Let's see....
I have not yet decided if this semester seems academically harder than normal because it is, or because I've mentally "graduated" and not totally focused any more, or because I'm stuck on the idea that I NEED to graduate Summa Cum Lauden (Highest Honors) which requires me to get all A's and one A+ this semester....???? Either way, it just seems hard. I'm trying to allow myself to relax and remind myself that other than the actual day of graduation (and my mom's Christmas letter) no one is actually going to know or care whether I graduated with Highest Honors or just High Honors....it really only matters that I graduated. I think I could get all C's this semester and still have a GPA high enough to get into Grad-school. ....So, note to self: relax!
Things with MTW (Mission to the World) and Mexico are progressing rather quickly. I will shortly be sending out support letters. I am currently having to fill out a lot of paper work, which is adding to my work load, but I enjoy this work!...I guess I'm not getting graded for my work and I know ALL of the answers (Name, Date of birth, etc)!! As support raising picks up things should get a little more hectic as I will not only be sending letters, but also following up either by phone or in person with everyone I send a letter to. I am raising money to be a "salaried" intern, and I have to raise about $30,000!
Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and I love this holiday. I love red and pink, I love candy, and my love language is gift giving...so I naturally love giving and getting to show love and friendship. My mom did the annual Valentine's Day treasure hunt for me last weekend!, and this weekend I have a Salsa Dance Party with Mi Familia "Noche de Passion", and then Sunday I think I will be having some single ladies over to make heart shaped pizzas.
Un-realated events: I am meeting with NC State's RUF minister today to talk about RUF (I guess...ha) in prep form Mexico and then tomorrow night I'm going bowling with Mi Familia.
Have a good one!!!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
an answered prayer
I have been attempting to set into stone plans for post college graduation, since before I started college (that's just how I function: ahead). And while, plans and goals have come and gone, changed and grown, I have found it very tough officially finalizing plans now that my college graduation is rapidly approaching. I have consider several, no many, options and had narrowed it down to ten before Christmas. Then during Christmas break I was able to narrow it down to two: spending a little under a year in either Peru or Mexico with Mission to the World (MTW). Well, I have been praying and praying for God's guidance on this decision, but just felt no clear pull in either direction. I finally gave myself the official deadline of January 31, 2010 to decide....and as it was quickly approaching I simply began feeling more and more confused and uncertain.
So the dilemma was this... my heart was to go to Mexico to work with and learn more about the people I have come to love here in the United States. I wanted to immerse myself in their language (and slang) and culture and truly gain a better understanding of them and how God created them. Also, in my long-term plans (yes, of course, I have already planned that far ahead) I would like to return to the US and work with Latin Americans here, most of which are Mexican. So why would I not choose Mexico????...well, the internship in Mexico was with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) a college campus ministry. I was not opposed to campus ministry, but that's not all I wanted to do; I also feel a calling to Mercy ministry....
...which leads me to Peru. I have never really wanted to go to Peru, at least not to live for a year, and to be honest I don't even know many Peruvians in the US; however in Peru I would be working with this ministry called the House of Glory, which was very attractive to me. The House of Glory takes in at risk teen girls who are pregnant and cares for them spiritually and physically. I loved the idea of this ministry, but not of Peru.
So, I was stuck. I liked each ministry for various reasons, but neither felt right. I kept praying (as did many other people on my behalf) and was hoping God would answer before January 31st. In the midst of my fears, stresses, and anxieties I often resorted to these verses:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
"Cast you cares on the Lord and he will sustain you..." Psalms 55:22
Well I continued reminding God of His promises to me (see above versus), I also continued pursing each ministry site by asking questions trying to get a better understanding of life in each country hoping that some piece of information would "make my decision". Since I do have a heart for mercy ministry I sent the following email to the Mexico team just to see what they would say....
"...Also, I know I've mentioned before that I feel called to mercy ministry; I was wondering if there would be a way for me to have this "outlet" while serving in Mexico City with RUF either through the church or through another ministry (on the MTW website it mentions something about a street child ministry?). I am obviously not looking for anything that would be more that maybe once a week, or anything that would "cut" into RUF time, but trying to get a feel of the broader church community in Mexico City. ..."
God answered my prayer (and the prayers of others) with the following response from Peter Dishman, the RUF minister in Mexico City on January 26th:
"On mercy ministries, I think you could have a number of "outlets." One outlet would be working with RUF students to put together "mercy" projects. We've done the local orphanage several times, and there continue to be opportunities there. We've also talked about helping at an abused girl shelter, a drug rehabilitation center, and a nursing home. So coordinating mercy with students definitely has an emerging place. We also have the "street child" ministry with Juanita Castañeda. Their team visits 2-4 metros per week, and there would be possibilities to participate with them in their monthly meeting and also do some metro visiting with them, possibly bringing RUF students along as well (I would like to have these two MTW ministries much more tied together). Let me know what other questions you have and I'll be happy to zap you some ideas."
Could God be any clearer???? I now can go to Mexico where my heart longs to go, and God has also provided Mercy ministry opportunities for me to get involved!
So, there you have it! As of now, I plan to go to Mexico City the academic year of 2010-2011. I will be doing college ministry on the UNAM (largest college campus in Mexico), teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) two days a week for free to college students as a way to meet them and then connect them to RUF, and hopefully pursuing some of those great mercy ministry options!
Moral of the story: Pray. It works.
So the dilemma was this... my heart was to go to Mexico to work with and learn more about the people I have come to love here in the United States. I wanted to immerse myself in their language (and slang) and culture and truly gain a better understanding of them and how God created them. Also, in my long-term plans (yes, of course, I have already planned that far ahead) I would like to return to the US and work with Latin Americans here, most of which are Mexican. So why would I not choose Mexico????...well, the internship in Mexico was with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) a college campus ministry. I was not opposed to campus ministry, but that's not all I wanted to do; I also feel a calling to Mercy ministry....
...which leads me to Peru. I have never really wanted to go to Peru, at least not to live for a year, and to be honest I don't even know many Peruvians in the US; however in Peru I would be working with this ministry called the House of Glory, which was very attractive to me. The House of Glory takes in at risk teen girls who are pregnant and cares for them spiritually and physically. I loved the idea of this ministry, but not of Peru.
So, I was stuck. I liked each ministry for various reasons, but neither felt right. I kept praying (as did many other people on my behalf) and was hoping God would answer before January 31st. In the midst of my fears, stresses, and anxieties I often resorted to these verses:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
"Cast you cares on the Lord and he will sustain you..." Psalms 55:22
Well I continued reminding God of His promises to me (see above versus), I also continued pursing each ministry site by asking questions trying to get a better understanding of life in each country hoping that some piece of information would "make my decision". Since I do have a heart for mercy ministry I sent the following email to the Mexico team just to see what they would say....
"...Also, I know I've mentioned before that I feel called to mercy ministry; I was wondering if there would be a way for me to have this "outlet" while serving in Mexico City with RUF either through the church or through another ministry (on the MTW website it mentions something about a street child ministry?). I am obviously not looking for anything that would be more that maybe once a week, or anything that would "cut" into RUF time, but trying to get a feel of the broader church community in Mexico City. ..."
God answered my prayer (and the prayers of others) with the following response from Peter Dishman, the RUF minister in Mexico City on January 26th:
"On mercy ministries, I think you could have a number of "outlets." One outlet would be working with RUF students to put together "mercy" projects. We've done the local orphanage several times, and there continue to be opportunities there. We've also talked about helping at an abused girl shelter, a drug rehabilitation center, and a nursing home. So coordinating mercy with students definitely has an emerging place. We also have the "street child" ministry with Juanita Castañeda. Their team visits 2-4 metros per week, and there would be possibilities to participate with them in their monthly meeting and also do some metro visiting with them, possibly bringing RUF students along as well (I would like to have these two MTW ministries much more tied together). Let me know what other questions you have and I'll be happy to zap you some ideas."
Could God be any clearer???? I now can go to Mexico where my heart longs to go, and God has also provided Mercy ministry opportunities for me to get involved!
So, there you have it! As of now, I plan to go to Mexico City the academic year of 2010-2011. I will be doing college ministry on the UNAM (largest college campus in Mexico), teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) two days a week for free to college students as a way to meet them and then connect them to RUF, and hopefully pursuing some of those great mercy ministry options!
Moral of the story: Pray. It works.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Race Calendar
These are my race goals for 2010...
Krispy Kreme Challenge, February 6th (if I'm in town and I'm NOT eating the donuts)
Dupont Forest Half-Marathon Trail Run, April 17th
Biltmore Classic 15K (9 miles), May 16th (Dad there is also a 5K that you should do)
Haymed Sprint Triathlon, May 22nd
Biltmore Lake Sprint Triathlon, June 12th
Lake Logan Olympic Triathlon, August 7th
Asheville Citizen Times Half-marathon, September 18th (if I'm still in the country)
maybe more to come......
Krispy Kreme Challenge, February 6th (if I'm in town and I'm NOT eating the donuts)
Dupont Forest Half-Marathon Trail Run, April 17th
Biltmore Classic 15K (9 miles), May 16th (Dad there is also a 5K that you should do)
Haymed Sprint Triathlon, May 22nd
Biltmore Lake Sprint Triathlon, June 12th
Lake Logan Olympic Triathlon, August 7th
Asheville Citizen Times Half-marathon, September 18th (if I'm still in the country)
maybe more to come......
Friday, January 22, 2010
Bulk-Blogging
So...I've gotten a little behind on blogging this semester, which is resulting in me doing one really large bulk blog to catch-up!
This semester has been a surprising one. I thought it was going to be so easy after student teaching last semester, but I have been surprised about the work load I actually have. My work is, so far, not "hard" there is just a lot of it. All of my classes require a lot of reading, and I'm a pretty slow reader (or at least I have to re-read things several times because I'm always zoning out!). I am thankful that in God's providence I did not get that ESL job I interviewed for because I would have been soooo overwhelmed. I am keeping up with my school work fine, but I'm use to always being ahead on assignments and the fact that I'm currently just on time with assignments is slightly stressful.
Class overview (subject to change with progression of semester):
Spanish Graduate Course- AWFUL...so I dropped it! The teacher was great but the readings were over my head. Also, I was just taking it for "fun" and didn't really need it. I decided there was no need for extra stress.
Spanish Senior Seminar- WONDERFUL....I added this class in place of my dropped graduate class. I've had this teacher for three years now (Vilches) and I am really starting to enjoy her as a teacher. The class is small, it's perfect for my ability level, and I'm enjoying what we are reading. I am also thankful to God that I didn't get that ESL job because I would have not been able to switch into this class due to scheduling conflicts with the job.
Language and Culture Anthropology- Ok. This class is fascinating but also mixes in a lot of information about evolution that just annoys me. However, the professor, Dr. Wallace, is AWESOME. He has spent more time living out of the US then in the US. We are reading a lot of his publishings for the class and he lived 4 years in Peru village with no running water (with his wife and first child), several years in Japan, and a few other places. He is not arrogant, but very intelligent and educated. I'm also enjoying the (THOUSANDS of PAGES of) readings for the class...which is nice!
Philosophy of Law- Why o why did I take this???? The class is pretty interesting, i guess, even though I have absolutely no interest in law or the philosophical aspects of it. The teacher is TOUGH! She is not one of those endearing teachers that when you participate, even with a bad answer, is like "yes", "right", "ok, but".... she is more like "no, that's not right. anyone else?". The class is ok and I'm sure I'll learn some things.
ESL Methods Class- This class is all online and is basically a repeat of my Spanish Teaching Methods class...I LIKE THAT. I usually knit while I watch this class online in my bed!
Science, Society, and Technology (I think...I still don't actually know what this class is called.) - This class is sort of interesting. We talk about technologies influence on society and the way we live. It should not be too hard, but also gets a little boring sometimes. The teacher is really nice and says "yes, good point" no matter what anyone says.
ESL Student Teaching- I LOVE teaching ESL. Right now I'm more just helping/observing in the classroom but it's great. I will be teaching three classes on Tuesday and Thursday and my average class size is 6!!!!! It's wonderful. Also, I'm teaching in the middle school so the kids pretty much think I'm AMAZING no matter what I do and they think I'm so COOL because I'm in college. Also, my Cooperating Teacher (Shara Wolkomir) is awesome. She is really laid back and sarcastic and has told me multiple times that if I have a hard week academically that I can take that week off from Student Teaching. It's so nice to know I have that option.
I just ran 10 miles and it felt great. It was the farthest I've run since the marathon and I actually ran it in pretty good time! This weekend I have Crusade Leadership Retreat (here in Raleigh) for Destino and then the rest of the weekend will be dedicated to homework. YUCK.
Well there were lots of other things I was going to cover in this post, but I'm tired of writing, and I'm sure you're tired of reading. I will soon write about my upcoming plans for next year and share some stories from Christmas break and from the ESL classroom.
This semester has been a surprising one. I thought it was going to be so easy after student teaching last semester, but I have been surprised about the work load I actually have. My work is, so far, not "hard" there is just a lot of it. All of my classes require a lot of reading, and I'm a pretty slow reader (or at least I have to re-read things several times because I'm always zoning out!). I am thankful that in God's providence I did not get that ESL job I interviewed for because I would have been soooo overwhelmed. I am keeping up with my school work fine, but I'm use to always being ahead on assignments and the fact that I'm currently just on time with assignments is slightly stressful.
Class overview (subject to change with progression of semester):
Spanish Graduate Course- AWFUL...so I dropped it! The teacher was great but the readings were over my head. Also, I was just taking it for "fun" and didn't really need it. I decided there was no need for extra stress.
Spanish Senior Seminar- WONDERFUL....I added this class in place of my dropped graduate class. I've had this teacher for three years now (Vilches) and I am really starting to enjoy her as a teacher. The class is small, it's perfect for my ability level, and I'm enjoying what we are reading. I am also thankful to God that I didn't get that ESL job because I would have not been able to switch into this class due to scheduling conflicts with the job.
Language and Culture Anthropology- Ok. This class is fascinating but also mixes in a lot of information about evolution that just annoys me. However, the professor, Dr. Wallace, is AWESOME. He has spent more time living out of the US then in the US. We are reading a lot of his publishings for the class and he lived 4 years in Peru village with no running water (with his wife and first child), several years in Japan, and a few other places. He is not arrogant, but very intelligent and educated. I'm also enjoying the (THOUSANDS of PAGES of) readings for the class...which is nice!
Philosophy of Law- Why o why did I take this???? The class is pretty interesting, i guess, even though I have absolutely no interest in law or the philosophical aspects of it. The teacher is TOUGH! She is not one of those endearing teachers that when you participate, even with a bad answer, is like "yes", "right", "ok, but".... she is more like "no, that's not right. anyone else?". The class is ok and I'm sure I'll learn some things.
ESL Methods Class- This class is all online and is basically a repeat of my Spanish Teaching Methods class...I LIKE THAT. I usually knit while I watch this class online in my bed!
Science, Society, and Technology (I think...I still don't actually know what this class is called.) - This class is sort of interesting. We talk about technologies influence on society and the way we live. It should not be too hard, but also gets a little boring sometimes. The teacher is really nice and says "yes, good point" no matter what anyone says.
ESL Student Teaching- I LOVE teaching ESL. Right now I'm more just helping/observing in the classroom but it's great. I will be teaching three classes on Tuesday and Thursday and my average class size is 6!!!!! It's wonderful. Also, I'm teaching in the middle school so the kids pretty much think I'm AMAZING no matter what I do and they think I'm so COOL because I'm in college. Also, my Cooperating Teacher (Shara Wolkomir) is awesome. She is really laid back and sarcastic and has told me multiple times that if I have a hard week academically that I can take that week off from Student Teaching. It's so nice to know I have that option.
I just ran 10 miles and it felt great. It was the farthest I've run since the marathon and I actually ran it in pretty good time! This weekend I have Crusade Leadership Retreat (here in Raleigh) for Destino and then the rest of the weekend will be dedicated to homework. YUCK.
Well there were lots of other things I was going to cover in this post, but I'm tired of writing, and I'm sure you're tired of reading. I will soon write about my upcoming plans for next year and share some stories from Christmas break and from the ESL classroom.
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year's Resolutions
Well I normally have New Year's Resolutions, but this year as I think about my list I'm coming to a loss... I guess in past years I've been a typical American and would say my resolution were to loss weight and spend less money, but this year I really don't want to lose any more weight and I don't seem to have a spending problem.
So, as for 2010 resolutions...????....here we go:
~be quicker to stand up for others in situations of injustice, even when it might hurt my reputation or be an inconvenience for me
~leave the country (but not forever)
~graduate from college
~start grad school
~win a race (either triathlon or running race)
~gossip less
~get rid of "junk" (when I try to clean out my room everything just becomes so sentimental)
~be consistent with my core body workouts
~set a new PR (personal record) in several races
~be okay with just going with the flow and not always being in control (especially with my future)
~be a better friend, more intentional, available, and not envious
I'm sure this list will grow/change, but as for now, happy New Year!
So, as for 2010 resolutions...????....here we go:
~be quicker to stand up for others in situations of injustice, even when it might hurt my reputation or be an inconvenience for me
~leave the country (but not forever)
~graduate from college
~start grad school
~win a race (either triathlon or running race)
~gossip less
~get rid of "junk" (when I try to clean out my room everything just becomes so sentimental)
~be consistent with my core body workouts
~set a new PR (personal record) in several races
~be okay with just going with the flow and not always being in control (especially with my future)
~be a better friend, more intentional, available, and not envious
I'm sure this list will grow/change, but as for now, happy New Year!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
26.2
I would not call my marathon experience fun, however, I would say it was an amazing experience that really forced me to push farther than I thought I could and if I could go back I would definitely do it again. I now feel like I can do anything.
My students threw me a surprise going away party my last day at Panther Creek High School.
My students threw me a surprise going away party my last day at Panther Creek High School.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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