Wow. It's been a year since I've wrote to you all! haha ....
but a lot of wow has definitely happened since I have last blogged. Most of what I last shared was about our Chiapas trip which was definitely a life changing trip none the less but so much has happened since then and now. We had our Christmas Play at school where I had to come up with the choreography for our dance to "We Follow Our Shepherd", a spoof off of the lovely Sister Act song "We will follow Him". It was quite the production me dressed as a shepherd and all my students as sheep. Ba Ba Beautiful. :) It was just a great time with our whole Elementary. And good to get it done too hehe. So many other wonderful things happened within those months too but most of my current joy is overflowing my cup because of some things that have been happening recently. I am a teacher, but a teacher is so much more than a teacher. Being a teacher is being a shrink and a parent and a doctor. I've been the peacemaker when Cheetos went missing, when friendships were on the verge of breaking because of words that didn't mean to be said. I've been a nuturing hug when none is to be found. I've taught the "nose-pinching Kleenex" technique to unexpected nose-bleeders. But for me teaching is even more than these beautiful images of love. Teaching is living your life for others as if it was a written letter made especially for them. This is why I teach, to be a letter to young confused hearts that proclaims the promises of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To show them true love because I have been shown Love.
so last week my class watched the movie "Letters to God". I don't know if you've seen it or not but its a movie about a boy that has cancer and he writes letters to God and the mail carrier finds them and his life and others are changed because of it. Well anyways we finished the movie on Monday and then during my tutoring on Tuesday I was running out of ideas to do with Idania and Abraham and so I had them write down the verse of the week and then it was my intent for them to write letters to a family member or friend to give it too... then Idania asked me .."Can I write a letter to God?" I smiled, "yes." I collected them just before they left but didn't read it until after they were gone. This is what her letter read:
"Dear Lord,
I know you are good and you are stronge pleace when I die I whant to go to heaven and my family and god I whan too that all thant believe in you go to heaven too.
Love,
Idania"
Blown away by her words I made it my goal to talk with her the next day to see if she understood what that meant. After school Wednesday I was logging in grades and she came back in the classroom forgetting something as usually :)
and I asked her if we could talk. Once we started talking about the letter she closed the door :) .. I asked her if she knew what it meant to accept Jesus in her heart. She said she didn't understand the word accept. So I explained His Word says if you say it with your lips and believe it in your heart that Jesus is Lord then you will not die but have eternal life. She said, "I don't think He'll accept my letter". I said, "That is not true. He definitely will accept this." and I asked if she wanted to pray. She prayed and out loud asked Jesus in. Then she said "I'm not a good prayer", I said "you are a great prayer" then I prayed and we hugged, the wet cheek of her face rubbing off mine as she left.
We are a Letter.
Later that week I spoke with my coordinator and told her the story. Then Friday I got a chance to talk with Idania's mother. She is a custodian at Lincoln. In the morning Friday I stopped her and we had a beautiful conversation. She told me about how Idania is "una nina muy sensitiva". And I agreed with that. She told me that she had been praying before, but that when she came home after school on that Tuesday she fell to her knees in prayer.
What beauty has God revealed to me, someone so undeserving of such love and grace to witness firsthand the surrender of a young heart.
This past week, actually yesterday, we had Bible class and we decided to have worship session instead of a lesson because the kids love to sing. About halfway through it though there were some criers and Sheila had to talk to them outside. Idania noticed that one of the girls, Libni was upset so she went to comfort her. Idania came back in the room with her heart just breaking for Libni, tears streaming down her face. Libni's mom has cancer. I found out that after school. And sat at my computer amazed at the compassion already building in Idania.
We truly are a letter. Whether you are 8 years old or 80 years old. Your life is a letter and people are reading it every day. What does your letter say?
so thats one biggy. the next.... If you haven't already found out through Facebook lol, I have been accepted into Asbury Seminary in Kentucky where I will start to pursue my Masters of Arts in Youth Ministry. :) I will start online classes in Februrary. ah! lol and also as of now, I will stay in Mexico for one more year. I sort of had a little revelation with the fact that my housing situation will almost definitely change. I wanted to go deeper and I'm positive that this is God showing me how. We won't have the house that I'm staying in now anymore. which leads me with a few options live with a host family or apartment with another teacher. I think I'm supposed to live with a family. See this city from the eyes of those who have lived here for their lives and connect deeper with others living here because of it. This is my deeper. I can feel it.
What you can pray for:
-- I found out today that I will have a new student on Monday! Her name is Emily and she is from Utah. hehe. prayers that my class and I will welcome her with open arms and hearts.
--Prayers for my seminary finances and classes when they start, that I will not become too overwhelmed or stressed but manage my time with guidance from the Lord and His peace surpassing my anxious thoughts.
--Prayers for this future housing opportunity. That I find the host family where God would have me be.
So much happening. God is just so beyond me and always so faithful.
I hope He is proving the same to you and yours.
my love, prayers, and thanks always,
Chels