A Renewed Perspective on Christmas

This last week and a half my kids and I have been reading the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, and it's been such a fun book. The kids love it and it has lead to some great conversations. It's a story about the Herdmans, who are terrible no good kids and are always causing trouble around the town. Well through a turn of events the Herdmans wind up being cast for the major roles in the annual Christmas pageant and everyone is preparing themselves for the worst.
As I was reading the last chapter this afternoon with my class I was overwhelmed with the message of the book. My sweet fourth graders watched as my eyes teared up and we talked about the impact of this little event, which seemed so insignificant and looked like nothing special.
I just wanted to quote a bit of the last chapter, I felt it was a perfect illustration of what I've been thinking about the last few days.

"It suddenly occurred to me that this was just the way it must have been for the real Holy Family, stuck away in a barn by people who didn't care what happened to them. They couldn't have been very neat and tidy either, but more like this Mary and Joseph (Imogene's veil was cockeyed as usual, and Ralph's hair stuck out all around his ears). Imogene had the baby doll but she wasn't carrying it the way she was supposed to, craddled in her arms. She had it slung up over her shoulder, and before she put it in the manger she thumped it twice on the back.
I heard Alice gasp and she poked me. 'I don't think it's very nice to burp the baby Jesus,' she whispered, 'as if he had colic.' Then she poked me again. 'Do you suppose he could have had colic?'
I said. 'I don't know why not,' and I didn't. He could have had colic, or been fussy, or hungry like any other baby. After all, that was the whole point of Jesus- that he didn't come down on a cloud like something out of 'Amazing Comics', but that he was born and lived...a real person."

The story goes on, and it's obvious that the Herdman's have learned the true meaning of Christmas.
This Christmas season I have been thinking alot about how I got here in the Phils, and what had led me to move across the world, away from everyone I love. This small event, which seems so unimportant has had such an impact on our lives. Mary and Joseph were so young, and being forced away from their home, only to be put into a stable or cave when there wasn't any room, and with the knowledge that they were not only raising their first son, but the Messiah, their Savior.
Sometimes I think, why did God have them move so far away from home? Why was it important that He be born in a dirty animal house? But this just shows the humble beginning of a man who was fully God but gave his life for us so that we might live.
This holiday I am having a small humble Christmas (unfortunately not by choice) but none the less it has pushed me to realize the immensity of the gift that we have been given. Emmanual: God is with us, no matter how and where I celebrate the birth of Jesus, He is with me. I am comforted by this fact, that even when I feel so alone and there's no family around He is with me. Emmanuel.

~Merry Christmas~

Love, meg

Thankful even when its hard.

Listening to Christmas music, watching holiday movies, eating way too much food and staying up way too late with friends come to me this time as another reminder of how far away I am from home. My wonderful room-mate and friend is leaving for the UK, my sister is going home without me, and time goes on back in Seattle. There are moments when I find myself feeling so homesick, and wishing I could celebrate this wonderful time of the year with those who I love most.

But then again God has blessed me so much this year, and I can't help but think of all the things that He has blessed me with.

1. A wonderful friend for a room mate. I would not have met her any other way, but she has become a dear friend and even though I will miss her. God has allowed me to meet another sister in Christ and I have learned so much from her. She is a wonderful woman of God, and I am so thankful that God has put her into my life.

2. For the past few months I have been having back pains, sometimes to the point where I feel nauseous. However every morning I wake up and there isn't any pain I am reminded of what a blessing our health is.

3. Today I was feeling homesick, and when I came down to the office the secretary greeted me with a huge smile and said, "Meg, your box has arrived!" when I opened it I was reminded of all those who love and are supporting me back home! I am so thankful for all those who keep me in their prayers.

4. The friends here I have made. We have become family. I miss being part of a family, having a mom and dad to go to with whatever (and that are in the same time zone). But God has blessed me with some really great friends who look out for each other. We have gone on some crazy adventures.

Not sure if anyone reads these things, but I just wanted to write of the joy I am filled with, even when there doesn't seem to be a lot to be happy about. James 1:2-8 says, " consider it pure joy my dear brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."
Lord thank you for the reminder that I am to come to you when times are good, and when they are hard. Help me never to doubt you. You are an awesome God and thankful for the reminder today to be thankful and filled with joy, even when I am not the "happiest" about my circumstances.

My Recent Adventures...

Life has gotten really busy, and therefore I haven't had time to update the blog. The school semester is wrapping up so that means finishing up projects, closing units, and writing report cards. However I have found time to explore the Philippines a little more.

I feel like everytime we leave the valley we have to prepare ourselves for an adventure. My most recent adventure was to find the volcano Taal, which has been named the smallest active volcano in the world. Since the Phils kind of lacks in the street signs, it was interesting trying to navigate our way there. Everytime we venture out to find a new place God teaches me a little more about patience and flexibility.

When we got to Taal we had the option of taking horses, but trying to save money and exerience all that we can we hiked our way up the rainy mountain side. What an amazing view! During these times I am reminded of what a beautiful country this is.

The group I hiked with.

Ruth and I were happy to make it to the top!

The Harbor where we took off from.

Taal Volcano, the smallest active volcano in all its glory.

This last weekend Ruth and I went to go help out at a local orphanage. It was an experienced filled with so many different feelings. The kids were amazing and yet it was obvious that they had so much baggage already. There was one baby who cried anytime I touched her, and yet she didn't want to be alone. There were numerous kids with slight physical defects, and all of the kids were starved for attention. Anytime I gave one kid a piggy back or tickled someone another one would want the same done and start crying, an overwhelming experience believe me.

I can't help but think what is God's plan for these kids. How does He plan to use them? They have been blessed to be given to a Christian orphanage, but will they ever truly know God's love? They were born into such horrible circumstances. I can't help but pray for these kids and hope for the best. It has been said that there may be up to 250,000 street kids in the Philippines. for me when I see that number it's hard to imagine that each one has a name, they are not lost in God's eyes. Please join me in prayer for these little ones. My heart can't help but to break for them. God has a plan for each and every one of them. Pray that he would bring someone into their lives that would share the gospel and introduce them to the Father in heaven who has invited them to be part of His eternal family.

Some of the little girls, never could figure out their names.

This little girl we called little strange. She walked and looked so much like my japanese grandma! So funny!

This is my grandma's face! I can't believe how much she reminded me of fumiko!

This little guy wasn't an orphan, he belonged to one of the workers, but he was just so dang cute!

As you can see no matter how long I live here I remain as white as the wall! haha but everytime the kids sat on my lap they pinched my skin, rubbed my white knees, and stroked my blonde hair. it never gets old.

A bit of our fourth grade chapel.

Each year every elementary class is responsible for one chapel. This year the elementary is learning about the fruit of the Spirit, and we were in charge of Peace. It was alot of work and by the end I was exhausted, but I'm so thankful for the opportunity.
This clip is just a piece of our chapel. It's adapted from the book Sneetches by Mr. Seuss. But I thought a lot of you back home would love to be able to see my kids in action. They're brilliant actors :) and I was so impressed by all the work that they put into this. We as a class learned alot about Peace and hope that we were able to pass some of that knowledge onto the rest of the school.
Thanks for all your prayers back at home!

Filipiniana Week.

Mabuhay! Welcome to Filipiniana week! The elementary celebrates the Philippines and the Filipino culture every October. It's a week of festivities and filled with cultural experiences.

Monday morning started off with a ceremony where all the classes came up on the stage and the teachers smashed a clay pot (kind of like a pinata).

The kids are excited and ready for the flying candy.

The clay pot. Whacking like it a pinata seems kind of dangerous.

Then the blindfold you... awesome

... and in front of the whole school. I had to turn on my unagi ;)

Whack! I got it on my fourth swing.

The kids went crazy! It was so funny to see them going crazy.

And then for lunch another Filipino school came to join us. The Faith kids brought lunches for the other kids and then they were supposed to show the kids around the playground and teach them their favorite games. It was absolutely amazing to see these kids pour their hearts out to this school. Alot of the kids from this other school were living in an orphanage or were squatter kids and so they've lived hard lives. My 9 and 10 year olds were paired up with some kids who were in 2nd grade but were 12 years old! Seriously though, I have never been so proud of kids before. At the end of the day my class felt so good. They went on and on about how much fun they had with the kids and giving them lunch. It was so fun to see their smiling faces.

It reminded me of a little girl long time ago who took a trip to Mexico with her family. She had never felt so proud of the work she was doing even though all she did was pass out tomatoes to the squatter camps. I think that trip planted a seed which eventually led me to overseas missions. There is nothing like a toothless smile on a kid who has just experienced the love of Jesus Christ. I'm so glad I was able to share that with my class this week.

The kids were a little overwhelmed at first. Faith kids are in blue, the other school is in yellow!

A Prayer.

Why do I doubt? You have always answered my prayers and yet I am always taken aback. I've been asking you for months about a place to live and for someone to share that with. God you are so faithful and you have answered both of these prayers. Thank you for reminding me how wonderful and giving you are.

Lord thank you for friends to get together with. Even though I may not have a family here, and when I miss having siblings around I am blessed with friends to share special occasions with. Please continue to send people into my life to encourage and fellowship with. There is no other time when I feel your love more than when I am with others who love you as I do and are worshipping you with their lives. Please bless the families here in the Philippines for the sacrifices they have made to be here, and the people they have touched.

Please continue to make me into a more devoted servant. I am here to serve you, and I want to touch the lives of my students. Please give me the wisdom to pass on to them, and so I may better serve you. Teach me what it is like to be a disciplined devoted servant. Give me discipline. Show me my weaknesses so that I may better serve you.

You are always faithful Lord and I am learning to depend on you with everything that I have and with my future.

"We're depending on God;

He's everything we need.

What's more, our hearts brim with joy

since we're taken for our own His holy name.

Love us, God, with all you've got-

that's what we're depending on (Psalm 33: 20-22)."

In your precious holy name, Amen.

Refreshed.

There are times when you don't realize how tired or warn out you are until you get the chance to rest and you remember what it feels like to be refreshed.

This last week Faith had a break and some friends and I took a quick little get away. It was such a blessing and I have returned so refreshed! I wake up in the morning again and can't wait to get to school. Who would have known how much of a blessing a fourth grader could be. By the end of the break I missed them and couldn't wait to get back into the classroom.

Before break we had parent teacher conferences and I was able to meet with all my students' parents and get to know them a little. It was so great to hear a little about their minitries and all that they are doing. After feeling nervous for them and even getting a rough start, I left conferences feeling encouraged and excited for the rest of the year. I wanted to thank all those who were praying for them, they couldn't have gone better!

The next day some other teachers and I then left for Puerto Galera where we were able to relax and enjoy the white sand beaches, fresh air, nature, and all sorts of activities! What an amazing opportunity! God has been so good to me, and I have learned so much about God, myself and doing ministry in another culture. As many frustrations as I have had here I have grown more in love with this country and the people here.

I have felt blessed this week with friends, conversations, my students, and as I sit here and listen to the thunder outside my classroom I am reminded of the power of our Lord. Growing up in the northwest I have never heard thunder like in the Phils. My God is a God who is more powerful than the typhoons that come and go and more powerful than the circumstances that come in my life. Lord help me become a better servant of yours. Make me a better example to my students. You are higher than any other, and I praise you for your blessings that you bestow upon us.

This is Tamaraw, the resort we stayed at. Loved those lounge chairs...

We went on this great hike. At the top there was this amazing waterfall! Swimming never felt so good.

Parasailing with my friend Kelli. This was so fun, and the views were gorgeous.

We were so excited to go banana boating...and we thought we were so tough.

But banana boating is much harder than you expect. I swallowed more salt water that week than I have ever in my life.

SIKE...

Alright... I think I'm starting to get it... you can NEVER rely on anything in the Phils. Is that why everyone kind of jokes about island culture?

I stayed at school til about 6 30 last night getting ready for parent teacher conferences (and good thing I did). Since I worked extra hard I was able to sleep in a little and feel rested for my 7 parent teacher conferences today. But trying to be the extra prepared teacher I started heading out the door at 7:30 (half hour before my first conference). I decided it would be a good idea to get there set up a little and feel relaxed by the time I get I started. SIKE! It's like the Phils wanted to say, "Just when you think you're safe Meg, you can't get too comfortable here!"

If you've been reading my blog I mentioned we had some car troubles awhile ago and we just got our car back last week! So helpful to have my own wheels. However this morning I get down there turn the key and ..you guessed it, nothing. I laughed! I am getting so used to this I actually laughed out loud! "Are you kidding me!"

I ran over to the guard and asked the guard if he could jump my car, as he thought about and wondered what he could do (it felt like he was really taking his time, I'm sure he enjoyed the gringo going crazy), he then told his buddy to get his jumper cables. The guy took what felt like forever! When he came back he handed me the cables and said, "mam' you need a car." haha oh my goodness. I was like, "well the only car I have is dead, can you help me." I now only have 15 minutes to get to school, and I have texted three people who have not yet replied.

So the guard finally realizes I'm starting to freak out. I don't have my boss' number and I can't seem to get ahold of anyone (my phone wouldn't let me call anyone only texts'? never had that happen to me) So another guard finally comes with his car, and they proceed to jump my car. We sit there for about ten minutes trying to jump them, and then he simply drives away... "Where are you going!?" haha he just left, and then his friend said , "too dead mam'" oook...

So thank you and sorry at the same time to the Clinton family who live in my condominium. I knocked on their door to ask the huge favor that they drive me to school. Obviously they had not been awake for long, and were not prepared to be doing any favors so early in the morning. But they saved my life and lent me their car.

I only got their five minutes late, and luckily since I stayed late the night before I was ready for my seven conferences. Only eight more to go tomorrow... and I've arranged for a ride. Just in case.

Phils, your amazing. I can't believe all that has happened to me in the last three months. More in those three short months than in my last three years in the states. And when I tell this story to my fellow missionaries they grin and shrug simply stating that, "only in the Philippines."

A New Concept

It's funny to discover whats in and whats out in kids' world as well as the things that they don't quite get...yet.

First of all I should say that this conversation that happened wasn't totally off subject. But my kids definitely know how to get me off on a rabbit trail. They're filled with curious questions, and then when you add an American teacher, Filipino and Korean students to the mix we're always asking each other questions.

I was sitting with a small group of students and we were doing a guided reading group (where we read a book together and I ask them questions helping them to search deeper into a text). This week we were talking about connections and reading a book about Cesar Chavez who was a union worker during the 60s. We were talking about how during that time America was prejudiced against people with darker skin and it was so funny to hear the kids asking questions like, "why would they think that people with dark skin are bad?" or "why did they have to use different bathrooms?" This concept was so foreign to these kids and they had obviously never really talked about racism (some of them had never heard of the term).

Then one of my Filipino boys started talking about he was getting darker. I looked at him waiting for a further explanation when he proceeded to tell me about how every morning he scrubs himself with his whitening bar soap but nothing happens. I asked him why he wanted to be whiter and he couldn't answer. Then one of the other students asked, "Miss Cosper I heard that Americans want to be dark, is that true?" Haha I was like, "Why yes they think your guys' skin is beautiful and would love to look more like you!" They all laughed and replied, "well why don't you care about being dark Miss C?"... "How do you know I don't care?" I wondered. "Well your not dark..." I explained to them that it was nearly impossible for me to get any darker than I was now. This was kind of hard for these kids to understand. They have grown up in the sun and have never had to worry about burning.

While living in the Phils I have not had to worry about being tan at all! I am no longer looked down upon for being so pasty white, in fact I find people staring at my white skin! haha I have discovered though that I need to be careful when I'm buying soap because there are so many that are made in order to whiten the skin, and Lord forbif my skin getting any whiter!

A Video I made for Alderwood Student Ministries.. Thought you guys would enjoy it!

Like rain in the desert.

I felt like I needed to update you on my miserable week. I feel like I couldn't just let you keep on thinking my week got worse and worse, in fact just the opposite. When I got home from work on Friday I was blessed to an evening with our makeshift Fall.

In the good ol' Phils we lack the changing in seasons and so for those of us who enjoy the cold crisp air, smell of fallen leaves, pumpkin spice, and the sparkle of jack-o-lanterns we really miss out. So, my creative and giving friend Katy tried to re-create a Fall atmosphere as much as possible (this is very difficult to do in the tropics).

That morning she first made us home made pumpkin spice lattes, which were tasty, but a little "grittier"

than I remember... Then Katy rushed home during lunch to turn on her air con in order to get her small apartment cold enough that we could wear sweaters and feel a "chilli breeze" during dinner. When we got home my room mate and I bundled up and headed down stairs into our "fall season". With the help of five apple spice candles, four fans, air con, spicy chicken chili, and Remember the Titans (a fallish movie about Football) it felt for just a moment that we were enjoying a dinner among friends one fall night. What a wonderful reminder of how great friends are.

Just when I have felt like I was wandering in this desert God has blessed me with rain! I was so refreshed by hanging out with people who have become dear friends in my life. Another praise is the internet at my house is working! After three months of trying to get in touch with the internet provider and however many hours I have spent waiting on the phone they came and fixed it for us! It's something little but was so exciting and encouraging!!

As I was talking to one of the other teachers today I was telling her how I felt bad blogging about my hard times. She reminded me that when we tell others how we are really doing( the good times including the hard times) those back home can more specifically pray for us. After a hard week God has reminded me of how faithful He is and I wanted to say thank you to those who have prayed and continue to pray for me! I am so encouraged today. Even though at times I feel like things are not going the way I want them to, God is Faithful.

Here are a few pictures from our Fall Fest...

This is our clay pumpkin... if you tried to carve a pumpkin in this weather

it would probably rot by the next day.

My cute room mate, Ruth and I all bundled up.

Our wonderful hostess, Katy.

This me enjoying fall! What you can't see in this picture is the two fans pointed right at me. The jacket only lasted about an hour and then I started to sweat. But it was one fun hour!

Under His wings.

I could really use your prayers today. My life has been crazy these last few days. In my last post I told you about my broken air con, and then yesterday I went to go talk to the maintenance guys and they told me it could be out for up to two months! So in result my mentor told them that just won't do and they needed to make new arrangements for me. Soo after school yesterday they moved my whole class down to an abandoned classroom. It has air con, but I can't help but feeling frustrated and sad at the same time. All the work that I have put into my classroom feels as if if it were useless. I know its kind of dramatic, and I probably wont be there for long. But it's just hard not being in the one place I felt like I had a sense of accomplishment.

Being a first year teacher is tough, in fact I'm sure its starting any new job is tough. You're at the bottom of the chain and you feel like you're always having to prove yourself to someone. The other day someone gave me a simple compliment and I was shocked at how much that meant to me. I am usually a pretty confident person, but there are days when I am so insecure in my work and I'm hoping that someone in my class is learning something!

Thanks guys for your prayers today. I remain under His wings, especially today. He is my rock and comforter to Him I will pray. And when those times come when I feel like giving up and flying home I will pray that the Lord would be there, and to remind me that it is a blessing to be here even if I feel like I am inadequate.

Avoidance...

I think I have been avoiding posting on this blog, because I feel like there is nothing in me worth blogging about. I am definitely experiencing culture shock.... though I should feel pretty good, since its taken two months. However I have felt so frustrated today to the point of almost tears. I keep on reminding myself that God has a purpose for everything and I am here for a reason. He has chosen me to be here.

I hate being a downer debbie, but seriously sometimes life is really hard. There are times in a day when I feel like I have things under control, and then the Philippines throws me a curve ball and I have to try and figure that one out.

For the last week my classroom's air con has been out, and this just makes everything harder. By the end of the day I am exhausted and have absolutely no energy left. I feel like I have given my all to these kids and then at the end of the day I am left tired and sweaty. There is no way I want to prepare for the next day especially when there is no relief from the heat and humidity.

I also went to the bank today to pay my rent, like every month, and they had told me I could pay with US checks (since my landlord will only accept dollars and not pesos). When I got there to pay they told me "sorry mam' you can't use that check here" AGH! I had my parents specially send these checks over here to the Phils because the bank told me I could pay with checks! yikes.

Also the car I have been using has broken down... so I can't go anywhere unless someone else drives me. This is extremely frustrating after being independent for quite some time and then being dependent on those around you can be extremely humbling.

Ok well now I'm just venting, but if you could remember me in your prayers. I am so frustrated, hot, and overwhelmed by the amount of school work I need to do. I know that the Lord is good and He will take care of me, but I feel as if I am a fish out of water...

Procrastination

I was running the other day, and while I was running I couldn't help but think, "Why do I allow myself to go so long without exercising?" Here I am exhausted and while I'm trying to get back into shape, I'm doing it in the tropical climate! Why did I let myself skip those early morning runs back home, that I once loved? Now here I am exhausted and can barely catch a breath through the humidity. I feel like every time I take a deep breathe I'm swallowing a wet rain cloud. I come back to my apartment and its looks as if I had just ran an iron man triathlon... when actually I've probably only run 2 miles... shoot this is going to be harder than I thought.

As I was complaining about the amount of sweat that my body seems to produce, or my lack of air I started to think about my holistic health. Many times in my life I have put off studying the scriptures and spending a quiet time with God. I make excuses like, "oh well I'll get around to it sooner or later. I'm too busy right now." In reality this is just going to make it harder to be disciplined in my spiritual walk, and I get better at making excuses and get farther away from a holistic life.

The only way I know how to conquer this plague of laziness is to push my self day by day. Focus on that day and get myself to run. When I'm done I'm rewarded with the satisfaction that I've worked hard and then when I jump into that pool I'm overwhelmed by the refreshing feeling of the cool water. I can't think of a better feeling then when I hear God speaking to me when I go to Him in my quiet time day by day.

When God speaks.

I went to church on Sunday and as a good person I was reading the bulletin, when I cam across a quote that caught my eye. I don't know who wrote it, but it made me think for more than a minute and so I thought it was worth blogging about :)

"We like to determine the path of our lives because we want to be in control. But sometimes God interrupts our lives and takes us on a journey that we find frustrating, challenging, and uncomfortable. He does this in order to direct us away from our self-centered agenda and liberate us to pursue His will and purposes."

I can't help but think God was speaking to me when I read this quote. There are times when I don't understand why I am here. I wanted to come home after college, live with my best friends, I wanted to start working where I would actually get paid, and where I could be spending time with my friends and family, and creating a life back in Seattle. I love my friends there and being able to spend time with my sisters, so why has God called me here? How did I get called here?

Perhaps I am here not only to teach, but to be taught. It can be too easy to fall into a self-centered mind set. I am a selfish, controlling, fallen daughter of God. There are times when I am short with others around me, and I think, "Meg, what the heck? What is your problem?"

As much as I would have loved to have chosen my own path, I know that God is bringing me on this journey for a reason, and I am learning so much as I follow. Each day I pray that I am learning more and more about what it means to pursue a Holy life where I am focused on one thing, and that one thing is not "Meg".

Made it 30 days...

Fourth grade is such a great year, and I love my kids. I am so blessed with such a great group of kids! They have such tender hearts and are always excited about learning.

I had my class make themselves and with them we were going to make a poster of our class. I showed them how big my model was and then told them to scale it from there.... it was quite humerous to see how tall vs how short some of the kids made themselves.

The giant kid in the red soccer jersey....yea one of the shortest kids in our class. And all the girls made themselves the shortest/smallest and their definitely the tallest in my class.... Puberty hasn't quite hit in fourth grade.

On our 30th day at Faith, the staff held a sort of "celebration" dinner celebrating that we've made it 30 days. And although it may not seem like something huge to celebrate, it was a great reminder that God has brought me so far, and only 9 more months til I get to visit the states again!

This is my new room mate Ruth. She's so cute, and has just jumped right on in into the elementary staff! we love her, and I'm excited to have a room mate other than the
occasional cockroach.

Sharon is always excited when there isn't any dairy in the food... haha

Some really great teachers here at Faith. Ruth is helping out in any way possible, while Leo is teaching 5th grade.

I told them I haven't taken any pictures of myself yet, and that I needed proof that it was actually me behind the camera...

I told them to remind me that I need to be photographed as well as photographing... Never thought I would need to be reminded that...

Friends.

For those of you who have been asking I have made friends...

These are two lovely ladies that I met in New York while attending my pre-field orientation.

Sharon (on the left) is the first grade teacher, and Kelli (on the right) is a middle school/high school teacher.
Sharon is quite the crack up. She takes pride in treating her first graders like adults, it's really very funny. She and I have done alot of "adventuring out" into the city together, she helps keep me sane. haha

This is Kelli. She is such a great girl, and is an excellent english teacher. We've been working our way through her Jane Austen movies as of recently. Just finished Persuasion and at the end of it I was so happy I cried (Kelli found this hilarious, but I couldn't help it SO HAPPY).

And if it weren't for these foods here I would probably be dead. For the first two weeks I didn't want to cook at all and so I lived off of banana bread, chips and salsa, and starbucks. I am happy to report that I am both eating healthier and cooking again!

Always looking for a quickand easy recipe!

God Will Take Care of You

Before I left just a few weeks ago my parents reminded me of a hymn that they used to sing to my sisters and I as kids, called God Will Take Care of You by William and Civilla Martin in 1905. The song lyrics go like this:

Be not dismayed what'er betide

God will take care of you

Beneath His wings of love abide

God will take care of you

God will take care of you

Through every day

O'er all the way

He will take care of you

God will take care of you

Through days of toil when heart doth fail

God will take care of you

When dangers fierce your path assail

God will take care of you

All you may need He will provide

God will take care of you

Nothing you ask will be denied

God will take care of you

No matter what may be the test

God will take care of you

Lean weary one upon His breast

God will take care of you

When singing this hymn I am reminded of the truth that is found in this song, and a truth that has been forever true and will continue to be true no matter how long ago it was written. I may feel inadequate and struggle to keep up with the world around me, but I know that the Lord will take care of me. I have felt so overwhelmed today. But then I think back on this song, and when my parents first gave it to me a few weeks ago. I felt so anxious, scared, and nervous for the changes that lied ahead, and now when I look at where I've come since then I can see that God truly does take care of us.

The idea of going to the Philippines was doubted on numerous occasions but God kept providing for me, and telling me in His ways that this is where I was supposed to be.

Everyday I remind myself that God will take care of me. I should not be dismayed over whatever the stress of the day is, or in days where I feel that I have failed, because God will take care of me.

Learning is fun?

This week the fourth grade is learning about longitude and latitude and in order for them to better understand this we're playing a giant game of battleship against the other fourth grade class. This is the board before we started. It took alot of time to get all those squares straight.

The kids were really excited about this, they were a little too energetic. I quickly gave all of them jobs, something they were "in charge" of.

These were the "guards" they were receiving the messages and relaying them back to the class. They were hilarious.

These were the masterminds. They were deciding what coordinates to send our missles to. They were so into their job, and they did an excellent job.

And then we had a committee that was in charge of keeping track of where the other team had shot at us. There are some repeat kids in some of the pictures, haha you can tell which ones were so excited they didn't know where they should go.

Learning alot this week. The first days of school came and went so fast and then the routine started up and the real teaching began and I became so anxious about what I was doing, and wondering if I was really ready to be teaching these kids. I keep praying that the Lord would just give me the words He wants me to say and that the rest would just go right over their heads.

He has been faithful in sending me scripture that is comforting. The other day when I was feeling anxious I opened my Bible to Proverbs 16 and stumbled across this verse, "Commit to the Lord everything you do. Then your plans will succeed. The Lord works everything out for His own purposes."

Everyday I live I give to the Lord, and pray that His will be done through me. I am His servant and I want to glorify Him, and even when I don't believe I'm worthy or prepared He is so faithful in comforting me and encouraging me through His word.

First Days of School...

This is the class. They are a great bunch of kids. I have a feeling I'll be learning alot of Korean this year. 11 out of my 17 are from Korea, and have already been teaching me how to say hello, good bye and thank you.

This is the oh so annoying "Amazon Reading Forest". I thought I was being really clever in choosing this name, since the fourth grade studies South America, but because of all the humidity those vines fall someway or another every night! I can't staple and I'm using so much tape! I may have to just think of something else...


The main part of the classroom. the front is kind of bare right now, but we'll be filling it through out the year with words that we're learning!

The other side.

Thanks for taking a look at my classroom. I warned my class that I would be bugging them with pictures for the rest of the year :)

I'm now a proffesional teacher, weird.

Rainy Season in Manila

Last time I came to the Philippines it was hot season, but at least is was dry. Now that I've moved to the Phils it's rainy season and when it rains it pours. Washington rain is nothing compared to the rains of the tropics. I've tried over and over to run through the rain to my car as fast as I can in effort to get as little wet as I can. But every time I get in my car I find myself soaking wet, I've never realized how embarrassing it is to walk into a restaurant or store with water dripping down your nose and hair looking like a wet dog. I don't know how many times I have to do this before I learn IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! No matter how close I park or how fast I unlock my car, I'm always going to get wet, and that's only from the water that comes from the sky, not to mention the rivers that come from out of no where on the streets.

There is a drainage problem in the Phils and so whenever it rains, it takes three times longer for it to drain as it does for it to actually build up. Puddles on the street becomes lakes, and on every curb there is a river running down along the sidewalk.

This makes driving very interesting as well. Some friends and I were driving back from a movie, when it started to pour and within minutes the lakes appeared. My friend Katy was driving and doing her best at maneuvering around the Manila traffic as well as avoiding splashing people with the puddles. But really there is only so much you can do, and when we drove past this motorcyclist it just so happened that we were next to a huge puddle, creating a splash so big it literally went over the motorcyclists head. My friend Katy quietly responded to us in the dry car, "oops, sorry." haha I was originally thinking about getting a bike here, but that made me reconsider.

I love hearing from you guys! Every time I check my Facebook or gmail it makes my day to see that someone has sent me a message! Love you guys!

My new home.

This is the view from my bedroom. Manila is a beautiful city, but the smog is very thick. I'm constantly amazed at the drastic difference between the urban poor and wealthy. A high class hotel or condominium may share a wall with the slums.




You can also see Faith Academy from my room. Is just across the hill. The big white building behind the palm tree is the middle school and new theater, the high school and elementary is behind that. May we be a light on the hill.

My condo has a pool and tennis court accessible to all the renters. This is my view of the pool from my balcony... suffering for the Lord. haha

Everwhere I go I see these beautiful butterflies. Another reminder of how magnificant our God is. The creativity and care put into each butterfly is amazing and reminds me of how wonderful my God is.