Silliness and Spirituality

It seems like a long time since I last blogged. Much has happened in the last few weeks. I've been amused by how adorable children are. I've overheard a few funny comments from kids from other classes. "Miss Muchai, I'm getting boring," was said by a 1st grader. I can't even remember who said, "it smells cold out here." Kids really can say some of the funniest things. I've been in silly moods lately. Sometimes I fake a British accent and have my students rolling over in laughter. They've named that particular character of mine Miss Twiddle. When I thicken my southern accent and put in fake bubba teeth my character is Miss Smith. Who would've known I'd be using the drama skills I learned in high school for teaching? We have a lot of fun in the classroom! With kids it's great because you can be silly and goofy and they love you anyway. :-) I say this to people all the time but I feel I should write it now - I LOVE MY STUDENTS! Being lead teacher is made possible this year because my kiddos are so awesome. This year I'm encouraging my students to read their Bibles one book at a time. There are 27 books that take 15 minutes or less to read. One of my students parents told me that their child has been reading their Bible at home. Such music to my ears! I'm excited that my students are taking what they're learning at school home with them.

Fun, Relaxation, Fellowship, and Food

Staff retreat this past Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning was amazing! What a joy it was to fellowship and worship together with the staff at school. I wish the retreat could have been longer. I brought a book to read, but I enjoyed spending time with people so much that I didn’t even open my book. The first afternoon I spent playing with Micah, my friends’ baby boy. We rolled around in the grass for at least an hour. He’s still my favorite baby in Africa. :-) Friday was spent all over the place. I chatted with a friend in a gazebo that overlooked patches of tea farms and a curvy road. I also went for a walk through a tea farm. I thought for sure that it would smell, but it didn’t. I even rubbed a leaf in my hands and still no scent. I tore the leaf and still no scent. The flavor probably comes out in drying the leaves. Friday evening I played games in the café with several of the teachers. We played Pick 2 and Catchphrase. Lots of laughter was shared by all. Much to my enjoyment I was placed in a room that had a fireplace. Friday evening I went to sleep feeling the warmth of a fire and listening to it crackle. It was my first time sleeping in a room with a fire and I liked it a lot. I have to say my favorite part of it all was the worship/teaching sessions. I felt a part of a fellowship of believers. At school we all seem to be busy doing our own thing that I forget that together we are part of the body of Christ. The knowledge that the staff are Christians is always on my mind but actually thinking of us as the body of Christ was never linked in my thought processes. I’m thankful for everyone God has sent to our school. I look forward to getting to know the staff better as the year progresses.

We have four full weeks coming up with only weekends off in between. Please pray for endurance and patience for the teachers. Four weeks may not sound like a long time, but as teachers we run full force all day long. Sometimes I feel like an old lady because Friday evenings I’m usually in bed pretty early.

Last week I stated that I would be making a new meal and dessert every week. Today I made chimichangas for lunch and a blondie with ice cream on top for dessert. Both came out delicious. I set out to make a different dessert, but I couldn’t find a crucial ingredient for it in the grocery store.

Such good kids!

I have to brag on my students in this post. I got a new student today. I told the rest of my students on Monday that she would be coming today. They have been praying since Monday for her. This morning a group of girls waited at the top of the hill for her so they could greet her and make her feel accepted. I didn't even have to say anything to them about welcoming her. They took it upon themselves to make sure she felt loved and cared for on her first day. I'm so proud of them!

Word of God speak!

The Word of God resounds in my heart. So much so that I can’t deny it and I can’t ignore it. God’s Word is more powerful than I think it to be at times. Last Friday I spoke in our elementary chapel. I basically shared Scripture with very few words in between. A passage that jumped out at me is Psalm 29.

Psalm 29:1-11
Vs 1 – Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Vs 2 – Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness.
Vs 3 – The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.
Vs 4 – The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
Vs 5 – The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
Vs 6 – He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
Vs 7 – The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.
Vs 8 – The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
Vs 9 – The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
Vs 10 – The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.
Vs 11 – The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

The theme of the Psalm is obviously God revealing His great power in nature. More so than that it shows me the absolute power in simply His words. Verse 4 says that the voice of the Lord is powerful. Starting in verse 3 through 29 of Genesis chapter 1 you read over and over again ‘God said.’ If the Bible is His Word wouldn’t every word be just as powerful as the word before and after it? If He spoke the world into existence, couldn’t He indeed transform us with His Word?

This morning we had staff devotions. Today’s message from the Word was on humility. Sometimes it’s easy for me to see pride in other people’s hearts and yet neglect the smoldering mess of it in my own. When the speaker was talking on this topic I immediately thought of several people where pride is evident in their hearts. As the speaker continued I started to wonder how many people would categorize me as a prideful person. If I were being honest with myself I would have to admit that probably several people would put me near or at the top of their list. Humility is a difficult lesson to learn. Reflecting on the cross and what Christ has done may be the only way to find real perspective.

Mmm mmm good :-)

My resolution of making one new meal each week has been a success. I've actually made two meals so far this week. Yesterday was a "Be still and know that I am God" day. I've been on the go for 2 weeks straight and I could no longer keep going. I needed to stop for a full day and rest. I was beginning to get a sore throat which insinuated another upper respiratory infection. I actually slept until noon yesterday and still was able to go to bed by 10:00 p.m. because of my exhaustion. For lunch I made homemade fajitas. I had never made them before. I had some overripe bananas and made homemade banana bread for the first time yesterday as well. Both were a success! This morning I woke up with a pep in my step. It's been weeks since I woke up with so much energy. All day I anticipated coming home because I knew I would be making Chicken Marsala for the first time. Another complete success. Who would have thought that cooking could be such a stress reliever? Surely not me! :-) I've always enjoyed cooking and baking, but I never thought it would be such a big part of my current lifestyle. I actually get energized from cooking. To most this is laughable, but to me it's enjoyable. Here's a pic of the Marsala. It's a little blurry, but it gives you a pretty good idea of how delicious it tasted based on looks.

Birthdays are Best!!

Yesterday I turned the big 6-2. Just kidding! :-) Every time my students asked how old I was turning I told them 62. At first I could tell by their facial expressions that they were contemplating whether or not it was true. Of course they DID NOT believe me. I have yet to admit to them my true age. My students, as well as friends and family, made my birthday so very special yesterday. The gifts I received overwhelmed me. I told my students that they could get me fruit instead of the normal chocolate gifts that teachers are given. Well they really took me serious. On my table are 2 baskets and 2 large bowls full of delicious fruit. I also received 5 bouquets of flowers, 4 bracelets (2 are homemade), 1 necklace, a rhino key chain, 1 super awesome hot pad I wanted, and a homemade spice-type cake. The evening was spent at my usual Thursday night place. It was fun as usual.

Tonight I watched the movie Julie & Julia. I'd been told by several people that I would enjoy the movie. Partly because my name is Julie and I LOVE to cook. I am now inspired to cook a new, different meal once a week for 3 months. Sunday I will begin. I've already decided to finally make the chicken marsala recipe I've been anxious to attempt. Somehow when I begin to cook I come alive. It doesn't matter how tiring my day can be. If I have energy to get into my kitchen I'm unstoppable once behind my apron. A friend came over Wednesday evening to hang out and they were surprised at how awake I seemed after baking homemade chocolate chip cookies. Driving on the road I may have a short fuse at times, but in the kitchen I easily laugh at my mistakes.