Still Learning...

Well, I am back at school from a nice, long Christmas break. We are now starting our second week, actually. My kids are doing pretty well. They remembered a lot of English which makes me excited!! In fact, one of my boys asked me the other day, “Teacher, how do you say octopus in Spanish I forgot?” And one of my girls asked the music teacher in English, “May I go to the bathroom?” And I must confess, I was quite excited=)

I did have a nice Christmas vacation. I got rest and just relaxed, while learning all sorts of new traditions here for Christmas, which I’ve already talked about some and for New Years. I spent New Year’s Eve with the youth pastor, his wife, and family-it is a lot bigger deal here than the States. You spend it with your extended family and eat a big meal, just like Christmas. There were of course fireworks, and they told me that there is a tradition that you eat 12 grapes, which signifies kind of like 12 wishes you have for that year, one grape for each months. New Year’s Resolutions aren’t as big here as they are in the States. Oh, and there is another fun tradition here-if you want to go on a trip in the New Year, when it’s 12, you’re suppose to walk around the block with a suitcase, but I will confess, I didn’t see anyone doing that, but that’s what I was told. The last culture thing I’ve recently learned is instead of the ides of March, they have the ides of January….five months and some, and I’m still learning=)

I am now in charge of the nursery in the church…which for those who know me well will find that funny. And my welcome gift was a baby who threw-up all over me…and I was ready to resign…lol. Just kidding. Actually, what helps motivate me is my older sister who has a hard time always being stuck taking care of her kids and not being able to enjoy worshipping the Lord-and it’s true that even mom’s need a break and have community with other believers and spend just time praising God, so I will hang in there through the thick and thin;)

I’ve been learning so much already this year, which I just thank God for. My future as of right now is unknown to me, and I was spending a lot of time stressing and worrying over it-because I really want to do whatever the Lord wants me to do and to be used of Him to the upmost capacity, whether that’s staying here, returning to the US, or going somewhere else. But this year (yes, I know it has only been 17 days so far) I really wanted to spend more dedicated, disciplined time in prayer and to just spend time with Him. I’m reading The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, and in one of the chapters he talks about how we are so used to noise and activities in our lives, even now, writing this, I’m listening to music. And it is something I struggle with-just sitting under the Lord, as Romans talks about, and having quality time with Him through His Word and praying. But these past 17 days have been so awesome because I’m actually being disciplined and being intentional with my time with the Lord. And He’s been opening my eyes to so much and challenging me so much and filling me with peace, just like Philippians 4:6-7 promises He will. So my encouragement to all y’all, is each day, turn off the noise in your life, whatever form that is and get alone with God, really search His Word and spend time on your knees, seeking Him, imploring Him…and you won’t be disappointed!!

Because of Christ,
Rhonda