Confessions of losing....

I lose things constantly---mostly because I forget them places. I try to solve the problems of right now....and if it takes too much time to solve--I forget-at least for a moment.
I've been really forgetful as of lately...forgetting the time, the date, appointments, graduations, phonecalls-but it hasn't been because I wanted to... In the last few weeks, I've lost a student, already changed schedules once or twice, lost an awesome apartment, gained an apartment with a ton of character (thanks to past tenants-Casey and Daniel), and the list goes on.... But from the losses-I've gained many really cools things/relationships/etc. I'm getting ready to lose another student who is going back to his home country. This will leave me with 2-with one rumored on the way. Somewhere along the way of tirelessly working to start the year, move myself, and get up before the sun---I lost my diligence for my Quiet Time. It is shaming and yet freeing to say this to you-those of you who keep up with me. I'm really struggling to swallow a schedule and keep it down. It was so simple for me to wake up at 4:30-5:00am before-while now, I struggle to be out of bed by 5:45. Please pray that I can be more diligent in rest and in waking up in the morning-because the fatigue is just not going away.
I also ask that you pray specifically for the drug rehab center that I mentioned to all the churches. There are some things going on that could potentially change a lot. Most of these things will happen within the next two weeks. I know God is in control of these changes and these things, but please pray for the people involved and please pray specifically for "Mark" as he confronts rumors and a serious topic surrounding this situation.
Also, continue to pray for our Administration-our curriculum coordinator is pregnant with her third child (she is the prinicipal's wife) with a 5 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old-I think this one was a surprise! Praise the Lord that we have almost a full staff coming-so hopefully this will give her some relief.
Our new staff started arriving late last week and will continue to arrive until the 9th of September. :) I'm getting really excited about them and I thank God for the things that He continues to teach me and really humble me through His creatures, His creations.
Smash was awesome last week-the kids were so in tune with each other-it was completely amazing how they just blobbed themselves together-no matter how they were seperated last year. We were all equally surprised and yet so very proud of their more than adult behavior. They are an amazing! I'm praying for my discipleship group-even though I don't know what that looks like exactly yet......

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to lose-lose it all for the sake of knowing You more. Please help me to lose more of myself so that I can become more like you. Thank you for my Saudi Arabian and I pray that as he travels that he takes Your sweet Words with him and cherishes them in his Muslim community. I pray that as You hang on to him-that He will one day stand strong for you. I also pray for my little Kuwaiti family and their precious mom-who is suffering from homesickness. I pray for all of us who will teach these children in the future and show them Christ's love. Thank you for such amazing opportunities. Lord, please help Mark and this situation....I know You will get the ultimate glory-even as it is hard for me to see this... Please help me to get rest and be diligent in my study of Your Word and with You.

confessions of first class.....

Well, my time at home was SWWEEETTT! Thanks to everyone who made it amazing-every day was like the funnest Saturday of my life! Three whole weeks of that and now-back to work!

Well, almost back to work. I'm currently sitting in the Rio airport waiting for the second Brasilia flight of the day. This return flight was a little crazy! First-I went to the aiport on Sunday and this sweet man grabbed my bags and realized that they were overweight. I began to explain that I am used to this and explained why....amazingly-the weight was ignored as he checked me in and cleared my bags....Then-I got delayed....for two days! I couldn't believe it! I had BW3's again, BD's, and got to work on my tan (before I go back to winter in Brazil!). Just a little amazing :) In the middle of that-my Mom gets a job (YAY! Answered prayers) and Mare takes me to the aiport for the second time :) Two things happen when we arrive: 1. Again, the weight of my suitcases are ignored(AMEN!) 2. dirty dark clouds start floating in. They make the first boarding announcement to which I say, "I'm not getting on any plane in this weather." I mean really, the last time we had bad weather in Kentucky---wasn't there a tornado? So-we don't board and sure enough-it storms and storms and storms. I make it to ATL in plenty of time-I grab some dinner, buy a phone charger (I left mine at home-amazing that the little place sold my type), and out of boredom sat down to figure out where my seat would be. I began to hear announcements that the flight is delayed because the "entertainment equipment" was not working. As I made my final phone calls and kept one ear open---I realized that my boarding pass said, "Breezeway". I almost started laughing and I knew it had to be a mistake. I checked in and no one said anything. So-there I went. I began to get this special treatment immediately from the stewardess before I walked on the plane. "Let me do this for you," "Oh, that bag is too heavy," "NO! You don't want to put your bag under the plane.' "I will get you a bag and we will make it fit." I was immediately offered three types of drinks in glasses and of course a bottle of water. I chose water and orange juice. The awkward moments began immediately....I spilled the orange juice (haha!) and thought I broke the glass (this is why I am an economy passenger). I was handed this menu with a lot of food that I'd seen before......and I was on the phone-so I just kept talking. I got off the phone and another stewardess said, "Glad you're off the phone, what would you like to eat?" I almost laughed....I passed on the asparagus soup and chose the mahi-mahi (I eat chicken every day?). The stewardess came out, laid a white napkin on my tray, silverware, and salt and pepper shakers (honestly-I was waiting for the vase of flowers..) They bring the salad and a couple other things...so out of the corner of my eye-I start watching all the other people eat these weird concoctions...and well, I start eating them too. It was actually good. I mean-really good! Then, they brought out the Mahi-Mahi with some more concoctions and a lemon. It was really good. I am forever spoiled by what I NOW know goes on in First Class! But that isn't all. She cleared my plate for the second time and asked if I wanted some ice cream. Sure-I always want ice cream to which she begins naming off all these toppings.....I am a little overwhelmed at this point. I eat the ice cream and go to sleep. I sleep until about 5am and then from about 5:30-8. Breakfast was SOOO pretty! It was good to be able to sleep, but I felt completely awkward the whole time. It was so different to have someone be at your service for 9 1/2 hours. Then, I began to think about partiality. How do we treat people? I was clearly reminded of that on this trip and then this morning in Ecc 11. as I read about "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, or whether both alike will be good. We should be treating all people the same-pouring out the gospel to them no matter what their lives look like...just like my student last year-he seemed impossible.....I prayed for his behavior all year...and in the end...He ended up being amazing....and had an understanding of God. I'm praying that I'll treat everyone the same-that I will pour into everyone without even a hint of partiality.
Talking about school....our school needs more students. Please pray for this provision for us-we are experiencing a year of embassy change. We know that God

already knows what is going to happen! I now have 2 students in my class-one of my students' families just got orders to go back to Saudi Arabia (2 weeks to get their stuff in line and be out of the country) and the other student dropped out because his Mom is concerned that he is too young! I'm praying for whatever God has for me-whether it be 2 or 20. Praying for families transitioning out of Brasilia and praying for the new ones that come in-that we will have a chance to impact their lives through God working in our lives.
Praise-we have a FULL staff with approved visas :) They will start to trickle in over the next three weeks!!! Pray for the Taylors-the adoption has to be finalized before the Brasilian government will recognize and grant them visas for their little boys :)

PS-pictures above are of our new playground and then of Martin and I. He is soo funny...He was looking right up until she snapped the picture :)

confessions of sweetness....

I didn't realize that coming home could be so sweet. Christmas was so insane-I don't remember half of it and it seemed as if I did no one justice-as far as spending time with them. This time seems a little more slowly and I praise the Lord that I'm actually able to spend quality time with the people that I love so much.

Coming home means: sweet tea, tap water with lemon, fighting with my grown brothers, getting new pants (something i can't do in brazil), enjoying the ministry opportunities developing all around me, Mare, CrossPoint Baptist(ooohh how SWEET this has been and their diligence sooo encouraging!!), books, sweddish fish, peanut butter,

and the loathed question: "So, are you going to stay there?" I don't know. I can see myself fitting in either situation-doing ministry, loving others, continuing my education, seeking God.......there is a sutle tie for both places and I'm searching for the pros and cons of each. But then again, that is not the right attitude to have-but then again, I'm not really sure what attitude to have. The last time I asked God to clearly reveal something......He definitely gave me a clear answer.....months ahead of time. So-here I am. Pray for that.

confessions of the county fair (in Brasil...i think that is Festa Junina) and pancakes...

The "County Fair" is almost over and I thought I should write before too many things escape me-for I hope to write my next entry from the states. I learned many interesting things over the last few weeks. Ive learned how to control a classroom of 3-6 year olds and Ive watched 2 or 3 of them respond to Jesus. We learned how to pray, when to pray, and why we pray. They informed me that God has the internet and he is real big.
While I taught the fruit of the spirit-peace, patience, kindness, joy, and love, I was also learning these from my students. Particularly one that tested me both weeks. His parents put only that they wanted him to learn Biblical Principles.....and I understand why. His idea of telling someone nicely that he didnt like what they were saying is... ^Shut up^ in his "nice" voice. I really had to be intentional about everything that I did with this child. It just didnt come naturally. Again and again I would call his name, count to three, and wait for his response. He even told me that my face scared him (?-but he would sit in my lap, hang on me, persistantly be the one to hold my hand, etc) but then also told me several times that his dad scares him. And then told me that I wasnt scary and neither was his dad. The whole time I was wondering......is there some kind of psychology to this? or maybe I just needed to pray more? Eventually, he began to open up and I realized that he usually gets what he wants if he talks long enough about it. I didnt give in and that was different for him. Responding to his need for love was difficult because I didnt feel it was right to give in to his every demand. I had to show him in other ways that I loved him-like ignoring his cycle of ramblings about his snack, his dad, and other things. Yeah-it sounds mean-but after about 10-30 minutes of this-he began talking sense again, he did his work, and he communicated with the other kids. I am proud of him, his accomplishments, and the things he will take away from this summer camp. He knows about the Bible (Gods Book-he calls it), he knows how to pray, and why we pray. Truly a labor of love.......and it was worth every minute.

Pancakes may have to wait until I get back to the states. I shared a pancake dinner with two of my Brasilian friends on Tuesday. My dear sister Gabi and then our friend. It is amazing how someone can be so close to the truth and yet so very far at the same time. I see in him a genuine love for people that sees past any outward appearance and looks for the best in them. I am deeply saddened by his belief system and the way he feels about God. Sometimes it feels so unfair. More on this later.

Dear God. Thank you for giving me so many opportunities to show You in my life. I pray that I will recognize them and live them out every minute. I pray for these two sweet people that Ive grown to love so much. I pray that they will one day recognize You and love You. Please help them with any confusion in their minds. Thank you for showing me things through them. Amen.

confessions of the first week...

A sweet video of the 1st and 2nd grade doing one of our songs :)

Its Wednesday?! Already?! The days are not long enough seemingly to impact all of these students. I have 6 little guys (yes, guys) ranging from ages 3 to 6. Keeping up with them is fun and challenging. 4 of the 6 are from another school, 1 is from a brasilian school, and the other one went to BIS last year. It is different to see the impact that our school has on students. Our students seem to be more humble, compassionate, and treat others more like family. This transition doesnt happen immediately upon entering BIS, but the effects are noticeable after about a year. Our students have their moments of pettiness and being children, but it is quite different. I truly see the impact that God has in our school. He touches their lives and has chosen to impact this community with BIS. Our school isnt perfect-we may not have everything that other schools have, or all the latest equipment, and were still undergoing renovations---when it boils down to it....God is enough. He is using BIS to create these amazing citizens that are academically, spiritually, and socially successful. :) I miss my little guys SOOO very much and I cant wait to see what God holds for me next year. The new program is getting under way but we still arent sure of enrollment. Brasillians tend to wait until the last minute, so my what exactly I will be doing next year....will be in the air until the day school starts. I expect a lot of last minute transitions, extra jobs, and nothing will be as it should. But then, Ill realize that everything is as it should be. I know it will be hard, but God is so good in the hard things and has passed His amazing peace through me in so many of these situations. I just have to be a the vessel. I praise Him for I am fearfully and wonderfully made....made to do whatever He commands next year. :) I love you all. I will see most of you in about 9 days :)

Oh, heres a picture of Tito (Titus) and his amazing creations. He is studying to be a paleontologist!

confessions....of.....winter....or...wait...its summer...

sooooo...Summer Camp(VBS with an academic emphasis) starts next week!! My classroom is transformed into a sheep pen! The Lovable Lambs-complete with a tree, a sun, and a horse !

I have two students......both ESL.....and well...one of them will soon be ESL.....
he speaks only Portuguese as of yet.... Im guessing this is a little insight to how next year is going to work! Im excited to see what will happen and what God is going to do.
The short term missionaries are amazing-Im loving getting to know each of them! Gods truly blessed us with some great people willing to serve Him in whatever that looks like here!

Guess what?! Ill be home in exactly 14 days :) I cant wait to se all of you!!!

confessions of my first brasilian birthday party!

Look how precious?! I know my ramblings were just that-ramblings-in the last e-mail. I really love this sweet picture of them...they are not at all organized or posed just right....but they are themselves. And I love it.

You might wonder what I've been doing for the last several days. In between the sad goodbyes of departing staff, cleaning and organizing the mess in my classroom-God's been doings some amazing things......where to start.....

1. well, I'm coming home early-July 11th-I'll arrive! I also got a refund of 900 dollars in the mix of all that-which is pretty spectacular considering that the website says NO REFUNDS. Cheap O Air---for all your traveling needs! So-what was once a not so good, kind of bad situation....actually worked out in SOOO many ways.

2. Nicolàs passed his exams with FLYING COLORS!! It is to my understanding that he impressed the instructor and exceeded their expectations. Amen and Amen.

3. God really mended some relationships in my life over the last few weeks. He showed me how obedience is soooo important. I've been trying to make up for lost time with several new friends....before they permanently depart for the next venture in life.

4. I'm still computerless....and I'm reading books like crazy! Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.......Im simply speechless about this one...

5. I'm 27! or 17! or 72! WHatever! I was surprised by a group of my closest Brasilian friends along with several of the teachers from BIS. :) Last night was a huge highlight-almost like a dream. I loved seeing them and getting to talk and hang out with them. They worked so hard to make everything come together....and I was totally and completely surprised. There is a place in my heart that grows every day for these people and their amazing love for me.

6. I found out my job for next year. I will be working with one of my best friends (Raquel) in the preschool program. We will offer a program for Brasilian 3\4 year olds. This program will be unique in that no other international or brasilian school has a portuguese/english speaker and a native english speaker for these classes. We will team teach through most subjects while specials will be completely in portuguese for the first little bit. Ill admit. I was "warned" that I would be doing something different next year....and I had a bit of a complaining heart about it. I really thought I would be teaching 4th grade. Which is fine....Im just more comfortable with younger kids and more creative spins on simple concepts :) When they called us in for the meeting-I was a bit smug and anxious about the new assignment...but confused about why they'd called the preschool teacher and portuguese teacher in as well. As Mr. Bose began his spill...I could feel a smile creep......and the excitement flash inside. I wouldnt have dreamed this in my wildest dreams.....and yet, its almost as if my dreams are coming true. I'll have the chance to work with an amazing teacher whom I love dearly, I'll be speaking more portuguese on a daily basis, and getting to work with Brasilians and International students alike. This vision will probably be tweaked and may not work out exactly the way we are thinking---but its gonna be amazing....I can feel it.....

Dear God, Thank you for listening.....and for helping me to understand that You are in control-that I need not worry about next year...next week....or tomorrow. Thank you for showing me how hopeless I am in my own thoughts sometimes and how weak my faith can be....and then showing me how amazing You are. I praise you for the blessings you've chosen to give me and the people that you've allowed me to know and love. Lord-for the people that have been a challenge to love...and a growing situation for me in this year--thank you for them. Thank you for knowing me, loving me, and giving me above the desires of my heart....in spite of what I am. Thank you for another year to serve you and for Brazil.