Recent Days

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 4^th-7^th 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!