Happy belated Turkey Day, everyone! I've officially gotten past my first holiday away from home. It was weird, I tell ya! One of my students had to REMIND me to call my family on Thanksgiving. I simply forgot about it! It was just another Thursday of just another week. But I hope all of your Thanksgivings were relaxing and very memorable! The only "exciting" thing that happened on that day was that my mom found out I'm coming home for Christmas!! So I guess I can post about it now. The secret is out!!
Ever since September 30, me and my brother have been working on getting me home for a surprise visit at Christmas. And 3 weeks before I'm scheduled to fly in....the secret's out! And at the fault of no one, really! My mom happened to be looking at one of my brother's websites, which just HAPPENED to have a note from a friend saying "Hey Josh! Your sister told me she was flying in on the 20th...". Ouch. The funnier part, though, is that she wanted to turn the surprise around on me and show up at the airport without me knowing she knew!! Ha! Unfortunately for her, I'm flying in on a Wednesday night, and it just wouldn't be convenient for a preacher and his wife not to show up at church that night!! Haha...oh well...
So I'll be spending two weeks in a new city in North Carolina, simply because I love my family. Awwwww.
Speaking of Christmas...there is a particular part of the season that just drives me crazy! And we're ALL familiar with it...we've all asked it...we've all had to answer it. It's the dreaded question that most people try to get away with answering "Nothing!!" or, better yet "Anything will be fine!". Yes...it's THAT question. "What do you want for Christmas?". You begin attempting to answer that question from Thanksgiving on (if not before!). And the problem is not necessarily in the question...but in the answer. For if you tell what you TRULY want...there's no way you're actually going to get it! And if you don't say anything at all...then you're bound to get something you will have to smile politely about, and then never use again. Or sometimes the problem might be that you don't know whether to tell multiple people you want the same thing (in hopes of actually getting it from one of them!), or tell only one person a specific thing you want, with the underlying knowledge that you might not to get it at all. It's a complicated process, really!! After the age of approximately 15/16, it becomes increasingly difficult to not only answer that question, but get answers from people when you ask that question!! I wish each individual that asked that question had a clear budget written across their head, so you understand the limitations of what you can tell them you want. *sigh* I love the holidays.
And by the way...before you even ask...I want puzzlebooks for Christmas. English variety puzzlebooks!! Can't have too many of those, can you?? :)
Monday, November 27, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
What you might not have known...
The past few months have been a crazy ride of blessings and uncertainty. And I haven't posted the uncertainties as much, so that you may be able to see all the blessings I've been given here! But now that the storm is past, allow me to fill you in on some of the challenges I have been facing...but have since worked out for the better!
In August, I was hit with a terrible case of culture shock!! This isn't talked about very much, but is such a huge part of living in another country. And I never thought I would go through it! I felt lonely and out of place...wondering how I was possibly going to get through another 9 months by myself. Unfortunately, the church members saw my difficulty, and asked me to decide in two weeks whether I wanted to stay or not. I think I called my parents more in those two weeks than I have the rest of the time I've been here! And at the time, only God could understand why I chose to stay. But now I'm glad I did!
Then in August, I began my au pair work. Long story made short, it wasn't working out for either of us. She felt uncomfortable with my muscle weakness, and I felt uncomfortable because she felt uncomfortable. So after a long, open talk...we decided that I should find another option. However, that presented a problem legally. My residence permit was specifically for au pair work for this particular family, and as far as I knew, I would have to go home if I didn't work for them. So the church was informed, and the men immediately began to look for another way for me to stay. For a couple weeks, I truly believed I was going to have to go home...and this time, I didn't want to! 7...I repeat...SEVEN people walk into the church off the streets during that time and signed up for English Bible studies with me. It was incredible! I couldn't go home now! It was a sign from God!
So last week, the men met at the building while I occupied my time in the kitchen, nervously waiting for the decision. After they were done, one of the men came and sat me down (which scared me!) and told me that one of the men had found a way for me to stay. Yay!! He said that the only reason they worked so hard at finding a solution was that they really appreciated the work I was doing and they have seen me grow a lot while I've been here. Who would have thought??? So now I am able to stay until the first of April. It's a month shorter than was planned originally...but every extra day is a blessing!
The months are just flying by now, and I always seem to have things to do! My main focus is still the Bible lessons and planning church activities (which have gone SO well!), but I'm still teaching Bible class, writing the weekly church newsletter, painting murals, spending outside time with my students and fellow Christians, and now I go two days a week to help a man in a wheelchair. And I quite enjoy that. So if my updates are further between...forgive me! I'm still learning how to become a well-balanced woman. But I'm learning! I don't think God will let me leave this country until I do! :)
In August, I was hit with a terrible case of culture shock!! This isn't talked about very much, but is such a huge part of living in another country. And I never thought I would go through it! I felt lonely and out of place...wondering how I was possibly going to get through another 9 months by myself. Unfortunately, the church members saw my difficulty, and asked me to decide in two weeks whether I wanted to stay or not. I think I called my parents more in those two weeks than I have the rest of the time I've been here! And at the time, only God could understand why I chose to stay. But now I'm glad I did!
Then in August, I began my au pair work. Long story made short, it wasn't working out for either of us. She felt uncomfortable with my muscle weakness, and I felt uncomfortable because she felt uncomfortable. So after a long, open talk...we decided that I should find another option. However, that presented a problem legally. My residence permit was specifically for au pair work for this particular family, and as far as I knew, I would have to go home if I didn't work for them. So the church was informed, and the men immediately began to look for another way for me to stay. For a couple weeks, I truly believed I was going to have to go home...and this time, I didn't want to! 7...I repeat...SEVEN people walk into the church off the streets during that time and signed up for English Bible studies with me. It was incredible! I couldn't go home now! It was a sign from God!
So last week, the men met at the building while I occupied my time in the kitchen, nervously waiting for the decision. After they were done, one of the men came and sat me down (which scared me!) and told me that one of the men had found a way for me to stay. Yay!! He said that the only reason they worked so hard at finding a solution was that they really appreciated the work I was doing and they have seen me grow a lot while I've been here. Who would have thought??? So now I am able to stay until the first of April. It's a month shorter than was planned originally...but every extra day is a blessing!
The months are just flying by now, and I always seem to have things to do! My main focus is still the Bible lessons and planning church activities (which have gone SO well!), but I'm still teaching Bible class, writing the weekly church newsletter, painting murals, spending outside time with my students and fellow Christians, and now I go two days a week to help a man in a wheelchair. And I quite enjoy that. So if my updates are further between...forgive me! I'm still learning how to become a well-balanced woman. But I'm learning! I don't think God will let me leave this country until I do! :)
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Mormons
At the beginning of September, one of the younger adults from church called me and told me that she had been approached by mormons, and that she let them come into her room and begin sharing their message. But having 3 mormons against one is rather difficult, so she asked if I would be willing to join her for their next meeting. I was so excited! I had never encountered a meeting with mormons before, only heard about them, and I was sure I could back them into a corner with the things they believe! So I did my homework, read about certain questions I should ask, and what I should expect, and I was off!!
That particular day, only one of the mormon missionaries was there with their "high priest". Both were extremely nice, complimentary, and soft-spoken. Nothing like I had expected! I told them I had a few questions to ask, and he told me to go right ahead! I just kept thinking "buddy...you're gonna regret you ever came in contact with me!".
So question by question, I listened as he began to explain things that I hadn't intended on hearing! My plan was shot! From the way he was talking, we should have been going to the same church! But knowing there was more than that, and now having my pride shot down...we made another appointment with them. The next time they came, I met all three...an American, a British, and a Canadian...all 20 years old. Each time they came, they would say things like "we're not here to argue", and "we believe the exact same thing you do...and a bit more". Their words were enticing, they presented themselves in such a calm and appropriate manner, you would never think these were 20 year olds talking to you!! They invited Sheritha and I to one of their baptisms, which we went to...and then we invited them to one of ours...which they came to. After that, the discussion turned more towards what was different between our churches, than what was the same (which they kept claiming!). I continued to enjoy their company, as they are very nice guys...but every time they came, they would just say something that "irked" me to the bone! Now, two months and too many meetings later, I feel we are at a dead end. They have presented their message to me in whole, and I have explained to them my belief, as well. I love them dearly as people, but as mormons, they frustrate me to no end! It kills me to see people (55,000 missionaries!) so dedicated to the work of a mere man...and not of God! My friend Sheritha and I have spent so much time and energy attempting to get them to see the faults of Joseph Smith, but they are so sucked into the idea of a modern day prophet, nothing else matters!
At this point, I am drained. They come twice a week to talk to me, and although I desire to show them the truth, I know that it's not my full burden to carry...I've done all I can do. So now I'm considering cutting it off with them on Tuesday. What do you think?
That particular day, only one of the mormon missionaries was there with their "high priest". Both were extremely nice, complimentary, and soft-spoken. Nothing like I had expected! I told them I had a few questions to ask, and he told me to go right ahead! I just kept thinking "buddy...you're gonna regret you ever came in contact with me!".
So question by question, I listened as he began to explain things that I hadn't intended on hearing! My plan was shot! From the way he was talking, we should have been going to the same church! But knowing there was more than that, and now having my pride shot down...we made another appointment with them. The next time they came, I met all three...an American, a British, and a Canadian...all 20 years old. Each time they came, they would say things like "we're not here to argue", and "we believe the exact same thing you do...and a bit more". Their words were enticing, they presented themselves in such a calm and appropriate manner, you would never think these were 20 year olds talking to you!! They invited Sheritha and I to one of their baptisms, which we went to...and then we invited them to one of ours...which they came to. After that, the discussion turned more towards what was different between our churches, than what was the same (which they kept claiming!). I continued to enjoy their company, as they are very nice guys...but every time they came, they would just say something that "irked" me to the bone! Now, two months and too many meetings later, I feel we are at a dead end. They have presented their message to me in whole, and I have explained to them my belief, as well. I love them dearly as people, but as mormons, they frustrate me to no end! It kills me to see people (55,000 missionaries!) so dedicated to the work of a mere man...and not of God! My friend Sheritha and I have spent so much time and energy attempting to get them to see the faults of Joseph Smith, but they are so sucked into the idea of a modern day prophet, nothing else matters!
At this point, I am drained. They come twice a week to talk to me, and although I desire to show them the truth, I know that it's not my full burden to carry...I've done all I can do. So now I'm considering cutting it off with them on Tuesday. What do you think?
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