It is now 1:46 a.m.
I should have been asleep almost 2 hours ago. Instead my brain is swirling. There is so much information being processed I will never be able to process it all. However, just like a good sermon there are three key points.
#1. Wrapping up with my Literacy Center learners
#2. Preparing for the start of my Master's program
#3. The Philippines is happening for real this time
I know, right !?! Three huge bombshells. Boom! BOOM! BOOOOMM!!!
It has been a whirlwind of a year. We are down to just one week of classes at Sibley's Parent English classes. I have had 31 different learners over the past 8 months. 18 of them are still current and actively attending classes :) Despite the fact that I will not miss the AmeriCorps side of things, I will desperately miss my students. There is still hope that I will have them in my summer computer classes... but it's just not the same.
I have learned a lot in the past 8 months with these students. As much as I have heard, "You don't need to know their language to teach them English," I am grateful to have known some Spanish before this began. I also know I gained much respect from them for having given it an effort. Just the practice of listening to them speak increased my knowledge and confidence in usage. :)
Shortly into my current teaching year I had some conversations that lead me to realize I'll never really be done with school and getting an education. As a teacher you will always be a student as well.
I have had a passion for language for a very long time. If you look at my "bucket list" I have included "learn Italian." Who does that? In the past 5 years that passion has turned into a desire to teach English as a second language. This can be such a huge thing even here in the US. I did have one stipulation though, I want to teach adults not children. Again, who does that?
Well, long story short if I want to teach adults English here in the US I pretty much already need a Master's degree, much less in 5 years when I plan to be coming back from teaching overseas. That means I'm starting my next round of higher education. Starting July 18 (yes that is only about 8 weeks away) I will be in the M.A. Tesol program at Cornerstone University.
The program at Cornerstone will take me about 18 months... but I'm gonna give myself some slack and say I'll be pleased if I finish it in less than half the time it took for my undergrad ;)
So, what about #3? You must be really curious by now... so my tentative human plan is just getting started (even after 5+ years of visioning). When I am finished with my AmeriCorps term I will spend a couple of months visiting with my family. Then for December and most of January I will be travelling to Bohol! I am sooooo excited :D Lord willing, I will be purchasing the plane ticket for this excursion sometime in the next two weeks. Details will follow...
I'm calling this visit my "research trip." Anyone who wants to is more than welcome to join me :) I will be going to see how the Cajigas family's ministry is going and asking lots of questions of the outreach pastor in their local church. I want to observe the community as much as possible and see where they need/want to use English. With help I will evaluate where the majority stands in their level of usage and comprehension.
In the year following I will do 4 main things: a. Finish my Master's degree; b. collect materials and create a curriculum; c. work toward raising funds to support the program; and d. make attempts to learn Cebuano.
It is now 2:16 a.m. I am not less sleepy... wait, was that a yawn. I hope so. Yes, perhaps I can get some rest now.
I will ask for your prayers in the coming months. I have felt like plans are coming together so many times in the past only to be disappointing. I really want what is God's best for me and the people I will reach in my lifetime, but Lord may it please be now!
My theme verse:
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Saturday, October 17, 2015
A long time coming...
Okay, so this should have been written and posted months ago, but....
As most of you know I did not take the opportunity in Romania. It was offered and I could possibly see myself returning to something with them sometime in the future. There were two things holding me back... I really feel called to TEACH ELLs and the work in Romania would have been almost entirely office based. To raise $10-15K is a lot of work in a short time and I was instead offered a position that pays me a living stipend.
Many of you do not know what I ended up doing instead. In the short period between when I returned from the visit to Romania and when I had to give them an answer I was introduced to the idea of working as an AmeriCorps member. The position is with the Literacy Center of West Michigan and I am an ELL instructor.
Two days a week I teach parents of the students at a local elementary school. On our team we currently have five instructors and two support staff. We want to grow our team because we have 8 schools we serve in. We each have two classes that meet twice a week. My classes meet Monday and Tuesday both in the morning and in the evening. It makes for a very long start to the week, but then I can relax as the week progresses.
Due to the fact that this position is with AmeriCorps I have a number of benefits including an education award at the end of my term that will either be a large payment on my current loans or a large down payment on future schooling. They also encourage professional development so I was able to attend two ESL conferences last weekend. I learned a lot and did a lot of networking.
As a side opportunity to help supplement my income I have decided to return to being a Mary Kay consultant! I love their products and have used them since I was 14 or 15 years old. I have a very supportive team and they are encouraging me to do great things for myself and enriching the lives of others around me :) If you are local you should save the date for November 5th as I will be debuting my career as a MK consultant at a women's Diva Night. Connect with me if you want more information.
My days are filled to the max and I have been horrible at connecting with the outside world so I apologize if you feel neglected.
As most of you know I did not take the opportunity in Romania. It was offered and I could possibly see myself returning to something with them sometime in the future. There were two things holding me back... I really feel called to TEACH ELLs and the work in Romania would have been almost entirely office based. To raise $10-15K is a lot of work in a short time and I was instead offered a position that pays me a living stipend.
Many of you do not know what I ended up doing instead. In the short period between when I returned from the visit to Romania and when I had to give them an answer I was introduced to the idea of working as an AmeriCorps member. The position is with the Literacy Center of West Michigan and I am an ELL instructor.
Two days a week I teach parents of the students at a local elementary school. On our team we currently have five instructors and two support staff. We want to grow our team because we have 8 schools we serve in. We each have two classes that meet twice a week. My classes meet Monday and Tuesday both in the morning and in the evening. It makes for a very long start to the week, but then I can relax as the week progresses.
Due to the fact that this position is with AmeriCorps I have a number of benefits including an education award at the end of my term that will either be a large payment on my current loans or a large down payment on future schooling. They also encourage professional development so I was able to attend two ESL conferences last weekend. I learned a lot and did a lot of networking.
As a side opportunity to help supplement my income I have decided to return to being a Mary Kay consultant! I love their products and have used them since I was 14 or 15 years old. I have a very supportive team and they are encouraging me to do great things for myself and enriching the lives of others around me :) If you are local you should save the date for November 5th as I will be debuting my career as a MK consultant at a women's Diva Night. Connect with me if you want more information.
My days are filled to the max and I have been horrible at connecting with the outside world so I apologize if you feel neglected.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Crossroads
To say I am at a major crossroad in my life is putting it mildly. It's more of a super fork in the road of my life. I have five different options for what this fall could bring into my life. None of them are easy. I could see my self executing any of the paths. I could see myself content in all of the paths. This is what makes the decision SOOOO incredibly difficult.
In these next few weeks I will have some serious growing pains. No matter which route I choose I want you to stand with me. I need the support of my own community no matter where in the world I am. Part of me, and I would consider it a large part, wants to just create a poll and let you all decide for me. I know that is not the right way to do this. I need to make this decision myself, but I feel as if I am in such a fragile state at the moment.
Sometimes it feels like we are at a dead end. No doors, or even windows available. Life suffocating us. But today I stand here at this crossroad with many amazing options and no road map with a highlighted route. This time in my life I'm not sure which is worse. No options or too many options!
It's amazing how we can feel so certain about our future and then the Good and Gracious God we serve opens so many windows and doors. I really hope this does not come across as complaint, because I am feeling very blessed in this moment. I have options at a time when many people have nothing. I have a community that will support me no matter my decision. I have people that will miss me if I leave. I have people who will welcome me with open arms if I come.
ABBA, Father, Daddy, Lord.... thank you, thank you, thank you! I am overwhelmed to tears. You have given me so much I am bursting at the seams. I have been blessed beyond measure. You are a provider like no other. May I continue to follow your Word as it is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). May I remain confident in you and have patience to wait upon you (Psalm 27). No matter my decision may I take joy in your provisions and grace. Blessed are you, oh Lord. May we take great pride in having you as our eternal Father. Hallelujah, amen and amen.
Friends and Family, Will you please continue to ask our Gracious Father to give me great strength and discernment in the coming weeks as decisions are made. The final path may not be decided until sometime in late August, but I will have to either choose or close some doors within the next three weeks. I thank our God regularly for the great comfort he has given me in my community and that includes you. So thank you and know you are appreciated!
In these next few weeks I will have some serious growing pains. No matter which route I choose I want you to stand with me. I need the support of my own community no matter where in the world I am. Part of me, and I would consider it a large part, wants to just create a poll and let you all decide for me. I know that is not the right way to do this. I need to make this decision myself, but I feel as if I am in such a fragile state at the moment.
Sometimes it feels like we are at a dead end. No doors, or even windows available. Life suffocating us. But today I stand here at this crossroad with many amazing options and no road map with a highlighted route. This time in my life I'm not sure which is worse. No options or too many options!
It's amazing how we can feel so certain about our future and then the Good and Gracious God we serve opens so many windows and doors. I really hope this does not come across as complaint, because I am feeling very blessed in this moment. I have options at a time when many people have nothing. I have a community that will support me no matter my decision. I have people that will miss me if I leave. I have people who will welcome me with open arms if I come.
ABBA, Father, Daddy, Lord.... thank you, thank you, thank you! I am overwhelmed to tears. You have given me so much I am bursting at the seams. I have been blessed beyond measure. You are a provider like no other. May I continue to follow your Word as it is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). May I remain confident in you and have patience to wait upon you (Psalm 27). No matter my decision may I take joy in your provisions and grace. Blessed are you, oh Lord. May we take great pride in having you as our eternal Father. Hallelujah, amen and amen.
Friends and Family, Will you please continue to ask our Gracious Father to give me great strength and discernment in the coming weeks as decisions are made. The final path may not be decided until sometime in late August, but I will have to either choose or close some doors within the next three weeks. I thank our God regularly for the great comfort he has given me in my community and that includes you. So thank you and know you are appreciated!
Saturday, June 27, 2015
A Whirlwind of New Adventures
So as expected it was a crazy 48 hours and then some... Long story short I was delayed a day, but that meant I had enough of a layover in Munich that I went into town.
This is my first time ever in Europe so I decided to live it up. I took the commuter train into the city center. Had lunch off Marienplatz at the Ratskeller. Toured the city on a two and a half hour open top double decker bus. Fell asleep on part of that tour so I decided it was time to go back to the airport.
At the airport I got to meet up with one of the Serge team with whom I've been communicating with recently. We arrived safely, just a bit late, into Cluj. We hit the sack finally at 2:00 am on Friday "morning".
Since then, the group of 10 of us have been touring and getting to know each other. There are lots of amazing things going on here and there is much potential for all of us to eventually join the Cluj team. The coming weeks, months, and years will slowly reveal those plans to each of us.
I finally got to meet the gentleman I would be working with and we all took a tour of Ozd. When we went to the rehab center in Ozd we also had part of another group from the UK join us on the bus ride.
On Monday the rest of the visiting team will move on to their next site. But I will travel back to Ozd to meet more of the people involved with that aspect of the ministry. Tuesday I will spend time in the local office I would potentially be spending most of my time in. Then I'll have three days to spend with the couple who began this team and whom would be my accountability and leadership while in country.
So far I'm encouraged, but I'm trying to patiently wait my turn. I want to respect the short time the rest of the visitors have to make sure their questions get answers, then I can have some more one on one time with my potential future teammates.
Perhaps I will have a few pictures of Cluj in the coming days. In the mean time, if you could continue to commune with God about the following:
*Continued safety in travels
*Continued communication
*Deepening of relationships
*Understanding and discernment for all parties
*Also that I may be able to process quickly what I'm seeing and hearing so I may be able to ask the right questions and give honest answers when asked
This is my first time ever in Europe so I decided to live it up. I took the commuter train into the city center. Had lunch off Marienplatz at the Ratskeller. Toured the city on a two and a half hour open top double decker bus. Fell asleep on part of that tour so I decided it was time to go back to the airport.
 |
| The inner courtyard at Marienplatz where I ate lunch. |
 |
| The outside of the building on Marienplatz in which the Ratskeller is located. |
At the airport I got to meet up with one of the Serge team with whom I've been communicating with recently. We arrived safely, just a bit late, into Cluj. We hit the sack finally at 2:00 am on Friday "morning".
Since then, the group of 10 of us have been touring and getting to know each other. There are lots of amazing things going on here and there is much potential for all of us to eventually join the Cluj team. The coming weeks, months, and years will slowly reveal those plans to each of us.
I finally got to meet the gentleman I would be working with and we all took a tour of Ozd. When we went to the rehab center in Ozd we also had part of another group from the UK join us on the bus ride.
 |
| The road started out paved, turned rough, then rougher, then eventually became a gravelly dirty pass. It was great! |
 |
| Just a sample of one of the rural villages in the Transylvanian countryside. Ozd itself was much less populated even than this, I hope to add pictures from my camera later. |
On Monday the rest of the visiting team will move on to their next site. But I will travel back to Ozd to meet more of the people involved with that aspect of the ministry. Tuesday I will spend time in the local office I would potentially be spending most of my time in. Then I'll have three days to spend with the couple who began this team and whom would be my accountability and leadership while in country.
So far I'm encouraged, but I'm trying to patiently wait my turn. I want to respect the short time the rest of the visitors have to make sure their questions get answers, then I can have some more one on one time with my potential future teammates.
Perhaps I will have a few pictures of Cluj in the coming days. In the mean time, if you could continue to commune with God about the following:
*Continued safety in travels
*Continued communication
*Deepening of relationships
*Understanding and discernment for all parties
*Also that I may be able to process quickly what I'm seeing and hearing so I may be able to ask the right questions and give honest answers when asked
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
On the Wings of Angels
The next 48 hours will feel forever long. I praise God that I have made it thus far and I am ready to go (mostly). My suitcase is packed. My carry on sits open waiting for a few last minute items. I have a meeting scheduled with my mentor for one last prayer and encouragement session before I depart.
19:43. That is the scheduled departure time.
I will have a short flight to Chicago. A really long overnight flight to Munich. Followed by a decently long layover at which I hope I don't fall asleep and miss the last leg. I will finally arrive at my destination at 00:30 Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
Things to pray for:
*Safety in travels/connections
*That all of us settle in well
*Clear communication both ways
*Discernment for all involved
Thank you so much and Lord willing in two weeks we will all know where I am heading in the fall!
19:43. That is the scheduled departure time.
I will have a short flight to Chicago. A really long overnight flight to Munich. Followed by a decently long layover at which I hope I don't fall asleep and miss the last leg. I will finally arrive at my destination at 00:30 Wednesday night/Thursday morning.
Things to pray for:
*Safety in travels/connections
*That all of us settle in well
*Clear communication both ways
*Discernment for all involved
Thank you so much and Lord willing in two weeks we will all know where I am heading in the fall!
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