Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Little Things

This blog is just going to be about the little things that make me smile, even now thinking about them...some have to do with my students, others with my amazing co-workers, and lastly, about my amazing Abba=)

Last week, it all started when one of my girls asked, "Maestra, why do you have freckles?" So, I explained that my mom had a lot, so I have them as well. Then another of my students spoke up and said she thought it was because of the sun. I then further explained how if I am in the sun, I do get even more freckles. With that said, my kids immediately pulled me out into the sun and stared intently at my arm for like 5 minutes, though I kept telling them that it's a gradual thing, that it won't happen immediately (I think they were a little disappointed). It was really cute=)

Then today, one of my boys complained to me that no one wanted to play with him during recess, so I told him I'd play for him-though I admit, I just wanted to get some stuff done, but I knew this is what I should do. He wanted to play tag, so soon all of my kids were playing with us-and it was so much fun. They even thought that if they were holding onto my arm or held my arm, they would somehow escape from being tag from whomever was it at the moment. But I had a blast-it was such a highlight to the day!

Last week, the two teachers I work with invited me to go get tacos at this restaurant close by-and these teachers will bring me food to try or just help in anyway they can. It was just so much fun to hang out with them outside of school as they tried to explain the difference between all the different tacos-you would be surprised at all the different kinds. And it was amusing for them to say, "Rhonda, that has 'chile' in it, don't eat it-pica (it's spicy)!" They know me well...lol. But it was so much fun to relax with them.

For my final "little thing"- at, times I find it hard to simply rest in the Lord and wait in Him when I am faced with a lot of unknown and confusion. Yet on Sunday, a dear friend of my sent me a text telling me to read Psalm 94:17-19, 22- and these verses are all about the comfort of the Lord, even in times of confusion. And it just humbled me to think how faithful He is even when I am struggling-what love is that?? I'm going to end with just writing verses 19 and 22, " When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul...But the Lord has been my stronghold, And my God the rock of my refuge."

Because of Christ,
Rhonda

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

God Moments

God has totally wowed me this past week. And if you ask me what big thing He did-I couldn’t answer. It’s just the little blessings He’s done this week, when I wasn’t even looking for it-Honestly, God is just so awesome!!

Last Thursday, I went to this little convenient store across the street; the lady who owns it, Leite, is an older woman who is super sweet. For Christmas, I made her brownies and varies homemade cookies, and this past Thursday, I went in there to get something, and her daughter, I believe, asked me to come over on Friday and eat with them and asked me if I would teach her how to make brownies. I’m so excited because I’m not sure if they’re Christians or not, but I’ve been wanting to somehow reach out to people around me, but I wasn’t sure how because my Spanish isn’t the greatest, and it’s hard here to break past that. However, without even praying about it-which I should have-God provided this for me. So this Friday, I will be teaching her how to make brownies and get to know Leite and her family more=)

This past week at school, we had cultural week, where each day, Monday-Thursday we learned about a different culture. The kids loved it, and I love learning and researching different cultures, so it was a fun week. Then on Friday, the parents brought in food from the different countries. Usually, Mrs. Guzman brings in someone to do a special presentation for the parents and kids; however, this year, she couldn’t find someone. Therefore, the Kinder 1 teacher thought of this “great” idea that I should play the flute for them because one of the countries we studied about was Ireland. Needless to say, I was super nervous because at the wedding, I didn’t know anyone and at the quincenera , it was just people from the church, but this time it was my parents-in my mind a whole new level (I’m a wimp, I know), but I firmly believe that when God gives you an opportunity, in my case to play the flute, and someone asks you to use it for His glory, you should do it. Thanks be to God, I played well. That itself was a God-thing, but the other God moment, is that one of my students’ mom is learning to the play the flute. She came up to me afterward and asked me if I would allow her to come in the afternoon sometime and just play with me. I’m again really excited for this opportunity to get to know one of my parents more-such a blessing.

This past weekend proved to be another God-moment. I had to go to the border of Guatemala to get my VISA extended. So the Guzmans took me to a city that is about 30 min. from Guatemala. Dr. Guzman’s brother-in-law is friends with a man who used to work immigration, and I haven’t met either one of these men. Yet, they used their connections to not only stamp my passport without us actually having to go across the border, but they also got me 6 months here rather than the usual three, which works out perfectly-how awesome is God??? Also, the Guzman’s sister and brother-in-law and niece were so hospitable and nice; it was such a nice trip.

Lastly, the church gave me a box of staple items and two of my students from my Saturday English classes gave me some food. And I also started asking for prayer requests if any of my helpers have some, and I was able to pray for some of them, which was encouraging b/c sometimes, I feel like I can’t do that much because of the language barrier that I’m so nervous about, but as undeserving as I am, God still allowed me the privilege to pray for them! Then yesterday, I received a Christmas package from my mom, and the same day, I received a care-package from a dear friend, who is like my little sister=) Everyday there is always something to give thanks to God for…this past week though, He just awed me-it’s so humbling to receive blessings from the Lord-praise be to Him!!

Because of Christ,
Rhonda