Your typical Kindergarten class...doesn't matter where you are in the world, kids are still kids and they are soooooo cute!! Hopefully, I will get some of me on video teaching P.E. to these little nuggets because it's funny to try and watch them run without running into each other!! haha (and you better believe I introduced "What time is it, Ms. Fox? to them and they love it!!) I finished my first week of teaching and it was a rough one. Some of my classes are great, but some classes are proving to be a challenge. I am a "first year" teacher, and after talking with a few friends, I was reminded that the first year is usually the hardest. I came home in tears on Wednesday because I was so frustrated with the unpredictable weather, lack of space for P.E. classes (Our school does not have a gymnasium or grass field), and disrespectful "little angels" (as Aryn calls them, haha). But by the grace and kindness of our Lord, and the answer to prayers, I finished off the week well! I just need to hang in there, not give up, and depend on the Lord's wisdom daily. I am going to be learning and growing so much!
But Praise the Lord for friday nights and friends!! After a crazy week of school, it is so nice to be surrounded by fun people. Here are a few pics of some of my new peeps that I'm getting to know! We are a great bunch aren't we?..........A great bunch of nuts! I guess you kind of have to be a little crazy to be a teacher in a foreign country :) Stephanie is in the middle (she's from Canada, eh?), and Becky is on the right (she's a native California girl! APU alumni.....go A-PU!!)
The three of us trying to take a silly one but Stephanie didn't get the memo and I was on the verge of laughing (what a surprise)!
But Praise the Lord for friday nights and friends!! After a crazy week of school, it is so nice to be surrounded by fun people. Here are a few pics of some of my new peeps that I'm getting to know! We are a great bunch aren't we?..........A great bunch of nuts! I guess you kind of have to be a little crazy to be a teacher in a foreign country :) Stephanie is in the middle (she's from Canada, eh?), and Becky is on the right (she's a native California girl! APU alumni.....go A-PU!!)
The three of us trying to take a silly one but Stephanie didn't get the memo and I was on the verge of laughing (what a surprise)!
These are two of my students! They noticed I am VERY animated and talk with my hands so we just had to take a couple of pictures where we are using our hands to communicate! 
Trying to teach them the "Yo, what up homie?" gesture! hehe
I cooked Mexican food!!! There's an international market near my house and they sell Tortillas, salsa, and beans!! I was so overjoyed that, YES, I cooked a meal for some of my new Japanese friends!! Guess what we had??? Burritos (of course)!!! And Tacos (Can't leave those out). To my surprise, the dinner turned out great and Mexican will be a once a month theme! Praise the Lord for great food and great company!! Emily is the girl in the black shirt...she is the 3rd grade teacher at the school and has been such a blessing in helping me get settled here in Japan!
Trying to teach them the "Yo, what up homie?" gesture! hehe
I cooked Mexican food!!! There's an international market near my house and they sell Tortillas, salsa, and beans!! I was so overjoyed that, YES, I cooked a meal for some of my new Japanese friends!! Guess what we had??? Burritos (of course)!!! And Tacos (Can't leave those out). To my surprise, the dinner turned out great and Mexican will be a once a month theme! Praise the Lord for great food and great company!! Emily is the girl in the black shirt...she is the 3rd grade teacher at the school and has been such a blessing in helping me get settled here in Japan!
I just want to take a sec and thank you all for your prayers and your support as family and friends. Words really can't express the gratitude I feel in my heart for the encouraging, uplifting comments you've left on my blog. Not only are these new friends helping me in my adjustment, but you play a big part in it as well!!! Your love and support help me when I am feeling homesick or discouraged. Keep writing and keep praying! Japan will taste the "salt of the earth" and see "the light" in such a dark place because of Jesus moving through His people!
3 comments:
So happy to see you living it up! So proud of you for going to the market and being a supreme hostess! So delighted that you continue to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, in all you do, and express it to all of us as a reminder of what we are to be about at home as well.
Much love!
I have SOOOOOO been there Kelli! It really is a love/hate situation - teaching exhausts you to the inth degree and yet you want to connect and make the whole experience the BEST - it is probably one of the hardest jobs yet greatest too! You keep crying out to the LORD for strength. I can honestly say it is worth it!! I miss it much! I like the focus it gives to me - on my job, on loving, on connecting, on being better and on my utter need for God to make me be all those things....cause i can not do it on my own! Love you gal! Thanks for be transparent - I will write again soon. I had a TALK w/ B yesterday....not sure what God wants but know i am scared of myself, my flesh...and ugh, anyhow. If it is not one thing it is another pressing us do our faces before the LORD for all we need!
I'm so glad you ended your week on a good note. Your first year can be very overwhelming and confusing at times. I understand the lack of "materials" (space,time) to get things done. I love you my friend! God will teach you so much through your faithfulness. I'm glad you are making friends. I'm not sure I could only handle one night a month of Mexican food though! :O) Miss you bunches!
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