This is more like it...

Thursday, February 19, 2009
11:40 a.m. CZ time – 4:40 a.m. home time


Wow. Yesterday was amazing. Let me start from the beginning.

I went to meet Whitney for lunch at 12:30. We got off at some metro stop that neither of us had seen before…we figured we’d look for some hole-in-the-wall place to eat. There was nothing. So we walked. We ended up at Flora at the mall where we eat every Sunday after church. Ha! So, we ate there. Not very adventurous…but oh, well. We did, however, discover that the Jewish cemetery is right next door to the mall. Who knew? It was gorgeous. There was fresh snow everywhere and green ivy intertwining between the elaborate tombstones. We meant to get pictures, but forgot. So sad. :( Anyway, we had a sandwich and then set out for Prague Castle. When we finally get to the stop we want, there are policemen who’ve set up checkpoints. They’re checking everybody’s transit passes. Ok. No big deal. I show him mine and he says “It’s no good. You pay penalty.”

What?
“You need number.”
Blah.
Apparently, when the lady gave me my pass, she forgot to tell me that I needed a confirmation number. That or she assumed I already had one. Who knows? So Mr. Policeman gave me a 700 CZK ($45) penalty pass that lasted for an hour. (That’s enough to cover transportation for the rest of my time here…) We turned around to head to I. P. Pavlova ( “ee – pay – pav-lova”) to try to get a number. I get there, stand in line and fish out my pass. When I get to the window, I point and ask her if/how I can get a number. She acts confused and then loudly says, “Photo pass-porrrrt” (roll the “r”). Of course, I’m not carrying my passport around; if I were to run into a pickpocket, that’s the last thing I want stolen. So, the run-around continues. I say forget it…I’ll take care of it later. I’m not running all the way back to the apt to get my passport.
We go to the castle. :)

It was marvelous! We walked through the cathedral and then around a little bit. We weren’t even able to see all of it. It wasn’t crowed at all, which was nice, but that was because it was ridiculously cold, especially when the wind was blowing. So, in order to get warm, we found a spiral staircase that went down below the area we were standing on. It lead to a quaint little restaurant/café. We got coffee and warmed up. Wonderful -two shots of espresso for me!

It was nice to thaw out and giggle for a bit.

Afterwards, we started walking toward Charles Bridge, taking pictures along the way. We found a little jewelry shop, and thought we’d explore. It was small, and looked legit. There were some gorgeous pieces of jewelry – handmade in the CZ. We had to buy some! (so excited!) I think the lady actually stayed later than her normal closing time to let us in. She was very nice. I don’t think she spoke much English, but she was very patient and super sweet.

After this, we moseyed to the Bridge (running into the tour group we’d seen in the cathedral at the castle along the way…along with the “English man in a red jacket” that found his way into one of my pictures and into Whitney’s heart. :P ) Wonderful, wonderful.
After walking the bridge, we set out for Natalie and Steph’s apartment for supper. We stopped to get some drinks and were buzzed into her building. Nat went out to meet someone for dinner and Steph made some amazing chicken and rice and broccoli. I mixed up some (Ghirardelli!) brownies and we ate them while we watched Taken. It’s a really good movie…just not something you want to watch while you’re a girl in Europe that’s got to walk home in the dark…
I caught the last bus back and made it in a little after midnight. (waaaay past my bedtime…but so worth it.)
Then, sleep.
A great day :D

There’s still so much to see and do. Talks of ice skating and visiting the musical fountain are developing. We’ll see when this comes to pass.

Finally. Good times.

More to come –
Much Love.

He knows my name

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
9:45 a.m. CZ time – 2:45 a.m. Home time


MID-TERM BREAK! Yahooo! Have you any idea how excited this makes me?! It’s almost 10 o’clock on a Tuesday morning and I’m still sitting in my bed, in my pajamas eating Milka and messing around on the internet. Life is good.

My window is cracked to let in the snow-fresh air. Everything is white. The forecast says it’s supposed to snow all week…
That’s fine with me. It means it will be at least 32degrees. :)

So, um, I made the Chancellor’s List! Is that bragging? I dunno. But – yay!

I’m starting to get cards in the mail. :) I’m already worried about running out of room on my refrigerator!


Ok. So. Can I say that I think I’m finally getting it? I’m finally comfortable; past the shock. I’m able to start evaluating my time here. I’m thinking…I’m thinking and I’m learning. Sunday was marvelous. I’ve not felt that close to Him in a long time. We sang “He knows my name.”

I have a Maker

He formed my heart

Before even time began

My life was in his hands

I have a Father

He calls me His own

He’ll never leave me

No matter where I go

Chorus

He knows my name

He knows my every thought

He sees each tear that falls

and He hears me when I call

You’ve probably heard it before. Anyway. He’ll never leave me, no matter where I go. He formed my heart. He calls me His own. He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls. He hears me when I call.
It’s comforting. No one I love is within 5,000 miles. They can’t hear me. Knowing that God is there has been my crutch. But feeling Him and relying on His presence has only just come.

You know, this whole time, I’ve felt like I’ve had to tell people that I’m doing my internship, but I’m also gonna try to do mission work. It’s like I’ve felt that I’ve had to turn my trip into a “ministry” in order to be remembered back home. Why is that? Why do I feel like I have to tell people that God has called me and I’m taking Him with me? Why is that a precursor to being put on the Prayer List? Shouldn’t that be a given? Shouldn’t everything I do, everything any of us does, be a part of God’s plan and His calling? Shouldn’t we support each other in everything we do? Isn’t it that simple? Shouldn’t that be life? Yes, I need all the prayer and support I can get while I’m abroad. But, isn’t life hard to get through at home? Shouldn’t it be as important to lean on others when you’re feeling down, or you’ve lost or job, or…when your power’s gone out as when you're alone on the other side of the planet?

It’s ironic that I’m thinking about leaning on others when I’m without my usual “others.” If nothing else, God has shown me how much I should appreciate and love those around me. Life isn’t meant to be done alone. I was created to be madly in love with my fellow man. I was created to support and lift up those around me, just as I was created to receive the love and support of those around me. (That's something else I've had trouble with. I've never been very good at being on the other side of ministry - the one being loved on and ministered to. I've been forced to change that...)

No one has it easy. No one has it made. No one has it figured out. That’s something else – I thought I knew God well. I wasn’t arrogant enough to say I knew all about Him, but I was content to say that I knew “quite a bit.” No. I’m constantly discovering and rediscovering what it means to live Christian. It’s not a label, it’s not a list, it’s not even tithing or being at church every Sunday or cooking for potlucks…it’s carrying on a genuine conversation with a man on the street. It’s smiling at someone in the grocery store. It’s sending flowers to a sick neighbor. It’s hugging a child with a scraped knee. It’s love in everyday action. It is life.

These things should be a part of who we are. Jesus should be a natural part of who we are. He should come up in conversation...

Sorry. I’ve stepped onto a soapbox. My basic discovery is this – If I am to come abroad for missions, I won’t be alone. I will have support and I will have help. There will be love.
At the same time, I may not be meant for long term “foreign missions” as I’d assumed. Perhaps just not in Europe. It seems that mission work at home can be foreign in itself. “Mission work” has taken on a new meaning for me. It is daily. I don’t have to be a “missionary” to do missions.

I need to quit worrying about what God has for me in the future, and live in what He has for me now. Love life and people and serve now, where I am and with what I have.

Ok. Done now. :)

I really should be planning lessons. I take over when we go back. I mean, really, how often to you actually have to do lesson plans when you’re a “real” teacher? Ugh…

I am going to have exciting things to write about, eventually. I’m heading to the IMB office to meet up for lunch. I think Whitney and I are gonna roam around for a little bit after that. I’m determined to find an Easter outfit while I’m here…perhaps we should shop today. Or just take pictures. I dunno – we’ll see what happens!

There is quite a bit of homesickness welling back up in my gut. Mitch is sick. :( And I don’t like that I’m not there. I really, really don’t like it…

*sigh* I need to get up and put real clothes on. I'm starting to go cross-eyed from looking at the screen...

Much Love!

I'm a teacher...yeah?

Sunday, February 08, 2009
3:45 p.m. CZ time – 8:45 a.m. Home time.


So. This past week, My supervisor came to observe me. It didn’t go so well. I then had coffee with him and Christine. She’s nice. He’s...British. (sorry…I tried…I really did…but that all went out the window when he questioned my competency, talked endlessly about his family tree, and repeatedly interrupted while I was talking…) Rather than go through all the details, let me just say that the experience has driven me to be prepared to blow him away in March.

ONE more week – then break! Can you believe it? I’m HALFWAY done?! Get through this week and then I have a whole week off. I have no idea what I’m gonna do with that week. Exploring, shopping, and lesson planning are at the top of the list.

I’m there. I realized it this morning. I’m actually at that place where I can just live. I’m not worried about adapting or figuring stuff out…I just go and do and be. It is good.

I was, however, yelled at on Friday. Ha. The bus stop in front of my school is the last stop the bus makes. There were maybe 5 people on the bus and one stop left before everyone was going to have to get off, so I put my backpack in the seat next to me and propped my foot up on the side of one in front of me (not ON the seat; that’s inconsiderate!). At that last bus stop, an old Czech man walked up the bus steps, stood at the top, pointed his finger at me and started saying something. I turned, said something like, “Huh?” and he proceeded to yell at me in Czech. I had no idea what he was yelling about, but I assumed it had something to do with my taking up three seats or my foot being off the floor or a combination of the two. There’s nothing I could say to him…so I turned and looked out the window and let him yell.
Two weeks ago, that probably would have led me to cry uncontrollably…but today, I just giggled on the inside. What can you do?

Whitney introduced me to Milka Chocolate. Have mercy. I have to bring some home. (I couldn't figure out how to rotate the picture...? but you get the idea.)

Senath is still without power. I found where KAIT interviewed Bro. K and talked about the church being a shelter. I wanted to cry. (Seems I’ve been doing a lot of that lately…?) I was so moved and happy that the community has come together like they have and that our church is able to be the hub for such service. At the same time, I’m heartbroken that I can’t be there to help. It’ll be another couple weeks till they get power and another couple months till they get cable/internet. So much for Skyping with the sibs. :P


I need to be planning lessons…ugh.
Ok. More updates to come…

Much Love.

Just add Peanut Butter

Sunday, February 01, 2009
7:07 p.m. CZ time – 12:07 p.m. Home time

So - Victory! I overcame my first week on the public transportation system. It’s not bad actually. The worst part is the walk up to my apartment after I get off the bus. And waiting on a bus on the weekend is no fun…especially when it’s blizzard-ing.
But, I made it. I got my bus pass, went sightseeing this weekend, snow covers the ground - I think I’m pretty content.

I got a message from Christine (the other GST Prague intern). She and I are supposed to meet Don (our supervisor) for coffee Wednesday night. He observes me on that afternoon.

I met Lindsey McDaniel. She’s teaching at the Christian International School of Prague. She emailed me. Yay! More friends! :) She also offered for me to go with her to the International Baptist Church of Prague. I went today.

Friday night was “Youth Praha” downstairs in the chapel. Natalie Kaspar (another girl that works with Linsdey) invited me to come. I met Whitney Beach. She’s here with IMB and the “Hands-On” program. She and two guys – Daniel and Caleb. They met in the Ukraine at training. We went to the mall to eat afterwards. I think I’m going to be seeing a lot of them. :)

The four of us went out yesterday. Friends! more pictures on Facebook.

Apparently, Czechs have dessert for lunch sometimes. The cafeteria at school served rolls with vanilla cream sauce stuff the other day. Like cinnamon rolls without cinnamon. Looked pretty good. That’s one custom I can get used to!

These kids have never heard a Bible story . . . ever. We were talking about the original sin – they had no idea who Adam and Eve were. No Jonah, no David and Goliath, no Garden of Eden; nothing.
Maybe we should do a unit of short stories . . . from the Old Testament. Eh?
It’s literature.

Gorgeous snow! Ah!

I think I’m actually enjoying the Diskos. They just needed a little peanut butter…

ABBA is everywhere. Yeah.

I blew my outlets this morning. My batteries died halfway through seeing the sights yesterday (bummer) so I tried to charge them this morning…without a converter.
There was a bright pop, the slight smell of smoke, and a lack of power. There’s one outlet that still works…the one the TV was plugged into. The rest don’t work. Which means – the fridge quit. perfect.
Oh, and there’s no maintenance on the weekend. I’ll see if it gets fixed tomorrow… nice.

I do have new towels, though. That’s nice

I can elaborate more soon. Just a brief update for now - Lots of paperwork to do. Such is the life of an educator…


MUCH Love.