Leavin' on a jet plane... don't know when I'll be back again....

I leave tonight for the States. I have mixed feelings. Part of me is very excited to see family and friends. Another part of me is sad to be leaving home for 5 weeks. I can tell I'm drained though and in desperate need of some rest and relaxation. My friend Anne and I have been joking lately about me being superwoman. I think I give off the impression that I am superwoman to many people. I have a new position at work next year. I'll be teaching 5th grade and be the lead teacher for the elementary. To be honest I'm not really looking forward to it. I know it will be a lot of work. I've prayed about it and I know that God is leading me to do it. Do you ever just want to say, "No God, I don't want to be obedient"? That's a very unspiritual thing to say I'm sure. My goal in life is not to seem spiritual. My goal in life is to please the Savior. Perhaps it's childish to say such things, but at least it's being honest. In Christian circles I think we're so focused on giving off this image of perfection that we fail to let people see who we really are. The truth is that we're all sinners saved by grace. We will fail because we are NOT perfect. We strive toward godliness and holiness, but until we reach heaven we won't arrive. We can't live on mountaintops forever. The valleys must come, and I'm going through one right now. I'm thankful for God and His Word to comfort my heart and renew me daily. I'm looking forward to being at my home church and worshiping with 'family'. I can't wait to see people that I've developed such close friendships with over the years. You guys know who you are and as the apostle Paul would say, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you". I love you all and can't wait to spend time with you! He is so faithful and He is so good to His children!

Chapel - JOB

Yesterday my students put on the last chapel of the school year. One of my students had been saying for 3 weeks that he wanted one or both of his parents to be there. Even that morning I heard him telling another student that he didn't care what the other kid thought, he likes his parents to attend his events. To my surprise and satisfaction his mom walked in late. I don't think anyone could have wiped the smile off my face. This child is probably the main child I have the least amount of patience with. I'm not exaggerating when I say that he can easily ask me 20-30 questions a day. I try to be patient with him, but I know I fail a lot. He's craving attention from his parents more than anything. After his mom attended the program, his behavior yesterday was the best it's been in weeks. It solidifies to me the importance of a parent in a child's life.

Rain, Rain, Go Away... Come Again Another Day

It seems odd to be writing about too much rain when less than a year ago I was asking for prayer for rain because of the famine. We're now getting so much rain that it's flooding roads. All the rain makes me want to wrap myself in a warm blanket and read a good book or watch a movie at home.

Only a few more weeks of school left. :)

Friendship

Today I was thinking about friends. I have some pretty amazing ones!! The best part of a friendship is that your friend knows you really well yet still wants to be your friend. They accept you for you. There are no facades that have to be put on. You don't have to walk on egg shells around them.

Hell's Gate w/EBC Singles

On Saturday I went to Hell's Gate National Park with the singles from church. There were 7 of us who ended up going, and we had a great time. Here are a couple of pics. The first pic is of the whole group. The second pic is me and my new roomie Anne. She's a fabulous person to be housemates with!