"Every challenging situation becomes an opportunity for us to trust Him, to obey, to learn, to grow, to rely more on His grace." The quote above comes from an article I recently read titled A Tantrum for My Transformation. Being here in Paraguay has provided me with plenty of challenging situations but I'm hoping and trusting that they are for my good. Actually, I know that they are for my good. Strangely enough, although I don't have 2 kids who throw tantrums, I found myself being able to relate to this woman. Right now, I'm the one who throws tantrums every other day. There's always something to upset me, something to complain about, something that challenges me to my core. BUT I have to remind myself that through these challenging situations, He is sanctifying and challenging me so I can become more like Christ. Still trying to learn how to endure hardship as discipline and be joyful about it. "He is not in the business of making my life comfortable and free of any stress. He has something greater planned for me: my holiness."
Hebrews 12:10b-11 "...but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Here's a picture update of what's been happening in the month of Octubre!
Colegio Presbiteriano Cerritos:
Our students presented some group projects! The 5th & 6th graders were news reporters and the 4th graders did research on a specific country!
These girls play pelota muerta (dodgeball) like every day. Rocio (in the pink) is my Mombarete student!
Josias. He's the youngest son of Director Godoy (high school principal).
He's in the 2nd grade and so cute but never ever wants to do his work.
We took the 2nd graders outside to play "Simon says..."
Meet the students of my English club! Natasha, Fernando, Leandro, Nicolas, Jonathan. I seriously love these kids. I always start off not wanting to go just because it's right after lunch and I get lazy, but I always have the BEST time with them and come home super happy. Thank you for praying for us!
Iglesia Marangatu:
@ Villa Elisa- Introducing: Monica y Kike! Kike's in charge of Escuela Dominical (Sunday School) and he teaches the 3rd/4th grade class with his wife, Monica. I love watching the two of them work together as they love the children and share God's truth with them.
@ Ytororo-
The Ytororo team & church members: Yoej, Joel, Edith, Debora, Eva, David, Joseph, Luisfer, Luis, Teo, Lea. I am seriously loving these people more and more each week.
Joseph, Luisfer, and Geyssey <3
She's one of our 1st grade students!
Building Relationships: aka hanging out
The three of us went to a Mr. Funky concert with Edith and Luis Medina. It was at CFA (Iglesia Centro Familiar de Adoración) which is the hugest church I have ever been in! Didn't know any of Mr. Funky's music when I walked in, but I left really appreciating his music because his music sends a message about Christ.
Meet Rudolfo: finishing up medical school and wants to go to the United States for his residency. We met him when he helped out with the KM Medical team, and his English is so good. He took us to a Spanish restaurant and I tried paella for the first time. SOOOO GOOD.
We invited Analia, Elizama, and Yanina over for merienda (snack). They tried curry pasta! They're seniors in high school and are finishing up in the next month! They're so cute, sweet, and funny...planning on having kimbap this week :)
Made brookies with Eva!
Eva is just awesome. She's David's little sister and is studying hotel management at the university. She's an amazing cook AND she drives us around in her big van!
BOMB BOMB BOMB
Luisfer & Edith came by to try the brookies and we face-timed with Ester :)
That same day, Eva took us to a free harp concert in Asuncion. Really enjoyed it, but fell asleep cause it was 3.5 hours long...
Finally got to watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians with Jesica and she even made us some pizzas! Jesica is married to Esteban Segovia and they're expecting their first child, Daniela!
bombbb
went to Ian's birthday party! Ian is Amilcar's little brother and one of our 1st grade students. He's only nice to me when he wants to play games on my phone -__-
Rita (the other English teacher) took us to a mall and we ate at the food court. There were so many options, I had such a hard time choosing what to eat.
Guess what we all chose!
If you know me at all, you should already know...
A group of us went to CFAto see Nick Vujicic!
Sadly, we had to sit in the overflow room and just watched the TV. He was amazing.
with Luisfer, Luis, Edith, Cristian
We went to Diego & Tamara's wedding. It was my first time meeting them and I was a little hesitant to go, but I'm so glad I did. Diego is Jesica's older brother and he is a missionary in South Africa. He met Tamara (who's from Holland) and they fell in love! They're from different parts of the world, from different cultures, and speak different languages...but they serve the same God. Seriously, so beautiful.
con Diana
It was Cristian Jara's birthday on Monday. We threw him a surprise party! It was really special because his 7 siblings came to the dinner. They're actually non-believers and they were able to hear the gospel at the party! May God bless Cristian and Griselda!
Just the 3 of us: aka more hangouts
1. Promista (Prom + Paulista)
spontaneous trip to Paulista!
BOMB. i ate so much i hated myself afterwards.
2. Pizza Hut
3. Monte Libano Delivery
4. Farmers' Market
Yoej decided to SPONTANEOUSLY cut her hair...
and it looks so good!
& random things that have made my days brighter:
Nail polish! girls will be girls...
Korean snacks!!
SMN brought us this salad dressing from America. I've been craving a chinese chicken salad for weeeeeeeks and even started googling recipes to make on my own.
Yoej told me that when SMN brought this out, I started to "cry" and held it like it was an Academy Award saying "THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH."
but honestly, I was pretty happy about this :)
and we made this BOMB salad.
and simply put...these faces :)
Mario- the coolest kid I've ever met
Carol- she eats papas fritas every morning
Matias- the cutest kid in 6th grade
Enzo- a big troublemaker with a sweet heart
Ian- I still like him even though he uses me
Geyssey- a little girl in need of some love
Gaby- I get excited to see her every Sunday @ Ytororo
Matias x2. the blonde one is so space-y
and you can't forget TOBY!
Although the pictures make my life here seem super fun and amazing (which it is), there are also moments when I find myself struggling a lot. Even thought it may be difficult, I know and trust that these situations and circumstances are helping me to grow into the woman God wants me to be. Please continue to pray:
for me to be faithful even in the little things!
that I won't be so anxious about my future, but that I would entrust all things to God and His perfect plan for me.
that I would have a heart of love and compassion towards my students.
for perseverance. Every day is a battle and I have to remind myself of the gospel truth to get through the day. but His truth is SO GOOD!
Thank you for your constant support!<3 Dios le bendiga!
