Yesterday I wrote about going to school visits. Now, I want to write about something amazing that happened on the way there and back. Wednesday night I was exhausted. I left the house about 6 and stopped to get gas. As I was getting gas I was tired, I just wanted to sit in the backseat and take a nap. Instead, I was looking at a two hour drive that I was unfamiliar with. I strongly considered calling my uncle and telling him I would drive down in the morning and just go straight to the school. However, I then thought about it and realized that that would require getting up early, driving 2 hours, giving a few presentations, then another 2 hour drive home. Definitely not a good option...
So, I got in the car and headed West. I did the only thing I could think of to do.
I prayed.
Out loud.
In the car.
By myself.
To my Heavenly Father.
For the next two hours I talked to Him just like he was in the seat next to me. The only time I paused was driving through the crazy part around Holland. I was no longer tired. I was alert and paying attention to the road and what was going on around me. I went through 2 towns that didn't have power and prayed for them. I had a conversation with my Father, sometimes I did the talking and sometimes I did the listening. It was refreshing. I felt renewed.
Let me ask you a question, when was the last time you took a chunk of time and talked to your Father out loud, listening and learning, wrapped in His renewing embrace? I don't do it often enough, I know.
However, yesterday as I got ready to drive home after spending the whole day at the school and talking to two classes for a total of more than 3 hours, I was exhausted. I was tired. I didn't feel like making the 2 hour drive home. So, you know what I did??? I picked up where we left off the night before. When traffic got thick and tricky I just asked Him to help me, when we got through it I thanked Him and jumped back into our conversation.
Let me tell you something, with God as the co-pilot of your life you can't go wrong. As we invite Him into each part of our lives He provides for us, He helps us, He gives us the strength and energy we need. He is our All in All and I can't imagine where I would be without Him.
Thank You Jesus for guiding and directing my life :)
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
School Visits
Peace Corps volunteers have 3 goals. I won't go into it too much, but today I want to talk about the third goal. The third goal is teaching American's about our host country. While I was in Thailand I had many people that I wrote letters to and I had a blog that I sent to people's e-mail addresses instead of a public one like this. I also wrote letters to several classrooms and had classroom exchanges with some where the students were pen pals back and forth.
It was always so much fun to see my student's excitement when they got letters from their pen pals. My students couldn't read them on their own, so I would spend a class period with the students gathered at my feet to hear their letters read and we would translate them together as a class. THEY LOVED IT!!!!!!!
Apparently, so did the classes in America. Yesterday I had the chance to go and speak to a class near where I live that wrote back and forth to me. I dressed in my Northern Thai outfit and headed to the school. It was so much fun to be able to share my experience and to see their excitement as they looked and held things from Thailand and were able to ask me questions.
Last night I got in the car and drove 2 hours to Allegan to spend the night with my uncle. This morning I got up and headed to the school where he's the principle and had the opportunity to talk to two classes at the school. One of which had been pen pals with my fifth grade class. Both classes were such good listeners and had a lot of good questions.
I feel very fortunate to be able to talk to groups, especially students. I'm able to share with them that the children in Thailand are kids just like they are. I enjoy questions like do they have video games? Do they play? Do you eat bugs? I enjoy the surprised look on their faces when I talk about eating ice cream, oreos, that yes, Thailand does have McDonalds in the big cities and they also have KFC, Dairy Queen and Auntie Annes. Sure, there are differences, but kids are kids no matter where you are and what you do.
So, I welcome you to ask me questions about Thailand. I welcome any and all questions. Some people have said that my filter is broken... OOPS. Sit down with me, invite me to talk to a group. I would love to share my experiences and what God has taught me and done through me. I haven't gotten to this point on my own. It is only through the strength given me by my Father and the encouragement I have received from friends and family.
It was always so much fun to see my student's excitement when they got letters from their pen pals. My students couldn't read them on their own, so I would spend a class period with the students gathered at my feet to hear their letters read and we would translate them together as a class. THEY LOVED IT!!!!!!!
Apparently, so did the classes in America. Yesterday I had the chance to go and speak to a class near where I live that wrote back and forth to me. I dressed in my Northern Thai outfit and headed to the school. It was so much fun to be able to share my experience and to see their excitement as they looked and held things from Thailand and were able to ask me questions.
Last night I got in the car and drove 2 hours to Allegan to spend the night with my uncle. This morning I got up and headed to the school where he's the principle and had the opportunity to talk to two classes at the school. One of which had been pen pals with my fifth grade class. Both classes were such good listeners and had a lot of good questions.
I feel very fortunate to be able to talk to groups, especially students. I'm able to share with them that the children in Thailand are kids just like they are. I enjoy questions like do they have video games? Do they play? Do you eat bugs? I enjoy the surprised look on their faces when I talk about eating ice cream, oreos, that yes, Thailand does have McDonalds in the big cities and they also have KFC, Dairy Queen and Auntie Annes. Sure, there are differences, but kids are kids no matter where you are and what you do.
So, I welcome you to ask me questions about Thailand. I welcome any and all questions. Some people have said that my filter is broken... OOPS. Sit down with me, invite me to talk to a group. I would love to share my experiences and what God has taught me and done through me. I haven't gotten to this point on my own. It is only through the strength given me by my Father and the encouragement I have received from friends and family.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The Princess Mows the Lawn
What girl doesn't think of themselves as a princess from time to time??? This girl definitely does. You know, as a daughter of the King of Kings I am a princess. However, when I went to Thailand I lived the life of a princess in a whole new way. Only when I came home did I realize how much I really was treated as a princess while I was there. I never had to think of when I would eat my next meal or where it would come from because it always showed up (oftentimes before I was really ready for a meal). If I wanted something all I had to do was ask. It was scary how many times I would think about something I wanted for a snack or for dinner and I wouldn't even tell anyone and within a day my host mom would have mysteriously read my mind and it would appear. Living with my host family I didn't have to do any house or yard work, it was all done for me. (The first year they cleaned my room every time I left until one time they moved EVERYTHING around and I told them not to go in my room anymore). I did do my own laundry and cleaned and maintained my bike. I sent my own letters and bought my own bus tickets. However, I really didn't ever have to worry about anything. About once a week one of my teachers would give me a present just because they saw something and wanted to buy it for me. When I bought ice cream at my school the students gave me extra because they loved me and the teacher had told them they could. They always looked out for me, if it was raining hard or if I was sick they had someone with a truck drive me and my bike home(thankfully that only happened 2 or 3 times). If my students saw me carrying a few bags they would run and take them from me and carry them to my house. There were constantly people wanting to spend time with me. I had students over each evening, after supper my mom and I sat on the porch and we talked until I went to my room at 8. I really became a princess without realizing it.
Lets just say this princess has had a few rude awakenings since being home. I think I mentioned once about how technology drives me crazy because people don't have time for each other and don't know how to have personal relationships anymore. No one fixes my every meal or anticipates when I'm hungry (Ok, that one is kind of nice because I can choose what I want to eat and even get to make some things!!!!!!!!!!).
Today though I had to laugh. I got some stuff done on the computer this morning, then I took a bath and washed my hair with my new apple shampoo I bought yesterday. I was so excited. I have always loved getting the apple shampoo because it reminds me of childhood and I like to use it a few times a week just to change things up and have a new scent. Then, this afternoon my parents said we needed to help get ready for Casey's open house. So, I went outside to help my brothers. They were digging up sod to put rocks in around the house. They were using both shovels and well that's not really my cup of tea. So, they suggested I mow the lawn. This princess has never set foot on the lawnmower in her 25 years living on this earth. So, Zach gives me a crash course and laughs at me as I can barely push the pedal to make it go backwards down. He shows me a few things and off I went. I did one of the side yards and then he set me to work on the other one, showing me the path I should start along.
As I was mowing I was laughing to myself how it would make a great children's book, The Princess Who Mowed the Lawn. Or something like that. In the book it would teach kids that while they may be the princess(or prince) some of the time there are other times where it's important to help the family get things done. I hate to admit it but it really wasn't that bad. I imagine if my dad doesn't look too closely and see all the places that I missed little strips as I was learning to turn the corners and fire me I could do it more throughout the summer to help them out. It probably won't become my favorite job, but its something that isn't intolerable and would really help out my dad. Sure, this princess didn't attempt the tricky spots and just stayed in the big areas but I would say its pretty good for my first attempt :) So, we'll see what other jobs they come up for this princess to do before Casey's big open house in 2 weeks. Who knows, this princess just might learn more new skills, or re-learn ones she had forgotten she had as she was playing the part of a Thai princess.
Lets just say this princess has had a few rude awakenings since being home. I think I mentioned once about how technology drives me crazy because people don't have time for each other and don't know how to have personal relationships anymore. No one fixes my every meal or anticipates when I'm hungry (Ok, that one is kind of nice because I can choose what I want to eat and even get to make some things!!!!!!!!!!).
Today though I had to laugh. I got some stuff done on the computer this morning, then I took a bath and washed my hair with my new apple shampoo I bought yesterday. I was so excited. I have always loved getting the apple shampoo because it reminds me of childhood and I like to use it a few times a week just to change things up and have a new scent. Then, this afternoon my parents said we needed to help get ready for Casey's open house. So, I went outside to help my brothers. They were digging up sod to put rocks in around the house. They were using both shovels and well that's not really my cup of tea. So, they suggested I mow the lawn. This princess has never set foot on the lawnmower in her 25 years living on this earth. So, Zach gives me a crash course and laughs at me as I can barely push the pedal to make it go backwards down. He shows me a few things and off I went. I did one of the side yards and then he set me to work on the other one, showing me the path I should start along.
As I was mowing I was laughing to myself how it would make a great children's book, The Princess Who Mowed the Lawn. Or something like that. In the book it would teach kids that while they may be the princess(or prince) some of the time there are other times where it's important to help the family get things done. I hate to admit it but it really wasn't that bad. I imagine if my dad doesn't look too closely and see all the places that I missed little strips as I was learning to turn the corners and fire me I could do it more throughout the summer to help them out. It probably won't become my favorite job, but its something that isn't intolerable and would really help out my dad. Sure, this princess didn't attempt the tricky spots and just stayed in the big areas but I would say its pretty good for my first attempt :) So, we'll see what other jobs they come up for this princess to do before Casey's big open house in 2 weeks. Who knows, this princess just might learn more new skills, or re-learn ones she had forgotten she had as she was playing the part of a Thai princess.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
An Afternoon at the Park
I've been wanting to go to the park since the weather started getting nice. However, it is frowned upon to go to the park and then start playing with other peoples children who are already there. So, I had a dilemma until I realized the perfect plan, BORROW CHILDREN to take to the park. Before I went to Thailand I had a little 3 year old who was my best friend and it was hard to say good-by to her and her family. However, while I was in Thailand the family wrote me cards almost monthly. I am super blessed to have them in my life, so I wanted to bless them a little bit. I messaged the mom a few days ago and asked if I could borrow their children and take them to the park. We decided I would take the 2 older children while the baby was taking a nap so the mom would have some time to herself and I would have some time to play at the park with the others.
Today was the day. I picked up the children and we got their car seats in my car. We went to three parks and then to get ice cream before I took them home. It was a wonderful afternoon. I have really missed spending time with children and it was so much fun to spend a day listening to and playing along with a child's creativity. I think sometimes we get so wrapped up into our own lives we forget to take time to play and imagine and create with childlike thinking. I truly was blessed to spend time with them this afternoon. I hope that in my life I will never get too busy to take time to spend an afternoon in a child's company once in awhile.
Today was the day. I picked up the children and we got their car seats in my car. We went to three parks and then to get ice cream before I took them home. It was a wonderful afternoon. I have really missed spending time with children and it was so much fun to spend a day listening to and playing along with a child's creativity. I think sometimes we get so wrapped up into our own lives we forget to take time to play and imagine and create with childlike thinking. I truly was blessed to spend time with them this afternoon. I hope that in my life I will never get too busy to take time to spend an afternoon in a child's company once in awhile.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Why is the church discontent with my singleness???
Dear church,
I love you to pieces and am so so so grateful for all of the support and love you've given me over the years. You raised me and watched me grow up, you sent me to college and welcomed me home summers and weekends. You've let me work with your children and youth. You prayed for me and sent cards and e-mails while I was in Thailand. However, through that all I have one question for you: Why are you discontent with my singleness???
I'll be the first to admit I never imagined myself at 25 and still single. However, this is what God has called me to at this time in my life. You tell me you are proud of me for what I'm doing and what I've done. I can only do what I'm doing at this point in my life because of my singleness. I don't have another person to worry about and another life to plan around, so I'm able to put that time and energy into things that God is calling me to do. However, that doesn't stop you from sending me names of eligible bachelors, or telling me of your sons, grandsons, co-workers, friends of friends, etc... that you are just certain will be THE ONE for me. I appreciate the help really, but let me give you a glimpse of my heart, the heart of other single people and what you are telling us when you are uncomfortable with our singleness.
I was talking to another single never been dated Christian just the other day and we agreed on so many points and had similar stories of things people in the church have said/done about our singleness. So, on behalf of the people like me that God has called to be single for a time to serve Him I'm writing this.
1. This is 2013, not 1950. In case you haven't noticed, times have changed. When you graduated at 18 it wasn't expected that you go to college and get a job to be able to support yourself before getting married like it is today. The average age that people get married at has gone up significantly over the years.
2. Have you looked at the divorce rates lately??? I haven't, but I know they are high both in and out of the church. Speaking for the divorce rate in the church could it be that high because the parents and grandparents are pushing their children to find THE ONE and get married by the time they are out of college. I can't tell you the number of times I have received comments such as such a pretty young Christian girl and still single, you would think someone would have snatched you up by now... Am I like a fish in the river waiting for an Eagle to come down and grab me and say "You're the one?"
3. I've had to work hard to find contentment in being single. Do you really think this is something I chose for myself??? One of my greatest desires is to get married and have a family. Anyone who really knows me will know this. So, do you think it comes easy to be content with the assignment of singleness for a few years to serve God? This is the result of HOURS and HOURS of praying and submission to my Father. I don't understand it anymore than you do. However, I do know that God asked me to be content being single till I'm 30 and to use this time for Him to serve His children here and overseas. Does that mean I'll be single till I'm 30? Maybe, maybe not. However, I have a promise to God to be content until then. As I said, this contentedness doesn't come easy, it is a daily struggle that is only made worse when good meaning people ask about it or try to set me up with someone.
4. Young single people have so much more time to serve God than people who are dating or married. When you are dating or married, you have a commitment to that other person to spend time with them, to do things with them, and then once you have children your time to give to others is even further diminished. I'm able to take that extra time and invest it in people. When I was in college I was able to invest my time in His House, on the welcome team, and leading lifegroups and spending time with people. Then, I was able to give 27 months to the Peace Corps and loving on the kids in my village. Now, I'm able to take 6 months off to refresh myself and volunteer doing different things for the church, and spend time with different people investing in their lives. Then, come September I'll move back to Thailand and teach at a Christian school and invest in the lives of refugees and children in poverty. Being single for a few more years seems like a small price to pay for the time and energy I'm able to put into investing in others. Can you be happy for me that I have the opportunity to do these things??? Imagine, the impact we could have on the community and world if we encouraged our young people to spend a few years single serving God before tying the knot. I think it would be incredible and the world wouldn't know what hit them.
5. Someone else pointed this one out to me. Look at Jesus, Paul and Mother Teresa. If I thought of it I could come up with more to add to the list, but what do they all have in common??? Yup, they were single and were able to use their lives to serve others and put others first for God. I hope that it doesn't become a lifelong thing for me, but if it does, those are great people to follow after.
6. Who do you want to be role models for your children??? Someone who is honoring God through singleness or someone who changes their significant other more often than they change the oil in their car??? I know what I would choose, but I guess that ones up to you.
I could keep going, I have many many more points I could share, but I think you understand by now. Your discontentedness with singles being in the church doesn't really make sense. Do you want to set the youth of the church up for failure or success in relationships??? I know these extra years I've had to be single have taught me so much about myself and the world around me. I'm a different person and I'm looking for a different type of man to marry now than I was when I was 18. I've grown up and my relationship with God has only become stronger in this time because I've had to depend on Him more and more as I've gone through and experienced the things I have over the years. I wouldn't give up any of it because I know I'm following His path and that He has plans for my life.
If you want to know what you can do for myself and other single members of the church here is a life of suggestions:
I love you to pieces and am so so so grateful for all of the support and love you've given me over the years. You raised me and watched me grow up, you sent me to college and welcomed me home summers and weekends. You've let me work with your children and youth. You prayed for me and sent cards and e-mails while I was in Thailand. However, through that all I have one question for you: Why are you discontent with my singleness???
I'll be the first to admit I never imagined myself at 25 and still single. However, this is what God has called me to at this time in my life. You tell me you are proud of me for what I'm doing and what I've done. I can only do what I'm doing at this point in my life because of my singleness. I don't have another person to worry about and another life to plan around, so I'm able to put that time and energy into things that God is calling me to do. However, that doesn't stop you from sending me names of eligible bachelors, or telling me of your sons, grandsons, co-workers, friends of friends, etc... that you are just certain will be THE ONE for me. I appreciate the help really, but let me give you a glimpse of my heart, the heart of other single people and what you are telling us when you are uncomfortable with our singleness.
I was talking to another single never been dated Christian just the other day and we agreed on so many points and had similar stories of things people in the church have said/done about our singleness. So, on behalf of the people like me that God has called to be single for a time to serve Him I'm writing this.
1. This is 2013, not 1950. In case you haven't noticed, times have changed. When you graduated at 18 it wasn't expected that you go to college and get a job to be able to support yourself before getting married like it is today. The average age that people get married at has gone up significantly over the years.
2. Have you looked at the divorce rates lately??? I haven't, but I know they are high both in and out of the church. Speaking for the divorce rate in the church could it be that high because the parents and grandparents are pushing their children to find THE ONE and get married by the time they are out of college. I can't tell you the number of times I have received comments such as such a pretty young Christian girl and still single, you would think someone would have snatched you up by now... Am I like a fish in the river waiting for an Eagle to come down and grab me and say "You're the one?"
3. I've had to work hard to find contentment in being single. Do you really think this is something I chose for myself??? One of my greatest desires is to get married and have a family. Anyone who really knows me will know this. So, do you think it comes easy to be content with the assignment of singleness for a few years to serve God? This is the result of HOURS and HOURS of praying and submission to my Father. I don't understand it anymore than you do. However, I do know that God asked me to be content being single till I'm 30 and to use this time for Him to serve His children here and overseas. Does that mean I'll be single till I'm 30? Maybe, maybe not. However, I have a promise to God to be content until then. As I said, this contentedness doesn't come easy, it is a daily struggle that is only made worse when good meaning people ask about it or try to set me up with someone.
4. Young single people have so much more time to serve God than people who are dating or married. When you are dating or married, you have a commitment to that other person to spend time with them, to do things with them, and then once you have children your time to give to others is even further diminished. I'm able to take that extra time and invest it in people. When I was in college I was able to invest my time in His House, on the welcome team, and leading lifegroups and spending time with people. Then, I was able to give 27 months to the Peace Corps and loving on the kids in my village. Now, I'm able to take 6 months off to refresh myself and volunteer doing different things for the church, and spend time with different people investing in their lives. Then, come September I'll move back to Thailand and teach at a Christian school and invest in the lives of refugees and children in poverty. Being single for a few more years seems like a small price to pay for the time and energy I'm able to put into investing in others. Can you be happy for me that I have the opportunity to do these things??? Imagine, the impact we could have on the community and world if we encouraged our young people to spend a few years single serving God before tying the knot. I think it would be incredible and the world wouldn't know what hit them.
5. Someone else pointed this one out to me. Look at Jesus, Paul and Mother Teresa. If I thought of it I could come up with more to add to the list, but what do they all have in common??? Yup, they were single and were able to use their lives to serve others and put others first for God. I hope that it doesn't become a lifelong thing for me, but if it does, those are great people to follow after.
6. Who do you want to be role models for your children??? Someone who is honoring God through singleness or someone who changes their significant other more often than they change the oil in their car??? I know what I would choose, but I guess that ones up to you.
I could keep going, I have many many more points I could share, but I think you understand by now. Your discontentedness with singles being in the church doesn't really make sense. Do you want to set the youth of the church up for failure or success in relationships??? I know these extra years I've had to be single have taught me so much about myself and the world around me. I'm a different person and I'm looking for a different type of man to marry now than I was when I was 18. I've grown up and my relationship with God has only become stronger in this time because I've had to depend on Him more and more as I've gone through and experienced the things I have over the years. I wouldn't give up any of it because I know I'm following His path and that He has plans for my life.
If you want to know what you can do for myself and other single members of the church here is a life of suggestions:
- pray for us and our someday spouses as we are using this time to serve God until we meet
- encourage us
- ask us to do things, we have lots of time that we can use to bless others
- singleness isn't contagious, don't treat us like it is
- don't try to set us up with every single person of the opposite sex you know, allow God to do the matchmaking in His timing
- love us for who we are where we are
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