I seriously cannot believe that I've already known about being officially accepted to teach at El Camino Academy for almost 8 months now. Has it really already been that long?! It was halloween day when I got a call from Beth Afandor and had a conversation with her saying that I have offically been accepted. I didn't realize they were only about 3 months into their school year when it all came about. I guess I was just super antsy about what the Lord wanted me to do this next year out of college. It was good because it did take about that long to raise support and PRAISE GOD that I am able to say that my support goal is covered for the first year!
Before I had the conversation with Beth I remember listening to this song "Waiting Here For You" By Christy Nockels
During the time of waiting between applying and getting accepted I remember praying, "God, I really want to do this!! However, Thy Will be done!" Then when I finally was accepted I put this song on again knowing it would be a long time waiting praying that I would not lose focus on here and now. During these past 8 months I've had many people say "Haven't you left yet?" or "Are you already back?!" Ha. But now I still have one month to go...which still seems like forever since I've been waiting for so long but I'm sure it'll approach sooner than later!
Back then I didn't know exactly what I was going to teach or who I was going to live with but now I do!
I will be the 5th grade Language Arts teacher and 5th/6th grade Social Studies teacher! (It's considered to be part of the middle school too...I never thought I'd be teaching in a 'middle school' but I'm excited nonetheless!)
Megan (I hardcore blog stalked her last fall when looking into the school and now we'll be living together. Ha.), Lauren, & Kelli will be my future roommates. Megan and Lauren taught there last year and it will be mine and Kelli's first year so it'll be great and helpful to be living with some returners!
Along with excitement of course comes some anxiety. I've been telling some people that I think I'm more nervous for my first year of teaching and having my own classroom than moving to a different country. I've realized that I'll have to deal with several different culture shocks which include:
1. Moving to a different country with a different culture and language than the one I was raised in.
2. Moving to a city of 7 million people! (way different than a town of 7,000 people)
3. Teaching a grade that I haven't had an extended experience with. (My student teaching experienece was only in a Kindergarten ELL & 1st grade classroom....but I love 5th graders and the little experience I have had with them!)
When I worry about these things however I can't help but think of when the Lord commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into the promised land right before Moses died. Joshua had to have felt some anxiety...after all....he was leading the Lord's people and was about to face several battles. It's in these words that I find comfort for this next venture in my life:
"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8)
God was the one that led me up to this point...He surely isn't going to leave and say, "Okay Allie, I got you here...now go on and I'll just stay back here and watch." Nope. He's already there a month before me and will be with me and not leave me. How cool is that?!
With all this being said I'll just update you briefly on what's been going on and what this next month looks like:
I "walked" at graduation in May (and I say walked because I received my diploma in December. Concordia doesn't have a Dec. grad ceremony) and finished substitute teaching.
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| My family at graduation minus Brett |
Then I moved back home with my parents but have hardly been home. I've been traveling all over the place!
In late April I made a trip down to Mississippi to spend time with Sally & Kevin.
In mid-May I drove to Albuquerque, New Mexico with MaryLou for her summer job and then flew back.
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| Taking a break while hiking in the Sandia Mtns. with MaryLou |
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| Hiking up Yosemite Falls! |
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| Brett & I in front of the type of jet he flies for the Navy |
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| Me, Stacey, & Hannah |
I was able to go out to Scottsbluff for a week to be a huddle leader at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Distance Running Camp which was AWESOME!! The Gospel of Christ was spoken over and over, the high schoolers learned what it meant to glorify God through running, the Holy Spirit was on the move in and among us AND not to mention I absolutely loved my group of high school girls! The Lord reminded me just how much He has taught me through running. Oh, it was SO good to be able to serve the Lord through this ministry in my "backyard" that His Spirit is so powerfuly at work in. God definitely reignited a passion to learn and teach others about what it means to not steal God of His Glory through competing in sports.
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| My awesome FCA huddle!! |
I pray that this next month is not filled with idleness but rather that God would open up more ways to serve Him while in Nebraska before heading down to Bogotá. I plan on going to the ECA annual picnic in Chicago in early July and also hit up the Colombian Consulate for my visa. Please pray for this trek happening next weekend and that all the paper work and legistics works out the way it should.
Now....I shall end with this sweet devotion by Lecrae....ENJOY! :)
Love to hear what you've been up to Allie! Wow you are a busy woman! Thanks for sharing your encouragement for changing times~ that verse from Deut. totally brings me encouragement too for upcoming changes! And...so happy to hear you are getting back into running :)Hope the foot is doing well! Love you and praying for you! YAY almost there!!! (Haha and the devo had me rockin' out in my desk chair :D ~ you are too awesome. Thanks for sharing!) ~Chelle:)
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