Blessings

So we've been here nearly five days... what have I done? Part of me feels like I've done nothing, and then I realize that I'm getting situated to live here for ten months! Okay- so I can give myself a little bit of grace for setting up my house and getting organized for a few days before adventuring out to the community. We have been caught in a torrential rain storm, attemeted to sleep despite the singing drunks, and have spent hours rearranging our apartment so that it is more like home. I wanted to get pictures up, but I'm having a hard time uploading them. Apart from the minor inconveniences, I actaully feel like I have it incredibly couche. We have a fridge, oven, hot shower, what more can you want? At first I felt like I had it too easy- what kind of missionary was I who didn't have to suffer? But then I realized how thankful I am for these ammenities. Instead of having to worry about my own living environment and feeling comfortable and secure, I can turn my attention to the people who I came to serve and to teach. I don't have to struggle to live, I can live simply still, but with others in mind. I have the priviledge of being able to invite people to my home, and to build those relationships as I would any other place . The transition time is so much easier, at least so far, and I am ready to meet people! I am ready to teach, ready to serve. But... from whom much is given, much is expected... may I not rely on the comforts of home too much and not challenge myself to reach out of myself to others.

A Prayer for the Journey

Prayer by Thomas Merton: "My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think i am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are even with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."

God's Glorious Purpose

I have learned so much already about God's call on my life. During training I have been humbled as I am reminded that I can do nothing without my Father. It is God who has called me. God has laid Russia on my heart and He is going to work through me to bring about His purpose. I pray that I will be able to remember this and not be afraid to share with others Christ's love. It is not me who is teaching and loving, but Christ in me. My prayer is that I continue to allow Him to use me and be His hands and feet. He did not give me a spirit of timidity, but one of power and strength and love, because my spirit is Christ. He will provide, He will empower me to rise above myself and reach out in love.
We have had a chance to do some exploring in the mountains of Pasadena and I often am just overwhelmed by the grandeur of God's glory. He has created this earth so detailed and intricate and just beautiful! But on top of that, He has created ME, who to Him is even more gorgeous than any ocean or mountain or stream. I am even more humbled as I realize this... God loves me and chooses to use me to bring more of his beloved children into His Kingdom. What a task, what an honor; I must obey.

Training in Pasadena

Phew! Now that training is over, I can look back and think about what God was trying to teach me through this whole thing! With the intesity of training (7am-10pm daily), I didn't have much time to reflect on what I learned. We learned TEFL, we got to know each other, (the picture is of Tim, Alicia, Jeff, Amy, Danielle, Donelda, me on "team day" (we were the Russian Mafia!)) had sessions on culture, language, self care, faith, and anything else you can think of, taught at a local church to practice teaching English to actual students. Somewhere in that, we ate and slept... and had some fun! Now we are all packed up and ready to head out into this unknown culture to teach English and share our lives with the people there. We have had a lot of training, but there is so much we have yet to learn, and can only learn once we get there. I'm ready! Let's go! :)