Homesick

The past few days have been extremely hard for me.  This is my favorite time of year and it's just not easy to be so far away.  We've decorated our flat, bought & wrapped presents, been to (and will go to) numerous parties, and even decorated sugar cookies...but it's just not the same.  I'm homesick. 

I woke up in the middle of the night, last night, sick.  It made for a long night and morning.  I missed several things this morning that I was looking forward to.  Skype was down, which meant I didn't get to talk to Tristan.  I was just having a lousy day!  I decided to cheer myself up with some Christmas music...and what was the first song to come on..."I'll Be Home for Christmas".  So, now I'm homesick, stomach sick, missing my boyfriend, and in tears.

Then I get a text:
"You have a package at the school."  My first care package finally arrived.  Yay!!!  My flatmates brought it home shortly after and we giggled like Jr. High girls as we opened the wonderful box of spices and treats from my parents.   I was so excited.  #1 We can finally season our food #2 I had a little piece of home in my hands #3 It was God reminding me that: I'm not alone; His timing is perfect; and I'm loved, even when I feel sick and lonely.  It's crazy how God used a box of things, which I would normally buy without thinking twice, to speak to me when I needed it most.

I also got to talk to my best friend (or as my students call her, my twin) and my parents on Skype tonight. 

How could this not brighten my day!

I'm still a little homesick...but that's ok.  How could I expect anything less with family and friends like I have?!  So, I'll go drink a flavored water, eat an Oreo, feel a hug from home, and smile...because I am loved...and that is worth everything!

Christmas isn't about warm fuzzy feelings, big trees, or traditions.  It is about Him.  I will celebrate His birth and promises with a cheerful and thankful heart-because He is worthy of nothing less. 

Merry Christmas!!!

Arabic makes my brain tired

I finally got to start studying Arabic today.  I have a local woman coming twice a week for a month-until I can start classes at the institute where I teach.  One hour in, and I now know my alphabet-written and spoken.  Is is sad that I found this to be a quite difficult?  My brain is already tired!  However, I was quite proud of myself.  Now, lets see if it sticks between now and Tuesday (my next lesson). 

I also have picked up most of the greetings, can tell the dabab (local transportation) to stop, and can buy fruits/veggies at the nearby street market.  At this rate, I should be able to have a conversation, fully in Arabic, just in time for me to come home!

I'm so excited to learn this beautiful language and look forward to the day that I can communicate with people on the streets.  Until then, there's always, hello, goodbye, and God bless!

missing lacey part 2

Oh-how I love my Lacey-she is one of the best friends a person could have.  Today is her birthday, and I'm sad I'm not there to give her a party or simply a big cup of cherry limeade.  So this is what I can do...show everyone why I love her.  My friend in pictures:

yep-that about sums it up :)  i love you lacey!

Walking in Faith

I woke up this morning with the overwhelming feeling that I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing. I know that God called me to this place, for this time, for a reason; but beyond knowing that truth, I just don't know. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying my time here. This week has brought me closer to God than I've ever been; has given me confidence in a way that I've never known; and shown me love like I've never felt. So I'm somewhere in between being completely lost in this new world and knowing exactly where I am in Him. Such a strange feeling!

One of my favorite books is "The Atonement Child" by Francine Rivers. My mom laughs and rolls her eyes at me because I reread this book several times a year-and it makes me cry every time! Anyway...I've read this paragraph at least 3 dozen times but it hit me hard today.

Convicted. Redeemed. On a mission...There's effort, day
by day, one-foot-in-front-of-the-other effort. And trust.
That's been the hardest for me. Trusting God.
Walking in faith that he knows better than I do what's good for me.

So, I'll walk into this town, into that classroom, into a new friend's home knowing He knows better than I do; that having faith in God means trusting Him completely. I'm learning-the ever so challenging lesson: what it means to walk in faith.

in the $2

I've been here in my new home for a week now...and what a wonderful week it has been. But, I will get into all of that at a later time. Right now, I want to/need to share how truly beautiful the body of Christ is. Last Sunday, just hours before I left for the airport, I was hugged and encouraged by my church family. They spoke words of blessing, love, and His promises over me in a way that still sends chills up my back. I've never felt so loved.

Night time here is bitter sweet. It't the time I get to Skype my wonderful, faithful parents and my loving boyfriend. I look forward to this time all day, but when it's over, I'm left feeling sad; almost to the point of tears. It's in this time I remember my dear friend Kristi praying that He would remind me of their love and prayers, in times such as these. And he does; He reiminds me that I'm not alone-He is here with me and through Him, they are here as well.

And, because of this, I am comforted. I find it:

in a child's prayer

in the cards of encouragement
in strawberry shortcake, buttermilk pie, and hidden sweet tea
in hugs

in the cries of sadness that turn to laughter because of snot bubbles

in sacrificial giving

in a humble servant at my feet, praying for me in multiple languages
in serving lunch (and staying to clean it up!)
in the $2 that was given, because that's all she had to give

Lighthouse, you continue to show me how to become more like Christ-and it encourages me daily! I'm blessed to call you mine!

Yay

It's been forever since I've blogged-I need to get better at this! :)



I can't believe that it's time for me to leave. I'm sure this week is going to go by too fast. I'm excited to spend this weekend with the ones that I love. I'm sure Sunday will be an emotional one, but that's ok too.



All I can really say right now is that I am excited for the next season of life. While my nerves are on edge, my heart is happy. (Yes, my life seems like an emotional roller coaster!) I'm ready to go!

One of my favorite songs right now is 'Glory to God'. I hope this is your prayer too!



'Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory; take my life and let it be Yours.'



This is not about me...it's about His name and His glory.

It puts life into prospective, doesn't it!?!

Smiles and Tears

This is a season of change which brings many mixed emotions. I never imagined myself moving back to Sonora-actually, I'm pretty sure I said I would never move back here more than once :) -but God had a different plan. Coming home for the summer turned into two years (which has brought healing, laughter, friendship, and growth). To say that I've been blessed here doesn't come close to explaining it.


I just finished my last class at Sonora Elementary School. (I still have to come to school tomorrow, but I don't have classes. Yay for a fun day!) Teaching has been such a learning experience-funny how that happens! I'm going to miss the smiles, hugs, and especially the kids running up to me saying "Ms. L, show me some love!" For two years, I've been paid to play: what better job is there!?!?!?


*(I can now say this because it is summer time and I'm not tired and stressed anymore !)*



Tomorrow will be a day of smiles and tears as I say goodbye to my first real "big-kid" job. I'm ready for my next steps and look forward to seeing what He has in store!

Sometimes He Calms the Storm

He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we’re shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place

Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn’t mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

Blessed

I have been blessed with many wonderful people in my life-so many more than I deserve. I can honestly say that I have never felt unloved...and for that I am grateful. With that being said: 2 years ago, God sent me a wonderful, much needed friend-I didn't even realize how much I needed a friend like her. I'm sure this week would have driven me straight to the crazy bin if she wasn't there for me: letting me cry on her shoulder, making me laugh, and, of course, taking me shopping :). Oh, and she sent me this pretty corny, mushy, but oh so wonderful email Monday:

"A little mushy piece to make your day a little brighter!"

"To my bestest friend Brittany:

If you're alone, I'll be your shadow.
If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder.
If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow.
If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile.
But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me.
~Author Unknown"

All this to say: Lacey is an answered prayer. I am blessed beyond measure.

"We'll be friends until we are old and senile. Then, we'll be NEW friends."

you make me smile

I absolutely love working with children-even on days like today when they choose to eat paint...again.

Some of my favorite times are on Wednesday nights. This time is always a pure blessing, mixed with many hugs and giggles. Last night was nothing short of just that. After a great game of "Bible Battle" we circled up for announcements. We talked about summer camp and fundraiser ideas that I had. I then asked what they would like to do for a fundraiser. We had the ever faithful requests: a lemonade stand, bake sale, and of course a car wash.

Then Wesley raises his hand.

I absolutely adore this child. He is quite clever, always thinking, and pretty adventurous. Here is his money-making idea:

"We can get all the moms that have vans together and charge people for rides around town. You see, this is a great idea. There's not a taxi service in Sonora. It would be great!"

Clever indeed. Wesley, oh how you make me smile!

Landin

Just so you all know...I have the cutest nephew in the world!

I adore this little guy-and I'm pretty sure I'm his favorite!!!

He's still working on his poker face

Sportin his HPU outfit

Happy Baby

Landin & Aunt B

Prayer

I have to get TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) certified so I can teach in the AP. I'm having difficulty finding a school/program that they will approve that also works with my schedule. I sent information about another program this morning-it seems a little intense and a lot of work, but the time frame is perfect and it's online. Pray that it gets approved-I'm ready to get over this little hurdle so I can start the next step in the process.

Here we go!

I'm officially approved to go (well...I have been for 2 weeks!). This is all starting to come together, and I can't help but think: wow-this is really happening. This might be a little weird, but it just hit me yesterday (and hit me pretty hard) that this was oh so very real. I'm really going to quit my job, say goodbye to my loved ones, get on a plane, and live in a foreign land for the next year of my life. I became slightly overwhelmed!

But then I read:

"I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last." John 15:16

I am chosen.

He appointed me.

Everything was put back into prospective! He is worthy of my small sacrifice. This time is a blessing and it's my privilege to go.

One of my favorite songs is "Obey" by John Sherrill. This is the prayer of my heart.

"I will trust, I will obey, I will follow where You lead, come what may. I will die to myself, and Your cross I will take, I will trust You, Lord, I will trust You, I will trust and obey. You alone are worthy of my offering, You alone are worthy of my praise. You alone are Holy, You are all I need, so find in me a faithful heart I pray."


Lord, find in me a faithful heart.

Missing Lacey Part I

I believe this is going to be a regular post title. I won't be leaving for over 5 months, but the separation anxiety has already begun.