Why on Earth am I here?

The first week of school is finally over!  It was a trying week, to say the least.  Teaching third grade was a bigger shock than I expected.  After my cry-fest on Monday after school, I had to reevaluate my purposes here.  I basically just had to cry out to God and trust that He would encourage me.  Trust me; I was ready to board a plane back to the States.  BUT I had the promises of God (and the promise of a pan of mint brownies, which were fantastic by the way!) that I was forced to stand on.  It was so hard to see my students from last year, which I love so incredibly deep, going to another classroom with another teacher who will love them deeply.  It was hard to manage the kids in my class, who literally cannot sit in their seats for more than 3 minutes.  They’re way more immature than I had imagined.  We didn’t have any textbooks, so I felt completely unprepared.  I didn’t have enough activities planned.  My heart was just not happy.  I was sad and hurt and weak. 

Then I came home and did my Bible study and read my Bible for awhile and reread my focus verses for the year.  

Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Proverbs 31:25-26
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

1 Chronicles 16:24-25
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

After rereading those, I felt convicted that I am not here for me.  I am here for the students; I’m here to share the gospel with them, to live out the gospel, to show them my strengths and weaknesses, and to love them.  I’m here to grow as a person and to learn confidence and strength that comes from God, not from others.  I know that God will not forget the work that I am doing and I truly love what I am doing.  Even if I’m not used to the kids yet, I know that eventually I will get the hang of it and be able to take it easy and calm down and take my time and be a good teacher and a good student in my grad classes. 

As for my students from last year, I am blessed to be able to spend their “break” time with them, eat lunch with them, hug them, love them, and just talk with them.  It’s so good.  Yesterday when they were walking out of their classroom to go home my heart almost burst with joy as they all walked in and gave me a hug and said goodbye.  There is so much joy in heart.  Not yet feeling like I know what I’m doing or that I have a handle on things, but joy in knowing that God’s promises are real and true and that I will not be given more than I can handle. 

Almost there!

Hello!  I'm now settled back in the DR.  My room at home is set up, clean, and decorated!  My classroom is coming along nicely. :)  We finally got our class lists yesterday!  Finally! :)  I am getting really anxious to meet my students!! 


I'll try to post pictures later!

2010-2011 Staff!

I'm here!  I've been back in the DR for almost one full week now.  It's been crazy times being back, and I've loved getting to know all the new staffers that are here.  I'll give you a rundown of all of the new and returning American staff.

Art - Dave from Michigan

PK5 -  Elissa from Texas

1st Grade- Johanna from Chicago area
               Kristen from Michigan (married to Dave)

2nd grade - Natalia from Michigan

3rd grade - Jessica from Hawaii
               ME!

4th grade - Melisa (who just arrived last night!  I haven't met her yet! but I'll update as soon
as I know more!)

5th grade - Laura from Minnesota (she's been here for the past 2 years with me! married to Tim)

6th grade - Jessica from Michigan (my roommate!! and WyldLife cohort)

7-8th grade English - Melissa from Colorado (my other roommate)

7-12th grade Bible - Tim from New York/Minnesota (has been with me for the past 2 years!)

9-12th grade Literature - Amanda from Ft. Wayne, IN!! 

9-12th grade Science/Math - Rebecca (married to Francis who will be an aid and they have a super, super cute son named Malachi!)

Amanda, Johanna, and Melisa all just graduated from college together at Bethel College in IN, and are living together in the other girls' house upstairs.

Jessica, Elissa, and Natalia are all living together in the other girls' house downstairs.

My roommates, Jessica and Melissa, and I live in our beautiful house, owned by Guido--our fantastic landlord. 

Every night since I've been here (except once!) everybody has come down to our house for dinner and laughs.  It's been so fun!  Although I'm sure once school starts that will change!

I'm doing so well here.  Busy but happy.  It's been such a blessing that Tim and Laura are still here and Karen too (admin!).  It's nice to have those deeper friendships that are already established in the midst of getting to know everyone else. 

felizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The year is over...I'm happy.  and processing the year.  I'll write a more detailed update soon...hopefully! :)  I come home in 9 days!  SINGLE DIGITS!

Photos!

Here's a link to some of my favorite photos from this year!   Also I just sent out my June Update Letter.  Let me know if you want a copy!  Leave your email address and I'll put you on my update list!

Awesome DR Photos

Birthday: Part 2

So yes.  Yesterday was awesome.  The day ended with me getting SOAKED by the kids...all of them.  1st-7th graders attacked me with buckets, cups, cones, bottles, anything that could hold water.  It was great.

  So my friend Karyn knows that I love Diet
Coke.  Throughout the day, every 24 minutes to be precise, I received a new soda with a letter on it.  When all the letters were to be had, it spelled out Natalie, Happy Birthday! 24!  (There are 24 sodas, just in case you were wondering!)  Since I only have 19 days left in the DR, I think I'm going to have to share with my roommates! :) :)
I got 2 sleep outfits from my students, some peanut M&M's, and a little Dominican statue/pen holder. Holly gave me 2 canvas paintings that she had painted, and Laura gave me a set of Seasons paintings that she had done.

After school, I went out to dinner with my friends here.  It was fun to spend time with them, talking, eating pizza, cheesecake, and frappucinos.

From left to right:
Karen, Jenny, Tim, Laura, me, Holly, Karyn, Brooke, and Nat

Happy Birthday!

So today is the best day of the year.  In case you didn't know, it was my birthday. I share my birthday with a very special little boy, named Jose Leonel.  He's in 1st grade, so of course I had to snag a picture with him and his ridiculously large hat.  :)

The kids soaked me!  This is an awesome Dominican tradition that I got held down by my kids while one of my students, Christofer, threw a huge bucket of water on me.  It was awesome.

My students threw a surprise party for me.  It was awesome!  They diverted me by getting me soaked then sending me to change.  Unfortunately,  I didn't go home and change.  I just chilled up in the library.  They all brought in snacks and Laura, the 5th grade teacher, made a cake.  I felt so loved.  I feel so blessed to spend time with my students and to be celebrated by them.

Marta, my student Nicole's mom, brought me an amazing lunch today of rice, beans, tostones, green salad, potato salad, grilled chicken, fried chicken, chuleta (the English word is escaping me...maybe pork chop?), yuca balls, and a cupcake.  Karyn and I shared it and I still have tons of leftovers!  Yay for having lunch for the next 2 days...

I had a blessed birthday.  And pray the blessings will continue.  Going out to dinner and dessert tonight with some really awesome people.  Thank you God for the many blessings that you have given me over the past 2 years of being here in the DR!