the lady asked me to be IN the drama! Thinking I was only in the skit I wrote, I said yes. THEN I found out I need to be in ALL of it! I still don't know exactly what I am supposed to do. Yay for huge language barriers! I guess I'll find out come Tuesday when we perform. Mother's Day here is the 31st, which is why we haven't celebrated it at church yet.
I am still going to a girl's home on Thursday nights with one of my roommates and a couple who works at the school. They have two little ones at the home now, three and four, a couple who are seven or eight, and the rest are pre-teens and teens. It has been good for my Spanish and really good to hang out with some girls in a non-school environment. The littlest one is crazy--she makes me laugh a lot!
I am trying to think of all the crazy cultural stories that have happened this last month that I was going to write down to put in my blog and of course didn't and now can't remember any of them. Hmm...come on brain! A few weeks ago, I went to a birthday party at a farm for one of my little boys. The contrast between rich and poor is just so startling here! There was of course a butler serving drinks. They brought pizza out, and I was like "whew, I can understand this!" But of course the pizza was only for the kids! They called the grown-ups inside to have a huge sit down dinner with china and linen AT A THIRD GRADERS PARTY. Wow. I have tasted bits of the liftestyle of the rich, and I must say I'm not sure I could live like that. My kids don't even understand that there are people who don't have enough food to eat. They waste food more than I knew was possible. All day I'm faced with life like that, and then I go to church, where some of the families are wondering where their next meal comes from. My heart is burdened and I don't even know how to express it or what to do. I tell my students about the need and they don't even know how to process it. I see the need and I struggle over my thoughts and what God wants for me. I feel like at this moment He has called me to work with the wealthy children, when sometimes all I want to do is go work among the poor. But I know God has a plan in all things, and I love that I can openly share the gospel with my kids. They know I LOVE to talk about Jesus, and they have that same passion. May they continue to have that same passion.I understand that not all wealthy kids have no concept of the poor people. My prayer is that my students would change and be aware of the needs around them. I can't even imagine how many lives they could change if they did!
There are little things that are different when living in another culture. Sometimes I grow so accustumed to them that I forget most people don't experience these things on a daily basis. Let's see if I can think of some...
-Riding home from church with six or seven Dominicans in a little car. Of course, all the women are talking and talking quickly! It's quite the ride home!
-Motorcycles or scooters that can carry anything and everything. Today I saw two people on a little scooter thing and the driver had a guitar standing upright resting on the floor up to his nose in front of him!
-Fruit and vegetable sellers that come by in old pickups at all hours of the day.
-Plantains in sushi. It was surprisingly good!
-Going to the salon and just getting your hair washed and dried. Maybe some of you have experienced this, but I had never before gone to the salon without getting a hair cut. Many here just go to get their hair washed and blow dried straight.
-No cross walks anywhere. Well, they do have them, but nobody pays attention to them. We pray like crazy before crossing the street!
-Greeting each other cheek to cheek. I am actually going to miss this a lot when I go back to the states! Even if you don't know someone, you greet them. It is such a friendly culture!
As some of you know, I have had a lot of health problems this year. One problem has been with my skin. The doctors haven't been able to figure it out. I went to one last week who thinks he knows what is wrong with it. Praise the Lord! The challenge is the medicine is expensive, but God has already been providing for my needs. It is amazing how He provides in ways you never expect! I am hoping my skin will clear up and I won't have to think about skin problems ever again! My voice has also held out for FIVE months! Yay! It is still not very strong, but it is much better than it was, and I have been able to teach all semester. It is amazing the things you learn to not take for granted when they are taken away from you!
God has been teaching me more about relying on Him in everything. I tend to be a perfectionist, and He has been teaching me that my imperfect perfection is nothing compared to his perfections. I need to let go and let Him work in my life without trying to control everything. I need to have faith. I need to trust Him at all times. I am so thankful for the grace He pours out on my life!
I can't believe I will be in the states in just two and a half weeks! I haven't been back since early August. I am leaving here June 10th. I will be in Iowa, Colorado, Seattle, and New Mexico this summer. I am excited to see people in those places and catch up! God has done so much in my life this year, and I am sure it is the same for you. May you feel His incredible grace this week!
First of all, I only have EIGHT school days left! One is a field trip, one a half day, and one is field day! Really, the time is going to go so fast! Our last day of school is June 4. I cannot believe the year is almost over. I'm ready for a break but I'm not ready to give my kids up. I told them i am keeping them all and they can't go to fourth grade. They didn't like that very much! We have grown so much together this year. I love seeing their passion for Jesus. They are AMAZING prayer warriors! They are still praying for needs I brought to them months ago.
Last week was spirit week, and they had a ton of fun dressing up for it. Here are some pictures of the craziness:
The next 50s boy band! For oldies day, I showed them pictures of Elvis and most of my boys dressed from that era. It was hilarious! They did most of this posing on their own!
Oldies Day Crazy Picture!
Pajama Day. Taking a nap--Miss Seeman wears us out!I have been getting more involved in my church, specifically in the area of the kid's drama. A lady approached me at camp about helping with it. A few weeks later, she asked if I would write a skit for them. She needed a drama for Mother's Day and wanted to use one the kids already knew about Noah's Ark. Yes, I know what you are thinking--how in the WORLD does Noah's Ark relate to Mother's Day? You're right--it doesn't. I wrote a skit about Noah's sons talking about how their mother didn't give up and helped right alongside them to finish the ark and how much they were thankful for their mother to go before the drama. Okay, so that helps it tie in at least a little :). Then, the lady asked me to be IN the drama! Thinking I was only in the skit I wrote, I said yes. THEN I found out I need to be in ALL of it! I still don't know exactly what I am supposed to do. Yay for huge language barriers! I guess I'll find out come Tuesday when we perform. Mother's Day here is the 31st, which is why we haven't celebrated it at church yet.
I am still going to a girl's home on Thursday nights with one of my roommates and a couple who works at the school. They have two little ones at the home now, three and four, a couple who are seven or eight, and the rest are pre-teens and teens. It has been good for my Spanish and really good to hang out with some girls in a non-school environment. The littlest one is crazy--she makes me laugh a lot!
I am trying to think of all the crazy cultural stories that have happened this last month that I was going to write down to put in my blog and of course didn't and now can't remember any of them. Hmm...come on brain! A few weeks ago, I went to a birthday party at a farm for one of my little boys. The contrast between rich and poor is just so startling here! There was of course a butler serving drinks. They brought pizza out, and I was like "whew, I can understand this!" But of course the pizza was only for the kids! They called the grown-ups inside to have a huge sit down dinner with china and linen AT A THIRD GRADERS PARTY. Wow. I have tasted bits of the liftestyle of the rich, and I must say I'm not sure I could live like that. My kids don't even understand that there are people who don't have enough food to eat. They waste food more than I knew was possible. All day I'm faced with life like that, and then I go to church, where some of the families are wondering where their next meal comes from. My heart is burdened and I don't even know how to express it or what to do. I tell my students about the need and they don't even know how to process it. I see the need and I struggle over my thoughts and what God wants for me. I feel like at this moment He has called me to work with the wealthy children, when sometimes all I want to do is go work among the poor. But I know God has a plan in all things, and I love that I can openly share the gospel with my kids. They know I LOVE to talk about Jesus, and they have that same passion. May they continue to have that same passion.I understand that not all wealthy kids have no concept of the poor people. My prayer is that my students would change and be aware of the needs around them. I can't even imagine how many lives they could change if they did!
There are little things that are different when living in another culture. Sometimes I grow so accustumed to them that I forget most people don't experience these things on a daily basis. Let's see if I can think of some...
-Riding home from church with six or seven Dominicans in a little car. Of course, all the women are talking and talking quickly! It's quite the ride home!
-Motorcycles or scooters that can carry anything and everything. Today I saw two people on a little scooter thing and the driver had a guitar standing upright resting on the floor up to his nose in front of him!
-Fruit and vegetable sellers that come by in old pickups at all hours of the day.
-Plantains in sushi. It was surprisingly good!
-Going to the salon and just getting your hair washed and dried. Maybe some of you have experienced this, but I had never before gone to the salon without getting a hair cut. Many here just go to get their hair washed and blow dried straight.
-No cross walks anywhere. Well, they do have them, but nobody pays attention to them. We pray like crazy before crossing the street!
-Greeting each other cheek to cheek. I am actually going to miss this a lot when I go back to the states! Even if you don't know someone, you greet them. It is such a friendly culture!
As some of you know, I have had a lot of health problems this year. One problem has been with my skin. The doctors haven't been able to figure it out. I went to one last week who thinks he knows what is wrong with it. Praise the Lord! The challenge is the medicine is expensive, but God has already been providing for my needs. It is amazing how He provides in ways you never expect! I am hoping my skin will clear up and I won't have to think about skin problems ever again! My voice has also held out for FIVE months! Yay! It is still not very strong, but it is much better than it was, and I have been able to teach all semester. It is amazing the things you learn to not take for granted when they are taken away from you!
God has been teaching me more about relying on Him in everything. I tend to be a perfectionist, and He has been teaching me that my imperfect perfection is nothing compared to his perfections. I need to let go and let Him work in my life without trying to control everything. I need to have faith. I need to trust Him at all times. I am so thankful for the grace He pours out on my life!
I can't believe I will be in the states in just two and a half weeks! I haven't been back since early August. I am leaving here June 10th. I will be in Iowa, Colorado, Seattle, and New Mexico this summer. I am excited to see people in those places and catch up! God has done so much in my life this year, and I am sure it is the same for you. May you feel His incredible grace this week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
