Slow Music on a Cold and Cloudy Day…

Wow.

Have you ever had one of those moments where there is a full consciousness and appreciation for the Father’s plan?

Or maybe, a moment that you get to just take in a deep breath and see that life is happening.

Happy days, sad days, plan days all alike, you begin to understand that it is possible. It is possible because there is a perfect encourager, supporter, sustainer who is watching your back, walking with His arm around you, and holding His had out to you all at once.

In the midst of busyness, of hurt, of confusion, of instants blinded by excitement or merriness we will always have assurance of home and rest.

The past two weeks have been great! Alison and I started teaching our English classes and also our own language classes at the University. Our English classes have been so awesome to get to know students. We have had enough classes that by now there is a solid foundation of friendship with some of the more regular attendees and we are getting opportunities outside of class to hang out with them. We are able to partner up with a Student life M team and do game nights and movie nights with as well. They also host seminars that we get to attend inside the dorm.

Our classes each week have a theme. The first week we themed “Travel” where we discussed traveling around the world or inside Kazakhstan. We explain different idioms that English has and play different games that provide opportunities to practice simply speaking in English. In the “Travel” themed week we explained what a road trip was. This was so much fun, we split into groups and planed the perfect road-trip. The Second week our theme was “Communication.” This ended up being a great topic. The first night of this week was a little rough because we had more beginner speakers. We as a team are still trying to figure out the best way to help all levels of speakers. We decided to have the very beginners sign up for a different time so the more advanced speakers will get more benefit from the speaking club. After we did this we were able to have really great conversations with the communication theme. We talked about verbal and non-verbal forms as well as social networks, e-mail, and texting. They really enjoyed this topic!

Another opportunity that was presented to us this week, which I am very excited about, is one of our students teaches in a University different from ours and her director has invited us to give a Saturday seminar soon. This is a huge open door to reach out to students we would not normally get to see because of it being a different University. Our student shared with her class in a lecture about our club and how people are able to speak and not feel shamed for their level and it is a very free speaking club with fun opportunities. This was so encouraging to hear her say because I know it was the Father working through all the people who have worked in the Student Center. So I am looking forward to planning out this Saturday class and experience the Father’s plan in opening this door.

These past two weeks we also have been attending our Russian classes. Whew, lets just say my brain hurts by the end of each lesson. There is soo much grammar in the Russian language. It has seven tenses and words change with the gender of the word, this means that there is a lot of thinking involved in talking correctly. The other funny thing with our lessons is the Soviet style of our professor. Even the book we use is soviet style, it was printed the year I was born (1989) haha! She wants us to do a lot of memorizing which is difficult in our time schedule. We are making a goal to be more diligent in studying however, because it may be difficult but it is respectful to our teacher, which is a valued trait in the people here. I love moments when we do see the side of our teacher that is more then a professor. For example, the other day I went to say our memorized conversation, “I have an older brother,” but the word for older is close to the word for ugly, so I accidentally said, “I have an ugly brother.” It was so funny and we all laughed at the mistake. My teacher reminds me a lot of my Grandma, so she now has a very special place in my heart.

I think the biggest thing with Language is to remember to look at as I HAVE three months left to learn it instead of I ONLY have three months left. I really have to seek out the Father’s strength to keep optimism in the short amount of time remaining. Remembering it is a glass half full not empty. He has the perfect plan, it is unfolding before Alison and I and we are learning to take it day by day. A really awesome lesson I have been learning is about the promise of Rest. Our local club has been studying in Hebrews and we read chapter 4 the past Sunday. I did not understand much of the conversation there but after conversations and on my own reading the Father shows how His rest is only united with Faith. It is a rest that is spoken of in the terms of “entering the promise land” (Like the Israelites) and a rest just like the father rested on the seventh day of creation. We have a promise of rest, and we are resting in the today like the Father. We are also to be obedient in our works as well, so we rest amongst our obedience (works) of the Father. With all this world of rest that I am learning it is awesome because a month and a half ago I begin to PR for the Father to teach me the art of Rest, and here it is the answer being laid before my eyes!

PR for more opportunities in our conversations to open up topics of depth,
PR for when we get to spend time with our friends outside of the office that we simply build genuine friendship and trust in each other,
PR for our classes and the world of grammar we are consumed in ☺
PR for the two new Journey Girls who will be joining our team in just two short weeks!
PR for Alison and I to continue the road of learning how to work with each other and communicate.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

I’m watching the seasons change.

I recently came to the conclusion that fall is most definitely my loved season. I was walking outside on a simple and beautiful day taking in my surroundings. I was sitting in the park finishing a book thinking about how the leaves have started to change. There is a new painting of brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow across the sky. There is something to the weather changing bringing in the fresh, cool air that brings a feeling of familiarity. This is a familiarity of traditions and preparation for the months ahead. All of brings great warmth to my heart.

Alison and I babysat for a local believing friend who is a part of a student organization. She was spending time with her team members canning food. It was there way of being more of a family and building unity between them. I loved this!

With all this change of fall and the season blooming before my eyes there is another season of life changing. This week was our first week of teaching English and next week will be our returning to our Russian classes in the University, in other words, our schedules are beginning to fill up. The time of summer and explorations are done and a new busier season is happening. Students are all around us now! The dorms are packed and there is a constant stream of students that walk back and forth from the university and the dorm. We have been handed an almost overwhelming opportunity to engage students and it is amazing to be a part of! Even just later today we get to have time with some of our new students at a local coffee shop. Our English clubs are every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We teach many different subjects and basically provide a place to practice speaking and creating dialog. Our Russian classes will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We also hope to do fun events every other Friday night with the students we come to know better and better. So there is going to be much to do!

In this season the Father has brought me to a renewing of awe. He is reminding me over and over of His sovereignty, His power, His wisdom and the beauty in that. Not only does he paint using leaves and refresh using the winds but also He engages His creation and He loves. He loves with people, with memories, with His Word. I know He is changing friends, my family, and me. It is breathtaking to acknowledge His glory in that. It brings His people to the only place that makes since, His throne and a complete immersion in Worship. Let us all continue to press into this reality not seen. Press into the truth and dig deep for it I promise, there will be unimaginable treasure to be found.