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!!
