Blessings
Some days I wake up and I forget that I am living in a different country. Then I remind myself that the electricity might go out randomly. I remind myself that I can't walk outside by myself without being extremely aware of my surroundings. I remind myself that it is October and it still 80 degrees out.
I must say however, this is normal to me now. I automatically feel like I must know someone when I see a white person in public. I automatically hide things when I leave for the evening or weekend. I wake up at 5:30 every morning, even on days that I sleep in. Luckily, I can usually fall back asleep. =) It is normal to turn on my electric "ducha" to hot and then turn back to cold when I get out of the shower. It is normal to place my toilet paper in a trash can. It's probably been about a month since I forgot, which is good news. =)
God has been reminding me lately of living simply. Of simply relying on Him, living on a day to day basis, and spending time with him daily. All of my needs have been provided. I have a house, clothes, food, a job, and clean water to drink. Then, I have even more than what I need. In moments when I wish I could have brought more of my clothes, I remind myself that at least I have them. I remind myself that if I had more, I would just have more laundry and less closet space. =) In moments when I wish I could hop in my car and drive somewhere myself, I remind myself that I am able to walk places and that I have been blessed by having opportunities to take other transportation or having it provided for me.
God has filled our lives with blessings. Even here when I'm living with "less" I realize that I have so much.
An experience I had recently with my students really touched my heart. I decided one day last week that although it was not a devotional day, I would have a devotion with my students that day because God had laid something on my heart to share with them. I shared with them about what it means to have joy in suffering and how God can use bad circumstances in our lives for good. I asked the students if anyone had any examples to share even though I didn't think that they would. Several of them shared stories about difficult circumstances in their lives that blessed them. One shared about how here dad had to be in the Hospital, but now he is happier than before and goes to church with them. Another shared about how her baby sister had a twin that died. Because of this she is more grateful for her baby sister. Then, after we did prayer requests and several of the students offered to pray for one another. This just reminds me of why I do this. Every morning I get up because ultimately, it is not the material the students learn, although it is important, but it is the work that happens in God's kingdom. It is that my students will remember that they were cared about and loved. I hope they remember the way that God met them in fifth grade.
That's all for now. There aren't many funny stories, but those will surely continue to come. =)
I must say however, this is normal to me now. I automatically feel like I must know someone when I see a white person in public. I automatically hide things when I leave for the evening or weekend. I wake up at 5:30 every morning, even on days that I sleep in. Luckily, I can usually fall back asleep. =) It is normal to turn on my electric "ducha" to hot and then turn back to cold when I get out of the shower. It is normal to place my toilet paper in a trash can. It's probably been about a month since I forgot, which is good news. =)
God has been reminding me lately of living simply. Of simply relying on Him, living on a day to day basis, and spending time with him daily. All of my needs have been provided. I have a house, clothes, food, a job, and clean water to drink. Then, I have even more than what I need. In moments when I wish I could have brought more of my clothes, I remind myself that at least I have them. I remind myself that if I had more, I would just have more laundry and less closet space. =) In moments when I wish I could hop in my car and drive somewhere myself, I remind myself that I am able to walk places and that I have been blessed by having opportunities to take other transportation or having it provided for me.
God has filled our lives with blessings. Even here when I'm living with "less" I realize that I have so much.
An experience I had recently with my students really touched my heart. I decided one day last week that although it was not a devotional day, I would have a devotion with my students that day because God had laid something on my heart to share with them. I shared with them about what it means to have joy in suffering and how God can use bad circumstances in our lives for good. I asked the students if anyone had any examples to share even though I didn't think that they would. Several of them shared stories about difficult circumstances in their lives that blessed them. One shared about how here dad had to be in the Hospital, but now he is happier than before and goes to church with them. Another shared about how her baby sister had a twin that died. Because of this she is more grateful for her baby sister. Then, after we did prayer requests and several of the students offered to pray for one another. This just reminds me of why I do this. Every morning I get up because ultimately, it is not the material the students learn, although it is important, but it is the work that happens in God's kingdom. It is that my students will remember that they were cared about and loved. I hope they remember the way that God met them in fifth grade.
That's all for now. There aren't many funny stories, but those will surely continue to come. =)
Comments
Post a Comment