spring break, here I come
Hey all,
This past week has been a real struggle, but I have gotten through it and in relatively decent spirits. Last weekend, I was sick with the stomach flu and spent the majority of my time in bed or in my bathroom. Thank goodness it is so close... (o: I guess God really knew what he was doing when he had me move into the storage closet. I seemed to have caught another flu/fever/cold just in time to spend the entire weekend, literally, in my room. There went another weekend doped up on Nyquil and fever reducers. It's annoying how it strikes on the weekend. I guess it is good because then I can still teach, but it sure is a bummer for making it to fellowship and hanging out with people.
I think this week has been so tough because I finally figured out what I would like to be doing next year and I'm dying to get on with it. I decided that I will go back to the U.S. and get an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on ESL. This program will certify me as a K-12 ESL teacher, which will be very useful in the future, I believe. Originally I thought I would come back here next year, but I feel I just need some time to regroup and refocus. This year has been pretty tough. I know that my emails often seem pretty funny, but underneath it all, I have really struggled. It has been good for me, no doubt about that. And I have no regrets in coming here at all. God has really stretched me and helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. And I am in no way saying that my time overseas is finished. I just need a break. Between the team issues, being sick almost constantly, and dealing with all of the Afghan men, I decided that taking a year off and teaching and going to school would be the wisest thing for me to do. I think there is a reason why God never shows me what he wants me to do far in advance of me doing it - because I am the most impatient person in the world and I want to jump right in and start when I need to concentrate on what I am doing at the moment. That is what I am struggling with now. I am trying to stay in the moment, not just go into cruise control until I leave. I want to enjoy the good things about this place. But deep down all I want to do is go "home". Odd how when I lived in Arizona I would never have considered it my home. But now it is because that is where my family and friends are located. I miss you all so much, which is also why I'm mentally counting down, even though I really shouldn't.
Back to this week. I'd been thinking about all of this and feeling rather sorry for myself, which mass dosages of Nyquil and a huge quantity of time alone will only encourage, when I started reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Gosh, that guy is brilliant. It is a quality book and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it. Not only is it entertaining to read, but he has some really good things to say. I don’t agree with everything he says, but most of it is incredible. It helped me think things through. It was like a breath of fresh air on a hot summer day in AZ. Last night before I went to sleep I was talking to God and I asked him to give me joy here, and to help me live in the moment. Honestly, I don't know when I will have the opportunities again that I have right here right now. And you know what? He has. Sure I still miss my friends and family, but I'm honestly glad to be here at this precise moment. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting an answer that quickly, which just shows my lack of faith. I'm so glad that we serve a God who listens and cares deeply about us, enough to help me with my crazy emotions. And who gives us comfort in the midst of difficult circumstances.
I'm not sure when I will write again. I am going to Dubai for spring break on Tuesday and will be back on Sunday night. I'm really looking forward to the warm weather and beach and wearing shorts and walking around without a chadar on... Scandalous I'm sure! (o: I'm pretty jazzed. I'll write when I get back and tell you all about it. Hopefully it will be a good time to recharge my batteries and kick whatever bug has invaded my body.
Talk to y'all later,
Kate
This past week has been a real struggle, but I have gotten through it and in relatively decent spirits. Last weekend, I was sick with the stomach flu and spent the majority of my time in bed or in my bathroom. Thank goodness it is so close... (o: I guess God really knew what he was doing when he had me move into the storage closet. I seemed to have caught another flu/fever/cold just in time to spend the entire weekend, literally, in my room. There went another weekend doped up on Nyquil and fever reducers. It's annoying how it strikes on the weekend. I guess it is good because then I can still teach, but it sure is a bummer for making it to fellowship and hanging out with people.
I think this week has been so tough because I finally figured out what I would like to be doing next year and I'm dying to get on with it. I decided that I will go back to the U.S. and get an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on ESL. This program will certify me as a K-12 ESL teacher, which will be very useful in the future, I believe. Originally I thought I would come back here next year, but I feel I just need some time to regroup and refocus. This year has been pretty tough. I know that my emails often seem pretty funny, but underneath it all, I have really struggled. It has been good for me, no doubt about that. And I have no regrets in coming here at all. God has really stretched me and helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. And I am in no way saying that my time overseas is finished. I just need a break. Between the team issues, being sick almost constantly, and dealing with all of the Afghan men, I decided that taking a year off and teaching and going to school would be the wisest thing for me to do. I think there is a reason why God never shows me what he wants me to do far in advance of me doing it - because I am the most impatient person in the world and I want to jump right in and start when I need to concentrate on what I am doing at the moment. That is what I am struggling with now. I am trying to stay in the moment, not just go into cruise control until I leave. I want to enjoy the good things about this place. But deep down all I want to do is go "home". Odd how when I lived in Arizona I would never have considered it my home. But now it is because that is where my family and friends are located. I miss you all so much, which is also why I'm mentally counting down, even though I really shouldn't.
Back to this week. I'd been thinking about all of this and feeling rather sorry for myself, which mass dosages of Nyquil and a huge quantity of time alone will only encourage, when I started reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Gosh, that guy is brilliant. It is a quality book and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it. Not only is it entertaining to read, but he has some really good things to say. I don’t agree with everything he says, but most of it is incredible. It helped me think things through. It was like a breath of fresh air on a hot summer day in AZ. Last night before I went to sleep I was talking to God and I asked him to give me joy here, and to help me live in the moment. Honestly, I don't know when I will have the opportunities again that I have right here right now. And you know what? He has. Sure I still miss my friends and family, but I'm honestly glad to be here at this precise moment. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting an answer that quickly, which just shows my lack of faith. I'm so glad that we serve a God who listens and cares deeply about us, enough to help me with my crazy emotions. And who gives us comfort in the midst of difficult circumstances.
I'm not sure when I will write again. I am going to Dubai for spring break on Tuesday and will be back on Sunday night. I'm really looking forward to the warm weather and beach and wearing shorts and walking around without a chadar on... Scandalous I'm sure! (o: I'm pretty jazzed. I'll write when I get back and tell you all about it. Hopefully it will be a good time to recharge my batteries and kick whatever bug has invaded my body.
Talk to y'all later,
Kate