As I sit in our kitchen eating a burger and quinoa for lunch this Sunday afternoon, it is hard for me to believe it has only and already been 33 days since I left sunny summer in South Florida to move to the sunny, but much chillier, mountains of Bolivia. Since week 1, my days have been packed with the responsibilities of teaching. Lesson planning and grading have taken a lot of my time, but I've also had several chances to relax and have fun with other teachers from school. Game nights, watching Mr. Popper's Penguins in Spanish at the Megacenter (our local equivalent of the mall), Bible study, ultimate frisbee, and several meals in and out have filled some of the small windows of free time I have here. Each week, we get to know our way around a little bit better, and last weekend I had fun exploring the shops of San Miguel and getting "lost" on a minibus that was not heading to its specified destination...(After 5 minutes of me riding the bus as the only remaining passenger, the driver asked me where I was going. I told him my destination. He proceeded to tell me that the bus was not, in fact, heading to Obrajes, and he subsequently took the "Obrajes" sign out of the window. I apologized for my mistake...) :)
School itself has been very busy and very fun. I am teaching 5 classes altogether right now. I have my 6th and 7th graders for both math and science each day, and I see 8th grade once a day for Algebra. Each of the classes has a "unique" personality, and it has been fun to get to know the students in each group. There are days when I feel overwhelmed or confused about how and what I should do in the classroom, but God has been calling me to depend on him to teach me how to teach all of my students. Along those lines, I have been thinking a lot on these verses from Isaiah over the past few weeks: "In repentence and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength...Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are those who wait for him...Whether you turn to the right or the left you will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'"
Thank you all for your many prayers on my behalf. God has been so faithful to me here. My roommate and I have been healthy and, even with some minor inconveniences, life has been settling into a steady routine. A typical day for me is...
5:40 a.m. - Wake up and get ready for school
6:45 a.m. - Brush my teeth with bottled water
7:00 a.m. - Meet our taxi on the street in front of our house (Mario takes us to school every morning)
7:15 a.m. - Get to school, drop things off in my classroom, print worksheets or make copies in the teacher's lounge as necessary, review the schedule for the day
7:45 a.m. - Morning staff Bible study - This is a pretty cool way to start the school day. :)
8:00 a.m. - Back to the classroom for last minute prep
8:15 a.m. - A "warning bell" is supposed to remind the kids it's time for class...The warning bell is usually me or Ms. Youtzy calling all of the students to head to class
8:20 a.m. - Time for class! I start the day with 15 super 6th graders!
3:00 p.m. - Whew...the kids head home after a busy day of class.
3:45 or 4:00 p.m. - I head home with my roommate Jess and our neighbor, Jill.
After 4:00 p.m. - My afternoons are usually composed of getting things ready for school, making dinner, and catching up with friends or family. We have Bible study on Wednesday nights, and sometimes we have a movie night or dinner with friends. Other afternoons are filled with visa and immigration business, and next week, I am planning to start Spanish lessons with 2 other teachers from school one day a week.
9:30 p.m. - Get ready for bed...The day starts and ends early for us teachers!
My roommate and I have been going to a Bolivian church that meets at the school each Sunday, and it has been fun to worship God in Spanish and I have really enjoyed the messages each week. The pastor is preaching through the book of Genesis right now, and today's message was about Jacob and Esau.
So...one month in, I still am awed by the mountains that rise all around us as I step outside each morning, I still can't remember how much it costs for a trufi, and I still smile everytime our landlord's dog, Diana, greets us at the front door (and when she sneaks into our house!). There are still so many lessons still to be learned and so many places to be explored.
As you pray for me, please pray for continued health and energy. Please ask God to give me wisdom and discernment as I plan lessons and deal with the different personalities and needs of my students. Many of our middle schoolers do not know Jesus and have a lot of questions. Please pray that they will see Christ genuinely at work in the lives of their teachers and that they would have a desire to know God. We also have a few new teachers who will be arriving to the school in the next few weeks. Please pray for them as they finalize their plans for the move and begin the transition to Bolivia.
And, finally, please keep me posted on life in the states! Shoot me a message to tell me what's new with you. :)
With love from La Paz,
Joy
33 days and counting!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Life in La Paz
At 8:30 p.m., my 6th day in La Paz is winding to a close. It has been a fun, busy, occasionally overwhelming week of new places and new faces. I won't go into all of the details, but I will give you an overview of what my life has been like here so far.
We arrived in La Paz around 9:30 p.m. last Monday night. After finding our luggage and figuring out how to retrieve my roommate Jess' lost suitcase, we headed through customs. My bag was searched, and I wondered what the customs officials must think about my box of 20 gluesticks, igneous rock kit, and "Atlas of the Human Body" book. I'm sure it's not what every suitcase looks like!
After making it through customs, we all met two wonderful new friends, Scott and Sarah, who have been our orientation guides for the week. We piled 7 people and several hundred pounds of luggage into a van and began the descent into La Paz. The city lights sparkled below us as we rounded the corner from the airport, and we looked out over the sprawling city that we now call "home". I watched everything in wonder as we drove through downtown streets, passing lines of people waiting for...what? I was delighted by the Spanish phrases that appeared on street signs and billboards. I marvelled to see women dressed in traditional Bolivian attire walking the city streets going...where? My mind was filled with questions, and as we drove, it felt like a movie passing before my eyes, or maybe a dream. We were really here, but were we really?
Finally, we arrived at our new casita. Jess and I live in a little house with a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and a bathroom. There is a terra cotta tile floor in the living room and kitchen, and creaky wood floors in our bedrooms and the hallway. We share a small yard (rare in La Paz!) and courtyard with our neighbors Jill and Lucas (Jill works at the school too!) and our landlord, Christian. I will post pictures of the house in the near future!
That first night, Jess and I chose our bedrooms and headed off to dreamland knowing that the next morning would be early and busy.
The very first morning in La Paz, Jess and I had a mission - Find and catch a cab to Casa Grande, Calacota. But...before we could catch a cab, we had to figure out how to get out of our front gate! You would think for 2 teachers, something so simple would not be a problem, but it was only with the help of our friendly neighbor Jill that we even made it to the street corner to hail a taxi. :)
The next few days were filled with explorations of La Paz. Sarah and Scott showed us where to buy groceries, where to withdraw money from an atm, where to get good coffee...They also helped us to buy cell phones from the marketplace and register them with the Bolivian government. We got a tour of the school, we learned how to ride on various forms of transportation, took a tour of the city, and we even had a barbeque/game night! (And somewhere in the middle of that, we found time to unpack.) On Friday morning, we had a mini retreat about 45 minutes outside of the city, which was followed by a "test" of our ability to get around the city. Sarah sent us on a scavenger hunt to find various places and things in La Paz. It was quite an adventure! Bekah and I were on a team together, and we learned many important things on the hunt, 2 of which are...#1: Most Bolivians are friendly when you ask them for directions, #2: Most Bolivians do not give accurate directions. (Bekah and I ended up doing a LOT of walking.)
Here was the basic scenario...
Me or Bekah: "Where is the Central Post Office from here?"
Kind Bolivian #1: "Oh, it's 4 blocks from here to the left."
Me or Bekah: "Thank you! Hasta luego!"
*7 blocks later*
Me or Bekah: "Where is the Central Post Office from here?"
Kind Bolivian #2: "It's 4 blocks from here, go down to the next street and to the left."
Me or Bekah: "Thank you! Ciao!"
*5 blocks later*
Me or Bekah: "Where is the Central Post Office from here?"
...And so on. :) We did, after several questions, and several blocks reach the destinations on our list!
Overall, this week has been tiring, exciting, fun, and overwhelming. There were some moments toward the beginning of the week where I felt so exhausted and uncomfortable in my new home, and there were some early tears. But in spite of our chilly house (This morning, I wore 4 layers and gloves in my bedroom!) and other less convenient aspects of living in La Paz, God has been faithfully encouraging me, strengthening me, and reminding me of his call to be here. I have been getting used to the challenges and laughing my way through the truly minor inconveniences of our new home. Each day, we are faced with new scenarios and each day we are making La Paz more like home as we work through the difficult, AND the wonderful parts of living here.
Today was an beautiful day in the city. Sarah and I drove up to the school where a Bolivian church service is held. I was encouraged and amazed to be able to understand the message! The mountains and the city sprawled out below us, and I was reminded again that I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing such majestic mountains as we commute to and from work, walk to the grocery store, and watch our students play futbol on the school field. On the way back, we witnessed several families and a herd of people in zebra costumes (with giant sunglasses!) painting a wall alongside of the road with colorful mountain scenes (in La Paz, friendly Zebras help you cross the street...they are so funny! Apparently there are donkeys who mock you if you cross the street incorrectly, but I haven't seen any of those!).Our internet wasn't working, so instead of writing this earlier, I did some laundry (handwashed...our machine currently washes the ground instead of our clothes!), went outside and read a book in the mid-afternoon sunshine. I could hear music in the distance, and as I read, the sound of horns and tamborines drew steadily closer. I put down my book to see what was happening. Just around the corner from our house, a parade was walking by, complete with Bolivian dancers and brass bands. I was told the celebration was for el 14 de Septiembre, a day of revolution (I need to learn more specifics!). It made my day! And tonight, Jess and I cooked our first home meal on our old-fashioned gas stove. Deliciosa!
Now that week one is coming to a close, it's about time to get down to business. Tomorrow is the start of our "Work Week" at school. Please pray for all of us new and old teachers to be productive and to follow God's leading as we set up, plan, and prepare for the new school year. Please pray for continued adjustment to our new home and for health and rest (several of our new and old teachers have been fighting colds and altitude sickness). Please pray that a new teacher, Maegan, is able to have her supplies and luggage shipped prior to the start of the school year (she was unable to check her bags, and has been living out of her carry-ons!). Finally, please pray for our students that they would come to school ready to learn with open hearts and that God would begin to do a good work in them.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement in this time of transition. I have felt so loved and supported by all of my faithful friends and family. God is answering your prayers. :)
There is so much more I could say, but it would take pages and pages and hours and hours to tell it all. I hope that this (relatively!) brief summary of the week gives you a little taste of what life is like in La Paz. I assure you, there will be much more to come!
*Note: Uploading pictures is posing some difficulty tonight. I'll try to put some up ASAP.
Love from La Paz,
Joy
We arrived in La Paz around 9:30 p.m. last Monday night. After finding our luggage and figuring out how to retrieve my roommate Jess' lost suitcase, we headed through customs. My bag was searched, and I wondered what the customs officials must think about my box of 20 gluesticks, igneous rock kit, and "Atlas of the Human Body" book. I'm sure it's not what every suitcase looks like!
After making it through customs, we all met two wonderful new friends, Scott and Sarah, who have been our orientation guides for the week. We piled 7 people and several hundred pounds of luggage into a van and began the descent into La Paz. The city lights sparkled below us as we rounded the corner from the airport, and we looked out over the sprawling city that we now call "home". I watched everything in wonder as we drove through downtown streets, passing lines of people waiting for...what? I was delighted by the Spanish phrases that appeared on street signs and billboards. I marvelled to see women dressed in traditional Bolivian attire walking the city streets going...where? My mind was filled with questions, and as we drove, it felt like a movie passing before my eyes, or maybe a dream. We were really here, but were we really?
Finally, we arrived at our new casita. Jess and I live in a little house with a living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, and a bathroom. There is a terra cotta tile floor in the living room and kitchen, and creaky wood floors in our bedrooms and the hallway. We share a small yard (rare in La Paz!) and courtyard with our neighbors Jill and Lucas (Jill works at the school too!) and our landlord, Christian. I will post pictures of the house in the near future!
That first night, Jess and I chose our bedrooms and headed off to dreamland knowing that the next morning would be early and busy.
The very first morning in La Paz, Jess and I had a mission - Find and catch a cab to Casa Grande, Calacota. But...before we could catch a cab, we had to figure out how to get out of our front gate! You would think for 2 teachers, something so simple would not be a problem, but it was only with the help of our friendly neighbor Jill that we even made it to the street corner to hail a taxi. :)
The next few days were filled with explorations of La Paz. Sarah and Scott showed us where to buy groceries, where to withdraw money from an atm, where to get good coffee...They also helped us to buy cell phones from the marketplace and register them with the Bolivian government. We got a tour of the school, we learned how to ride on various forms of transportation, took a tour of the city, and we even had a barbeque/game night! (And somewhere in the middle of that, we found time to unpack.) On Friday morning, we had a mini retreat about 45 minutes outside of the city, which was followed by a "test" of our ability to get around the city. Sarah sent us on a scavenger hunt to find various places and things in La Paz. It was quite an adventure! Bekah and I were on a team together, and we learned many important things on the hunt, 2 of which are...#1: Most Bolivians are friendly when you ask them for directions, #2: Most Bolivians do not give accurate directions. (Bekah and I ended up doing a LOT of walking.)
Here was the basic scenario...
Me or Bekah: "Where is the Central Post Office from here?"
Kind Bolivian #1: "Oh, it's 4 blocks from here to the left."
Me or Bekah: "Thank you! Hasta luego!"
*7 blocks later*
Me or Bekah: "Where is the Central Post Office from here?"
Kind Bolivian #2: "It's 4 blocks from here, go down to the next street and to the left."
Me or Bekah: "Thank you! Ciao!"
*5 blocks later*
Me or Bekah: "Where is the Central Post Office from here?"
...And so on. :) We did, after several questions, and several blocks reach the destinations on our list!
Overall, this week has been tiring, exciting, fun, and overwhelming. There were some moments toward the beginning of the week where I felt so exhausted and uncomfortable in my new home, and there were some early tears. But in spite of our chilly house (This morning, I wore 4 layers and gloves in my bedroom!) and other less convenient aspects of living in La Paz, God has been faithfully encouraging me, strengthening me, and reminding me of his call to be here. I have been getting used to the challenges and laughing my way through the truly minor inconveniences of our new home. Each day, we are faced with new scenarios and each day we are making La Paz more like home as we work through the difficult, AND the wonderful parts of living here.
Today was an beautiful day in the city. Sarah and I drove up to the school where a Bolivian church service is held. I was encouraged and amazed to be able to understand the message! The mountains and the city sprawled out below us, and I was reminded again that I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing such majestic mountains as we commute to and from work, walk to the grocery store, and watch our students play futbol on the school field. On the way back, we witnessed several families and a herd of people in zebra costumes (with giant sunglasses!) painting a wall alongside of the road with colorful mountain scenes (in La Paz, friendly Zebras help you cross the street...they are so funny! Apparently there are donkeys who mock you if you cross the street incorrectly, but I haven't seen any of those!).Our internet wasn't working, so instead of writing this earlier, I did some laundry (handwashed...our machine currently washes the ground instead of our clothes!), went outside and read a book in the mid-afternoon sunshine. I could hear music in the distance, and as I read, the sound of horns and tamborines drew steadily closer. I put down my book to see what was happening. Just around the corner from our house, a parade was walking by, complete with Bolivian dancers and brass bands. I was told the celebration was for el 14 de Septiembre, a day of revolution (I need to learn more specifics!). It made my day! And tonight, Jess and I cooked our first home meal on our old-fashioned gas stove. Deliciosa!
Now that week one is coming to a close, it's about time to get down to business. Tomorrow is the start of our "Work Week" at school. Please pray for all of us new and old teachers to be productive and to follow God's leading as we set up, plan, and prepare for the new school year. Please pray for continued adjustment to our new home and for health and rest (several of our new and old teachers have been fighting colds and altitude sickness). Please pray that a new teacher, Maegan, is able to have her supplies and luggage shipped prior to the start of the school year (she was unable to check her bags, and has been living out of her carry-ons!). Finally, please pray for our students that they would come to school ready to learn with open hearts and that God would begin to do a good work in them.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement in this time of transition. I have felt so loved and supported by all of my faithful friends and family. God is answering your prayers. :)
There is so much more I could say, but it would take pages and pages and hours and hours to tell it all. I hope that this (relatively!) brief summary of the week gives you a little taste of what life is like in La Paz. I assure you, there will be much more to come!
*Note: Uploading pictures is posing some difficulty tonight. I'll try to put some up ASAP.
Love from La Paz,
Joy
Monday, July 25, 2011
It's Here
Today is moving day!
There are so many thoughts and emotions running through me this morning - excitement, sadness, "Am I forgetting something important?" and, "Boy did I have some weird dreams last night!"
My bags are packed (minus a few carry-on items...e.g. my laptop). I think they're under the weight limit (barely!). And in a few hours, I will be driving South to Miami to fly even farther South to...La Paz!
My friends and family have all been incredibly encouraging this week. God has used their words to spur me on and build me up as I start out on this new journey. Thank you all!
So, once I'm settled into my new apartment (?) or condo (?), and once I figure out how to use our internet, I'll be sure to post an update to let you all know just what Bolivia is like!
Here are a few other thoughts running through my mind this morning...
"Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light."
(We sung this at church yesterday. Talk about perspective!)
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
-Corrie Ten Boom (if you don't know who she is, Google her!)
"We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." -2 Corinthias 4:7
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
0 days 'til departure!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
One Week
In one week, on Monday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m., I will be boarding a plane in Miami and flying to the Bolivian altiplano (high plains). It's hard to believe it's coming so fast!
Just over a week ago, I got back from my 2 week Pre-field Orientation (PFO) in Southaven, Mississippi. Two weeks may sound like a long time to sit through dozens of sessions about transitions, assessment, and culture - and it was - but I had so much fun that the time actually flew by.
There we were, 80 or so teachers getting ready to jet off to schools around the world (literally!), staying in high school classrooms on creaky cots. Our days were filled with sessions to prepare us for our journeys ahead, and our evenings were filled with pick-up games of volleyball and soccer and whatever else came our way. Over 2 weeks, we played more card/board games than I've played all year! We even got to go to a Red Birds minor league baseball game in Memphis. (They won!) We watched fireworks and Super 8 in our spare time, and I got to know an amazing group of fun, talented teachers who God is calling to Korea, Indonesia, Ghana, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Turkey, and...the list could go on!
In the actual orientation part of PFO, we explored how different cultures interact with one another, and identified areas that could create conflict as a result of cultural misunderstandings. We took several personality tests and inventories to learn how we work in groups and how we deal with conflict. It as eye-opening to step back and think about my own tendencies. Some sessions dealt with our safety on the field, and some sessions dealt with the stages of transition we will experience as we move to a new country.
One of the highlights of the orientation was meeting our school director (Scott Frost), the other new teachers who will be going to La Paz, and a veteran teacher (Alison, that's you!) who has been teaching at Highlands for 4 years! Alison and Scott gave us the inside scoop about life in La Paz, and Alison gave us some lessons on cultural norms...like the proper way to greet strangers and close friends. We have a great team. I already feel really connected to my four new friends, and I am so excited to work with them this school year.
Here we are!
Maegan, Becca, Julie, Alison, and Me
*Please pray for these girls as they get ready to move. We're all in the packing and goodbye stages of this journey, which can be stressful, exciting, and sad all at the same time. Also, please pray that our whole team of teachers (new and old) at Highlands will be united with the same mindset and love and grace for each other this year, and that the trip to La Paz will go smoothly and safely for all of us.
Another highlight of PFO was learning how NICS was started, and how God is working through its schools around the world. You should go read about it. :) http://nics.org/history
It's not the whole story, but it gives you a basic idea of how NICS became what it is today.
This quote pretty much sums it up:
"This was not originally intended to be a global plan to reach the world, but God's heart for the world pushed us forward, as he opened our eyes to what he was doing in our midst."
And that's pretty awesome if you ask me.
7 days and counting!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Counting Down
Well...with each passing day, the distance between me and La Paz shrinks. As of yesterday, I'm at the one month mark. It feels like it's coming fast! Yikes!
Tomorrow I leave for my 2 week Pre-field Orientation in Mississippi. At the orientation we will have several seminar-style classes to teach us about some of the different issues we will face in our schools and the issues we will face as we move abroad. Some of the titles on our schedule include, Safety: At home, at school, Third Culture Kids (referring to students who are expatriates), and Learning to Adapt. Plus, I'll get to meet some of the new teachers I'll be working with next year. I'm really looking forward to that!
As a whole, I am feeling pretty apprehensive about teaching this fall. I'm so excited to be a teacher, but so much of this is new to me! I feel like I'm learning a lot as I go...I've been taking a lot of fears to God in my prayers lately. *
And on that note, I do have a few prayer requests this time around. Please pray for me...
1) to have peace and confidence in the days leading up to the start of the school year (a.k.a. trusting God with the transition)
2) that I will be prepared to teach/that I will have time to prepare
3) that our team of teachers will be ready, will get along well, and will be centered on serving God
4) for safety in traveling and emotional, physical, and spiritual health in all the adjustments
*Based on my fears, I have been thinking on these verses lately:
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9
Both of these verses were said to Joshua as he prepared to take over leading the Israelites when Moses died. I'm sure it would have been an intimidating transition. Moses had some big shoes to fill! After all, he had led the Israelites out of Egypt, led them through the Red Sea, and led them through the desert for 40 years. God, of course, was the one who performed the miracles in Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and provided food and water for the people throughout that time. Nevertheless, I'm sure Joshua must have felt insufficient for the job. Thankfully, faith in an unfailing, all-powerful God was the requirement for the position. We know from reading the rest of Joshua's story that he faithfully listened to God's directions and God gave the Israelites great victories as he and the people obeyed. Pretty cool.
Another good reminder: "Who of you by worrying can add even a single hour to his life?" -Matthew 6:27
So true. "Cast your anxiety upon him for he cares for you." -1 Peter 5:7
28 days til departure!
Tomorrow I leave for my 2 week Pre-field Orientation in Mississippi. At the orientation we will have several seminar-style classes to teach us about some of the different issues we will face in our schools and the issues we will face as we move abroad. Some of the titles on our schedule include, Safety: At home, at school, Third Culture Kids (referring to students who are expatriates), and Learning to Adapt. Plus, I'll get to meet some of the new teachers I'll be working with next year. I'm really looking forward to that!
As a whole, I am feeling pretty apprehensive about teaching this fall. I'm so excited to be a teacher, but so much of this is new to me! I feel like I'm learning a lot as I go...I've been taking a lot of fears to God in my prayers lately. *
And on that note, I do have a few prayer requests this time around. Please pray for me...
1) to have peace and confidence in the days leading up to the start of the school year (a.k.a. trusting God with the transition)
2) that I will be prepared to teach/that I will have time to prepare
3) that our team of teachers will be ready, will get along well, and will be centered on serving God
4) for safety in traveling and emotional, physical, and spiritual health in all the adjustments
*Based on my fears, I have been thinking on these verses lately:
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9
Both of these verses were said to Joshua as he prepared to take over leading the Israelites when Moses died. I'm sure it would have been an intimidating transition. Moses had some big shoes to fill! After all, he had led the Israelites out of Egypt, led them through the Red Sea, and led them through the desert for 40 years. God, of course, was the one who performed the miracles in Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and provided food and water for the people throughout that time. Nevertheless, I'm sure Joshua must have felt insufficient for the job. Thankfully, faith in an unfailing, all-powerful God was the requirement for the position. We know from reading the rest of Joshua's story that he faithfully listened to God's directions and God gave the Israelites great victories as he and the people obeyed. Pretty cool.
Another good reminder: "Who of you by worrying can add even a single hour to his life?" -Matthew 6:27
So true. "Cast your anxiety upon him for he cares for you." -1 Peter 5:7
28 days til departure!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Answered Prayers and Little Surprises
God is good.
In the process of moving to another country, there are many unknowns. I have so many questions, sometimes I don't even know where to start! Several of these questions involve the availability of items I take for granted. For example, "Will I be able to buy a jar of peanut butter there?" or "I wonder if they have cereal there." Most of these questions are pretty unimportant. I can live without peanut butter. I'll find something for breakfast that doesn't involve crunchy flakes in milk. However, there are some other questions that are more essential.
One of my fears about the transition involves my asthma. For those of you who don't already know, I have exercise and allergy induced asthma that I control with a fast-acting inhaler. My asthma is triggered by physical activity (anything cardio), allergens and pollutants (dust, cat hair, cigarette smoke, etc.), and dry, cold air. Being high in the mountains, La Paz is said to have a somewhat cold and dry climate. Additionally, many people suffer from shortness of breath due to the altitude itself. These factors make me wonder, "How is my asthma going to react when I'm there?" and "What if I can't breathe?"
Anyway, one of my questions about the transition has been, "Will I be able to get enough inhalers to last while I'm in Bolivia?" and "Do they sell them there?" I've only ever gotten one inhaler at a time. Now, I'll need at least 4 for August to December. I started praying that God would make a way that I could get 6 inhalers (a six month supply) to take with me on my first move.
Well, I went to the doctor and presented my request to her. She said she would write a prescription for 6 months but she didn't think they would give me more than 3...I kept praying. When I went to pick up my inhaler, they had mistakenly only entered one inhaler into the computer. I explained my situation to the pharmacist who told me she could give me 6 inhalers, but my insurance would only cover one. However, my insurance only knocks $5 off of the cost of the inhaler anyway...And, she told me she could give me a "card" (similar to frequent buyers card, I guess) that would knock off about $5 for each. After a few minutes, I walked out of CVS with 6 inhalers in hand! Thank you, God!
God is continuing to open doors in this process. He is faithful, and he continues to surprise me with his goodness (which I guess I should really expect since he is always good). Some of these surprises have come in the form of sale purchases.
I was praying about what jacket I should buy for the trip (I know it may sound silly to pray about what jacket to buy, but I did it anyway! I pray about lots of "silly" things.). There were a few factors that went into this decision. 1) It is cold. My jacket should be warm. 2) It rains a lot (even though it is dry?). My jacket should be waterproof. 3) If I hike in the mountains, there might be snow. Again, I need a warm, waterproof jacket. 4) It warms up a lot during the days, and the weather changes quickly. I need a jacket that I can change when the weather changes. 5) I don't have a lot of packing space to work with...So, in conclusion, I need a multi-purpose jacket to accomplish these goals.
I looked around online and found some "3-in-1" Northface jackets that have a removable fleece liner and a waterproof shell with a hood. They looked perfect! If it is cold and rainy (or snowy!), I could wear a warm, waterproof jacket. If it is just cold, I could take out the fleece liner and just wear that. Or if it is just rainy, I could just wear the outer, waterproof shell as a rain jacket. Like I said, perfect. Except...shopping for a warm, waterproof jacket in Florida in the summer does have its challenges. Plus, all of the online sellers seemed to be sold out of my size or were charging a pretty hefty price for the jacket. Hm...after several hours of searching and indecision, I found a jacket in my size (in an agreeable color) for a large but reasonable price. I submitted an offer to eBay and...was informed that the item had already sold. Ok, God. I guess that's not the one! Back to the search engine.
As it turns out, when I searched again, a new site popped up. A site that was selling the jacket I wanted, in my size, at 50% of the price I was about to pay for it! Wow! It is surprises like these that make me laugh and celebrate God's goodness. God is a good Father to me. Even in some of the "silly" things (non-life-altering things), God continually shows me that he is taking care of me and that he loves me. Some days, it is finding a parking spot. Other days, it is finding my keys...And some days, it is getting a GREAT deal on a warm, waterproof jacket!
In the process of moving to another country, there are many unknowns. I have so many questions, sometimes I don't even know where to start! Several of these questions involve the availability of items I take for granted. For example, "Will I be able to buy a jar of peanut butter there?" or "I wonder if they have cereal there." Most of these questions are pretty unimportant. I can live without peanut butter. I'll find something for breakfast that doesn't involve crunchy flakes in milk. However, there are some other questions that are more essential.
One of my fears about the transition involves my asthma. For those of you who don't already know, I have exercise and allergy induced asthma that I control with a fast-acting inhaler. My asthma is triggered by physical activity (anything cardio), allergens and pollutants (dust, cat hair, cigarette smoke, etc.), and dry, cold air. Being high in the mountains, La Paz is said to have a somewhat cold and dry climate. Additionally, many people suffer from shortness of breath due to the altitude itself. These factors make me wonder, "How is my asthma going to react when I'm there?" and "What if I can't breathe?"
Anyway, one of my questions about the transition has been, "Will I be able to get enough inhalers to last while I'm in Bolivia?" and "Do they sell them there?" I've only ever gotten one inhaler at a time. Now, I'll need at least 4 for August to December. I started praying that God would make a way that I could get 6 inhalers (a six month supply) to take with me on my first move.
Well, I went to the doctor and presented my request to her. She said she would write a prescription for 6 months but she didn't think they would give me more than 3...I kept praying. When I went to pick up my inhaler, they had mistakenly only entered one inhaler into the computer. I explained my situation to the pharmacist who told me she could give me 6 inhalers, but my insurance would only cover one. However, my insurance only knocks $5 off of the cost of the inhaler anyway...And, she told me she could give me a "card" (similar to frequent buyers card, I guess) that would knock off about $5 for each. After a few minutes, I walked out of CVS with 6 inhalers in hand! Thank you, God!
God is continuing to open doors in this process. He is faithful, and he continues to surprise me with his goodness (which I guess I should really expect since he is always good). Some of these surprises have come in the form of sale purchases.
I was praying about what jacket I should buy for the trip (I know it may sound silly to pray about what jacket to buy, but I did it anyway! I pray about lots of "silly" things.). There were a few factors that went into this decision. 1) It is cold. My jacket should be warm. 2) It rains a lot (even though it is dry?). My jacket should be waterproof. 3) If I hike in the mountains, there might be snow. Again, I need a warm, waterproof jacket. 4) It warms up a lot during the days, and the weather changes quickly. I need a jacket that I can change when the weather changes. 5) I don't have a lot of packing space to work with...So, in conclusion, I need a multi-purpose jacket to accomplish these goals.
I looked around online and found some "3-in-1" Northface jackets that have a removable fleece liner and a waterproof shell with a hood. They looked perfect! If it is cold and rainy (or snowy!), I could wear a warm, waterproof jacket. If it is just cold, I could take out the fleece liner and just wear that. Or if it is just rainy, I could just wear the outer, waterproof shell as a rain jacket. Like I said, perfect. Except...shopping for a warm, waterproof jacket in Florida in the summer does have its challenges. Plus, all of the online sellers seemed to be sold out of my size or were charging a pretty hefty price for the jacket. Hm...after several hours of searching and indecision, I found a jacket in my size (in an agreeable color) for a large but reasonable price. I submitted an offer to eBay and...was informed that the item had already sold. Ok, God. I guess that's not the one! Back to the search engine.
As it turns out, when I searched again, a new site popped up. A site that was selling the jacket I wanted, in my size, at 50% of the price I was about to pay for it! Wow! It is surprises like these that make me laugh and celebrate God's goodness. God is a good Father to me. Even in some of the "silly" things (non-life-altering things), God continually shows me that he is taking care of me and that he loves me. Some days, it is finding a parking spot. Other days, it is finding my keys...And some days, it is getting a GREAT deal on a warm, waterproof jacket!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Factors, and Planets, and Graphs, Oh my!
As I have been preparing for Bolivia, I have checked many things off my list:
I read the 6th and 7th grade science standards yesterday and some of the things I will be teaching are basic anatomy, rock cycle, and the solar system! So cool. I can't wait.
And for math, there are so many fun things to explore during these grades. Again, it's all so hands-on and real! Measurement and angles, negative numbers, probability, algebra...It's all around us. Plus, it's like a puzzle. You have to brainstorm and experiment and explore to find the solution. Who doesn't like puzzles?!
I realized some of the things my 2nd graders learned this year are the very first steps to what my middle schoolers will be learning next year! 2nd grade, you're well on your way to middle school!
Now that I know, you can be pretty sure I'll be using my free time for the rest of the summer to brush up on my factors and exponents and endocrine systems and...Does it make me a nerd that I'm excited about doing this over my summer vacation? Haha don't answer that. :)
*Just a few verses about the Maker of science and the Author of math:
"The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands." -Psalm 19:1
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." -Psalm 139:13
"By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations; by understanding he set the heavens in place." -Proverbs 3:19
- Get visa (Check!)
- Get shots (Check!)
- Buy waterproof jacket (Check!)
But, in the midst of these preparations, I have been clueless as to what kinds of school supplies and teaching resources I should even think about bringing. Until yesterday, that is.
Yesterday, I learned that I will be teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math AND 6th and 7th grade science this fall!I have to say, I was really nervous when I first found out what subjects I was teaching because I do not consider math and science my strong points. In fact, this makes me laugh because anyone who knew me in middle school and high school knows that math was definitely NOT my favorite subject, and science was my LEAST favorite subject.
However, over the past several years, I have really grown to love both math and science. Science because it is so practical. It's life! Everything involves some kind of science. Plus, the more we know about science, the more we know about God's amazing design of our world and the worlds beyond.
I read the 6th and 7th grade science standards yesterday and some of the things I will be teaching are basic anatomy, rock cycle, and the solar system! So cool. I can't wait.
And for math, there are so many fun things to explore during these grades. Again, it's all so hands-on and real! Measurement and angles, negative numbers, probability, algebra...It's all around us. Plus, it's like a puzzle. You have to brainstorm and experiment and explore to find the solution. Who doesn't like puzzles?!
I realized some of the things my 2nd graders learned this year are the very first steps to what my middle schoolers will be learning next year! 2nd grade, you're well on your way to middle school!
Now that I know, you can be pretty sure I'll be using my free time for the rest of the summer to brush up on my factors and exponents and endocrine systems and...Does it make me a nerd that I'm excited about doing this over my summer vacation? Haha don't answer that. :)
*Just a few verses about the Maker of science and the Author of math:
"The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands." -Psalm 19:1
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." -Psalm 139:13
"By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations; by understanding he set the heavens in place." -Proverbs 3:19
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