A TRUE Update

Many of my recent blog posts (can you say "recent" when they are few and far in between?); okay, let’s rephrase that, most of my blog posts over the past year have been less updates and more of a devotional nature. That type of writing comes more naturally to my reflective personality. However, a lot has happened this year and I want to keep you updated!

As the end of the school year approaches, I find myself thinking about the beginning of the school. This year was different than any other; I switched grades, my best friend and roommate moved away, I changed churches and took on some new roles at the school. If I could summarize the beginning of the year with one word it might be: “hard”. In the hardness I grew. Without a “best friend” here I learned more of how to rely on God and get close to people I might not have otherwise. I learned that God is my biggest fan, my best confidante, my provider and that He has good things stored up for me, even if they look different than what I thought.

I started this year with fifteen students and still I have fifteen students, however some of the faces have changed. Two of my students moved to a different school and shortly after they left, I gained two new students who had just moved to Bolivia. Our class now represents five different nations: Korea, Spain, Italy, Bolivia and the US-pretty cool! It has been a complete joy to teach these students; they are hungry to learn and are highly motivated and capable. They very much feel like my “babies” and it will be hard to let them go in just seven short weeks. I am trying to soak up the moments with them.

Aren't they precious?!

In the same way, I am trying to soak up moments with my co-workers. This year has been very special in the way that our upper elementary team has formed a very unique and beautiful bond. I have never experienced such a community with a teaching team before and it has been incredible and in some ways, life changing, as I see how a community of imperfect people can work together to encourage, challenge and support one another while striving to walk out life to the glory of God. In some ways I have been more real and vulnerable with these people than I have ever been before.  Learning that they still love me, even after they know of my weaknesses and failures, has been transforming and has taught me more about the heart of our Father. 

We like each other so much we even hang out outside of school!

Spirit Day-can't remember what the theme was!

Our school has undergone many changes this year. Our facility has grown and improved; we have new offices and meeting rooms, an actual soccer field and a new outdoor basketball court.  We will soon be experiencing staff changes; twelve of our staff members have decided not to return next year. In an international school where the commitment is a minimum of two years, turnover is extremely common, however even in this climate, twelve teacher positions to fill is a lot! God is faithful and we trust Him to fill these places with the right people. Currently we have six of the twelve positions filled. Our school has also been experiencing financial difficulty; we are in a lot of debt and through different fines and fees the government makes it increasingly difficult for us to function here. We have also been dealing with some issues that have surfaced among staff members and are praying for wisdom to handle these things in a Christ like way. We desperately need prayer to continue walking out the vision we believe God has called us to as a school and to continue to minister to families and students in La Paz.

Over our recent spring break, I had some visitors. My dad, mom and sister were able to visit Bolivia! It was huge for them to be able to come and meant so much to me that they were able to see my life here. Our time together was bathed in prayer and I truly felt those prayers; I believe my family left with a greater understanding of why I am here and with a greater peace about entrusting me to God while I’m here. They also fell in love with the chaotic beauty and intricacy that is Bolivia. We were able to spend time at my school  (my mom and sister helped in my class and my dad taught the highschoolers), at the Word Made Flesh Ministry Center-a ministry to women and children affected by prostitution (we spent time at the ministry center and spent an afternoon in the home of the directors) and made a short trip to Lake Titicaca (the World’s highest navigable lake). We spent many evenings sharing a meal with dear friends here and my Dad even got to golf the World’s highest golf course. I was so proud of my family’s willingness to go anywhere, eat anything, do everything! To say they were tired after ten days is probably an understatement, but I would say they didn’t regret any bit of it, and returned home with a little bit of Bolivia in their hearts (and in their bellies-Bolivia bacteria bites!).

With a fun mural depicting La Paz

Beautiful day to golf!

With Andy and Andrea, the directors of Word Made Flesh

Getting to know my kiddos

Worlds collide! My family with my class.

Some fun playground pics!

Geltato with some great friends!

So, there you have it. No funny anecdotes or clever stories, but life as it is. I will leave you with one teaser, however. Within a short two months there are BIG changes coming up for me! Can’t wait to fill you in, but I think this post is already long enough. J So, stay tuned, I will post something within the week. (And yes, I REALLY will, because it’s actually already written). J

Be blessed, my friends, and thank you for reading and staying abreast of my life!

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."

Psalm 46:1-3