Endings and Beginnings

December came and went it seems before I even had time to blink. As we went from a pretty steady pace in the classroom, there was much to be completed. The semester was coming to a close but there was still plenty to be done.  Birthdays, Christmas celebrations, music programs, finishing units in subjects, grades getting finished, and good-byes that needed to be made, made December fly by. 

Even through all the chaos of getting things done, on time, we never lost sight of the True Meaning of Christmas. My students were delighted in decorating for Christmas, exchanging gifts, and all the events that happen around Christmas time, but their favorite part of it all was reading thru the story of Jesus's birth and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Seeing the joy in my kids reminded me to not think about all the chaos happening around me but to celebrate with Joy that little baby that came to Earth that very night! Praise God! 

While we finished off December being on Christmas Break, we ended it well! My roommates and I had a well balanced 3 weeks off. We rested enough but made sure we got out of our apt enough to breathe in some fresh air. I am so thankful to have 2 great roommates this year who love games, down time, but also time to explore our surroundings. We have so much fun together but also can sit and engage into each others personal lives on a level I am grateful for. Christmas Day was special for the 3 of us because we enjoyed it together. We made a big breakfast, opened gifts, read the Christmas Story, watched a movie and went out to eat for dinner. Moving into the New Year was just as good! 

New Years is a celebration here that I absolutely love. New Years in Russia is celebrated the same as America with Fireworks and such but also very different than our usual in America. New Years to Russians is very much the equivalent to the American traditions at Christmas time, decorating, parties, gifts, etc. My roommates and I spent the night just the three of us at a friends apt. The view from her apt was so great we were able to watch approx 18 different firework shows all at the same time! What a loud, beautiful sight to see. We played games until wee hours in the morning until we managed to fall asleep. Bringing in the New Year is always a dear place in my heart because of the memories bringing in the New Year with my church family back home. Being able to bring in the New Year here, in Russia, has a new meaning and memory for me now, and I am happy to spend it with new amazing friends. с новым годом!! (Happy New Year) 

Christmas Break was over quickly and boy was I so antsy and thankful to be getting back to work. I need routine and people in my life more than I realized. While Christmas break was amazing and I have great roommates and friends to spend time with here, I needed something a little more to keep me on track and focused. I felt like Nemo from "Finding Nemo" on the first day of school. I was bouncing around, super happy (which is not me first thing in the morning) and out the door early. The first week of school is down and I still feel just as excited to be at school as I was on Monday but I am a tired teacher. Pouring out so much energy into planning, activity prep, classroom organization, and the actual teaching part is such a joy but I am reminded daily that I need to take time to focus on God and give myself a break and rest. My goal for this year is to continue to focus on finding rest in God. Without rest for myself or resting to seek Him, I cannot live out my calling of which He has called me to do and that is to serve these students, serve this community. 

Praises: 

• Some of my health issues have been fixed 
• Restful break and return to school 
• support and prayers (Thank you, without you I couldn't be here) 

Prayers: 

• Continued support for this upcoming school year 
• Mended relationships 
• The students, families, and staff at Hinkson Christian Academy