Somehow....

     Seven months ago I kissed Chris goodbye in the airport. We knew that it would be a really long time till we saw each other again, and lots of things had to happen before then. It was a difficult moment, and I remember thinking, "As soon as I walk through security I'm going to burst into tears." But I didn't. As soon as I walked through security God gave me this huge sense of peace, letting me know that what I was doing was the right (although very hard!) thing, and that Sakeji was the place for me for now.

     So now, as I sit here, completely done with second term (having finished up all my school work and deadlines, cleaned and locked up my classroom), I can't believe that somehow time has passed, and somehow this oh so very long separation is going to come to an end (for a month anyway). Somehow the first two terms of my last year at Sakeji are done, and somehow I am on my way home to visit and catch up with everyone for the month of August. Somehow there are only three more months where Chris and I have to make a bi-continental relationship work, and somehow I am going to be ready at the end of third term to say goodbye, pack up my life, and head home to get married to an amazing guy. 

     Today I need to start (yes start!) packing for my trip home, which begins early tomorrow morning. It will be a couple of days before I'm all the way to NY, but on Sunday afternoon (Lord willing) I will be in my fiance's arms again, getting a long awaited (and very sweet) kiss......somehow.

"Forget not...."

     Recently I started out my day reading Psalm 103, a truly encouraging and uplifting passage, and one thing that popped out at me was the phrase in verse 2 "forget not His benefits". 

     Yes, my life (especially at end of term) may be full of stress, frustration, deadlines, pain, challenges, but this verse reminded me to remember all the wonderful things too! Thinking back over this week I can think of plenty of His benefits that have affected my life, and made each day a bit better and easier to get through. May I truly bless the Lord with my soul, and forget not how great my wonderful God and Father is who daily loads me with benefits!

Report Card Party Anyone?

What is a report card party? It's an event that only happens at the end of term, the week that report cards are due. A whole bunch of teachers get together, make hot drinks, pop popcorn, and sit around on laptops writing report card comments. It's mostly a silent time unless you are noting the improvement of a student, or asking, "Listen to this. Is this comment too harsh?"

Yeah, I know....sounds like fun. 

Bad Grammar

Zambians have plenty of sayings that aren't exactly grammatically correct, but, when one is trying to explain something to a Zambian child, it makes more sense sometimes to say it the way they would say it. So here's what happened this morning:

Grade 3 student: Whoa Miss Garcia, what's wrong with your hand? 

Me: Oh...just a rash (really, it's eczema, and it's just irritated by the dry season).

Grade 3 student: Why is it like that?

Me: Well, it's "paining me". (Zambian expression)

Grade 3 student: It's paining you, or it's hurting you?

Me: What's the difference?

Grade 3 student: "Paining you" is bad grammar Miss Garcia!

Is it end of term yet?

     It's been a long day apparently. The note on my chalk board (which I wrote this morning during independent work time) says "What did I just say? NO talking. Stay at your desks!" 

      Eeeh....is it end of term yet?

Welcome Report Card Season!

     Report cards are due in two weeks, and since it's such a hefty job (pretty much a comment/grade for every kid for every single class that you teach) I always give myself two weeks to do it...so I officially started today. 

     Normally report card season is something which I dread, but this term it's a wonderful, welcoming thing! Report cards being due is just bringing me that much closer to end of term, which means that much closer to coming home for the month of August! 

     So much has happened in the last six and a half months...new baby, older baby growing up, new future in laws, seeing my fiance, catching up with the rest of my family and friends.....let's hear it for report card season!

Just a small taste of America

     Well it's Independence Day again...today my little personal victory was getting out of bed and teaching all my classes! I thought about dressing all patriotic today, but figured I'd get enough attention in the dining hall as it was, and didn't really want to stand out any more than I had to. :)

      One cool part of America this morning though was sitting on my desk - a bottle of Dr. Pepper!! Thanks Lina! :) Happy Independence Day all!

My strength compared to His

     For the last 48 hours I've spent most of my time in bed, due to the fact that I threw out my back on Monday morning. The timing was actually pretty perfect because Tuesday was Sport's Day (so no classes), and since I taught all of my Monday classes and almost half of my Wednesday classes I haven't officially been "out" that long. It is hard though, to be lying down so much of the time, feeling pretty useless, as if I'm not pulling my weight, knowing I'm creating extra work for my fellow workers, and not feeling at all like a missionary. 

     Interestingly enough though, the song that has kept going through my head all day yesterday and today was "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (which we sang on Sunday), where the first line is "I am weak, but Thou art strong". Also, the verses from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 kept running through my head (although, perhaps taken a little out of context, as I am no Paul!), particularly verse 9: 'And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.' and again in the end of verse 10: 'For when I am weak, then I am strong.' (NKJV)

     I've never had health issues until coming out to Zambia, so the feeling of not being physically able to do something is quite a new one for me. Being weak is a new and humbling experience. I sometimes wonder why God would allow something to happen that would keep me from fully being able to do my job in serving Him, but instead needing other people to serve me. 

    I don't know all the answers, but at least I can rest in the fact that He does. I'm sure there are valuable lessons being learned that I am just unable to see at present....somehow perhaps I am stronger in His strength when I'm weak in my own.

     By the way, in case this blog post concerns you, I can say that I am on the mend, and am planning to be back in classes tomorrow. :)