Random Happenings :)

So, earlier this week one of the teachers asked me to translate a song for her. Each class was assigned a song for students' day that they must learn and teach everyone motions to. Her class got an English song. So, she had me come in with them while they were listening to the song, but I was like, I really need to be where I can stop and start the song if I am going to translate it. So she gave me the song and I went to the computer lab to work on it. Luckily the computer teacher had the lyrics in English, so I printed them out and worked on translating it. I was able to do it, which was exciting ( I looked a thing or two up of course, but I was happy).

On Monday afternoon one of my 6th graders came over after school. She checked out the Chronicles of Narnia in English and was struggling with comprehension. So she came over and we read (slash I translated) and then we played a game. It was a lot of fun and nice to get to spend time with her.

Today, there were 4 dogs in my 6th grade class! Apparently they are doing expositions for their communications class on pets, so they bring their pets in, and they stay with them all day. So, there were 4 medium sized dogs on leashes in my class. It definitely made things a little more difficult and added distractions. There were also kittens, a cat, and mice. But those weren't so bothersome because they were caged or boxed and not too large. I really found it rather funny:)

"Believe it or not but life is not apparently about me anyways, but I have met the One who really is worthy, so let me say, so long, self..."

God gave me an awesome reminder the other day, everything I do is not for me, not to prove I am good enough, it is for  Him. For example, I don't teach for me, to prove I am a good teacher, etc., I teach for Hime, because He wants to touch these kids and impart knowledge on them. Building relationships is not a sign of whether or not I am a good enough person, it is a gift from God because He wants to touch that person or use that person to touch me. It was a really good reminder and also reminds me that I don't need to carry that pressure. I just need to give it all to God and let Him work through the situations and truly give Him control.
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." ~1Peter 4:7-11

"Empty my hands, fill up my heart, capture my mind with You..."

I haven't written in a while...you would think since I have a two week break from school I would have more time, and it has definitely been relaxing, but not a ton of time to write. The first week Megan and I took a bus trip to Chile to renew our visas. It was very relaxing. We walked on the beach, read in parks, took a tour of a national park, and just explored the area. I've learned that Chilean Spanish is MUCH more difficult to understand than Peruvian Spanish. They speak very quickly, cut off the ends of their words, and don't really pronounce the letter s. We kept having to have people repeat themselves, I think they thought we didn't speak Spanish well, but I understand here...haha! This second week MEgan and I bought the tourist ticket (the only time I will allow myself to be called a tourist ;)) and have been going to see some of the different Inkan ruins and famous sites. It's reminded me of how thankful I should be that I get the chance to be in such a beautiful place. I've honestly never seen anything like it and it still takes my breath away. Right before break we had a program at school to celebrate Peru's independence day. Each class acted out something that led to Peru's independence. At the end the teachers sang a song. It was kind of funny, the song was saying I have the pride to be Peruvian, and I am happy to be born in this beautiful land of sun:) And we wore red and white ponchos to make the Peruvian flag! I feel like my relationships with the teacher keep growing stronger, which is really exciting. I also keep seeing improvements in my language, which is also a huge blessing. I definitely needed this break to recharge, but I also definitely miss the teachers and my students.

Jeremiah 17:5-8

God always brings this verse back to me with new meanings or pictures, it’s such a blessing. One day my devotional was just what I needed to hear. It talked about how we so often focus on the external and situations, when really we need to focus on our relationship with God and deepening that and this will naturally fix the external. It had this quote: “Spiritual growth consists most in the growth of the root, which is out of sight, “by Matthew Henry. Then God brought me back to Jeremiah 17:5-8 and reminded me that a tree without roots can’t do anything, it can’t keep its leaves from wilting, it can’t grow fruit, it can’t do anything. It needs the roots and then these things happen. So, it was a good reminder to focus on my relationship with God and deepening that instead of my circumstances, people, or certain situations.