short update..well this week I have been challenged to think about the things I am working on about me and the things around me that exist regardles of how I feel about them! I am also strangely seeing the shifts we have of highs and lows in our life and of feeling like a genious at times and a total dummy at other times! It is quite interestigin all this to think we must maintain our conviction to be salt and light while we are so imperfect and continually being refined and pruned!! all that in one breath!
So I am being challenged to see how I can be that for others athome, work, and in my community...I think becoming a observer is the key and an active listener to know how to pray!
On a trivial note, I am going on the second grade trip tuesday to the salt and sand dunes. I will post pics later. No other big news on the work front.
Spiritually I am realizing that what people really need is like it says in the Casting Crowns song...people need Jesus but not in the form of super christianity and super spiritual hypocrocy, they need to see a savior, a spirit that leads and a father that loves them...maybe sometimes we get in HIs way! Food for thought.
But we too are a process. I am moving which is better than standing still...so I guess I am in a position to learn and enjoy the journey and learn from the mini stumbling and joys....until next time Ciao
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
It's a scorcher out today folks!!!
ok well as you all sit and freeze we have begun once again to fry in te heat! so much for winter here! But it is beautiful!
This week was fun as we had a day off and the seventyh grade schooltrip to Los Haitises national park. I was the teacher for the trip and we drove 3 1/2 hours to go into a speed boat and travel to 2 small islands where there are Los Tainos caves with pictographs and carvings....we learned a bunch and saw native birds and mangrove tree. We got to swim in a natural pool and basically we had lots of fun on the bus! Benig a kid is fun! But this week is back to work and I beleive I will be starting volunteering at the community center.
Church is still good and I have been learning to do laundry the Dominican way, on the roof of my building! No other big news. Enjoy the pictures.
Prayer requests:
The area of Cristo Rey for breaking of strongholds of drugs, etc. For the Duarte area for the breaking of sex strobngholds and prostitution. For the whole month of Feb. against the carnival and craziness. For my continual open heart, mind, ear and eyes and vision to see where to go in the coming months. Te quiero mucho!
This week was fun as we had a day off and the seventyh grade schooltrip to Los Haitises national park. I was the teacher for the trip and we drove 3 1/2 hours to go into a speed boat and travel to 2 small islands where there are Los Tainos caves with pictographs and carvings....we learned a bunch and saw native birds and mangrove tree. We got to swim in a natural pool and basically we had lots of fun on the bus! Benig a kid is fun! But this week is back to work and I beleive I will be starting volunteering at the community center.
Church is still good and I have been learning to do laundry the Dominican way, on the roof of my building! No other big news. Enjoy the pictures.
Prayer requests:
The area of Cristo Rey for breaking of strongholds of drugs, etc. For the Duarte area for the breaking of sex strobngholds and prostitution. For the whole month of Feb. against the carnival and craziness. For my continual open heart, mind, ear and eyes and vision to see where to go in the coming months. Te quiero mucho!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Viviendo con Paz
Hello all
well recent days have been fairly uneventful and surprisingly peacefull! I have to give much thanks for that bc prior to the break I was much frustrado! But GOd is good and He has taken the time to show me some things and how to rest in him.
School is o.k. and we are delving into the DR unit of study which is cool cause I get to learn alot about the country. The Independence day festival aka CARNIVAL will be taking place next month and so I am require to tecah about it. Learning about it has been very enlightening. It seems in various areas of the country the celebration is different but they all have to do with a cross between celebrating Independence of the nation, and endulging in pagan rituals prior to what Catholics refer to as the period called Lent the 40 days before Easter.
According to what I have read, people were going to be fasting during Lent so the Carnival time was a time to be CARNAL and endulge the flesh...kinda like Mardi Gras I guess. anyway, it is also kjnown to be a fight between GOd and the deveil and in many parades you see people dress up in various demonic looking costumes and they make new ones each year bc after the festival they burn the masks and spread the ashes into the soil!
o.k. so for you prayin folks reading I guess you can see why the spiritual side of me struggles to teach this! and I have come to realize that the battle here goes way deeper than a parade! something to pray about and against!
The various grade levels will be going on their individula class trips in the next few weeks and so I will be going to the Southwest and to the North east to a salted lake and flamingo area and to anational park. It should be interesting.
As for my personal life well things are very calm and I am just enjoying the period of discipline in my studies and rest. i will begin a new spanish course next week as part of my yearly goals. I have also become more acctive in the church so I am now assisting them wioth some thing and it is good. I am also beginning my community center service one day a week starting 2 weeks. It´s amazing what you see and learn sometimes when you just shut up and watch! ok random sorry!
Prayer requests:
Please pray for our church as the battle between spirit and world is very great and many are still stuck not making a choice. It is affecting the church body so pray for unity and not walking in sin. For my school pray for the teachers and the director as they need Christ and also need to balance their workloads. Pray for my roommate that God would mend her hearts hurt and she would grow. Pray for me that I would continue to praise and read and seek HIM daily so as to grow and help others. I hope you are all well. love and miss ya.
well recent days have been fairly uneventful and surprisingly peacefull! I have to give much thanks for that bc prior to the break I was much frustrado! But GOd is good and He has taken the time to show me some things and how to rest in him.
School is o.k. and we are delving into the DR unit of study which is cool cause I get to learn alot about the country. The Independence day festival aka CARNIVAL will be taking place next month and so I am require to tecah about it. Learning about it has been very enlightening. It seems in various areas of the country the celebration is different but they all have to do with a cross between celebrating Independence of the nation, and endulging in pagan rituals prior to what Catholics refer to as the period called Lent the 40 days before Easter.
According to what I have read, people were going to be fasting during Lent so the Carnival time was a time to be CARNAL and endulge the flesh...kinda like Mardi Gras I guess. anyway, it is also kjnown to be a fight between GOd and the deveil and in many parades you see people dress up in various demonic looking costumes and they make new ones each year bc after the festival they burn the masks and spread the ashes into the soil!
o.k. so for you prayin folks reading I guess you can see why the spiritual side of me struggles to teach this! and I have come to realize that the battle here goes way deeper than a parade! something to pray about and against!
The various grade levels will be going on their individula class trips in the next few weeks and so I will be going to the Southwest and to the North east to a salted lake and flamingo area and to anational park. It should be interesting.
As for my personal life well things are very calm and I am just enjoying the period of discipline in my studies and rest. i will begin a new spanish course next week as part of my yearly goals. I have also become more acctive in the church so I am now assisting them wioth some thing and it is good. I am also beginning my community center service one day a week starting 2 weeks. It´s amazing what you see and learn sometimes when you just shut up and watch! ok random sorry!
Prayer requests:
Please pray for our church as the battle between spirit and world is very great and many are still stuck not making a choice. It is affecting the church body so pray for unity and not walking in sin. For my school pray for the teachers and the director as they need Christ and also need to balance their workloads. Pray for my roommate that God would mend her hearts hurt and she would grow. Pray for me that I would continue to praise and read and seek HIM daily so as to grow and help others. I hope you are all well. love and miss ya.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Todo esta bien!
HOla,
just wanted to post a new message to let everyone know that all is going well since returning. At the job I had a planning day and a day of conferences with the parents that all went well. Today was the first day of classes with kids and they are glad to be back and right away back to the grind. I am still not fully ready for me schedule and workload but I am feeling peace at the moment!
Most importantly I have created a sanctuary in my room...complete with candles, a little rug, music and my living room chair(actually a piece of our sectional couch!) It has been great so far bc I have been able to spend time worshiping and resting anbd reading ...it is becoming a place of peace and a place where I am able to invite the presence of GOd in prayer and reading quiet...funny how with a little refreshing and perspective those lttle things are no longer annoyances e.i. the dogs outside, and yes they are still barking, and yes, the old man still showers outside my window but...NO importa!
So, I have found that many people see and outward transformation even visually as we do in secret our reading and prayer times. So many people have made mention about me ¨looking¨ different, in NJ and here....even the bot at the supermarcado said I look happy!
So please pray for continual favor, motivation and peace. Discipline and dedication to my walk with GOd as well as pray for my roommate who is struggling with some stress.
Also lift up my students and the teachers and director of my school, as most of them are no saved and also that they will learn and lead well. Pray also for awareness to the things around us and for President Bush as I have been reading a few things now that really speak to his needing God´s protection.
When GOd speaks it is usually the same to many people so I have been receiving confirmation of so many things regarding what to pray for. Thanks for all you do in supporting me and know that this is a time for us to move and grow in all areas of our lives, but pace yourselves and go according to His agenda not ours....also please pray for Kari as she seeks financial sources and a job. As for the spanish....oi it is needing much work right now...I begin class again tomorrow!!!
just wanted to post a new message to let everyone know that all is going well since returning. At the job I had a planning day and a day of conferences with the parents that all went well. Today was the first day of classes with kids and they are glad to be back and right away back to the grind. I am still not fully ready for me schedule and workload but I am feeling peace at the moment!
Most importantly I have created a sanctuary in my room...complete with candles, a little rug, music and my living room chair(actually a piece of our sectional couch!) It has been great so far bc I have been able to spend time worshiping and resting anbd reading ...it is becoming a place of peace and a place where I am able to invite the presence of GOd in prayer and reading quiet...funny how with a little refreshing and perspective those lttle things are no longer annoyances e.i. the dogs outside, and yes they are still barking, and yes, the old man still showers outside my window but...NO importa!
So, I have found that many people see and outward transformation even visually as we do in secret our reading and prayer times. So many people have made mention about me ¨looking¨ different, in NJ and here....even the bot at the supermarcado said I look happy!
So please pray for continual favor, motivation and peace. Discipline and dedication to my walk with GOd as well as pray for my roommate who is struggling with some stress.
Also lift up my students and the teachers and director of my school, as most of them are no saved and also that they will learn and lead well. Pray also for awareness to the things around us and for President Bush as I have been reading a few things now that really speak to his needing God´s protection.
When GOd speaks it is usually the same to many people so I have been receiving confirmation of so many things regarding what to pray for. Thanks for all you do in supporting me and know that this is a time for us to move and grow in all areas of our lives, but pace yourselves and go according to His agenda not ours....also please pray for Kari as she seeks financial sources and a job. As for the spanish....oi it is needing much work right now...I begin class again tomorrow!!!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Feliz Ano Nuevo y welcome back!
Hello Friends and Family,
Well I have made it back to the DR safe and sound! The flight was smooth and fairly quick. Surprisingly, I am very happy to be back. I wasn´t sure how I would feel about it...but GOd is good. I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend at home and other than the 10 lbs I gained from eating all of NJ, I really feel like God knew what I needed in terms of reconnecting with friends and family, and being encuoraged of my purpose and calling in HIm and I guess in many ways remotivated to seek and search after HIm more.
The goals for this year are to walk in intimacy with God in such a way that I move and go when and where He says and that I focus on HIs glory bringing new life to others. Pray that I am continually hungry for Him and that I have grace in aquiring the language more. Pray that by HIs leading I will connect with programs that are spiritually healthy and bringing Him glory. Pray that He will surround me with people seeking HIm and always a continued peace in the unknown. Pray for faith in action and sustainance despite not ¨feeling¨ like it at times.
TODAY i AM EXCITED FOR WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGES AHEAD. MAY HIS PEACE BE WITH YOU IN THE NEW YEAR AND MY THE SCALES BE OFF OUR EYES TO SEE THINGS ANEW. HERE WE GO!
keep in touch, p.s. no internet still at home so I will be at the center a few times a week if possible.
Well I have made it back to the DR safe and sound! The flight was smooth and fairly quick. Surprisingly, I am very happy to be back. I wasn´t sure how I would feel about it...but GOd is good. I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend at home and other than the 10 lbs I gained from eating all of NJ, I really feel like God knew what I needed in terms of reconnecting with friends and family, and being encuoraged of my purpose and calling in HIm and I guess in many ways remotivated to seek and search after HIm more.
The goals for this year are to walk in intimacy with God in such a way that I move and go when and where He says and that I focus on HIs glory bringing new life to others. Pray that I am continually hungry for Him and that I have grace in aquiring the language more. Pray that by HIs leading I will connect with programs that are spiritually healthy and bringing Him glory. Pray that He will surround me with people seeking HIm and always a continued peace in the unknown. Pray for faith in action and sustainance despite not ¨feeling¨ like it at times.
TODAY i AM EXCITED FOR WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGES AHEAD. MAY HIS PEACE BE WITH YOU IN THE NEW YEAR AND MY THE SCALES BE OFF OUR EYES TO SEE THINGS ANEW. HERE WE GO!
keep in touch, p.s. no internet still at home so I will be at the center a few times a week if possible.
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