Summer Swing

Summer is definitely here!

The following is a lot to take in, so here is the short version in bullet point prayer requests:
*Sorting/Packing my stuff
*Care package donation to come in
*Financial support raising
*Starting graduate school
*Transition out of MI (temporarily)

For most of my life summer has been the time for transitions.  It has a lot to do with school year calendars and being the most friendly time to do the "unusual" things of life.  Right now I am working on a lot of little projects.

I have my tickets booked!!!!!!!  I will be traveling December 6th - January 17th.  The process was smooth, so thank you so much for your prayers.  I have confirmation in hand for the tickets and insurance papers are on the way.

I have started to go through my physical possessions.  One of the hardest things is trying to determine what should be kept, stored, or given away.  As a perpetual student and book lover I have quite the collection of resources.  I have been blessed over the past few years to increase my collection of fine books.  But how do I decide what to save and what to pass on to the next person?  I have someone who is willing to store a couple of boxes of books in a safe and dry place, but is a couple of boxes enough?  Or is it too much?  The danger of starting a book collection before being settled in a long term place... oh well.  Next stop, the storage closet... ugh.

I am working with the Cajigas family to produce a ministry donation list.  I have a start to a list on the left side of this blog.  The list has two (2) parts.  The first is a list of things the orphanage needs.  The second part is a list of things I will need while I am there, but the orphanage/Cajigas family will also use them after I am gone.  I have not verified yet, but I think most any personal hygiene items for kids and even adults would be appreciated.  Also, new or gently used clothing and possibly shoes as they now have somewhere near a dozen kids in their care.  As needs arise I will add and edit the list. Oh, and don't forget they also love to get art work from the families back here in the states:)  The summer care package will be sent no later than August 15th.  Please contact me if you have things to add to the box(es).

I have not set to writing my budget for the upcoming trip, but estimates show it will be close to $2000 including travel costs and the care package and shipment.  If you are willing and able financial support as well as supplies would be greatly appreciated.  In the months to follow my Dec/Jan visit long term budgets will be created and requests for donations of other resources will be sent out.

In three weeks I will be taking my first official graduate level classes!  I am excited and nervous at the same time.  I really did take a year off school, but it hardly feels like it to most people. (Myself included!) You have to love the joy of federal student loans!  I have officially finished my paperwork and the cost of classes are covered... I'm just close to doubling my already hefty sized student loan debt.

And last but not least, for those of you who do not know... in this time of preparation for the future I am making a cross-country move (temporarily) again.  My current contract position ends in August and my lease expires in September.  That means I get to spend October and November with my family!  This is why the need to sort through my personal belongings this summer.  I will be returning to West Michigan sometime in the spring.

P.S. - For those of you who are astute and noticed there was nothing yet said about the Mission Agency and application... I have decided to hold off until at least after the transition to AZ to complete and submit the application.

What's the plan Stan?

I'm always talking about the Philippines.  My students even keep asking me, "So teacher when are you going to leave us?"  Well, every day I am one step closer to making it a reality.

In the last two weeks I have solidified travel dates for the short term visit, talked to a travel agent about it, opened a ministry specific account, and worked toward filling out the sending agency application.

"But, Christine, what does all of that mean?"

Well, I had to wait for the new account card to come, but tomorrow I will be calling the travel agent back to officially book the flight.  I will most likely be going December 6th - January 14th.  Flight availability might change it by a day or two.

Although they would not yet be tax deductible donations I have a separate account set up if anyone would like to start sending me financial support to include the short term trip.

Also, by the end of the week I hope to have the sending agency application sent in.  If I am approved, meaning that my vision fits within their mission, I will get deputized to begin officially raising tax-deductible funds.  This organization would also be another way I would be able to stay connected to you all as my supporters.

Most importantly what all of this means is I have several specific prayer request:
*For details of the flight to be easy to figure out
*For financial support to start coming in
*For guidance in being true to myself and reality in filling out the application
*For patience through the approval process
*For the process to be smooth and painless
*Also for smooth transitions in the next 3 months for me

Sleepless Nights...

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.

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.

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!