The weather has been BEAUTIFUL here lately, and we've all been greatly enjoying the sunshine. There's a new energy, kids are running around even more than usual, everyone is being overly social...and the monkeys have joined in the fun. :)
Section A: Friday afternoon I was getting ready for class when I noticed a loud crash outside my classroom window. There are OFTEN loud crashes, so I didn't think much of it...until a monkey pushed open my door, confidently walked inside, and started going through the garbage. It was a fairly big monkey, but nothing I couldn't handle. That is, until two more of his friends joined him. I put a chair in front of me and tried to walk menacingly toward it, stomping the chair as I walked. NOTHING. I think I may have even seen a twinkle in his eye and a giggle escape his mouth, as he thought, "Nice try, lady!", and kept digging. Eventually I backed into the far corner and waited for them to get bored, which they finally did and kindly left the room.
Section B: It was about five minutes after class was supposed to start, and no kids had shown up yet. Did I have the wrong day? Was there a special event I didn't know about? I peeked my head out the door to look for them...turn to the right: the monkeys were sunbathing five feet from where my head was popped out. Turn to the left: 15 students were hiding behind the far door, yelling my name to come save them. There have been multiple monkey attacks on people, so the elementary students possess a healthy fear and usually choose to run rather than confront. :) I "calmly and confidently" went to get them, and we walked in a single-file line to class (NOT making eye contact with the sun-bathing beauties!)
Section C: Class was well under way when the door opened. I look up, expecting to see the attendance-taker making the rounds or a piano instructor coming to get one of their students...but nope. It was our dear monkey friend, once again. He meanders into the room (where I have 17 5th graders working on a composition project), and starts nosing around. I swallow my fear and CHARGE IT...and he runs away! It was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. By the time any of the kids knew what was happening, he was gone and the door was locked. THE END!
More to come...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Life this semester...
As I've been processing everything from my last post it's been really hard to get into "life" here at Woodstock...until, that is, until life CONSUMED me yesterday! I spent a good portion of yesterday's school day getting organized for this semester, and suddenly realized that I'm officially OVER-COMMITTED. This is becoming a theme in my life...help!
- I have practice supervision before school every morning
- After School Schedule:
Mondays: 4-5:00 PM 7-8th Girls Basketball
Tuesdays: 5-6:00 PM Staff Choir
Wednesdays: 3:30-4:15 PM Elementary Orff Club
4:15-5:00 PM Music Recitals
Thursdays: 3:30-4:30 PM Elementary Friendship Club
4:30-5:00 PM 7-8th Girls Basketball
Fridays: 4-5:00 PM 7-8th Girls Basketball
**Note: I had signed up to HELP coach 7-8th Girls Basketball...and then, the head coach got pregnant (yay Beth!)!!! So, my commitment has suddenly become greatly intensified, and I definitely just printed out a 153 page PDF booklet on basketball drills.
- I officially got a violin to practice on, so I'm now a part of the Beginning Strings Ensemble! More on that when I stop squeaking...
- I volunteered (WHY?!!?!) to put on a 5th grade musical at the end of the semester. Most of the practice will happen during the school day, but there's LOTS of other prep that will NOT happen during the school day. :)
- Staff Talent Show: I'm involved in a Bollywood Dance, a girl band (singing "Skater Boy"), and a Dance Review of 2000-2009 (which I need to help choreograph!).
- Chris and I are helping to lead the 3-4th Grade RE retreat next weekend, which is going to be AWESOME! It's titled "Jesus is a Superhero", and we're basing the content around "The Incredibles" and Jesus' similar traits in our lives. :) And THEN, since we're Jesus' children, how we ALSO have super-hero traits! Chris and I are introducing the retreat at next Wednesday's assembly, dressed up as "Mr. Incredible" and "Elasti-girl". I think that means wearing underwear on the OUTSIDE...
- I'm creating a choral library system and a new K-6 elementary GM curriculum this semester.
Ultimately though, I love EVERY MINUTE OF IT, and that's how this always happens to me. :) I'm finding that I really do get so much more done when I'm busy...and not because I just feel more productive, because I actually AM more productive!
A few more notes:
- My sister is OFFICIALLY booked to come visit us! She's flying in on June 14th, and we won't leave until July 16th to go to Ireland...so we have a MONTH to fill up here in India! I'm taking my "dream list" over to the travel office today to see what we can make happen. WAHOO!
- I've been cooking almost every night! Cooking here has been a really exciting challenge, because there are so many items that you just can't get...so you have to substitute for everything! These are my most common substitutes, but I really haven't found any recipes yet that I came make as is.
Buttermilk = 1 cup milk with 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Heavy Cream = milk and butter
Sour Cream = yogurt substitute
- I started running last week...and then blew out my knee. So, in the midst of this madness, I can't run. Maybe a blessing from Jesus?! :)
And with that, off to read about Basketball Drills!
- I have practice supervision before school every morning
- After School Schedule:
Mondays: 4-5:00 PM 7-8th Girls Basketball
Tuesdays: 5-6:00 PM Staff Choir
Wednesdays: 3:30-4:15 PM Elementary Orff Club
4:15-5:00 PM Music Recitals
Thursdays: 3:30-4:30 PM Elementary Friendship Club
4:30-5:00 PM 7-8th Girls Basketball
Fridays: 4-5:00 PM 7-8th Girls Basketball
**Note: I had signed up to HELP coach 7-8th Girls Basketball...and then, the head coach got pregnant (yay Beth!)!!! So, my commitment has suddenly become greatly intensified, and I definitely just printed out a 153 page PDF booklet on basketball drills.
- I officially got a violin to practice on, so I'm now a part of the Beginning Strings Ensemble! More on that when I stop squeaking...
- I volunteered (WHY?!!?!) to put on a 5th grade musical at the end of the semester. Most of the practice will happen during the school day, but there's LOTS of other prep that will NOT happen during the school day. :)
- Staff Talent Show: I'm involved in a Bollywood Dance, a girl band (singing "Skater Boy"), and a Dance Review of 2000-2009 (which I need to help choreograph!).
- Chris and I are helping to lead the 3-4th Grade RE retreat next weekend, which is going to be AWESOME! It's titled "Jesus is a Superhero", and we're basing the content around "The Incredibles" and Jesus' similar traits in our lives. :) And THEN, since we're Jesus' children, how we ALSO have super-hero traits! Chris and I are introducing the retreat at next Wednesday's assembly, dressed up as "Mr. Incredible" and "Elasti-girl". I think that means wearing underwear on the OUTSIDE...
- I'm creating a choral library system and a new K-6 elementary GM curriculum this semester.
Ultimately though, I love EVERY MINUTE OF IT, and that's how this always happens to me. :) I'm finding that I really do get so much more done when I'm busy...and not because I just feel more productive, because I actually AM more productive!
A few more notes:
- My sister is OFFICIALLY booked to come visit us! She's flying in on June 14th, and we won't leave until July 16th to go to Ireland...so we have a MONTH to fill up here in India! I'm taking my "dream list" over to the travel office today to see what we can make happen. WAHOO!
- I've been cooking almost every night! Cooking here has been a really exciting challenge, because there are so many items that you just can't get...so you have to substitute for everything! These are my most common substitutes, but I really haven't found any recipes yet that I came make as is.
Buttermilk = 1 cup milk with 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Heavy Cream = milk and butter
Sour Cream = yogurt substitute
- I started running last week...and then blew out my knee. So, in the midst of this madness, I can't run. Maybe a blessing from Jesus?! :)
And with that, off to read about Basketball Drills!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Change
It's been a really long time since I've really blogged...and even now I want to avoid it. :) BUT, I think it's time to process life with the world.
Chris and I have been experiencing some intense personal challenges the last month or so. Last December we told Woodstock that we would be leaving after this school year. Our house in the states hasn't sold or rented, and we've been covering the mortgage with savings. Our savings will soon run out, and since we receive a $700-a-month combined salary here, we have much more money going out than coming in (with student loans and mortgage combined). Therefore, we had to leave.
While we were visiting my cousins in Hong Kong, we interviewed with the school they work at and ended up getting a job offer. It is a WONDERFUL school, but there ended up being a lot of "personal red flags", and after discussion and prayer we decided to turn it down. Since this was the only other international school we were considering, we felt like this was an official confirmation that "Yes, you are supposed to go back to the U.S. next year." Fine with us...decision made! Or so we thought...
While in Hong Kong, we also got to go to two church services with Jason and Christine. They both talked about God's heart for the world, and proposed that we must ALL have that same heart in if we desire to truly know Him. The pastor asked us to carefully consider whether or not we were willing to go to the world (financially, short-term missions, long-term missions, prayerfully, etc.), and if we were, to hold our hands out in offering. After considering how God could call us (after all, we're already in India...what more could we be called to?!), Chris and I both held out our hands in "willing" surrender.
The next morning we got an e-mail from Woodstock's superintendent saying that he had found a donor in the United States who would like to pay our mortgage starting in April, therefore allowing us to continue our employment in India. Our reaction? "I'm not gonna stay and God can't make me!" It was really humbling to see how different our "safe-worship-service" response was from our "in-the-trenches" response.
I also read the book "The Dream Giver" during our time in Hong Kong. My mom raised us to set qualifiable, attainable, short-term goals...but to always dream BIG dreams. Therefore, I've been a practiced "dreamer" since I can remember. :) This book, though, talked about finding your Big Dream. It's that special thing that God has created YOU and ONLY YOU for. He has uniquely gifted and equipped each of us for a specific purpose...but unfortunately we often lose sight of that dream. Here's what the book proposes...
We get distracted by our Ordinary Friends, our Everyday Job, and the Picture Box that's waiting for us at home. We live happily in the Land of Comfort, and forget to question what we do and why we do it. Until, that is, the Dream Giver wakes us up to our dream...and then the challenges come.
Following your Big Dream necessitates that you leave the Land of Comfort. You must face the Border Bullies, face the Giants of Fear and Doubt, travel into unknown lands without much confirmation that you're going the right way. Your family will try to talk you out of it. People will consider you insane, and most Dreamers will turn back. But those that don't eventually find...their Big Dream.
I had thought for a long time that my Big Dream was teaching music. I was wrong. During our time in Hong Kong, God made it very clear that my Big Dream is to love the unloved ones. Since I was little I've been naturally drawn to people that need love. The people that sit alone at recess or beg on the street, or are socially awkward and need a supportive laugh. THAT'S my Big Dream...what I'm specifically skilled for...who I can most show love to. I will never be able to talk in front of groups or successfully lead companies or ministries, but I will be able to show love to people that need it. And I will be able to keep doing it, without getting burned out or annoyed or exhausted. The best part, though, is that this can happen no matter whether I teach high school or elementary school or stay at home with babies.
So, how does this all fit together??!
Since Hong Kong (it's been about a month now), it's been shocking to see how God has changed our hearts. He has been working to change the core of who we are, as we've struggled to answer some tough questions. He's asked, "Do you trust me to take care of your family?" "Do you trust me to take care of your finances?" "Do you trust me to provide for you emotionally?" We're not there yet, but we're miles closer.
It's also been struggle to put God first in our hearts. It sounds easy in theory, but it has been shockingly difficult. We have to care more about God's thoughts than our family's thoughts. What if God were to ask us to stay here forever? What if we never make more than $700 a month? What if something happens to our family when we're not there? These questions are heart-wrenching to ponder, and so very difficult to put to rest in the midst of God's promises.
As our hearts have changed, so have our convictions that God is specifically asking us to stay here in India. We have a peace about staying or going now...because we trust that God is big enough to watch over the people we love on BOTH sides of this big world. We have a peace about not making much money now...because God has shown His power over the resources of this world. We have a peace about disappointing and hurting our family's hearts...because He is a God who heals and fills hearts to overflowing.
Ultimately, though, we don't feel sure that God is asking us to stay here. He is, however, asking us to severely change our life habits. Stop accepting the status quo, stop accepting small dreams as "the dream", stop longing for the things of this world, stop limiting God's power in our lives. Right now we're not sure if that's going to happen in the United States or in India, but we feel VERY sure that God is continuing to call us to change, and that feels really good. :) Scary, but so good.
Chris and I have been experiencing some intense personal challenges the last month or so. Last December we told Woodstock that we would be leaving after this school year. Our house in the states hasn't sold or rented, and we've been covering the mortgage with savings. Our savings will soon run out, and since we receive a $700-a-month combined salary here, we have much more money going out than coming in (with student loans and mortgage combined). Therefore, we had to leave.
While we were visiting my cousins in Hong Kong, we interviewed with the school they work at and ended up getting a job offer. It is a WONDERFUL school, but there ended up being a lot of "personal red flags", and after discussion and prayer we decided to turn it down. Since this was the only other international school we were considering, we felt like this was an official confirmation that "Yes, you are supposed to go back to the U.S. next year." Fine with us...decision made! Or so we thought...
While in Hong Kong, we also got to go to two church services with Jason and Christine. They both talked about God's heart for the world, and proposed that we must ALL have that same heart in if we desire to truly know Him. The pastor asked us to carefully consider whether or not we were willing to go to the world (financially, short-term missions, long-term missions, prayerfully, etc.), and if we were, to hold our hands out in offering. After considering how God could call us (after all, we're already in India...what more could we be called to?!), Chris and I both held out our hands in "willing" surrender.
The next morning we got an e-mail from Woodstock's superintendent saying that he had found a donor in the United States who would like to pay our mortgage starting in April, therefore allowing us to continue our employment in India. Our reaction? "I'm not gonna stay and God can't make me!" It was really humbling to see how different our "safe-worship-service" response was from our "in-the-trenches" response.
I also read the book "The Dream Giver" during our time in Hong Kong. My mom raised us to set qualifiable, attainable, short-term goals...but to always dream BIG dreams. Therefore, I've been a practiced "dreamer" since I can remember. :) This book, though, talked about finding your Big Dream. It's that special thing that God has created YOU and ONLY YOU for. He has uniquely gifted and equipped each of us for a specific purpose...but unfortunately we often lose sight of that dream. Here's what the book proposes...
We get distracted by our Ordinary Friends, our Everyday Job, and the Picture Box that's waiting for us at home. We live happily in the Land of Comfort, and forget to question what we do and why we do it. Until, that is, the Dream Giver wakes us up to our dream...and then the challenges come.
Following your Big Dream necessitates that you leave the Land of Comfort. You must face the Border Bullies, face the Giants of Fear and Doubt, travel into unknown lands without much confirmation that you're going the right way. Your family will try to talk you out of it. People will consider you insane, and most Dreamers will turn back. But those that don't eventually find...their Big Dream.
I had thought for a long time that my Big Dream was teaching music. I was wrong. During our time in Hong Kong, God made it very clear that my Big Dream is to love the unloved ones. Since I was little I've been naturally drawn to people that need love. The people that sit alone at recess or beg on the street, or are socially awkward and need a supportive laugh. THAT'S my Big Dream...what I'm specifically skilled for...who I can most show love to. I will never be able to talk in front of groups or successfully lead companies or ministries, but I will be able to show love to people that need it. And I will be able to keep doing it, without getting burned out or annoyed or exhausted. The best part, though, is that this can happen no matter whether I teach high school or elementary school or stay at home with babies.
So, how does this all fit together??!
Since Hong Kong (it's been about a month now), it's been shocking to see how God has changed our hearts. He has been working to change the core of who we are, as we've struggled to answer some tough questions. He's asked, "Do you trust me to take care of your family?" "Do you trust me to take care of your finances?" "Do you trust me to provide for you emotionally?" We're not there yet, but we're miles closer.
It's also been struggle to put God first in our hearts. It sounds easy in theory, but it has been shockingly difficult. We have to care more about God's thoughts than our family's thoughts. What if God were to ask us to stay here forever? What if we never make more than $700 a month? What if something happens to our family when we're not there? These questions are heart-wrenching to ponder, and so very difficult to put to rest in the midst of God's promises.
As our hearts have changed, so have our convictions that God is specifically asking us to stay here in India. We have a peace about staying or going now...because we trust that God is big enough to watch over the people we love on BOTH sides of this big world. We have a peace about not making much money now...because God has shown His power over the resources of this world. We have a peace about disappointing and hurting our family's hearts...because He is a God who heals and fills hearts to overflowing.
Ultimately, though, we don't feel sure that God is asking us to stay here. He is, however, asking us to severely change our life habits. Stop accepting the status quo, stop accepting small dreams as "the dream", stop longing for the things of this world, stop limiting God's power in our lives. Right now we're not sure if that's going to happen in the United States or in India, but we feel VERY sure that God is continuing to call us to change, and that feels really good. :) Scary, but so good.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Monkey See, Monkey...PEE?!
Today was one of those days that could have only happened in India.
We had our first day of meetings today...it was WONDERFUL to get back in the swing of things. We started out with a bunch of mini-ICT presentations, then headed out to our school curriculum meetings. I'm affiliated with the elementary school, and like any group of elementary teachers would, we decided to sit outside in the sun on the ECP/KG pillows. :) It was a beautiful day!
And we talked...about club schedules and curriculum and dorm social events and then...it started raining. Really?! I looked, surprised, up into a clear blue sky, and happened to catch the eye of a grinning monkey sitting on the edge of the two-story building directly above me. And, you guessed it...it wasn't raining. It was peeing. On me. WHAT?! Oh, jeez. I'm now traumatized. :)
After the peeing incident I went in to clean up my office, and found multiple mouse droppings and a cute little nest filling my desk drawers. Uffda.
And that pretty much sums up my day! I guess I also started my 2010 goals, began my marathon t raining, got an oven (WAHOO!), filled out a ridiculous amount of job applications, and PRAYED that baby boy Farley would come SOON and SAFE! Any time now!
I have to say, that's a full day by anyone's standards! And so, to sleep. :)
We had our first day of meetings today...it was WONDERFUL to get back in the swing of things. We started out with a bunch of mini-ICT presentations, then headed out to our school curriculum meetings. I'm affiliated with the elementary school, and like any group of elementary teachers would, we decided to sit outside in the sun on the ECP/KG pillows. :) It was a beautiful day!
And we talked...about club schedules and curriculum and dorm social events and then...it started raining. Really?! I looked, surprised, up into a clear blue sky, and happened to catch the eye of a grinning monkey sitting on the edge of the two-story building directly above me. And, you guessed it...it wasn't raining. It was peeing. On me. WHAT?! Oh, jeez. I'm now traumatized. :)
After the peeing incident I went in to clean up my office, and found multiple mouse droppings and a cute little nest filling my desk drawers. Uffda.
And that pretty much sums up my day! I guess I also started my 2010 goals, began my marathon t raining, got an oven (WAHOO!), filled out a ridiculous amount of job applications, and PRAYED that baby boy Farley would come SOON and SAFE! Any time now!
I have to say, that's a full day by anyone's standards! And so, to sleep. :)
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