Daily Bible Verse

Merry Christmas from the Mission!!!

As Thanksgiving came rushing at me, I found so many things to be thankful for! The time has truly flown by and it is hard to believe the school year is almost half over. In the past five months, I have seen so much of the Lord: His comfort and kindness, His generosity and provision in every need, His love for every person. As dry as the land may be here, the Lord will not leave His people thirsty for His love!
As the school days have passed, I have seen the kids in my class begin to grasp the things I have tried to teach them. They are beginning to understand what letters make what sounds, which numbers are which, and what that thing with four corners is. They are beginning to enjoy each other and understand how they can interact with one another. They are starting to love reading! Although this is my first year and I know that perhaps we have not gotten as far along as the average Kindergarten class, the Lord is showing me how to teach them and letting me know in little ways that they are learning! That is so exciting to me. They are also beginning to understand about the Lord. Some still answer "Jesus" when I ask who was lead through the Red Sea, but they are beginning to understand some things about the gospel. One of my students, Shane told me the other day " Jesus died for us, huh teacher?" I see the most understanding in students like Shane, whose parents are believers, so I am reminded that I am not the only one the Lord is using to bring these kids to know Him. I am only a small part in His plan.
Please pray that most of all I will be able to show them His love and tell them of Him on a level that they can understand. I am learning what a huge responsibility it is to teach children. I can only pray the Lord gives me the strength and wisdom to do it well. I am very slowly getting to know some of the people in the area, especially the believers, but have had contact with non believers also. Some come to use the phone and sell their hand goods, and I can get to know them better. I had my first family to dinner the other day. They came to use the phone and I was making dinner so I invited them to stay. This family is rather special to me. One of the boys was originally in my class, but Sam was really not ready for Kindergarten. We knew at the beginning he might be too young, and had to decide if maybe he should wait. What a big one for someone so new! I was fearful that they would resent me and that the relationship might be damaged as I had been able to spend time with his mother, Annie. I hope I made the decision that best benefits all concerned. And it seems they have not hardened toward me, so I am hopeful that I will still get to minister to this family. As we approach the holidays, many of the staff are truly looking forward to the break. The staff has been stretched thin this year, with few teachers and bus drivers, and no maintenance man; they are feeling the strain. Everyone has been doing an excellent job, taking different or additional classes, but most would dearly love having more teachers come. Please pray that the Lord will send more workers in His time. We have heard from many for next year and are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will provide. One thing I am learning slowly is what the Lord requires of me. The Lord has graciously supplied my needs, both financially, emotionally, spiritually, and my needs as a teacher, showing me what to do. But I have to give much more than I realized. I was aware of the physical things I would need to give up to come here, the family and friends that I wouldn't see. I was not aware of how much of myself I would need to give and how much I needed to grow in my dependence on Him. It was an easy thing to say I believe, that I know He supplies every need and that I will rely on Him and serve Him with my whole heart. I am learning how much it takes to actually put this into practice. I am learning that He wants all of me, and how hard that is to give. But as the Lord shows me, I am reminded of how faithful He is! He never lets me down. He is truly a good God, who has sent all of the workers out here because He loves these people, because He sent His Son for their sakes as much as for ours! Please continue to pray that we would be a light here, so that they might see that love for themselves and truly believe on Him. In the school, many will say they believe, but not live it. Please pray that we might be able to disciple the people here, that they might grow to know Him as their Lord, as well as their Savior. I thank all of you for your continued prayers and support! I am looking forward to spending a few days with my family in Michigan for the holidays. I hope that you also will enjoy the Christmas season and that you will remember with joy and thanksgiving the gift that God gave by sending His only begotten Son to be our Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!



In His Name,

Mel

What am I?

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal.A good listener, you excell at helping others in practical ways.In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

What's" Your Personality Type?

So these are the results for the Blogspot personality test that I took. So what do you think? Did they get me or are they way off?

Code Talkers!!!

So any of you know about the Navajo Code Talkers in World War II? Being that veterans day is tommorrow, we invited the community to come and celebrate with the students and faculty, especially those in the community who have served in the armed forces. We had lots of people come and at least four veterans, one who is the father of my student, Shane. The elementary grades gave a small program; Kindergaten and 1st grade sang "I'm in the Lord's Army" and then the veterans shared where and when they had served. One of the Navajo gentleman who came and had served was David Jordan, who served in the Marines, stationed in the Pacific, and worked as a code talker. For those of you who may not be familiar with what that is, here goes.
During World War II, the military used Navajo speaking men to talk in code. They spoke in their native language, which is difficult enough to translate, and then coded what they said. The double layered code was never broken, and went a long way toward insuring the eventual victory of the allied forces. Mr. Jordan was one of those code talkers. When he left the service, he was a corporal. Mr. Jordan now attends the Immanuel Navajo Chapel here on the Mission. It was really neat to think I actually know one of these amazing men who did so much for our country. In a community where most people stay near their families for their entire live , it must have been a great sacrifice to go so far away into such a dangerous situation. My dad also served, in Vietnam; he was a clerk for the Special Services, and served for two years. He and my mom had to postpone their wedding, while he went halfway across the world. And there are more veterans in my family who have made sacrifices for their country.. I am sure there are veterans in yours.
Tommorrow, when our country celebrates its heros, don't forget to thank your loved ones who have served and fought for your freedom. You have that freedom because of sacrifices that they made!

Thanks to all you veterans!!!!

Instant Replay

I was looking for a title for this post; I always want some catchy phrase to go with each one.
I called it Instant Replay for two reasons. It is something that seems to replay in my life over and over, and because it involves one of those rare prayers that God seems to often answer instantly in my life, or at least very quickly. I know He always answers, but this one He often gives grace with and answers right away!
Sometimes in this new adventure out here in the west I get scared. For a while, it was being out in the wilderness and thinking someone might break in and "get" me. And because I stewed over it, I found myself dealing with it over and over. But once I got a clue, recognized it as Satan trying to stop me from being effective and from focusing on the Lord, I was able to give it to the Lord, and He just took it away. Now, I can't say that means I will never deal with it again, but for now, I am able to trust. However, Satan is a subtle enemy. So he trys again in different ways to get me where I am vulnerable.
And so I found myself today, again afraid that I could not do the job. What will I do tommorrow, I don't know the next step! I have no time and I am not ready! Now this is partly true, I did not get much done this weekend as far as lesson plans go, and I spent too much time on the internet :) At first, I panic! but this is not the appropriate response. I have not figured it all out yet, even though I should have with as many times as He provides but I have learned somewhat, and now I take it to the Lord. Almost instantly He gives me peace and instead of fearing, I work to figure out what He would have me do. And as I have often found, the plan is already there, this time literally, as I had wrote out a bit of it during a spare moment last week!! How funny that Satan tries to intimated me about something already prepared!! But the truth is that God has ALL of it already prepared. Why worry about it at all!! If I remember who is really in control, I will have the peace and assurance I need right at my fingertips, like an instant replay of all the times He has provided for my needs!

Red Mesa Rules!!!!

Today, I took a trip with two other ladies down our dirt road to Red Mesa, to witness the daring do of the Red Mesa Jr. Varsity football team as they valiantly, but sadly not victoriously, faced off against the St. Johns team. Red and White, and then Red and White - I did sometimes forget who was on what team. It was a neat oppurtunity to get off the Mission and around other people from the community. It was also just plain fun!!
Except for the toilet incident, which will not be included in this post. If you know me well enough to know my phone number or e-mail address, you are welcome to ask, and I will tell, but it will not be saved for posterity.
Have I got you curious??? I wonder what happened???

Naptime adventures

Naptime is an adventure in the Kindergarten classroom at Immanuel Mission School! First we have to get all the mats out and make sure everyone has gone potty, and everyone has to have a toy. Then there is the task of getting everyone to settle down which doesn't happen quickly or easily. But for now most are quiet and some are even sleeping. Some of those who are awake are singing or giggling. It is very intresting to hear the things they will say. They started talking about Jesus today and it is neat to hear which things they pick up from the bible lesson. They start to ask questions about wether Jesus likes kids or not, and how he died for our sins, right? Sin does not seem to be a question for them since they know very well that they do wrong some times. I think sometimes it easier for them, we try to justify it. We don't want others to see how we fail, even though we all do. I suppose it is just the stubborness and pride that keeps many from acknowledging their need for a Savior, a Savior of our souls, who also saves us in our daily lives if we will only let Him. How much easier it will be if we just rest in Him like little ones do, and come to Him as a child!

Positive Reinforcement

So, this is kindof the same topic as my last post, but to expand....

Coffee and sleep do not mix. Unfortunately, I enjoy both. It is to be expected of course, that a former barista of 2+ years can handle her caffeine, but I can't. Past 6 or so and I simply can not sleep. So, there I was, about to enter another week of the craziness that is teaching Kindergarten, and I can't sleep at 1pm. So I expected a day with no energy, and begged forgiveness from the Lord for not doing my devotions this morning as I dragged myself out of bed. But low and behold, I had this strange store of energy, enough even to drag some out of my kids during Calendar time, which not all are fond of. I even improvised!! And it was just what I needed because on of my students decided today was the day to have a complete mental breakdown. Not fun, but despite my lack of forsight in drinking the coffee, God still provided. He is VERY GOOD to us, even in the small things and even when we set ourselves up for a fall!

Kindergarten Lessons

So, Arizona certainly keeps one busy. Here it is the end of September and I have been here a month and a half and this is my first post!! Sorry to be so silent....Here goes!!

I have ten little people in my class and we are both learning how to do Kindergarten. I learn more than they do some days I think! Not knowing how everything works makes it quite an adventure as I try to figure the best things to do and the best ways to explain things and how to keep them from killing one another...if I here "teacher, she's being mean" one more time, I may have to pull out all my hair and go insane. Many days, I am just trying to keep my head above water. But somehow the Lord always supplys, even when I think He is not!! It is just that sometimes when I think I need His help is not when He has planned to send it and I have to learn to wait on Him. Because He does always send it!! I should know this by know, but I must have a thick skull, so it is taking longer to sink in. Oh, well, I will get it one day, maybe..then I will have to learn something else. Life would be boring if it was easy!!

The Great Wide West!!!

Hey man, I'm a country girl. I have lived in suburbia for almost all of my life and now I am leaving the burbs, moving 2000 miles away to live on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, an hour and a half from what I previously considered civilization (translation: the nearest Starbucks). Why on earth would I voluntarily do such a thing?!? Well, there is no reason on earth. Earthly things wouldn't motivate you to go somewhere like that to do something like teach Kindergarten for no pay. But I am motivated by a heavenly things. As with every one of us, I only have so much time on earth; most of my eternity will be spent in heaven. But the kids I teach and the people I come into contact with may not know where they will spend theirs. God uses each of us according to His plan and He has chosen to send me to Arizona. One day, I finally told Him I was willing to go where He wanted, so here I go.

Welcome to my blog!!

Hey everybody!! Welcome to my blog. Hope you find something funny, intresting, or just uplifting.

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