Happy Autumn. Enjoy the warm colors as the air gets cooler! (God sure has a good sense of design, doesn't he? He wouldn't have to make the green leaves turn bright yellow and red before they turn brown… but he did. So cool.)
I'm sorry it's been so long since I've written! I really miss all of you lots, and I've been a little afraid that if I sit down to write to you I might become more lonesome! But, actually, that's so backwards. I know I'll get a handful of notes in reply, and that will be happy. :)
So here's a list of what I've been up to lately… or rather, what God's been up to:
Classes ~ I teach Bible to 7th, 8th, and 10th grade students, English to 9th grade, a middle school art class, and a high school art class. We have many new students this year, with varied backgrounds from living all over the world!
Fall Retreat ~ I was responsible for coordinating our middle and high school fall retreat this year. Although planning details can be nerve-racking for me, God pulled all the pieces in place and it turned out to be amazing. The Lord worked in powerful ways among our students. Several students have testified to having "changed" lives from that weekend.
Graduate Course ~ I'm taking a course from Montana State University for some continuing education. It's full of inspiring teaching methods but requires several hours of work every week. I only have a couple more weeks of this course, and once it is finished, I should be able to catch up with my KCA school work!
Youth group, worship ~ This year I decided that, since I have a year of teaching under my belt, I should start getting more involved in my church here. So, I'm now helping with the youth group and I play ukulele in the worship band! :) Yay! Lots of fun, but 3 more nights a week of commitment (and an early morning Bible study every other week)! (Oi, I'm starting to feel tired… )
Bible study ~ You may remember that some of my teacher friends and I did a couple of Beth Moore studies last year. Most of those friends have moved, but this year there's a new group and we are studying Breaking Free by Beth Moore. This is a powerful study from the book of Isaiah. Something that God has been working with me on is handing over everything to him. I always find myself trying to manage on my own, but Jesus has already set us free from that kind of bondage. I can give it all to Jesus.
Highs and lows ~ The last couple months have been a funny mixture of emotional, spiritual, physical ups and downs. I experience stress in a very physical way. I usually don't cognitively realize I'm stressed out until my body starts telling me. So, I'm not quite sure how to explain it. Everyday is different. Some days are awesome and some have been really hard. Thankfully, I have awesome people praying for me--you guys(!!) and some great friends here. Yet again, I am learning to give it all to Jesus.
Please pray for me! Maybe you can feel the strain of stress as you read my words. What I want is the Lord's peace that is more than we can understand. I need wisdom for my school planning, how I spend my time, and for my influence in the young lives around me.
Thanks for sticking with me through this journey… Love from Ukraine!
