I keep starting to write a blog, and then I never know where
to start. How much do you need to know? What actually matters to tell you, and
how many details do I give? These are all questions that run through my head as
I type.
It’s been a while, but you should know that the school year
is going well. I really enjoy teaching high school English. I teach 8-12 grade
students. It’s a wide range but I like it. They’re all so different, and I love
relating to them in different ways. I have had the opportunity to start getting
to know some beautiful young women – some truly great senior girls. I can’t
wait to see how God works in their lives. I am confident some of them are going
to do some incredible things for this country and the women in this country. I
also have been the sponsor/teacher for 4th-7th grade
Girls Club. These 15 (ish) sweet faces
each Monday afternoon help make my Mondays better. I feel so lucky to get to
spend time with some girls and young women that will surely do great things. I
wish you could meet them. They would surely change the image of A-stan in your
mind.
Levi and I celebrated our birthdays last week. Some of my
classes brought cake and doughnuts. They definitely know the ways to their
teacher’s heart. My friends do too…I have more white chocolate than I know what
to do with.
Thursday, we also celebrated Thanksgiving. There was the
annual flag football game (I couldn’t play this year – too much going on in the
kitchen). We feasted. After we came close to gluttony, we had a “guest speaker.”
I’ll be honest, when I heard we were having a speaker I was a little skeptical.
I just wanted to eat, eat, and watch movies with friends. My attitude shifted
very quickly. We have a lovely couple that work at our school and send their
children here, and they are from this land. This brother and sister joined us
for our meal. They told us their story. It was one full of miracles, grace, and
unending love. Through their story, we shared laughter and tears together. The
hope that they have for our family in A-stan is great, and the aching yearning
for freedom for the national “family” is even greater. We had a time of pr*yer
for them and our family members here, and it was a very powerful thing. It was
a reminder that our Father has His children, even here, in His arms. He holds
them dear to Him. This will definitely be a Thanksgiving that stands out in my
memories for a long time.
I keep remembering that we live in such a unique
community, and I try to enjoy every moment of it – and every friendship. I am
thankful for this place. With that being said, Levi and I are still both
counting down until winter break. 3 more weekends! 