It's a New Season...

So, I had a week off the mission field for spring break, toward the middle/end of March. Since school was out and I wasn’t teaching, I had the opportunity to visit family and friends in the States. It was a much needed and much enjoyed time. I thank God for the opportunity to see everyone and be refreshed.

I don’t know about your life, but I am in a new season. I’m not really sure what things are going to look like in this new season, but I do know that it will be good because I know that God has good plans in store for us. =)

So, it’s after spring break and I’m back teaching, but a little differently. Now I am more in a internship for teaching. I still teach some classes, other classes I observe and assist with whatever is needed. I am learning through observing and hands on application.

The children’s clubs are continuing. As I have gotten to know the children better, and my Spanish continues to improve, things seem to be going better. Of course there are challenges, but God is faithful. I am excited about something I started with the girls last week in their meeting. I started teaching them a dance to “I’m Trading My Sorrows” by Darrell Evans. They are enjoying it as well. =)

(I actually used this song, along with my friend Ana Ana, to teach a dance to children in Mexico last March. I am glad that I am getting to use it again!)

Something new that just started after my return to Guatemala is that I am now teaching English to three of the older boys. This is a new experience for me and I am learning a whole new set of things with this. They are well behaved and want to learn- so it is an enjoyable time. We have classes three times a week.

I have been really learning a lot lately spiritually as well, or at least I’m now realizing some things. I’ve “known” over and over that I need to study who I am in Christ. In the past I’ve started and haven’t continued to where I actually get it. This time I have a piece of paper on my wall that I am sticking smaller papers to as I come across a verse or something that tells me who I am. For example: “I am accepted. ‘to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.’ Ephesians 1:6”

If you don’t know who you are in Christ, I greatly encourage you to open up the Bible and find out how God sees you...if you haven’t learned how He sees you I’m sure that you don’t see yourself how He does. It is so wonderful how He sees us- and that is the truth about us, not how we feel or what others say about us. I also recommend you listen to Pastor Joe Barlow and his sermon from March 16, 2008 called “Making Disciples 9- Identity in Christ pt. 1” and his sermon from March 30, 2008 called “Making Disciples 9- Identity in Christ pt. 2 (the real one)”. You can access these sermons through the website: familylife.cc or through itunes, look for Family Life Christian Center. These, and a few other sources, have greatly encouraged me to once again find out how God sees me- and this time keep going until I actually see myself that way!

So, yes, God is at work in my life and all is well. I really APPRECIATE those of you who continue to pray for me. I KNOW it makes a difference!

That’s an update on my life...if you’d like to write and let me know what God is doing in your life via email, I’d like to hear about it. Though I can’t promise I’ll be able to respond, or that a response will be in a timely manner, I will enjoy reading what God is doing in your life. =)

“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20