Thursday, September 20, 2012

A dose of life...

          In the moment, where I step out completely on faith in something I've always dreamed about but never thought would come true, God provided. The moment where everything is working out and I am provided so many opportunities to do work of the Lord, God planned it to happen that way. The moment when I look back on everything I have overcome and realized that I am so very blessed in many ways, God was always there! The moment when reality hits and I am amazed and can't thank Him enough for everything he has done and is doing to this day, God always provided everything I've ever needed! The moment when I truly realize that not everyone has the opportunity or the nerves to go across the world and teach children the love of Jesus, God opened that door just for me.
 
There have been so many moments for me in the past week. A week ago, the staff at Hinkson went on a Staff Retreat and had 4 sessions all about, "Cultivating a healthy rhythm of life." Every session was filled with so much information and very good points about how to balance: life, work, home, relationships, and health. The whole weekend was filled with so much love, joy, and laughter together! We were able to form bonds with each other and really dive into things as a team! On this trip out of the city, we also worshipped together, played games or sports, swam, experienced Banya (Sauna), explored outside, and ate delicious Russian food, buffet style! :)
 
My children bless me each and every day! From the time they walk into the room until I dismiss them to go home! We had a PIE night (Partners in education) this past Tuesday, its kind of like the Open House in the schools back home. I had 2 parents come to my classroom and it was so nice to hear the feedback from the parents. It was very encouraging to hear the parents tell me how excited the children are each morning to get up and go see Miss Macomber. It was even more encouraging to hear the parents get excited about all the things that their child will be doing and learning this year in Kindergarten. I work with the most wonderful group of students and I honestly could not be more blessed to have such supportive and willing parents. I have one student who comes in every morning and has to hug me and tell me she loves me! I am so touched each day with the little things that these children have to give to me. Even on the hardest of days, I see these little faces and I am reminded of why I am here! There is nothing greater in my life right now than being a part of these students lives!
 
I do have a wonderful inspiring story for you all. You may not fully understand how moving and emotional the outcome of this story is but try to put yourself in my shoes. My one Russian child, whom started out with NO english what so ever, comes to class every morning so eager to learn. Usually when you talk to Polina and ask her a question she stares at your with this blank look and then repeats what you asked. The other day, My Boss Karen walked into my classroom and asked Polina, "how are you?" Now, we are all expecting her to say, "how are you" and instead, we seen the look on her face and you could tell she was processing what was just said to her and Polina spits out, (very slowly)  "I am fine!" WOW!!! The whole class smiled and clapped for Polina. She is really starting to understand and know how to use what little english she has comprehended.  
 
I also want to share with you that while I am here in Russia that I have such a great opportunity to explore and see the world in so many different ways. For Christmas break this year I will not be coming home for it is too much money but rather I get the chance to go to Italy and see The Bruce’s! How exciting?! I am thrilled beyond belief to have the opportunity to see them but also explore Italy, who would have thought that would ever happen! Not me!! Also, in the spring I have the opportunity to go to a Christian Education Conference in Germany for a whole week (during Spring break) and I really want to do that, the whole conference and hotel expenses will be paid for the only thing I would need to do is purchase my plane ticket, which isn’t bad from Moscow. There are a couple of reasons why I want to do this trip, 1-for the experience of a Christian education conference, 2-we get credentials for attending things like this, and 3-it is in the same town of which I applied for a teaching position last year and may actually attend at some point along my journey. (So I could actually go the Black Forest Academy and see it firsthand.) There are so many different kinds of retreats and trips that Hinkson goes on every year and I have the opportunity to go with as long as I can pull my end of the bargain. My goal is to experience as much as I possibly can while I am overseas because it is so much easier to do things when you are already overseas rather than trying to do it all from the states! How awesome that God has so opened so many windows in my life. I have definitely learned to trust Him more and to really leap out on faith completely to do most of these things of which I am doing. We all know that I certainly could not do these things on my own! That is for sure!!!
Something that I am really thinking about is getting my masters degree in Children’s Ministry but I am not 100% sure. If and when I do decide to start my masters it will most likely be online just because I don’t know where I will end up in the future and it would be easier for me and my schedule since I do work and have so many other obligations day to day!! Please keep this in your prayers, I would greatly appreciate it.
The weather around here is bizarre and I am not sure that I am totally ready for it either. I was able to wear short sleeves and shorts the first week I was here. After that it has been pants and a light sweater. Last week I had to pull out a heavier jacket, leggings under my pants, tennis shoes, and was still cold. We are definitely headed into some serious fall weather. Winter is going to be a totally different winter for me this year! I know I will be ready for some Italy weather when Christmas comes around. Just about every day I am reminded of Florida weather because just about every day it rains at some point. Russia is very gloomy (most of the time) its actually kind of depressing. But hey, if that’s all I have to face then I am ok with that! Not every where we go can be sunshine and rainbows as much as I wish it could!
Life in Moscow has been super busy, a little overwhelming, but so very wonderful! This is just a dose of what my life has been like lately. I hope you have enjoyed keeping up with all of the excitement that goes on on the other side of the world!!
 

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Embracing Gods Faithfulness

     Fall has definitely made its appearance here in Moscow. The weather has gotten much more chilly, wet, and windy! The sun doesn't stay out very long and that is if it even decides to enlighten us with its sunshine. Quite a bit has happened since my last entry so I will try my best to wrap it all up as much as I can.
   My class is doing a wonderful job so far this year. We played games to get to know each other, we have had a lot of class discussions, we have done a lot of art projects, learning centers, and a lot of work! All of my students play very well together and they include everyone in. My one Russian speaking child is still very quiet but she is grasping the English language already. It brings a smile to my face when she says something new on her own, each day! One day I was sitting at my desk after school and little Polina ran into my room and stopped in her tracks, starred at me, and pointed to her shoes and said-"My shoes go in the box, yes?" I just smiled and said, "Yes Polina." What she was informing me about was, here in Russia we have 'inside shoes' and 'outside shoes'. She was still in her inside shoes and needed to put them away in her 'box' in order to go home. I was a very proud teacher. Since then she has picked up on her colors and letters A-D, along with a few other phrases. We are definitely getting there together! Each student brings something new into our class everyday and we learn from each other every time.
    We had our very first field trip to, Kolomenskoye Park this past Friday. The Kindergarten and first grade class went together. We had 5 parents between the two classes as well as both of the teachers. This park was HUGE, consisted of very old churches and buildings, a lot of history, an apple orchard, gardens, and much more! We walked around the park for a number of hours, checking out all of the cool things there was to see there. We also took the children to the apple orchard and picked apples! That was so much fun and my first time! :) After our field trip we made it back to the school in time for dismissal. After our school day on this particular Friday we held a 5K as well as a family picnic. So many had signed up for the 5K and then after that we had an all school picnic. All the families came and we enjoyed the fellowship with one another as well as all the yummy food each family brought. It was one the most amazing pot lucks I have ever had!
    Also a very exciting thing has happened for me. My roommate Natalie and I, moved into our new apartment. A place that we can officially call home! The whole story behind this is definitely a truly blessing from God. So if you get the chance sometime, ask me about it. We met with the landlord on Wednesday to get our keys and make the exchange. On Thursday, the wonderful Hutchinson's, and the Hange's helped up move all of our things in and get somewhat situated! I was so thankful to have them help us make this happen. Well we are in and have been unpacking and getting everything in our apartment to feel more like home. And on the mega plus side, I only have to walk 12 minutes to get to work!! Praise the Lord!
   God is truly working in my life each and every day that I am here in Moscow. I was beginning to have a hard time with being so far away from everyone back home, the time difference was really starting to settle in, and I was really starting to feel lonely. Now, not saying that I ever hated this place, or that I wont have any of these feelings over the next 9.5 months, but I am adjusting much better now that I have my own place. I am able to be free and feel so much more comfortable where I am. I still miss everyone back home tremendously and wish there wasn't 8 time zones between us, but I know God is in control and He has shown me that He will provide all of my needs. I am so thankful for this opportunity I have sitting at my feet and I am going to embrace it with everything I have!