tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5388491481631861682024-02-07T22:25:03.596-08:00free enough to dance."I believe that God wants us to pursue this journey with passion, but for that to be a possibility, we have to be free."Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-77874815974433601542011-05-13T10:22:00.000-07:002011-05-13T10:22:09.000-07:00His love endures forever.So we have been studying poetry in the 3rd grade world. For devotions we looked at Psalm 136. The "His love endures forever" chapter. So we wrote our own Psalm 136, and I couldn't help but share it because it was a really beautiful poem where I got to see what my students praise our God for, and what he really means to them. Each student wrote their own first line, and we put in the "His love endures forever."<br />
Enjoy.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He always love us.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He forgives are sin. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He created the earth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He love us does not matter what happens.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He diad [died] for me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He made us a big and beautiful world full of creation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When he create the earth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He is good and strong.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When he crate [create] us and earth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He do everything.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He does everything for us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He forgives me everytime I hurt him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He die for my sins.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He made us and he send his Son to for died.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He forget when I do rogn [wrong] things.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He forgive all the time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Glory to God who made heaven and earth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His love endures forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">[Revised Psalm 136 by Doulos 3rd grade]</div><!--EndFragment-->Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-85373873165992798372011-05-01T06:34:00.000-07:002011-05-01T06:48:14.308-07:00from presidente to perfection.Last week for Spring Break we went to this more-than-marvelous beach for a couple of days called Fronton. Doulos takes our 6th and 10th graders there to study about the coral reef and lobster habitats. I have heard great things about it, so we HAD to go. [See next blog post for pics. Trust me you will want to see them Paradide I tell you.]<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTWbYGw2lHVPLBZw4LWMyR587dnkRXfQc2HjJ7swHp4DyPWFfNhFQFDGlSszt5A-6eg69RHwPLgU5XseVyDEL0OzNFU-Psv4F6MUWw3vEMPhvtP7iqOPJ9I0zUko1qKJeLolhNMoWycaL/s1600/DSC_0867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTWbYGw2lHVPLBZw4LWMyR587dnkRXfQc2HjJ7swHp4DyPWFfNhFQFDGlSszt5A-6eg69RHwPLgU5XseVyDEL0OzNFU-Psv4F6MUWw3vEMPhvtP7iqOPJ9I0zUko1qKJeLolhNMoWycaL/s320/DSC_0867.jpg" width="212" /></a>All along the beach there there is what we like to call "sea glass." We, mostly the Americans who visit, are obsessed with it. Basically it is just broken <i>Presidente </i>bottles, or other alcoholic beverage bottles that get tossed in the ocean. Then it spends a little time in the ocean getting all roughed up, and then we pick it up and find that its the most beautiful thing we've ever seen. I am convinced that the locals that live there break the bottles on purpose and then watch us from afar laughing it up and wondering why in the world we collect this trash. But let's be honest it's not my first time to collect trash from the side of the road hoping to create something. But that's another story.<br />
<br />
As I was collected I couldn't help but think how perfect the sea glass was. I didn't care if I was crazy. I love this stuff and can't wait to make some sweet jewelry. I felt like as I was walking up and down the beach collecting it, God said,<br />
<br />
"Hey Leah, this is YOU. This is exactly how I desire you to be. Broken."<br />
<br />
I thought about it, and said, "well of course you want me broken. I know that. I know you will give us hard times. Blah. Blah. Blah." But as I continued walking and collecting, I noticed that I only picked up the ones that were REALLY roughed up. I threw back the ones that still had some sharp edges, and said, "they're just not ready yet." I wanted them to really spend some time rolling around on the bottom of the ocean, getting beat up by rocks, waves, coral, sand. THEN I wanted them. Then it dawned on me.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEmHrZCTN16bZfK-VEbijLBu24tV-kHaqJqLzHGZJnvg4NKNHJuGCgWuMIGeVY65H8Qbjb1SHPmUBL6e1YeDkfHNCwKOiifo1kmMiilPqy_gUHXuC5oI7CX1rHqYp6hJIAi_xW2GSN7cn/s1600/DSC_0776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEmHrZCTN16bZfK-VEbijLBu24tV-kHaqJqLzHGZJnvg4NKNHJuGCgWuMIGeVY65H8Qbjb1SHPmUBL6e1YeDkfHNCwKOiifo1kmMiilPqy_gUHXuC5oI7CX1rHqYp6hJIAi_xW2GSN7cn/s320/DSC_0776.JPG" width="320" /></a>This IS how God desires my heart. He wants it to get pushed around by the waves, get messed up, roughed up, scratched up for quite some time. The more I am rolled around, the more beautiful I become in His eyes. He will be with me every moment of it. And one day, He will come along the beach, pick me up and say,<br />
<br />
"<i>Perfection</i>."<br />
<br />
"The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." Psalms 51:17Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-15348102187682481732011-05-01T06:10:00.000-07:002011-05-01T06:10:35.937-07:00Ancient Egypt Expedition.We finished our spring expedition (basically really long unit that we do at Doulos). Spring semester topic: <i>ANCIENT EGYPT</i>. Here are some photos from our 7 weeks! <div><br />
</div><div><i>Making Egyptian jewelry with paper and magazines:</i><br />
<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_LT-ft0xbyQ5lTxUUJy2BMaSGWXbUXlx6eCGdMqigbyAq5R5ll2iq8ez8gkL7RaZ7LBDdOhkXD9eQGamSzAO-PewaKlJJ-dYtVKKgnSYzhk-tGzsHNAogeZrePD6ItyFKj2b14b3ERns/s1600/IMG_4074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_LT-ft0xbyQ5lTxUUJy2BMaSGWXbUXlx6eCGdMqigbyAq5R5ll2iq8ez8gkL7RaZ7LBDdOhkXD9eQGamSzAO-PewaKlJJ-dYtVKKgnSYzhk-tGzsHNAogeZrePD6ItyFKj2b14b3ERns/s320/IMG_4074.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Daniel and Andersen]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SvMVVmORvCKtEdX1jZj5VKJbh2tcIeuOZUEeOULkUTWVPOmIxj6LgV4NG66A3og6ja7XckwbmTuPgfMz7PzFgKMrZAXTANC2sHagWM3s2El3VAYk39E4lTsLbrfUJjqFYGctRkyJQ3R0/s1600/IMG_4075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SvMVVmORvCKtEdX1jZj5VKJbh2tcIeuOZUEeOULkUTWVPOmIxj6LgV4NG66A3og6ja7XckwbmTuPgfMz7PzFgKMrZAXTANC2sHagWM3s2El3VAYk39E4lTsLbrfUJjqFYGctRkyJQ3R0/s320/IMG_4075.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Cristina always sticks her tongue out when she works!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57edo_AdEw8dSvxjZ_Ozex4UAWJhJgrlSaOgpPsua1XmyE40h1YcFSLCP7JrPpSUCnA-irX0LKi5fD0HqPkAvak_1T9SBKt5gIHmSu9DstVaYem0V1GvxFaloZEmWpGhm1BFbNft360i2/s1600/IMG_4079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57edo_AdEw8dSvxjZ_Ozex4UAWJhJgrlSaOgpPsua1XmyE40h1YcFSLCP7JrPpSUCnA-irX0LKi5fD0HqPkAvak_1T9SBKt5gIHmSu9DstVaYem0V1GvxFaloZEmWpGhm1BFbNft360i2/s320/IMG_4079.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Our Egyptian pose with our Egyptian jewelry]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Writing our non-fiction research papers. I was beyond impressed with how they did with this!</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UNwNZzZoR5fxuXXllvCxWDpp6we-O1ajY7CDEJrD3vxl3u7YebHU8DG7cVwBprlXWcRlAwUJskkxGN23UJIKqxJyOsKuFj0lPrhPpn0Y0V2QnY5mHFwBCq08K2tYE16dmE5X4lDWHbZz/s1600/IMG_3226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UNwNZzZoR5fxuXXllvCxWDpp6we-O1ajY7CDEJrD3vxl3u7YebHU8DG7cVwBprlXWcRlAwUJskkxGN23UJIKqxJyOsKuFj0lPrhPpn0Y0V2QnY5mHFwBCq08K2tYE16dmE5X4lDWHbZz/s320/IMG_3226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Carlos coloring his final copy. He likes to stick out his tongue too. May be it makes you think better, and I didn't get the memo.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5_mvHX8otL4iUtU32cmTJfmfCdyXJOo8o_zSYWT07Wl63c418iGUA6__IOA50SfLUzfce8fGvKEacveWQgFyKv8ytrafc3bOExO0cChVFqtaDtehPNjE76V52vioTGyvbHeqdlWqMMSR/s1600/IMG_3227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5_mvHX8otL4iUtU32cmTJfmfCdyXJOo8o_zSYWT07Wl63c418iGUA6__IOA50SfLUzfce8fGvKEacveWQgFyKv8ytrafc3bOExO0cChVFqtaDtehPNjE76V52vioTGyvbHeqdlWqMMSR/s320/IMG_3227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Amanda and Brian]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>For expedition night we made a model of a pyramid out of boxes. Then painted it. With mud. I have to admit, the kid in me REALLY loved it. The teacher in me saw mud on the walls. I was a kid that day. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8WnzSOZ70nxtKKa7v9Eegwcky4Lf4rlE8jFty__T56i7cZUX3WQrdcZQcwrNvPLwNGLAmAsUTF7dwL-amtLLchs_ZCUCHJIL2shLdmWhI3qdvO5IBDSo1Xb0t_KdGK1zIxOaq-Yashnx/s1600/IMG_3231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8WnzSOZ70nxtKKa7v9Eegwcky4Lf4rlE8jFty__T56i7cZUX3WQrdcZQcwrNvPLwNGLAmAsUTF7dwL-amtLLchs_ZCUCHJIL2shLdmWhI3qdvO5IBDSo1Xb0t_KdGK1zIxOaq-Yashnx/s320/IMG_3231.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Our pyramid ready to paint.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsAcRwJvActVoThQh7Sq7TIeq4Iz2_kNHMvPa4BI6QnSZWPmOOBx0FoYIcbZwt6lHVg-v9MAcD01uRJAjMGunhKoL6yqZekH-IiDY7ntTi-mI6A5FIKG0UHP0aiPvQo9OA8SI4czHWMQN/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsAcRwJvActVoThQh7Sq7TIeq4Iz2_kNHMvPa4BI6QnSZWPmOOBx0FoYIcbZwt6lHVg-v9MAcD01uRJAjMGunhKoL6yqZekH-IiDY7ntTi-mI6A5FIKG0UHP0aiPvQo9OA8SI4czHWMQN/s320/IMG_3388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[We had some help! Mrs. Kerrie, the art teacher, and Josh, a guy from the work team that comes every year before expeditions to help up from Mosaic church in Ohio. Couldn't have done it without them.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsm9dqezdbF46caOi1VI2C7myVo7YaC6avxPCE9fZHSP-xwAb3RE9Z9fXHhF3BRaOGBXiPqFvILXF1liZ_NKhgAZ7TWWsRBNdBpV-w_PIm41X7AQug0Mko2J4N6r0o6xpo8jh2V3k4Zqt/s1600/IMG_3392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsm9dqezdbF46caOi1VI2C7myVo7YaC6avxPCE9fZHSP-xwAb3RE9Z9fXHhF3BRaOGBXiPqFvILXF1liZ_NKhgAZ7TWWsRBNdBpV-w_PIm41X7AQug0Mko2J4N6r0o6xpo8jh2V3k4Zqt/s320/IMG_3392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[What a radient smile from Abigail.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIlYQPrK3tNgGerZHKxkyn4qAu03rL6YUFiZfDTeg0FIxKeRJ1exjuSAHP5ioRHi2si3Rtq4AWg90f8QJ8RedP3PGp-KRVsyiTVAOltGj0l6wQbyt7AkK8pmDzkoySSV4vMkik0fHMzc6/s1600/IMG_3415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIlYQPrK3tNgGerZHKxkyn4qAu03rL6YUFiZfDTeg0FIxKeRJ1exjuSAHP5ioRHi2si3Rtq4AWg90f8QJ8RedP3PGp-KRVsyiTVAOltGj0l6wQbyt7AkK8pmDzkoySSV4vMkik0fHMzc6/s320/IMG_3415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[I got a little mud on my pants that day. They now have splattered paint and splattered mud. They will now be my '3rd grade pants.']</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja9u3ogxacLas8tbA253jGsWBv6Sk6wxBTnNqlE1PVhWlXbIQjn8Cs8d5HeiJcrN6C5kBLFB0QbcS7k6vsrQj1qhGbdKQ_8A2GbKYrR4hmZr9yHlhlmWCq5c-RPn9vv8kXq8t4zWdr3LU/s1600/IMG_3417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja9u3ogxacLas8tbA253jGsWBv6Sk6wxBTnNqlE1PVhWlXbIQjn8Cs8d5HeiJcrN6C5kBLFB0QbcS7k6vsrQj1qhGbdKQ_8A2GbKYrR4hmZr9yHlhlmWCq5c-RPn9vv8kXq8t4zWdr3LU/s320/IMG_3417.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Cristina looks less than thrilled.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DeIT2_85ZIPvKhBpgGzkbH-G7dNAoXS3PLHiuo78oWt_BlZvQhyx8zzw0ii9jZo0DpL2vpbyMCRg7H4M0squtticR3KOVRjWSZRxUCAWMI1JIQ8GHk7SrU1IDZuJHhqzinTA8Lazou2y/s1600/IMG_3423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DeIT2_85ZIPvKhBpgGzkbH-G7dNAoXS3PLHiuo78oWt_BlZvQhyx8zzw0ii9jZo0DpL2vpbyMCRg7H4M0squtticR3KOVRjWSZRxUCAWMI1JIQ8GHk7SrU1IDZuJHhqzinTA8Lazou2y/s320/IMG_3423.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[The finished product. Doesn't it look like the real thing? ha.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will leave you with a final picture that has nothing to do with expeditions. But it might go down for my favorite picture of a student. Andersen was just enjoying a delicious cupcake from Elena's birthday, and ended up with a dirty 'stache. Classic Andersen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-84807298116530745162011-04-09T09:14:00.000-07:002011-04-09T09:14:56.288-07:00comunidad.<div style="text-align: left;">Community. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Deliberately sharing life together. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Eating. Living. Working together. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Profoundly interdependent. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Carrying burdens. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Sharing with one another. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking truth in love. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Serving one another. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Confessing to one another. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>This </i>is how were were made to live. <i>This </i>is how Christ intended it. All of those things I wrote above I have seen and experienced firsthand within the past 3 weeks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When I think about this community that I have been given I am nothing short of overwhelmed with gratitude. With joy. With pride in my God. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A couple of weeks ago, when I went to Portland for the Expeditionary Learning (EL) conference, I was able to step out of this life I had been a part of since August, and really truly come to see the beauty of it. Much to my surprise, there was not much of a "Christian community" within EL. I was blown away because every one of their design principles [self-discovery, having of wonderful ideas, responsibility for learning, empathy and caring, success and failure, collaboration and competition, diversity and inclusion, the natural world, solitude and reflection, service and compassion] are so biblically based in my mind. I came back not just ready to use these new great teaching ideas, but more importantly to be back in my community and to share what I had seen and noticed. I left the conference and wahs able to be at home in Dallas for a few days and once again blessed by community. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Since I've got back every single day I have been been 'wowed' by our God. This verse pretty much sums it up: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goddness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. One you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have recieved God's mercy." 1 Peter 2: 9-10 </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"We are a community. </div><div style="text-align: left;">We are not ourselves by ourselves. </div><div style="text-align: left;">We are born into communities, </div><div style="text-align: left;">we live in communities,</div><div style="text-align: left;">we die in communities.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Human beings are not solitary,</div><div style="text-align: left;">self-sufficient creatures." </div><div style="text-align: left;">-<u>Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places</u> by Eugene Peterson</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-59130939376225441452011-04-03T17:01:00.000-07:002011-04-07T10:31:25.010-07:00life in the month of march.Ok so here's a rundown of my life this month. So much for the more frequent posts. Now I am here doing a really long recap! I would like to say that March has been absolutely incrredible. And here's a few reasons why:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJVDvWs3DStHUjmHvqMTuxNlYeyknVRnSvp1v5lZs0heXGys5SvsPiV7Pldj-SoYIT366Ijg7mwBpulOaLjfyZO43uo-hZvRS_O30mm00CNV-7tcvy1KRQRcwrdBSqEhgvaAxZS0IvidE/s1600/DSC_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJVDvWs3DStHUjmHvqMTuxNlYeyknVRnSvp1v5lZs0heXGys5SvsPiV7Pldj-SoYIT366Ijg7mwBpulOaLjfyZO43uo-hZvRS_O30mm00CNV-7tcvy1KRQRcwrdBSqEhgvaAxZS0IvidE/s320/DSC_0193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Went to Samana (beach on the north coast) and went whale watching with a great group of ladies! Saw a mom and baby whale while we were on the boat tour! It was pretty exciting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTAzSl-HQsbuPjctnqkOXG8iF543nuLzX7Wm8PFefjrva7xgz7erLrHCc8lh6v2ndxxM1PBrOt2-qrxBN11ZZF_2H5HMNwuH5-VZg4NAE43XHG-IKHvpFk6cVx6ff0KhbsJgsKOXTiRRt/s1600/IMG_4066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTAzSl-HQsbuPjctnqkOXG8iF543nuLzX7Wm8PFefjrva7xgz7erLrHCc8lh6v2ndxxM1PBrOt2-qrxBN11ZZF_2H5HMNwuH5-VZg4NAE43XHG-IKHvpFk6cVx6ff0KhbsJgsKOXTiRRt/s320/IMG_4066.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Got to play "skip bo" (or something similar..I'm positive we were not playing by the correct rules) with some new neighbor friends! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx76BSEIXUmwIE0i9sGVbVEYShrjor5wOMHBBu499Dy-U-HkWQktdJfC3A4rDgDofO_6QQel-LLlvXfDTOCwev-32TXSaSrx5QRxB89gMCYaPWGoQtyNtz7nZN46Ivkd4DrLnlPXsZjJd/s1600/DSC_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx76BSEIXUmwIE0i9sGVbVEYShrjor5wOMHBBu499Dy-U-HkWQktdJfC3A4rDgDofO_6QQel-LLlvXfDTOCwev-32TXSaSrx5QRxB89gMCYaPWGoQtyNtz7nZN46Ivkd4DrLnlPXsZjJd/s320/DSC_0509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNKIWUJgqGlkqoMWDdWYrRHiiFq87uJjsz84HDqoW3FW16kXHYuideU0BR8Q6RzAJnqDw45qyLCG-jUK0Hq6RxNJ49T-FUW5f5ufT_OsXZLZabL37Itw7Ex5Ub0fVW_WCYSA_ZHKmezRG/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNKIWUJgqGlkqoMWDdWYrRHiiFq87uJjsz84HDqoW3FW16kXHYuideU0BR8Q6RzAJnqDw45qyLCG-jUK0Hq6RxNJ49T-FUW5f5ufT_OsXZLZabL37Itw7Ex5Ub0fVW_WCYSA_ZHKmezRG/s320/DSC_0552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. Got to take some engagement pictures for Brittany (an intern this semester at Doulos) and Matt! They were such a joy to photograph! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvdzNGP70MeHX-5YQCpdCMlukUHWF1mGO9PG2xyHKOFVTnf5OEsYbhBYz4UZ6Mt0S43DsRAlnSsYGImhwRJ1OBmxx5tPS150SmbE70Xj1hpSLHEZi38ubWRdGUZkbJHw5fKHGNCqhRx4i/s1600/DSC_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvdzNGP70MeHX-5YQCpdCMlukUHWF1mGO9PG2xyHKOFVTnf5OEsYbhBYz4UZ6Mt0S43DsRAlnSsYGImhwRJ1OBmxx5tPS150SmbE70Xj1hpSLHEZi38ubWRdGUZkbJHw5fKHGNCqhRx4i/s320/DSC_0636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxq1DpmSslT1AD6MMsXG_lVZNYTbqAmKE59aI_iSqQUOrGXiU0fcmmse2xTembm7_dMTIoqsUdUOjI7MGMpolXcEIUTdCVgJoNJhP67Fi7SXdqJXLpqyHvde8vUTdW6uQk7-IJrkgVrFe/s1600/DSC_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxq1DpmSslT1AD6MMsXG_lVZNYTbqAmKE59aI_iSqQUOrGXiU0fcmmse2xTembm7_dMTIoqsUdUOjI7MGMpolXcEIUTdCVgJoNJhP67Fi7SXdqJXLpqyHvde8vUTdW6uQk7-IJrkgVrFe/s320/DSC_0689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. The same day, me and Stef (also an intern this semester) took photos of Brittany and Matt, and since her boyfriend was in town we snapped a few photos of them too! They are so precious and so fun together! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03ceaGpz-DsfrbP86KwQST9zqmThgOeoYrmwU-GZxer6wouomlDgpBEBVP3pcSFM8xpuhyNZZk9YZsWLI4eE91nkk29dQdvenFxx4CBf7unDNc33h3ocZyj6S66sxQkBZLkt8YeDhpsY_/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03ceaGpz-DsfrbP86KwQST9zqmThgOeoYrmwU-GZxer6wouomlDgpBEBVP3pcSFM8xpuhyNZZk9YZsWLI4eE91nkk29dQdvenFxx4CBf7unDNc33h3ocZyj6S66sxQkBZLkt8YeDhpsY_/s320/DSC_0249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc2E4qpw9kofXDvUnAcdtCf-Qqe692V2FmoCXcrQrafUs8AbdZVSz6ASUvB8Bx5nHBol5gSZ52S_ppJr6L7EwUbCM16BqgoginvWbhNSreeyLn3AHEDpkpkZu9-le1VGwr-fqS_USdLpZ/s1600/DSC_0393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc2E4qpw9kofXDvUnAcdtCf-Qqe692V2FmoCXcrQrafUs8AbdZVSz6ASUvB8Bx5nHBol5gSZ52S_ppJr6L7EwUbCM16BqgoginvWbhNSreeyLn3AHEDpkpkZu9-le1VGwr-fqS_USdLpZ/s320/DSC_0393.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHv5xRLW5foE1zlFNhCjqeLnciaKDDqj2LcTSOHJF0yrPvYhTHX7wSGh2YwnSkGkNphSDTXK3VWL2PeAk8ZEyRoQQkU320g0-XFcoVfgqjNnDJSVm63du3_CISkgd1tYxBeW58KF0WU0Q/s1600/DSC_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHv5xRLW5foE1zlFNhCjqeLnciaKDDqj2LcTSOHJF0yrPvYhTHX7wSGh2YwnSkGkNphSDTXK3VWL2PeAk8ZEyRoQQkU320g0-XFcoVfgqjNnDJSVm63du3_CISkgd1tYxBeW58KF0WU0Q/s320/DSC_0340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. Doulos had service week. 2nd and 3rd grade went to a public school, Escuela Rincon, and did activities with the elementary kids. It was really great to see our kids grow in being selfless and what that looks like. I just wish we could do this every week! It was incredible! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbajv4St44ZHRq8uftoms1oFqfWo5V_aN4wrvsTCxuE3Oa-HzbEzUV8I4x3IcoefsdinQtSEMu1jcdZ8VfdoYX7oB82n_zzf3uI16ttn1WvnViavxY4UDyQWa_bG4pMrYIpSZeW0FAYw6Z/s1600/IMG_4137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbajv4St44ZHRq8uftoms1oFqfWo5V_aN4wrvsTCxuE3Oa-HzbEzUV8I4x3IcoefsdinQtSEMu1jcdZ8VfdoYX7oB82n_zzf3uI16ttn1WvnViavxY4UDyQWa_bG4pMrYIpSZeW0FAYw6Z/s320/IMG_4137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[the 5 staff from Doulos that went the conference. Robyn, Tim, Patrick, me and Abby]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJQMBNO3-hNpV3mWL9ZPUU64xngnwl4Mlaqi_QBzBEodjYLM1hyJLRK_cIFq766A059U6mMzW2xpWnnXYWRSkIN2RyCFhKz_KDirJ_3d6OETqyhM1GYlGP-phL9mo2orAxtzYByGQ6yEI/s1600/IMG_4140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJQMBNO3-hNpV3mWL9ZPUU64xngnwl4Mlaqi_QBzBEodjYLM1hyJLRK_cIFq766A059U6mMzW2xpWnnXYWRSkIN2RyCFhKz_KDirJ_3d6OETqyhM1GYlGP-phL9mo2orAxtzYByGQ6yEI/s320/IMG_4140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Instead of staying at a hotel we had the wonderful opportunity with staying with this couple, Roger and Karen. They were such welcoming hosts that made our time in Portland so much better.]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pqJuJ30X9sl08ZVQHFNDvlPVpQCRHBwkCGT03wVGV1kA5XfLaWkk9f4nnpSbP9XTVC7B-TdemDBGNngC1X6HWEjeqI5J2Snh9gIMO3PYxz4wtTR_nS2WcZsi6fBQVFc_Dpxf16zw7C1z/s1600/IMG_4155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pqJuJ30X9sl08ZVQHFNDvlPVpQCRHBwkCGT03wVGV1kA5XfLaWkk9f4nnpSbP9XTVC7B-TdemDBGNngC1X6HWEjeqI5J2Snh9gIMO3PYxz4wtTR_nS2WcZsi6fBQVFc_Dpxf16zw7C1z/s320/IMG_4155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[morning view on the way to downtown Portland]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFho8Lzd9nB-z0KSdQ4C8YnFma1jSt2WyRNVOvyRN1bRpfQXZc-bavE-ggC013qgfaxHeEEiC3Fenow9bVuZApEY0T2A8qnEBYrZ40KsLBDg1O3y12lKWmUBzN3pbfGl0osJTHzFwJNCVz/s1600/DSC_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFho8Lzd9nB-z0KSdQ4C8YnFma1jSt2WyRNVOvyRN1bRpfQXZc-bavE-ggC013qgfaxHeEEiC3Fenow9bVuZApEY0T2A8qnEBYrZ40KsLBDg1O3y12lKWmUBzN3pbfGl0osJTHzFwJNCVz/s320/DSC_0760.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. Went to Portland, OR for an Expeditionary Learning conference. It was nothing short of spectacular. I gained a lot of knowledge to take back to Doulos, and also it also reinforced a lot of things that I already knew and loved about Doulos. And of course we got to play a little in Portland and eat some killer food! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFho8Lzd9nB-z0KSdQ4C8YnFma1jSt2WyRNVOvyRN1bRpfQXZc-bavE-ggC013qgfaxHeEEiC3Fenow9bVuZApEY0T2A8qnEBYrZ40KsLBDg1O3y12lKWmUBzN3pbfGl0osJTHzFwJNCVz/s1600/DSC_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaaLOsnp1BkJr5rIKS6HC7-jGCAn4UeoNKFG4ZneiQ-mDin8wFZszmo8siMvF2hD6GN2-pelduOrmeJ1pXgEgpMywPKr1yc2dg_qeMMaobLxi2BGohMoZV3V-rtxNxxf4amILf9QbW58b/s1600/IMG_4187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaaLOsnp1BkJr5rIKS6HC7-jGCAn4UeoNKFG4ZneiQ-mDin8wFZszmo8siMvF2hD6GN2-pelduOrmeJ1pXgEgpMywPKr1yc2dg_qeMMaobLxi2BGohMoZV3V-rtxNxxf4amILf9QbW58b/s320/IMG_4187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7. On the way back from Portland I had a couple of days to spend in Dallas. Of course it called for a dinner at Babe's with this great crowd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-17145262512890976102011-03-04T10:11:00.000-08:002011-03-04T10:11:45.516-08:00[dia de indpendencia]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>2.25: The day that the Dominican Republic gained it's independence from Haiti. What better way to celebrate than to have every class in the school perfom? Dancing, singing, reciting poems etc. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaFiLPZA8vGELb9kfySOH9SHQ2cnoCXbDbK7jIvFnPUqdPYN6wAbAx_M0HxLXb_DUJvHdMZDZV13-GzXsU9xiYA2eQqQibG0QA7_td3zo7JXl7GqsRCRJigE_FNuqONhlb2Mi4ZeMxtSO/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaFiLPZA8vGELb9kfySOH9SHQ2cnoCXbDbK7jIvFnPUqdPYN6wAbAx_M0HxLXb_DUJvHdMZDZV13-GzXsU9xiYA2eQqQibG0QA7_td3zo7JXl7GqsRCRJigE_FNuqONhlb2Mi4ZeMxtSO/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Some of the high schoolers perfomed a wonderful dance with even more wonderful skirts. I wonder if I can borrow one sometime...]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sJREhN6iYGH4UAOJjdEwfQEzqbRRJUH6cnVGBX9c5O7KBkieCW8g5GLjT9dOoR7wquAE_QBCCl2To-l084rA9VRk_pt8K_UEvVtDjdXJqdyxDOJyK5Ya-jaGjJt18mFg_sVE1b9Up9TK/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sJREhN6iYGH4UAOJjdEwfQEzqbRRJUH6cnVGBX9c5O7KBkieCW8g5GLjT9dOoR7wquAE_QBCCl2To-l084rA9VRk_pt8K_UEvVtDjdXJqdyxDOJyK5Ya-jaGjJt18mFg_sVE1b9Up9TK/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[SOME of my class singing a song]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnYhDysJEp9l7-b1QUUeTpRN40D2UPPWOQESdtR3eJRrbR7oOehDIiFgZ2lPDj539gVFZd_NxZcsfpOthegU4JaONqVhFoTCQSY1ChbOxwwNhj-7gxOJ6gS0Hbz5mYRA2qXcvjIxLavps/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnYhDysJEp9l7-b1QUUeTpRN40D2UPPWOQESdtR3eJRrbR7oOehDIiFgZ2lPDj539gVFZd_NxZcsfpOthegU4JaONqVhFoTCQSY1ChbOxwwNhj-7gxOJ6gS0Hbz5mYRA2qXcvjIxLavps/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[That afternoon we had Revolution (an all school assembly) and the 4th grade danced to "Lean On Me" by DC Talk. It was right up their ally to get to break dance]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn9pIpASJhkkie1Na1Wm1XqnArDjy5OFzw6EUlNSKWGKHbtgn8UDe-qVMzYNCDfwLs3XNfVZM8LuCzocfqX2wWQJlyyIkWGKQup65kCjWNm_IaijIHwS50NTGZwowS_hbXJwwXbwrr0ii/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn9pIpASJhkkie1Na1Wm1XqnArDjy5OFzw6EUlNSKWGKHbtgn8UDe-qVMzYNCDfwLs3XNfVZM8LuCzocfqX2wWQJlyyIkWGKQup65kCjWNm_IaijIHwS50NTGZwowS_hbXJwwXbwrr0ii/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Me and some of my students waiting for Revolution to start]</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-32497191573836697002011-03-04T09:58:00.000-08:002011-03-04T09:58:42.475-08:00[capturing beauty]2.27: S<i>o I know I am moving backwards in my posts, but I thought I should catch up a little bit. So I have this friend, Sarai. She works with me at Doulos. Last semester, I noticed what a beautiful woman she was. I thought to myself, "Man, she would be a great model." So I told her this, and then about 3 months later I actually got around to taking photos of her. She is quite an incredible woman, who has such a mighty heart for our Jesus. Here are a few of my favs from the shoot...</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL7k-IEY_L9hq4OkqKRWGY3vGOGXm4ukzDoNgQaX1iSwjXe5ygAjVOl0a0K2xPgtO5l9pYWh9GmOIigIDGLC9LMGopDvU6zibui13JuoJPTnGljEjzoqLAaTBD8IfL3QL42V6euXcZrTr/s1600/DSC_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL7k-IEY_L9hq4OkqKRWGY3vGOGXm4ukzDoNgQaX1iSwjXe5ygAjVOl0a0K2xPgtO5l9pYWh9GmOIigIDGLC9LMGopDvU6zibui13JuoJPTnGljEjzoqLAaTBD8IfL3QL42V6euXcZrTr/s320/DSC_0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K8HNNJf6YsNsHa9u2mJVSCXHYvlFrEv7NpK8cbOE67Zfc3xwGaCmgcSpCpHb3tvhp2CqspRhKqACib54TKdtTvaU7JxbEx5rJWY4RbBxOrkol26VEnHSmJnk2EQSfgAcW6RyzrB7Nyq4/s1600/DSC_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K8HNNJf6YsNsHa9u2mJVSCXHYvlFrEv7NpK8cbOE67Zfc3xwGaCmgcSpCpHb3tvhp2CqspRhKqACib54TKdtTvaU7JxbEx5rJWY4RbBxOrkol26VEnHSmJnk2EQSfgAcW6RyzrB7Nyq4/s320/DSC_0887.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7ReTLh7KW-tqxOZUwbDrSy3CvrydTIEJ2RkvBYsoqXogbkJ0UajaxwUWqb1y-ZJqfbOo0FQ7ebIkerlh6ETjF0__361Do1wZiTsynW1r2ybL2NvHPcKKjehKHC-MLXMlrjNKjYa7348J/s1600/DSC_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7ReTLh7KW-tqxOZUwbDrSy3CvrydTIEJ2RkvBYsoqXogbkJ0UajaxwUWqb1y-ZJqfbOo0FQ7ebIkerlh6ETjF0__361Do1wZiTsynW1r2ybL2NvHPcKKjehKHC-MLXMlrjNKjYa7348J/s320/DSC_0930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GPbA-yhLwCCNedxTaYRAT_ekXVW7Pcn1L-C0QjnWyoGZXYcz7SxI6145ULnzZMuB_1vomP_kYdyR2kjL7d8pmh4TWmDIBK1YnzlsbuKCyobKSPEVqhOz7ffQiUBm1HK_rbVcWZzcuK2v/s1600/DSC_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GPbA-yhLwCCNedxTaYRAT_ekXVW7Pcn1L-C0QjnWyoGZXYcz7SxI6145ULnzZMuB_1vomP_kYdyR2kjL7d8pmh4TWmDIBK1YnzlsbuKCyobKSPEVqhOz7ffQiUBm1HK_rbVcWZzcuK2v/s320/DSC_0986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks Sarai for the opportunity to capture your beauty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-43954599644015469202011-03-04T09:40:00.000-08:002011-03-04T09:48:30.995-08:00[he has planted eternity into human hearts]<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3.2:Yesterday was the 3 year anniversary of a dear friend, Lauren Lewis, passing away. I will go ahead and say that I am going to be pretty candid in this post. This whole week I have felt that there has been this looming sad cloud over the week. Not only was I preparing myself for that day, and thinking heavily about Lauren's family, there were 2 students in my class that lost their grandparents this week. On Tuesday, when one of the girls came back to school, I just greeted her with a really long hug. It was the precious moment between us, and she proceeded to cry. Just the sadness in her heart, broke mine as well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> In my team meeting on Tuesday, I shared with my fellow members about these feelings. Our instructional coach, Sara, thought that this would be a great opportunity to talk about this in devotions one day this week. To talk about loss, sorrow, pain. And let me tell you I was not that excited about the idea because I just thought I could not hold it together while we talked about it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So Wednesday night, I prayed a lot about it, and searched through my Bible for some good verses to talk about. And MAN did God totally show up that morning! I started off by sharing with them that today was a special day, a hard day for me because I had a friend that died 3 years ago on this day. We read</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Ecclesiastes 3:11 "</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." </i></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I asked them to think of a time when they had lost someone or had felt a lot of pain in their heart. Almost all of the kids raised their hands and shared about a time that either a grandparent had died, or a family member, or even a time when their parents told them about when their grandparents died. Many of them started to even tear up when they were sharing about it. I asked them why we get so sad when these things happen. Most of them said that its because "we want them around. We don't want them to leave." But one of my girls objected and said "No. I'm sad because my grandpa is sad that my grandma is gone." Wow. What a step in feeling empathy for someone. I was quite impressed with that statement. I skipped down to read verse 14...</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"God's purpose is for us to revere Him."</i></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> What does "revere" mean? To respect and to stand in awe of. As I was sharing this with them and explaining what it means to stand in awe of something, I myself was overwhelmed with the joy that will come when I get to "stand in awe" of God. In His majesty. I let them listen to the "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe, which they all know and love. But I asked them to simply listen to the song, and think about when we will sing this song. Some of them just layed on the ground. Some bowed their heads. Some closed their eyes. But for once, not a word was spoken. During the whole song (which is kind of a long one) they did this. Their hearts and their minds were in this beautiful state of worship. For a few moments, I just looked around and watched them. And THAT is what brought tears to my eyes. 19 little 8 and 9 year olds worshipping our God together.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> We proceeded to talk about WHEN we will sing that song. In heaven. For eternity. Over and over we will sing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Who was,</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>and is,</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>and is to come."</i> </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We will be in this place where <i>"he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." </i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So yesterday I honored Lauren in different "earthly ways." I wore green. I listened to Dolly Parton's "You better get to livin.'" I watched Across the Universe. etc. But I'm sure all those things REALLY didn't matter to her. She's not concered with any of that any more. She is now surrounded by God's majesty worshipping him all day ever day. And THAT is what I want to long for. I want to long for that moment. I want to long to spend eternity singing his praises</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">So to all those who knew Lauren, I hope that today was spent honoring her, but more importantly left you longing for eternity. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpoQ_il1r9fQVeuO5CBHQuVaIfkaZEdcxIPD3rxmQhpF1_Q5zGlPsmvRdvZ4LHQFb9mlc0R-gO789hKW7HhNdQ4f9Hw9uwieyUL9gF8iostQJtEHbjw4WMB3xZgetZrpCdSGL8mjLQm0L/s1600/CIMG3526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpoQ_il1r9fQVeuO5CBHQuVaIfkaZEdcxIPD3rxmQhpF1_Q5zGlPsmvRdvZ4LHQFb9mlc0R-gO789hKW7HhNdQ4f9Hw9uwieyUL9gF8iostQJtEHbjw4WMB3xZgetZrpCdSGL8mjLQm0L/s320/CIMG3526.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Lauren and I at Habitat for Humanity in the fall of 2007]</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-56256538106027762272011-02-11T09:58:00.000-08:002011-02-11T09:58:28.299-08:00Thank youuu!!!!<i>2.11: Last week we got some AWESOME student dictionaries in the mail from a friend, Mr. Gabriel. If you are reading this, I can't tell you how grateful we are! The kids were really excited to use them. Today we wrote thank you letters and one of the kids wrote "...I will use the dictionary to write in english. Like the word intoxication. I am using it to write this letter." Oh man! I laughed pretty hard at that line! They are so cute! </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lIdK7wD4wJUBkN62WBE4tl559hKDhO_Fb-K6CsKv50viTe5qPsxaWmJHUFpDNBaatFv6D0_x7Xp9LqBpKQ_zznMItseG_NUrxRZxRDoxatT7TMigpH9lbUDn6WZ3H7gtOcidNpFUBIOb/s1600/IMG_4033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lIdK7wD4wJUBkN62WBE4tl559hKDhO_Fb-K6CsKv50viTe5qPsxaWmJHUFpDNBaatFv6D0_x7Xp9LqBpKQ_zznMItseG_NUrxRZxRDoxatT7TMigpH9lbUDn6WZ3H7gtOcidNpFUBIOb/s320/IMG_4033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Here we are with the dictionaries. Not entirely sure why Daniel (in the front) is eating it...]</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-89070310865609966292011-02-11T09:41:00.000-08:002011-02-11T09:41:33.865-08:00Africa!<i>2.10: My kids completed their first group poster project this week about the regions of Africa. They turned out pretty good I think! </i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8r_Ets9Txa-3AUQadDNXf6UgofGmRTuhHHTXDX2fUxCuBB6SXgXHmDs_v0j7W11pIGJvEXkUgbdQzirhK6iUSRXY05sD4_2JsR0cZ0fzkwdTu9SYiFxQvWdPUcUMyl9HeYeCGkUZKqzr3/s1600/IMG_4032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8r_Ets9Txa-3AUQadDNXf6UgofGmRTuhHHTXDX2fUxCuBB6SXgXHmDs_v0j7W11pIGJvEXkUgbdQzirhK6iUSRXY05sD4_2JsR0cZ0fzkwdTu9SYiFxQvWdPUcUMyl9HeYeCGkUZKqzr3/s320/IMG_4032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-29008168701593940282011-02-09T17:04:00.000-08:002011-02-09T17:31:04.661-08:00::I will not boast::<i>2.9: Wednesday nights are always Bible Study nights. I have come to really really love these nights with the women in my group. Especially this semester the 8 of us have grown to know, challenge and love each other. Tonight all the girl's Bible studies got together just to have a worship night. I have to say that these nights are by far my favorite thing about living here. Whether its staff worship, or worship at someone's house, or all girl's worship. I don't care. I love it all. And every time I am still amazed at how Great God is. I always get this overwhelming feeling of "wow! I could just do this all night long!" Then I remember...oh wait...I DO get to do this forever. In eternity. In his presence. So tonight we sang a lot of songs, but this one in particular, I really just wanted to impress deep on my heart. It tells the story of what we believe. Why we believe. The last chorus is what really hits home for me. I don't really feel the need to comment on it much more because the words speak for themselves. So take a moment. Read them. Listen to them. Believe them. </i><br />
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</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How deep the Father's love for us,</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How vast beyond all measure</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That He should give His only Son</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make a wretch His treasure</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How great the pain of searing loss,</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Father turns His face away</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As wounds which mar the chosen One,</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring many sons to glory</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Behold the Man upon a cross,</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sin upon His shoulders</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashamed I hear my mocing voice,</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Call out among the scoffers</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was my sin that helf Him there</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until it was accomplished</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His dying breath has brought me life</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knoww that it is finished</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will not boast in anything</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No gifts, no power, no wisdom</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I will boast in Jesus Christ</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His death and resurrection</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Why should I gain from His reward?</b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I cannot give an answer</b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But this I know with all my heart</b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>His wounds have paid my ransom</b></span></div></span></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-22560709371891508182011-02-07T18:28:00.000-08:002011-02-07T18:33:27.804-08:00superbowl sunday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>2.6: So this Sunday felt very odd not watching the Superbowl. I realize that it's not that I actually care about either of the teams, or even that I will remember this game a week from now, but it just felt like I was doing something wrong not watching it. Who knows why. Perhaps it was my dad always talking about football and getting so excited about it, or my mom getting excited about it because it's the last football game until next season. Either way, we still celebrated in our own way here. I was able to make yummy Superbowl snacks: lemon cupcakes with strawberries on top...which I realize is not actually that Superbowl-ish..really more girly. O well. And my roomie made some homemade mac and cheese. We headed over to a friend's house who had made some good ol' tailgating games. It was a good way to celebrate. And then today (2.7) I got to watch all the commercials, national anthem, and halftime performance on youtube because let's be honest that's really the only reason why I watch the Superbowl. I have to admit that <a href="http://www.heb.com/page/about-us/exclusive-heb-super-bowl-commercial">this commercial</a> made me miss Texas [and HEB] the most. A tad cheesy, but I'll take it.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ-klshU6U7b3OxfaGJzRJv2ZOT2_I0H1J2fxZK8t0rSCs3cIXn358iygBjVsSERlZZs0KItwotarkUsE-z6N4iGNifZxF81GY_TtFbAKpc0Hw68AKi284vS8kJhm0zGEzoTdtcZ0ruAf/s1600/DSC_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ-klshU6U7b3OxfaGJzRJv2ZOT2_I0H1J2fxZK8t0rSCs3cIXn358iygBjVsSERlZZs0KItwotarkUsE-z6N4iGNifZxF81GY_TtFbAKpc0Hw68AKi284vS8kJhm0zGEzoTdtcZ0ruAf/s320/DSC_0156.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[This is me winning Mexican horseshoes...or whatever you call it]</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-19399233627710798962011-02-07T18:11:00.000-08:002011-02-07T18:21:45.462-08:00OLD WINDOW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>2.5: So last semester when I was taking photos for my friends Tim and Whit I found this old window (I posted a pic of it on an earlier post...go take a look). So my and my roommate have been needing to clean it up and chop of the ends. So we finally got around to it this weekend. And let me tell you! It may be my new favorite piece in our house! I mean let's think about it...$0 for the window because I found it in front of some ladies house and she gave it to us. Our friend cut off the ends for us. And the only thing we needed were 2 little screws to screw it on in. I wish that Pottery Barn would let me on their website so I could post one of their pics and say...you don't need to spend $800 on a piece of junk wood. Instead..actually use junk wood! What a novel idea. So as if we were resourceful enough, one of our friends came over and was looking at the pieces we cut off, and being envious over our fabulous window and had the great idea of using one of the pieces as a little shelf! Oh man...I wish you could have seen our excitement. So we painted the bottom a little bit to make it look a little better and voila! 2 for the "price" of one! So take a look....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQDzq4SHXf3e4zXH03BpwnjZlODabDUNyppRwWyMPKGnj-nUbrBetBgooWlCgqYxbdfPgZeDnrKXLor0hgci3KHEBr2k_j9QOiKVz5qmLP-CnBNPWQ8QM7ZmaxKYScHH6v3SyG6fZ63l2/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQDzq4SHXf3e4zXH03BpwnjZlODabDUNyppRwWyMPKGnj-nUbrBetBgooWlCgqYxbdfPgZeDnrKXLor0hgci3KHEBr2k_j9QOiKVz5qmLP-CnBNPWQ8QM7ZmaxKYScHH6v3SyG6fZ63l2/s320/DSC_0222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[my roommate is holding a plant because we plan on putting a plant on that side, but don't actually have one yet. And yes the plant is dead...so we haven't exactly perfected our gardening skills yet. Also we plan on putting other things around it, but just don't know what yet, so if you have any creative suggestions, let me know!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MQSGZYkErGBQuogDOIci5KwIitYjpB4nwhvSbggVR5D6Wgfs_1Bu7LduxMU5OIRuQnPKPI5BPniM9LiuaM1J9ST4VAdfYtROpaarOcsXXaKLmTst1RFMpHtZ9RqiI_JWtMXAU_fQRXkm/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MQSGZYkErGBQuogDOIci5KwIitYjpB4nwhvSbggVR5D6Wgfs_1Bu7LduxMU5OIRuQnPKPI5BPniM9LiuaM1J9ST4VAdfYtROpaarOcsXXaKLmTst1RFMpHtZ9RqiI_JWtMXAU_fQRXkm/s320/DSC_0224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[check out THAT authentic shabbiness]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MQSGZYkErGBQuogDOIci5KwIitYjpB4nwhvSbggVR5D6Wgfs_1Bu7LduxMU5OIRuQnPKPI5BPniM9LiuaM1J9ST4VAdfYtROpaarOcsXXaKLmTst1RFMpHtZ9RqiI_JWtMXAU_fQRXkm/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU5dVst_PmqObI-hbblxuyytL8j_FMGI0mL6DKd7tr3pmSExjzTainEyVwA-ym4IrCZzlZ7LsN2UWop2VoUmIKcwIb1fWmkDi0iDzkDXeeKTNXc7vkry_u7KAZJ6ZiEe8cmIo7cbH8dOZ/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU5dVst_PmqObI-hbblxuyytL8j_FMGI0mL6DKd7tr3pmSExjzTainEyVwA-ym4IrCZzlZ7LsN2UWop2VoUmIKcwIb1fWmkDi0iDzkDXeeKTNXc7vkry_u7KAZJ6ZiEe8cmIo7cbH8dOZ/s320/DSC_0219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[here is our cute little shelf! and my roommate went to Thailand this Christmas to visit her family and brought back these mugs from a pottery factory. MAN I'm really coming to love our house!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there you are. DIY and cheap decorating at it's finest. </div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-50641793881459505932011-02-07T15:47:00.000-08:002011-02-07T15:47:53.089-08:00100th day of school<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>2.4: Friday was the 100th day of school. I must admit that I hadn't been counting with my students like some teachers do, but let's be honest, I jumped on that opportunity to dress in theme for a day! I did regret my decision a little when I walked into staff devotions that morning and I was the only one decked out, but it made it totally worth it when I saw my kids and they saw me. Many of them just died in laughter, which I didn't mind. Anything to make their year memorable. Perhaps they will remember me as their crazy 3rd grade teacher who dressed like she was 100 years old. All of the teachers were asking me where I got all these old clothes...my response: unfortunately these are all things I wear. Embarrassing? Naw. My mom did always say that I'm gonna turn old before she does. This is one of these times that she's right. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKn3l-GGpbEMCbr7uE1Q3gvqwI-2wZGoh-kk8rGbuJYCEY1OiyEp99H_lBoGRaux6Yg8sSru7hWEvwH284pgy2bDUgDDxUWQ1w_jHJ3FR4MITP9UqPth7uc0fyJhbFZ8xmXwKDZklkrES/s1600/IMG_4020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKn3l-GGpbEMCbr7uE1Q3gvqwI-2wZGoh-kk8rGbuJYCEY1OiyEp99H_lBoGRaux6Yg8sSru7hWEvwH284pgy2bDUgDDxUWQ1w_jHJ3FR4MITP9UqPth7uc0fyJhbFZ8xmXwKDZklkrES/s320/IMG_4020.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[my girls dressed up like little old ladies. it was pretty funny]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMybBX2N5EtUFgeSi5YCnHB4fQBNPKXyyCh0rdDAoFzoUp6plesoZwtI0LObi1hhAsZJXhb3RFmOB2wZtoJ8goiADFvZKedWBEmsOiqwBGAZnSmWsNgdMAR79RnRK6G8l9tj33B0BsZg5/s1600/IMG_4028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMybBX2N5EtUFgeSi5YCnHB4fQBNPKXyyCh0rdDAoFzoUp6plesoZwtI0LObi1hhAsZJXhb3RFmOB2wZtoJ8goiADFvZKedWBEmsOiqwBGAZnSmWsNgdMAR79RnRK6G8l9tj33B0BsZg5/s320/IMG_4028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[one of the VERY few other teachers that dressed up. middle school math teacher, Robyn, wearing 100 math related materials]</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-88657091999925885312011-02-03T16:59:00.000-08:002011-02-03T17:01:11.004-08:00I Am Confident.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>1. 28 and 1.29 and 1.30: Last weekend was a women's retreat here in Jarabacoa. What an amazing weekend it was. I realized on the way there that I have never actually been to a women's retreat, so I started to get a little apprehensive. I mean an entire weekend. With women. I mean don't get me wrong, I love girlfriends, but was this gonna be overboard like what you see in the movies or something. Well, whether I was proved wrong, or I was a part of a cheesy weekend, I still absolutely loved it. The whole weekend was about our Identity in Christ. We all chose different name tags for the weekend. For example, "I am a daughter of God...redeemed...light...forgiven...chosen" etc. etc. The one that I chose was "I am confident." I feel like so many times I worry that I'm not good enough to be here. Or good enough to be teaching at this amazing school. Or good enough to be surrounded by all these incredible people. And yes, it is not me who is "good enough," but I can be confident that Christ has chosen me to do this specific job. Confident that he will use me. Confident in Him. We had so many opportunities to just have some alone time. Quiet time. To really sit and think and pray. It really was much needed. And perfect. I will be looking forward to this weekend again next year. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFhlGNKHqB66c5uQsGDXBjlF_8YmMZvT2DZ7-F_kyysyP40xqkqt6ASz-3NdoXPN0YNg5BudxAPEqBfY8EsHZYlRk2vPDnkM2_uBF0NhRJJ-LIJ0gaW-EvXghMWL9j8_ALkZvOXlLE8KH/s1600/168040_10150400156515381_787640380_17061606_2960944_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFhlGNKHqB66c5uQsGDXBjlF_8YmMZvT2DZ7-F_kyysyP40xqkqt6ASz-3NdoXPN0YNg5BudxAPEqBfY8EsHZYlRk2vPDnkM2_uBF0NhRJJ-LIJ0gaW-EvXghMWL9j8_ALkZvOXlLE8KH/s320/168040_10150400156515381_787640380_17061606_2960944_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[My small group for the weekend. There were some of us from Jarabacoa, some from Santiago, and one from Santo Domingo]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>1.31: A little something we call DOL (daily oral language). The students have to correct the sentences. Don't worry I'm not actually that unaware of my grammar. I decided that today called for a special shout out. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy23zffuWkEORm8raIqDbQvUhntaUA_75etmxjL9sSn5SUs4dYqijufO8_OiirYVGg07s6JiI2JbMl1OPs0yLIMjM_eG8HmUy1uCt4K3m-Twbd2XN_95-sEcY4nkaOibn5Z8c9yqvac9J/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy23zffuWkEORm8raIqDbQvUhntaUA_75etmxjL9sSn5SUs4dYqijufO8_OiirYVGg07s6JiI2JbMl1OPs0yLIMjM_eG8HmUy1uCt4K3m-Twbd2XN_95-sEcY4nkaOibn5Z8c9yqvac9J/s320/IMG_3997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[We are now pen pals with Lauren's 2nd grade class, and I've never seen them more excited. And they were a little confused by the word "unthank." ha]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>2.1: Snow day.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxvwQSWKcnI0rlWQhChJl49tTahwYunDBHhFx6B9WlICe4ErW0pX3h6QQD4iw5WcAVIfWDG93tNhDdNnhATIRV24joCnRQQnCcfl-B7uuWCrssixINigWh4UucJusN1nAteQFVruh4X5P/s1600/IMG_4001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxvwQSWKcnI0rlWQhChJl49tTahwYunDBHhFx6B9WlICe4ErW0pX3h6QQD4iw5WcAVIfWDG93tNhDdNnhATIRV24joCnRQQnCcfl-B7uuWCrssixINigWh4UucJusN1nAteQFVruh4X5P/s320/IMG_4001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[While you guys are busy wearing 4 jackets and stuck at your house for 3 days, I'm wearing sandals. Ok so I rubbed it in a little, but partly it was out of jealousy I had to post this]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>2.3: The pen pals letters arrived! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqETqkre82_8xT22VUEWd85hZs5FtTUm0sjelofxMt-47l_jgXG2zMmvbKtlKqo0_j-G7lSokm2frDsllpjtEHhE5HLeM6dimmrYDKu6Yh5N0JX6OwLejr0_Aj48w96fh_CTPia_AhiWM/s1600/IMG_4000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqETqkre82_8xT22VUEWd85hZs5FtTUm0sjelofxMt-47l_jgXG2zMmvbKtlKqo0_j-G7lSokm2frDsllpjtEHhE5HLeM6dimmrYDKu6Yh5N0JX6OwLejr0_Aj48w96fh_CTPia_AhiWM/s320/IMG_4000.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Lauren just had to put how she feels about wearing helmets]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvo4yRWefeGjKbeM1-9JstqD01LkRpP8brvEFnj6FSTew0mdvMFSwzhn4yFidmJ1HZVqEaFQNXeHrf0__fvmLe33dWqsRGsG100Ewzg-W5o9lPRBs4lOTCfrf3SFjpL3ObbkOX3ZLZtz3/s1600/IMG_4005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvo4yRWefeGjKbeM1-9JstqD01LkRpP8brvEFnj6FSTew0mdvMFSwzhn4yFidmJ1HZVqEaFQNXeHrf0__fvmLe33dWqsRGsG100Ewzg-W5o9lPRBs4lOTCfrf3SFjpL3ObbkOX3ZLZtz3/s320/IMG_4005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[The kids were literally SO excited. I'm not sure if I quite captured their enthusiasm unfortunately]</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-55771320033701118442011-01-30T16:49:00.000-08:002011-01-30T16:49:36.557-08:004 day weekend (1.21-1.24)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a little photo story of my 4 day weekend last weekend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>1.21 and 1.22: Camping at Manabao with some great friends. Spent time relaxing, reading, laughing, hiking and cooking. It was lovely to just BE in God's creation. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wja2ErsSYNwOUpqUb5LzNLdmje-AaWRP20zrWq2GXVbvPe6YB8i9tGxXYQmnBRyir6MOkQICxiItHREKQ0yI4QYXM8GHpELDV4_dHMzTReIS0W7Eg4deV1ytn0Z0zZA1Bh_euQIqOqPv/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wja2ErsSYNwOUpqUb5LzNLdmje-AaWRP20zrWq2GXVbvPe6YB8i9tGxXYQmnBRyir6MOkQICxiItHREKQ0yI4QYXM8GHpELDV4_dHMzTReIS0W7Eg4deV1ytn0Z0zZA1Bh_euQIqOqPv/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8ED6V_PvPVU8n8N-y2Kj9YtCZQoZggEbIRyG1Fiw-u-SB9Z3hMeGcgHR-9wNAfKzvA3V9l_qsBb8lO83Ef8D5Uqlfrz3RAKiPIkQ7b-EBkhVxbOgxQYgREWwqCddjYMn4PV6H7YcnsP1/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8ED6V_PvPVU8n8N-y2Kj9YtCZQoZggEbIRyG1Fiw-u-SB9Z3hMeGcgHR-9wNAfKzvA3V9l_qsBb8lO83Ef8D5Uqlfrz3RAKiPIkQ7b-EBkhVxbOgxQYgREWwqCddjYMn4PV6H7YcnsP1/s320/DSC_0092.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Manabao is where they make Spirit Mountain Coffee. This was started by our founders of Doulos and this fair trade coffee directly benefits our scholarship program at Doulos. So here's how the coffee process works...mas o menos. Here is the coffee plant. When the seeds are red, that means they are ready to be picked.]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpvkm0HxYmp84A7N-jqsX2n9Z3a7y-Ohs04zL69laLkLXMXC3R691bFglKd8-bNkc6jcGtYj78zpcT4vs3hpkUOHoSbwEGJB9Dpit4c9MakNNAVzpTkmBoWp8lWpdd9-8CyJdso0JidOw/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpvkm0HxYmp84A7N-jqsX2n9Z3a7y-Ohs04zL69laLkLXMXC3R691bFglKd8-bNkc6jcGtYj78zpcT4vs3hpkUOHoSbwEGJB9Dpit4c9MakNNAVzpTkmBoWp8lWpdd9-8CyJdso0JidOw/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Here is a whole group of coffee plants]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBsnEkzRMzaeY3iXQjwib-kffgurgjGT8GiWm_Ukdby_wkmtUH1twAgb1FlnDMB4mKzT7rsnd9BEfVeXxaAATIk3ae5X_4daKiwNgBWp1dTKZiJIvFz2yTmSF2At8nbu5rEjmhwcMLtq8/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBsnEkzRMzaeY3iXQjwib-kffgurgjGT8GiWm_Ukdby_wkmtUH1twAgb1FlnDMB4mKzT7rsnd9BEfVeXxaAATIk3ae5X_4daKiwNgBWp1dTKZiJIvFz2yTmSF2At8nbu5rEjmhwcMLtq8/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[This is what the inside looks like. We took one out and sucked on it and surprisingly it tastes like a vegetable.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gzAHfE8jY6wGI1DkKElM0Dw7G484gpL81cAbBXBgpx1YFqFu3DnpLKbrJvyFXCgwRFeiCP_APayorCPTYp89ABiWEe_ffWmfpQpJE1Qhqoo5AfQpDOLTOXwwY3pPBIG6Frn6AOOLKcN0/s1600/DSC_0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gzAHfE8jY6wGI1DkKElM0Dw7G484gpL81cAbBXBgpx1YFqFu3DnpLKbrJvyFXCgwRFeiCP_APayorCPTYp89ABiWEe_ffWmfpQpJE1Qhqoo5AfQpDOLTOXwwY3pPBIG6Frn6AOOLKcN0/s320/DSC_0123.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[This is the machine they use to take the beans out of the shell]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNwmZkkM7ySNLk1BvHPiGW2ZIS2BX_0iKOP1OBCKdbi64fHgtaio-9VdMLEVOwrpAg1MUPnYoMLhWsgfyNBMv18tlJxheX1rClP6GhY1CVWr3EhBzEMhaFfvnDbDU3Dcco8ReC9bagpzq/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNwmZkkM7ySNLk1BvHPiGW2ZIS2BX_0iKOP1OBCKdbi64fHgtaio-9VdMLEVOwrpAg1MUPnYoMLhWsgfyNBMv18tlJxheX1rClP6GhY1CVWr3EhBzEMhaFfvnDbDU3Dcco8ReC9bagpzq/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> [THIS is how they dry the coffee beans out. I thought this was really picturesque]</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1.23: On Sunday of the 4 day weekend, I went on my very first moto trip to a place called Constanza. It was basically Americanas and Dominicanos. It was an absolute adventure. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijal83PqCTmLtRtBEY_RX5q79Son8CKb4LaIkuIzIaKvP9Mqj8AwAZfhK96iM-tYGrbCrFENMvpdZekl77IHXO0VRNDEjfhw9HT4BG9cUn30J5CTaochDrnfWjyG1wOYkcMyQjYgenkzCK/s1600/IMG_3960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijal83PqCTmLtRtBEY_RX5q79Son8CKb4LaIkuIzIaKvP9Mqj8AwAZfhK96iM-tYGrbCrFENMvpdZekl77IHXO0VRNDEjfhw9HT4BG9cUn30J5CTaochDrnfWjyG1wOYkcMyQjYgenkzCK/s320/IMG_3960.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Don't worry this is actually how we rode on the motos. This is just when we were stuck on the side of the rode with a flat tire. We had some fun anyways]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A77mqWaejvHzq3xmxEpATQweJYz5xn1VQGzHdlaM66dJ5V6ibQvkLfZUHp2XNHJ5voiiX63iZmniDYqyf6W-xfcH3jg42rBCSpDZJDih4cr3yrGe34fNJ5z2KCXJgvbochLyPTqSWjMS/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK23QhrF7hUiNb6tPpmAtyUGI8xBA21inzaEZJDyegfEuXUIaiZDSIh-8TiiwJGFpiYxRwuXh-LlIaoG-YBrMNQ9LTdWOIQAruATeFNwvWnYsrrYFelylyZk5l55-s2UGhjiN3D12TQCKV/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK23QhrF7hUiNb6tPpmAtyUGI8xBA21inzaEZJDyegfEuXUIaiZDSIh-8TiiwJGFpiYxRwuXh-LlIaoG-YBrMNQ9LTdWOIQAruATeFNwvWnYsrrYFelylyZk5l55-s2UGhjiN3D12TQCKV/s320/IMG_3908.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Here we are. Complete with the beautiful view]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>1.24: On the last day of our break, Amanda, my roommate, and I finally (pretty much) finished our frame wall. You never know what we will find next to add. It was quite an ordeal to just get this far. The frames, used to have mirrors in them, the spring used to be a bed spring (a friend made that for us) and now has been turned into a candle holder. The colorful circles are lids to various tubs covered by various fabrics. The green box (you can't really tell its a box, but it is) was made by us. And it is displaying the great piece of coral I found on the beach. And at the bottom we have the front of a drawer that we found in a junk pile. From trash to treasure!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK23QhrF7hUiNb6tPpmAtyUGI8xBA21inzaEZJDyegfEuXUIaiZDSIh-8TiiwJGFpiYxRwuXh-LlIaoG-YBrMNQ9LTdWOIQAruATeFNwvWnYsrrYFelylyZk5l55-s2UGhjiN3D12TQCKV/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A77mqWaejvHzq3xmxEpATQweJYz5xn1VQGzHdlaM66dJ5V6ibQvkLfZUHp2XNHJ5voiiX63iZmniDYqyf6W-xfcH3jg42rBCSpDZJDih4cr3yrGe34fNJ5z2KCXJgvbochLyPTqSWjMS/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0A77mqWaejvHzq3xmxEpATQweJYz5xn1VQGzHdlaM66dJ5V6ibQvkLfZUHp2XNHJ5voiiX63iZmniDYqyf6W-xfcH3jg42rBCSpDZJDih4cr3yrGe34fNJ5z2KCXJgvbochLyPTqSWjMS/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[We really love this wall]</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-3125628068947199242011-01-28T09:56:00.000-08:002011-01-28T09:56:16.443-08:00photo.of.the.dayOk so I am fully aware that my blogging skills are quite awful. I have been trying to think of a way to get myself motivated to blog. I thought since I take a lot of pictures, may be the whole "photo of the day" idea will work with me! Most people start them as their new years resolution, but 1. i don't really set those and 2. well it's almost February. So my goal is pretty obvious. I'm hoping this will give me a way to just write a short little blurb about my picture. So here we go.<br />
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PS. I actually had this idea about a week ago. But still haven't done it. ha. And haven't actually taken a picture everyday. MAN this goal seems really hopeful right? So here's ones from my time since I've been back. Just consider it a lucky day because you get more than ONE photo of the day! Woohoo!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY3a5f5_Mf_oalGQhEFZ3_h9s7q8ds1r7Jq2VCLldou4bKODqOdfHwPY1iP6hwQ73D5YgFfS03v9W6tqN9dOePu_-Ivjnl1woExu1xnk3TNkiAH_mS-XF1Pj4Ql1NSwo7wOH42tlLAMi2/s1600/IMG_3811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyY3a5f5_Mf_oalGQhEFZ3_h9s7q8ds1r7Jq2VCLldou4bKODqOdfHwPY1iP6hwQ73D5YgFfS03v9W6tqN9dOePu_-Ivjnl1woExu1xnk3TNkiAH_mS-XF1Pj4Ql1NSwo7wOH42tlLAMi2/s320/IMG_3811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[1.11 first day back to school: made some "snow in a bag." you can tell from their faces that they're excited to be back at school....or may be it was the snow?]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2_ifce7jceVIsa2S4yKxBmidkfM6JTNRkjrQEzfknWFSAijymNpCsX-m9ovGbp8dk5e3MZxGbXvmme-7b9aPJxDECHF5NTeLu51KhAVZyUNB44SVD84lSA7Xh7rxezd5g4BcNDW2M10y/s1600/IMG_3819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2_ifce7jceVIsa2S4yKxBmidkfM6JTNRkjrQEzfknWFSAijymNpCsX-m9ovGbp8dk5e3MZxGbXvmme-7b9aPJxDECHF5NTeLu51KhAVZyUNB44SVD84lSA7Xh7rxezd5g4BcNDW2M10y/s320/IMG_3819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[1.14 dominican dance party. it definitely fed my need to get my groove on]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUso0RP2KrOE4OPaEuaJ3q07M5TXV2QL7y0kBhXcQVglLUH8SRIG4Xob8oQEC08ZpHoJqXfNW9JxDoL1IMmvTEmMuE2qUNuk69BXaYo7EU-7x_SXi9nSbKYpnkP6fa0e_uT-dNG5OVY_9R/s1600/IMG_3820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUso0RP2KrOE4OPaEuaJ3q07M5TXV2QL7y0kBhXcQVglLUH8SRIG4Xob8oQEC08ZpHoJqXfNW9JxDoL1IMmvTEmMuE2qUNuk69BXaYo7EU-7x_SXi9nSbKYpnkP6fa0e_uT-dNG5OVY_9R/s320/IMG_3820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[1.15 ok so we actually found this last semester but i took the picture on this day so it counts. we found this old window in a lady's junk pile down the street. we plan to clean it up and hang it on the wall. no need to make it look shabby for the shabby chic look because it already is!]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAZdohwissQKRIpKkwo9fmcUWS-OX8lRa46wMpO3gX2EikpLioLS3a5p5yiHJt0-CCJTnVHgj0h-IoD61aydWL4lFyiTe1zIetGyIMLTbBZ3zzM2TxlxFXrCKklXSJ8ygCsmDsVQBufg-/s1600/IMG_3832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAZdohwissQKRIpKkwo9fmcUWS-OX8lRa46wMpO3gX2EikpLioLS3a5p5yiHJt0-CCJTnVHgj0h-IoD61aydWL4lFyiTe1zIetGyIMLTbBZ3zzM2TxlxFXrCKklXSJ8ygCsmDsVQBufg-/s320/IMG_3832.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[1.16 Lorraine's (center, pink shirt) surprise birthday! she was for real surprised!]</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqFIUofcFxAewmMWREUAZnEkdHZdfnp6y1n7_eaAwFS9BGb_lGIWgmmM_Jg_t1tk84DJ3dPp8Oba0mkxFID8sIm4qgcjvFHPWP032lnklFv3egAy9BRwpSMRTB8eHyeRLKWMh6NNAORbJ/s1600/IMG_3890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqFIUofcFxAewmMWREUAZnEkdHZdfnp6y1n7_eaAwFS9BGb_lGIWgmmM_Jg_t1tk84DJ3dPp8Oba0mkxFID8sIm4qgcjvFHPWP032lnklFv3egAy9BRwpSMRTB8eHyeRLKWMh6NNAORbJ/s320/IMG_3890.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[1.17 birthday lunch for Stef (middle), a new art intern this semester!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">more pictures to come. i just couldn't get them to upload. oh the joys of me and technology. </div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-41639293749832679032010-09-19T18:32:00.000-07:002010-09-19T18:32:29.334-07:00chaos. beach. rest. peace.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Well again I find myself apologizing for taking so long to write another blog post. To be honest last week I was quite overwhelmed for the first time since I've been here. Psalms 51 really has turned into the cry of my heart. I REALLY missed home, didn't feel like I could go to anyone and was feeling very insufficient in everything that I did. All these were of course lies that I was choosing to believe. Luckily that week I was proved wrong as the week progressed. I am beyond blessed to have an incredible community both here and home. Not only did the Lord once again reveal to me that HE cares, but also He used others around me to remind me that they did care. That they do know me. That they do notice when I am not myself. That week I was also lucky enough to have my very first house guests, Clay and Melinda. Melinda was a student teacher with me last year and her boyfriend, Clay I have known since freshman year of college (random connection story). But it was a very nice taste of home where I felt safe and could be myself.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">On that Thursday Melinda, Clay, Robyn (the other student teacher) paid a visit to our host family from last year. It was way more special that I had expected. I forgot just how much I missed them, and oddly enough it was like a little taste of home. Not sure how. Perhaps because Maria had been our mom for 3 1/2 months. Also another bonus was that we know WAY more Spanish than before so we were able to communicate a little better.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzdxALZ1VxVUmTLl6F4iYgKgLOHDLPczscJBcEdPam5OzelBqWLN88E7IoArT3G2WtU9VRVwRRdED9FX8w3Wp9PAPtLYawfU5pZgqBo7DEWvxl0fHaaVorNxRJ-zErqpNKVIqT7YtlNMa/s1600/IMG_3152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzdxALZ1VxVUmTLl6F4iYgKgLOHDLPczscJBcEdPam5OzelBqWLN88E7IoArT3G2WtU9VRVwRRdED9FX8w3Wp9PAPtLYawfU5pZgqBo7DEWvxl0fHaaVorNxRJ-zErqpNKVIqT7YtlNMa/s320/IMG_3152.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[the family in La Colonia]</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The week really did seem to get progressively better, especially when we went to the BEACH on Friday! Man, was it exactly what I needed.<br />
To give my mind a break.<br />
To give my heart a break.<br />
To give myself a break.<br />
I found myself working ALL day until I go to bed, so going to the beach I was pretty much forced not to think about school. Got to soak up some rays, eat some good food, see the brilliant stars with no street lights blocking my view and have some good quiet time with God and with my friends.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXK3yDwAWKw-MVsktHeVCAXndmh7cn2uEU1gRQfPusUbuPmNlZPvvY_ode8uX6wWcQnmqDTuvF7dCzUG-ZeI_yWeahnG1rRS_t2KgYfD2FlsVDRuCsLEHOpzvyitcVmq_B3FDH9XDLTE0/s1600/IMG_3174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXK3yDwAWKw-MVsktHeVCAXndmh7cn2uEU1gRQfPusUbuPmNlZPvvY_ode8uX6wWcQnmqDTuvF7dCzUG-ZeI_yWeahnG1rRS_t2KgYfD2FlsVDRuCsLEHOpzvyitcVmq_B3FDH9XDLTE0/s320/IMG_3174.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[eating some breakfast. i especially love the Friends sign above us]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_JcjAmhxTwRHnlxhXTSLAzQRWYRcuOz-Etwulqnf73My_OVcb9Hz-fle6F8MlWmQXeSsx_-R-r8B_-SvUts_Vpxb_fQFmjBz5idlTLy0fAthrEHnFD-zNfLzgDO8fqIBTnqPZnDnDptR/s1600/IMG_3176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_JcjAmhxTwRHnlxhXTSLAzQRWYRcuOz-Etwulqnf73My_OVcb9Hz-fle6F8MlWmQXeSsx_-R-r8B_-SvUts_Vpxb_fQFmjBz5idlTLy0fAthrEHnFD-zNfLzgDO8fqIBTnqPZnDnDptR/s1600/IMG_3176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_JcjAmhxTwRHnlxhXTSLAzQRWYRcuOz-Etwulqnf73My_OVcb9Hz-fle6F8MlWmQXeSsx_-R-r8B_-SvUts_Vpxb_fQFmjBz5idlTLy0fAthrEHnFD-zNfLzgDO8fqIBTnqPZnDnDptR/s320/IMG_3176.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[3 amigos again in Cabarete]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBYs9EwbX1ElxchAAobigTwwOGJ3Z12LBrDz9Y9gNevcs-7lw42DLx-bvru0rBaJ8TR8311KdYC7cjk7HUc-SR4BgxB8eN380KvVR252BXQ4-CgKbP-yQriL7ade3CIdQk7HG9N3zLCgo/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBYs9EwbX1ElxchAAobigTwwOGJ3Z12LBrDz9Y9gNevcs-7lw42DLx-bvru0rBaJ8TR8311KdYC7cjk7HUc-SR4BgxB8eN380KvVR252BXQ4-CgKbP-yQriL7ade3CIdQk7HG9N3zLCgo/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBYs9EwbX1ElxchAAobigTwwOGJ3Z12LBrDz9Y9gNevcs-7lw42DLx-bvru0rBaJ8TR8311KdYC7cjk7HUc-SR4BgxB8eN380KvVR252BXQ4-CgKbP-yQriL7ade3CIdQk7HG9N3zLCgo/s320/DSC_0150.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[THIS is why i love the beach]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1t1V7NQGr4PSOL2RTubnQ5T5vGya4FATupUGaQLtXPT76KuPn-7gX9jZDLFXQ-b-_Q2f3svXukI0DM5Nj4fhHiqyj0ETI-Z5CTyjgwmF1fq4y4D9WNvyP3fM_rjRdY_7Pc2IhHeDciYg/s1600/IMG_3184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1t1V7NQGr4PSOL2RTubnQ5T5vGya4FATupUGaQLtXPT76KuPn-7gX9jZDLFXQ-b-_Q2f3svXukI0DM5Nj4fhHiqyj0ETI-Z5CTyjgwmF1fq4y4D9WNvyP3fM_rjRdY_7Pc2IhHeDciYg/s320/IMG_3184.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[9 people in 1 car on the way home. check. whitney and i are sitting cozily in the front seat]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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On another note, I feel like I am getting better at just enjoying my students. I have such a special class and I need to take time to listen to their silly stories, laugh at how ridiculous they are sometimes, and really just love them better. Last Friday they were chosen for "5 minutes of fame" at Revolution (which is a little assembly type thing every other Friday that we have with the whole school). They chose to do a step routine that my assistant, Jerry, taught them, who is also the dance teacher! They were so incredibly adorable and I felt like a proud momma!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17G2jK04HUhqh6E-tGA6FNh2jRU7B1MT0Cw46trYetCahFoVF-o7zLjWqh3HWRmmIgsbO3MoErw2B82GJKSil7e3aW0ocoqXB-WqW5bzjFAroZnKv9Soo81ZiS48BUMFG7aW9FYBt6-f7/s1600/DSC_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17G2jK04HUhqh6E-tGA6FNh2jRU7B1MT0Cw46trYetCahFoVF-o7zLjWqh3HWRmmIgsbO3MoErw2B82GJKSil7e3aW0ocoqXB-WqW5bzjFAroZnKv9Soo81ZiS48BUMFG7aW9FYBt6-f7/s320/DSC_0040.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[abigail and nalleli eating their snack at recess]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-10lRg5WgAAv1-bbAwE64gsmbMKRgstiuNAkJYJ0Y2YcR0tEJlTmki1lJoeKfxzONKhksF1nd42f9UrEuO2H8_yJtAVSTCw4Cr1MizqlVONNuFaMF84P-BNUBDzpgBN1YwodISoDO0cK/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-10lRg5WgAAv1-bbAwE64gsmbMKRgstiuNAkJYJ0Y2YcR0tEJlTmki1lJoeKfxzONKhksF1nd42f9UrEuO2H8_yJtAVSTCw4Cr1MizqlVONNuFaMF84P-BNUBDzpgBN1YwodISoDO0cK/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-10lRg5WgAAv1-bbAwE64gsmbMKRgstiuNAkJYJ0Y2YcR0tEJlTmki1lJoeKfxzONKhksF1nd42f9UrEuO2H8_yJtAVSTCw4Cr1MizqlVONNuFaMF84P-BNUBDzpgBN1YwodISoDO0cK/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[ms. leahs 3rd grade class]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyr_9ZwCiV3dJCiORyJMleTccfeBz5PWd6tQN6c69ET9m36wVivc3b-rW99ryYcht9dOk8bpG82SF__kcLFy7ZPd6d7oLLVBeHAVG3EkG2FuwMGLjJ5Djj-uVz3zqZa1MKfgh9UajnhAr/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyr_9ZwCiV3dJCiORyJMleTccfeBz5PWd6tQN6c69ET9m36wVivc3b-rW99ryYcht9dOk8bpG82SF__kcLFy7ZPd6d7oLLVBeHAVG3EkG2FuwMGLjJ5Djj-uVz3zqZa1MKfgh9UajnhAr/s320/DSC_0132.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[my whiteboard finally arrived! it was more exciting than you think]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">---------------------------------------------</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Little funny Dominican story for you: So the policeman here are called aumets (not really sure how to spell that one). But they are quite inconsistent with the way they enforce laws. The wearing a helmet when you drive a motorcycle law to be exact. They really just got on these sprees of enforcing the law. So one day we are walking home from school and there is a crowd of about 15 people standing there and their motos were being loaded onto the back of a truck. I also would like to add that most of them were women. But just wait the story gets better. We walk a little further and there is an aumet standing in the middle of the road with no moto or car or weapon trying to stop these motorcycles that were zooming right past him. We stood there for a few minutes watching this poor aumet helplessly trying to stop them. So really the people would just speed up and swerve right past him. Oddly enough it seemed to kind of bond the community becuase as we walked down the road there would be groups of Dominicans chatting and probably laughing about how they dodged the aumet and warning other people driving that way.<br />
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Lastly, this weekend has been QUITE restful. I've babysat twice, and today Amanda and I spent decorating our house. Well to be honest we had about 15 unfinished things going on at the same time. Our dirty kitchen from lunch, doing laundry, pictures out all over the table, our Bibles out trying to pick a verse to paint on our wall, cut burlap trying to make some wall hangings, a hot glue gun from another various craft, pictures in my room that I was hanging, my half cleaned bathroom, and my half made bed from me changing my sheets. Someone tell me why I must be so ADD? Perhaps it was the coffee I drank this morning for the first time in months....</span><br />
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</span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-34018420239210382782010-08-29T17:00:00.000-07:002010-08-29T17:01:04.640-07:00You never said the road would be easy.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">The song of my heart currently: Have Your Way by Britt Nicole</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Feels like i`ve been here forever,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Why can`t you just intervene?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Do you see the tears keep falling?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And i`m falling apart at the seams.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">But you never said the road would be easy,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">But you said that you would never leave.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And you never promised that this life wasn`t hard,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">But you promised you`d take care of me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">So I`ll stop searching for the answers,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I`ll stop praying for an escape,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And I`ll trust you,God, with where i am,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And believe that you will have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Just have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Just have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">When my friends and my family have left me,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And I feel so ashamed and so cold.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Remind me that you take broken things</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And turn them into beautiful.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">So I`ll stop searching for the answers,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I`ll stop praying for an escape,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And i`ll trust you, God, with where i am,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And believe that you`ll have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Just have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Just have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Even if my dreams have died,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And even if i don`t survive,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I`ll still worship you with all my life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">My life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And I`ll stop searching for the answers,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I`ll stop praying for an escape,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And i`ll trust you, God, with where i am,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">And believe that you will have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Just have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Just have your way.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I know you will.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I won`t forget.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You love me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Have your way.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">______________________________________________________________________________________________</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">So I know that it has only been a month since I've been here, I sometimes feel like im drowning. There is just so much going on all the time, so much to do, my mind is always running with trying to translate etc. AND of course being a first year teacher is never easy. Not that I am complaining, because I am so blessed to be in such an incredible school with the best staff/community I could ever ask for, and wonderful family and friends that support me from miles away. But just like the song says "You never said the road would be easy, but you said that you would never leave." So really this is just a blessing in disguise because I have a Great God that is in control of it all, and He has promised that I don't have to try to do this with my own human strength. Thank God. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">On a lighter note...heres a little recap from my week:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aG_DpzCiugp7uIL2s4LZtCddKwsWJZdQKqCczJQMOW2mQPTZPjU2gcid5xWNl5ORqebqXazkMWSlsbEEGMW72fxYfr_x-MlRw9W1hQWaewHWKitoLtGD9wMGUwzqdBeJ4tE-C4_LDsJS/s1600/IMG_3133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aG_DpzCiugp7uIL2s4LZtCddKwsWJZdQKqCczJQMOW2mQPTZPjU2gcid5xWNl5ORqebqXazkMWSlsbEEGMW72fxYfr_x-MlRw9W1hQWaewHWKitoLtGD9wMGUwzqdBeJ4tE-C4_LDsJS/s320/IMG_3133.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[My walk to school]</div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">My class is still wonderful. I had my first birthday in the class, Marbelyn. She is seriously adorably tiny. She curls up in her little chair sitting on her knees and its so precious. So to make things even more adorable, she wore my birthday crown for the day that pretty much swallowed her. Were STARTING to get in the swing of things at school, which is good and bad. Good because they know what to expect and what I expect of them, but bad because now they are comfortable enough to be all chatty all the time. Granted I have a class of 14 girls and 4 boys, so you can imagine how chatty it is. I can't blame them because I am a chatty girl too :) </span></li>
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrzOcF0SgAV3wK1ukgLIZIjk8YpMqcF-JUhStr27b9MZEQINZZVtQsuTAm8HxiEmXa666t6_kSJELtvIIzqHqI3m7YlgvSXXVt576K6OHdm-Z2RfBaoonN3B-RNWlnM-TiJQY7x1V-Au4/s1600/IMG_3134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrzOcF0SgAV3wK1ukgLIZIjk8YpMqcF-JUhStr27b9MZEQINZZVtQsuTAm8HxiEmXa666t6_kSJELtvIIzqHqI3m7YlgvSXXVt576K6OHdm-Z2RfBaoonN3B-RNWlnM-TiJQY7x1V-Au4/s320/IMG_3134.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Happy 8th Birthday to Marbelyn]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84_T_R6vy0BbxJPJ7BXUEqcvYEsnHzKIFsjfXUTgK2z4Ij_Efw3LaZ4ltG2g9vbJa6cJzMooJwTo3t-YNbmyG_7dzvzuKVfTUTFsWfuzDMQOVJFGPfh2rEMIb-C2y2uTOEoPZPYz1PmmQ/s1600/IMG_3135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84_T_R6vy0BbxJPJ7BXUEqcvYEsnHzKIFsjfXUTgK2z4Ij_Efw3LaZ4ltG2g9vbJa6cJzMooJwTo3t-YNbmyG_7dzvzuKVfTUTFsWfuzDMQOVJFGPfh2rEMIb-C2y2uTOEoPZPYz1PmmQ/s320/IMG_3135.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Centers on Thursday afternoon. They were so excited about these games.]</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">New things this week: Bible study! The girls at school have finally split all up so we could start out Bible study! I am SO excited to really get to know these 7 women and learn from them and really build some deeper relationships. Also, I had my first Spanish lesson! YES! I am taking it with 2 other girls, Robyn and Maggie, and we are taking them from a Columbian lady who has given lessons to teachers in the past. She is really patient and an incredibly sweet lady. We will be having lessons 2 days a week for an hour each. I sure hope this puts me on the fast track to being FLUENT! baha.</span></span></li>
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</span></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Friday night was Tim Scarborough's birthday (a fellow Aggie). So him and his wife decided to throw an 80s themed chili cook-off. 80s themed because he was born in the 80s, and chili cook-off because he's from TEXAS! Duh! It was seriously the BEST party! Although Amanda and I didn't win the chili contest with our chili, incredible and spicy chili I might add, it was still a blast. Most everyone dressed up and there was lots of dancing, eating and laughing. Oh and because I didn't quite have any clothes to wear to an 80s party (those clothes didn't quite make the cut in a 2 suitcase limit), Amanda and I went out a bought some very BRIGHT and Dominican-style clothing. See below for the insanity. </span></span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFn93OjOy35VNnXszSaZXXkYHxcyzQV1ikRW2MJtCacCi4-6G5jl0PN6WfkDHyxmMcgMS5gyjoAGcXv1uPiuJ8Ge05qwb49g4xm99-7_MVuSnLKonHOMXwUrNM_c9KbM1TSvUirJgkoYV/s1600/DSC_1138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFn93OjOy35VNnXszSaZXXkYHxcyzQV1ikRW2MJtCacCi4-6G5jl0PN6WfkDHyxmMcgMS5gyjoAGcXv1uPiuJ8Ge05qwb49g4xm99-7_MVuSnLKonHOMXwUrNM_c9KbM1TSvUirJgkoYV/s320/DSC_1138.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Our very bright outfits we purchased in Jarabacoa]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGWfpWqC0OrxQGagHbPFey7Y4k_8rCeG7sOYsqSjCdz4H1BuN3KLtE1FBA5xxlKi1CJrslHOTKcryyFUSvMcZrMC411rR22FrqC8Z7TsHvYUmbQqGtnrCwGOETpid9SWJhKEYURRnE1F8/s1600/DSC_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGWfpWqC0OrxQGagHbPFey7Y4k_8rCeG7sOYsqSjCdz4H1BuN3KLtE1FBA5xxlKi1CJrslHOTKcryyFUSvMcZrMC411rR22FrqC8Z7TsHvYUmbQqGtnrCwGOETpid9SWJhKEYURRnE1F8/s320/DSC_1169.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Some girls at the party]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu1kRtyjDbEdX6RCJfTs40F4vcwH0a-F3rVlQg-xRe0e_5bkZAEma5ritd4LJ4iJqx7G6aiHxLoYOhlYF0qjN6wl2fdplN3ASayP2v6efDzEh2aVEYgqUCpFjw6wPPmbyM_IfR6SlgaFN/s1600/DSC_1176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu1kRtyjDbEdX6RCJfTs40F4vcwH0a-F3rVlQg-xRe0e_5bkZAEma5ritd4LJ4iJqx7G6aiHxLoYOhlYF0qjN6wl2fdplN3ASayP2v6efDzEh2aVEYgqUCpFjw6wPPmbyM_IfR6SlgaFN/s320/DSC_1176.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Brock.Joey.Tim]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWWviR7d5V-Fm722t8TVy_BW9mNjmz53YUf2sd6ONTC6AyXnWP_HWXJc0CemGdZbP3qo7Gu5LuLNKQpVO7OIAFPkN_8Q8O7gMvzCKKG9SLwyhEnqFfr429imYj1jnspUPtLZn9mOIexWp/s1600/DSC_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWWviR7d5V-Fm722t8TVy_BW9mNjmz53YUf2sd6ONTC6AyXnWP_HWXJc0CemGdZbP3qo7Gu5LuLNKQpVO7OIAFPkN_8Q8O7gMvzCKKG9SLwyhEnqFfr429imYj1jnspUPtLZn9mOIexWp/s1600/DSC_1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWWviR7d5V-Fm722t8TVy_BW9mNjmz53YUf2sd6ONTC6AyXnWP_HWXJc0CemGdZbP3qo7Gu5LuLNKQpVO7OIAFPkN_8Q8O7gMvzCKKG9SLwyhEnqFfr429imYj1jnspUPtLZn9mOIexWp/s320/DSC_1181.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Birthday boy/chili judge testing the chili]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Saturday we got a last minute phone call from one of the other teachers, Sara, who asked us if we wanted to go to Santiago to go to La Sirena. Of course we jumped on that! Bonding time with Sara and a free ride to Santiago. Amanda and I laughed as we got semi "dressed up" to go "into town." We figured this must be how small town people feel when they go into town. La Sirena (spanish for mermaid) is somewhat like a giant wal-mart. We spent quite a bit, or maybe it was just quite a bit compared to what we are used to buying in Jarabacoa. But we got some much needed things for our house and some GREAT food. Lunch meat, CHEESE, snacks, sour cream, bagels! Man it was a treat and will continue to be while were eating it for the next couple of weeks! </span></span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO7VqX_GKikY5hsVadg0UCBARvbe59o9EgqNfeNZomK5vJRBo-xSZ9TQHUCFWgtR5hr1ENhSp0eiGlB2-R5wGP-uwYJiQ5AjfaDgpWIvU5u3d7kXnHI9U8P7npE2vJ4PbZl3x2mzq5nG5/s1600/IMG_3144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO7VqX_GKikY5hsVadg0UCBARvbe59o9EgqNfeNZomK5vJRBo-xSZ9TQHUCFWgtR5hr1ENhSp0eiGlB2-R5wGP-uwYJiQ5AjfaDgpWIvU5u3d7kXnHI9U8P7npE2vJ4PbZl3x2mzq5nG5/s320/IMG_3144.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[yummy things that were purchased]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">[p.s. you can see more of my pictures on facebook if you are interested.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">until next time....</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
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</span></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-53966331427775687042010-08-22T14:26:00.000-07:002010-08-22T14:26:50.168-07:00not soo good at this blogging world...Ok so I am fully aware that when you blog, it should not be every 3 weeks. I promise to TRY to get better at this because I know I have so many avid followers (bah ha).<br />
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Since I haven't written since my first week here I could get a bit lengthy, but I will spare you all. I will do my best to give a recap of some events from the past few weeks.<br />
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<ul><li>We have been working hard to fix up our house with decos and painting. Amanda, Melanie and I painted our house aqua, sky blue and green apple. I know what you're thinking...that must be nauseatingly bright, BUT it actually isn't! It is quite pleasant! Also, I got my bedspread in the mail on Wednesday so my room now feels complete (well almost) and a little more home-y.</li>
</ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno6xfLQRnrG6SYUr7s4poJdtg0DFD3qDsJFz8KGshOv01bmXzPCUj65X66nnUMNO5060hVlrkIqMO31Oujb0CXS0xOPp5IEJ-odHVFPH7iAn4LVl_eTESv2bsInGP_zW7PXbslTcDrRRW/s1600/DSC_1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno6xfLQRnrG6SYUr7s4poJdtg0DFD3qDsJFz8KGshOv01bmXzPCUj65X66nnUMNO5060hVlrkIqMO31Oujb0CXS0xOPp5IEJ-odHVFPH7iAn4LVl_eTESv2bsInGP_zW7PXbslTcDrRRW/s320/DSC_1123.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[my room!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_yGJC8ZX4mpptDPHL3jTH-wrhZsk1D-XCDb5a7clVP20y__YvnaR-31CgffExG5do3XsI7lxufbE4h6J3BmYY-o7PnqLA_0_5C2sFtTpAjX5e9kIyG3VOdVlhZe7uKXYwuKV-VxzcLXO/s1600/DSC_0975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_yGJC8ZX4mpptDPHL3jTH-wrhZsk1D-XCDb5a7clVP20y__YvnaR-31CgffExG5do3XsI7lxufbE4h6J3BmYY-o7PnqLA_0_5C2sFtTpAjX5e9kIyG3VOdVlhZe7uKXYwuKV-VxzcLXO/s320/DSC_0975.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[my earring holder that we made out of burlap]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAnVW0ZGaNon2mC3hKmN02YvBt_uWTHQ_NCMRJw4y4TFdDo0WKrp3eGxpn5xrU3_omlaClZWZFP76Pqd2nUIqWzZsX6EQwUj7UkMuxIftdMBU3YcceLuRkVNzdZBE65UVNTPtoSbUknNl/s1600/DSC_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAnVW0ZGaNon2mC3hKmN02YvBt_uWTHQ_NCMRJw4y4TFdDo0WKrp3eGxpn5xrU3_omlaClZWZFP76Pqd2nUIqWzZsX6EQwUj7UkMuxIftdMBU3YcceLuRkVNzdZBE65UVNTPtoSbUknNl/s320/DSC_0982.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[our oh-so-bright color choices for our house]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqsms0Ua4kZBDBvYIDBRKseSqszS3xT740vJDlUL1zHY9pkHiof0l4954LSkRNOOPbOBdQUQxexzBtNvXK0h-zUKPfRPWG3a6Z5rQSHr4KfRnUVHeARV9-j0JCu4G_Net4WA2trUUQmtr/s1600/DSC_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqsms0Ua4kZBDBvYIDBRKseSqszS3xT740vJDlUL1zHY9pkHiof0l4954LSkRNOOPbOBdQUQxexzBtNvXK0h-zUKPfRPWG3a6Z5rQSHr4KfRnUVHeARV9-j0JCu4G_Net4WA2trUUQmtr/s1600/DSC_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqsms0Ua4kZBDBvYIDBRKseSqszS3xT740vJDlUL1zHY9pkHiof0l4954LSkRNOOPbOBdQUQxexzBtNvXK0h-zUKPfRPWG3a6Z5rQSHr4KfRnUVHeARV9-j0JCu4G_Net4WA2trUUQmtr/s320/DSC_1126.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[the finished product.]</div><br />
</div><ul><li>During staff training for our Expedition training (an expedition is the basis for our curriculum at Doulos and every semester each class has their very own expedition, so we get trained in how to lead one) we went to a place called a Batey. In short, a batey is a community where Haitian sugar plantation workers live. The living conditions are very poor and their wages are incredibly low. We went there to visit with the people there and hear first hand what life is like there. We also gave them some water filters because they have no clean water. It was a very humbling and wonderful experience.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LBjLfgIF1dYBMOox1sIX4P7ySpiEk1jTdkLnS4_wooCPBiY2qwAA0u0Wm0Zr56DWCwo35Ce3jDB6k5Oaug_KJ2uoHr3LwYcMu_Xi463NrZ6FT0qxmCnLyur9ItxV_8zbWKwEO9cwf2qe/s1600/DSC_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LBjLfgIF1dYBMOox1sIX4P7ySpiEk1jTdkLnS4_wooCPBiY2qwAA0u0Wm0Zr56DWCwo35Ce3jDB6k5Oaug_KJ2uoHr3LwYcMu_Xi463NrZ6FT0qxmCnLyur9ItxV_8zbWKwEO9cwf2qe/s320/DSC_0838.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[a day in the life at the batey]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxnjFGLn4UwXi34hXQabKl_T_LgeJ3pXdSgsyYEQymGDYDCVRQdPc4pl7j2v84_RkPbapbt9fcRRd-u90VV8kimD7ratsYNHyxb09ebu_ydWY1z-PEZgwRG0YbtI9VmB9IWmkDAvBl2PI/s1600/DSC_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxnjFGLn4UwXi34hXQabKl_T_LgeJ3pXdSgsyYEQymGDYDCVRQdPc4pl7j2v84_RkPbapbt9fcRRd-u90VV8kimD7ratsYNHyxb09ebu_ydWY1z-PEZgwRG0YbtI9VmB9IWmkDAvBl2PI/s320/DSC_0933.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[is this my future?]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_QpQdmhQ0cs-G1oF9zkzG73iFg9J8tWQwc5kKEIvx_pKY8oTYOmGEUj40hxaMdhEf3pS-Seh8DCJAGgDrlwSv3uGULEliYHD4LoqciCeCmLq3LCs6NOYRYX_fq2zoEzpNL2MZZs9DiQA/s1600/DSC01658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_QpQdmhQ0cs-G1oF9zkzG73iFg9J8tWQwc5kKEIvx_pKY8oTYOmGEUj40hxaMdhEf3pS-Seh8DCJAGgDrlwSv3uGULEliYHD4LoqciCeCmLq3LCs6NOYRYX_fq2zoEzpNL2MZZs9DiQA/s320/DSC01658.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[playing with the kids]</div><div><br />
</div><ul><li>The staff had our staff retreat at Pico Escondido (the Young Life camp here) and it was incredible. Incredible worship time. Incredible team building. Incredible view! Also, I have become very clumsy the past few weeks. I wiped out while playing basketball at the retreat, fell about 10 times hiking to a waterfall, and I skidded on the ground while swinging on a tree swing. Let's pray I get my "Dominican legs" sometime soon so I don't embarrass myself quite so much. </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHhw0jLwFWqpw1YilWKUYaMybsZjcPsOUeMz4tx9-fTCGUAVkYhehk10SU90w539cN2fMqr1HNBDYWXvHfqt-6MWv3GrAe-zuN5wqc4MaM_xDK2NLhYEBdjBji4AAHvrAkiJyJilu0oPf/s1600/DSC_1002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHhw0jLwFWqpw1YilWKUYaMybsZjcPsOUeMz4tx9-fTCGUAVkYhehk10SU90w539cN2fMqr1HNBDYWXvHfqt-6MWv3GrAe-zuN5wqc4MaM_xDK2NLhYEBdjBji4AAHvrAkiJyJilu0oPf/s320/DSC_1002.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Pico Escondido]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O7VYN28uFy8zjSUVmSWsq7MUnbs6gHI8kgTwk_KtxKc1bHK1t5XziyGCaRKjAsM6P4KBBn2jyQT69T8qhSwM4BIo_whxfZl-8nOG85fFqq8b_rGuljCYJkmFSuPdeeH7P7PNxcBzcmqp/s1600/DSC_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O7VYN28uFy8zjSUVmSWsq7MUnbs6gHI8kgTwk_KtxKc1bHK1t5XziyGCaRKjAsM6P4KBBn2jyQT69T8qhSwM4BIo_whxfZl-8nOG85fFqq8b_rGuljCYJkmFSuPdeeH7P7PNxcBzcmqp/s320/DSC_1013.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[staff worship]</div><div><br />
</div><ul><li>Most importantly, school started on Wednesday!! I was unsure if everything was going to come together, which it almost did...minus my whiteboard coming in. :) I was extremely nervous and even more nervous that the kids were gonna sense it! But the day went SO GREAT! They even wanted to spend the night in classroom when I told them school was almost over for the day! They are seriously a top notch group of kids and I have only heard great things from their 2nd grade teacher last year! Also, I got a brand new classroom! I feel so blessed! </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2MC04_3scxWWU9BqYYwwSgQ8KrszCO1mHAIOIAfZFZsWipI9vW5FbSFGEu_Gia9tHwR3CD3sTBiGeEpa_GCzzoRW08SsSk1hN6GjAzNtf8n14X5s_5pAOtqUrczC9pGMOI7FYlgZ1Vek/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2MC04_3scxWWU9BqYYwwSgQ8KrszCO1mHAIOIAfZFZsWipI9vW5FbSFGEu_Gia9tHwR3CD3sTBiGeEpa_GCzzoRW08SsSk1hN6GjAzNtf8n14X5s_5pAOtqUrczC9pGMOI7FYlgZ1Vek/s320/IMG_3123.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[First Day of School!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Special surprise: Ms. Leah made playdough! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hVNEbSpoc6kZDRAgQGxbIh9fgtTjPnNfB9I8mdKANS0WuHXjdbjZ1OijdlHlb6598lSVXl2rnK_7l778FVheNaSp7T-q8anln47KFwSp5nN4L9iVjkfvhL8zO5NydCUHW9p71VqW0QYF/s1600/IMG_3127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hVNEbSpoc6kZDRAgQGxbIh9fgtTjPnNfB9I8mdKANS0WuHXjdbjZ1OijdlHlb6598lSVXl2rnK_7l778FVheNaSp7T-q8anln47KFwSp5nN4L9iVjkfvhL8zO5NydCUHW9p71VqW0QYF/s320/IMG_3127.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Keyrol.Abigail.Nalleli]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNt0OKLivDPiIecoeWJ84n879yCrQoTl3KeSxqFIIQb8ZD-iNppNqCCl2MM2QvSfLHpCzB6ITt_xp8XvbqSbfuARoq3hEVsqrgKThQH-MRVd5FpM3cV7VWfl-oCmBmfiQNtfq8x4KhYNx/s1600/IMG_3128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNt0OKLivDPiIecoeWJ84n879yCrQoTl3KeSxqFIIQb8ZD-iNppNqCCl2MM2QvSfLHpCzB6ITt_xp8XvbqSbfuARoq3hEVsqrgKThQH-MRVd5FpM3cV7VWfl-oCmBmfiQNtfq8x4KhYNx/s320/IMG_3128.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Amy. Yasli. Daniel. Cristina]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyRVPD1fxPFph9m_vzUlI9t0dpr-0Kbg5xfC6rbP_TDdpfMozgRIVuLKmjoYyTHZr0BevseBG3xsd2yNSPnulkpGlVqdWhI_ZF01Gc9k7sMP68RGQJIwjISOEj_-w4So9wCuEiE4e8Ara/s1600/IMG_3129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyRVPD1fxPFph9m_vzUlI9t0dpr-0Kbg5xfC6rbP_TDdpfMozgRIVuLKmjoYyTHZr0BevseBG3xsd2yNSPnulkpGlVqdWhI_ZF01Gc9k7sMP68RGQJIwjISOEj_-w4So9wCuEiE4e8Ara/s320/IMG_3129.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Amanda. Mayelin. Franckely. Esthefany]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIaxG2pbo7mDBKb6ELHtnzz34PFjvofD-sLTChB70cMMPY0YkEPTXMIaK3am9Y2usX22duHGnVA4xk1i4z3EDgaRGu7Cn4sI-Iye4XOVpczJ7ontC5sJJSVMeKMZalulIVCYirsYctN39/s1600/IMG_3131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIaxG2pbo7mDBKb6ELHtnzz34PFjvofD-sLTChB70cMMPY0YkEPTXMIaK3am9Y2usX22duHGnVA4xk1i4z3EDgaRGu7Cn4sI-Iye4XOVpczJ7ontC5sJJSVMeKMZalulIVCYirsYctN39/s320/IMG_3131.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Marbelyn. Elena. Gaby. Yadi]</div><div><br />
</div><div>Ok so, I know that a very brief overview of some things but my goal is to write more often so I can offer some more details about things that are going on! </div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-87016590397653511302010-08-02T18:49:00.000-07:002010-08-02T18:54:52.338-07:00Flights, fans y mosquitoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">so my journey on Saturday morning started off PRETTY early. 4 am to be exact. I was flying stand by so I attempted to catch the 7am flight. then the 9am. then the 10:45. Man, oh man, when my name was called to board that 10:45 flight I felt like I won a prize or something. Luckily for me, I had the lovely Tricia Wood (who works for American Airlines) wait by my side the entire time and helped me maneuver my way around flying stand by. So special shout out to Tricia. You are amazing. Once I made it to Miami, my flight from Miami to Santiago was pretty open. Open enough to even let me fly business class. Let me tell you, it is as good as they say. I didn't know whether to take a nap because I had so much room, or eat the free food they gave me! So I did both. Napped then ate the free food. Even though I had just had a huge burger (my last plea for great meat), I still ate it. Call me a pig, I don't care. I had to take advantage seeing as I may never fly business class again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaWT44FDsqdU9gdnYWC3IL0dhyphenhyphen3juMohyphenhyphen3B2f2OLlNyTsAHtqgdjUPc4siDB-TIYdY8p6d9dzMwIPIrN-3z62brocim_7gIvwmCe2-ct27I6sM1-PekoNztKnVH1TKzfdwGrKV98DW_Ff/s1600/IMG_3099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaWT44FDsqdU9gdnYWC3IL0dhyphenhyphen3juMohyphenhyphen3B2f2OLlNyTsAHtqgdjUPc4siDB-TIYdY8p6d9dzMwIPIrN-3z62brocim_7gIvwmCe2-ct27I6sM1-PekoNztKnVH1TKzfdwGrKV98DW_Ff/s320/IMG_3099.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">[We all know I had to take a sky pic from the plane. It's just too marvelous not to]</div><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpDlqZRYB1kGQ4q8wBiVYSf6Fs90HOWckeKQ0Gxq7nTSh8aqT79D1bV91_b4jILC_YsJK9ImCbRioHX1z3CEacRbZXRsG9LubwhYa_bWBHuTzEjdt57wjEEt2Kywbze0IzsFb8aLVLQ1L/s1600/IMG_3102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpDlqZRYB1kGQ4q8wBiVYSf6Fs90HOWckeKQ0Gxq7nTSh8aqT79D1bV91_b4jILC_YsJK9ImCbRioHX1z3CEacRbZXRsG9LubwhYa_bWBHuTzEjdt57wjEEt2Kywbze0IzsFb8aLVLQ1L/s320/IMG_3102.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">[This is some of the teachers in Santiago with our large load of bags]</div><br />
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Reunions: On Sunday morning we got up and went to church at the church that I attended in the fall called La Vid. Most of the staff goes there so it was so wonderful to see everyone! Most of all, I got to see 2 of my kindergarteners from the fall, and it was such a sweet moment. One of the girls, Anais, saw me half way through the service and had this huge smile across her face. I of course did as well. When we were worshipping, I felt like I had never left. Like it was just any other Sunday. That's really how it felt all day. Just normal. I even went a whole 5 hours without even looking at my watch to see what time it was. I was so at peace, which I guess is exactly how it's meant to be.<br />
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Mosquitoes: At my new house, I was told I should sleep under a mosquito net. Last time I didn't ever, so I thought it was kinda weird. So last night I thought I would be fine without it. WRONG. Very wrong. I woke up about 3 times being eaten alive. Put on some bug spray. Went back to sleep. Finally I had just given up and at 3:30, I had to get up and put that darn net back up. Another thing, I'm just going to have to get used to again. I was told that getting a fan (which I needed to anyways because it's so dang hot at night) would keep the mosquitoes away. So I went today, very elated to get a fan. Got home. ATTEMPTED to put it together. There were 5 girls, make that 5 Aggie girls [insert Aggie joke here], trying to put that thing together and it just wasn't happening. Needless to say, I will be taking it back to the furniture store and kindly asking them to put it back together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwytXzCkzUOausitbVkNmE-n07Ae-FS611C-SU7HSftniNqKhG_raqlpBvfqeIv0SfhQcPh9yUR5NhI6TFuUUTCuJKIdft4wgZdCDknGwGTturQFK6glgGoZGXwCneEuwxFCujOorLRrn/s1600/DSC_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwytXzCkzUOausitbVkNmE-n07Ae-FS611C-SU7HSftniNqKhG_raqlpBvfqeIv0SfhQcPh9yUR5NhI6TFuUUTCuJKIdft4wgZdCDknGwGTturQFK6glgGoZGXwCneEuwxFCujOorLRrn/s320/DSC_0819.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> [This is the tiny screw we had to screw in. Without a screwdriver. How did you do that you ask? Tiny scissors. Too bad that still wasn't the solution to making that fan work]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTBicXxlAFaMV8cFkCLeg5rNLPU7_52_wAmQGVDyO1-8vjjcaVEsUV6ZZq9kRvgCTsWi2jP9GcGei2uha_L10mGejyl-UtY9EaN8D1C4Pp_xWTEb6bgWv9aKMOaMJAkq5Rj_R_Vrn6roa/s1600/DSC_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTBicXxlAFaMV8cFkCLeg5rNLPU7_52_wAmQGVDyO1-8vjjcaVEsUV6ZZq9kRvgCTsWi2jP9GcGei2uha_L10mGejyl-UtY9EaN8D1C4Pp_xWTEb6bgWv9aKMOaMJAkq5Rj_R_Vrn6roa/s320/DSC_0817.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">[This is me putting the new student teachers to work. jk. This is us being defeated by that fan. Also, yes, that is in fact my janky way of putting up my mosquito net in the background.]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVBSKBovnRZC5a79_GsXcuNg_FYxywz_Iu5_n78db5EC3NtRVk1Uws1AQq2823mReDB58TTKX-H4XMtHdxlYYVMYh7dspGvQNYf1a9DZTZv0BG5SH1babxKFHd-MzrVCa41Gx6VgBw6gZ/s1600/DSC_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVBSKBovnRZC5a79_GsXcuNg_FYxywz_Iu5_n78db5EC3NtRVk1Uws1AQq2823mReDB58TTKX-H4XMtHdxlYYVMYh7dspGvQNYf1a9DZTZv0BG5SH1babxKFHd-MzrVCa41Gx6VgBw6gZ/s320/DSC_0821.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Today I bought a bath mat from la canchita and just had to have this one. Minus the fact that I love the van, even more I love the "Pray for sure." I want to know who translated that for them. Any guesses on what phrase they were trying to get at? I think it's what they think Cali surfers would say. "Pray for sure mannn." Who knows]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow I'm super pumped to see all the staff from last year that are getting in town tonight! More staff training etc. this week! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538849148163186168.post-70813442797527661522010-07-30T14:29:00.000-07:002010-07-30T15:46:05.200-07:00Leaving.Welp, in 15 hours I will be hopefully (I am flying stand by, so pray that I can get on!) be boarding a plane and making my way to the Dominican Republic. It really is hard to believe. If I knew exactly how I was feeling at this moment, then I would tell you, but the thing is I don't. I am not over anxious. I am not over emotional...yet. I just think I am feeling an array of emotions. I am elated to start this new journey. I am not sure what to expect, but I do know that the Lord is going to teach me quite a lot in these next 2 years. Another feeling I KNOW I am feeling is <i>blessed. </i>Absolutely, incredibly, positively blessed. Emotionally, spiritually, financially blessed. So thank you, all my family and all my friends for being the reason for this. Words cannot even begin to convey my gratitude.<br />
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I am going to keep this first blog short...because let's be honest I'm leaving in 15 hours...and counting and I have quite a lot to do. Yikes! But I would like you to know a few things.<br />
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<ul><li>I love you all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all your love and support. I know that phrase may be overused, but I truly mean it. </li>
<li>I will try to update my blog as much as possible. And I will try to keep it spicy, spunky, interesting and entertaining. </li>
<li>I have made a flickr account because we all know just how many pictures I take. I have uploaded some from my going away party, but I'm new the the flickr thing, so hopefully it worked right. [if you have a flickr account and can help me out...give me a shout]</li>
<li>I humbly ask for your continued prayers. Prayer is the most important thing I need right now. :) </li>
</ul><div>I will leave you with this [long] quote from a book that I read this semester, <i>Through Painted Desserts</i> by Donald Miller, that just resounded in my heart. I feel it sums pretty much everything I want to say.</div><div><br />
</div><div>"And so my prayer is that your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer and some winter, some roses blooming out like children in a play. My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside you, about learning to love a woman or a man, about learning to love a child, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God. We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting, and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?</div><div><br />
</div><div>It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out. </div><div>I want to repeat one word for you:</div><div><i>Leave.</i></div><div>Roll the word around on your tongue for a bit. It is a beautiful word, isn't it? So strong a forceful, the way you have always wanted it to be. And you will not be alone. You have never been alone. Don't worry. Everything will still be here with you get back. It is you who will have changed." </div><div><br />
</div><div>Joy.</div><div>Leah </div><div><br />
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</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715588159194239769noreply@blogger.com3