In Action

I don't have all my pictures ready just yet. Or my video with the tour of the apartment.

Things will be a lot easier next week when I'm at the school with more internet access. However, I would love to share with you a little be about my Friday...

The weekends here are Friday and Saturday because Friday is considered the holy day...so cool right? So I got to go to fellowship this morning for the first time. The church is larger than I expected (2 services with 200-300 people at each). We got to meet many interesting people and already have a lunch invitation for next week! There isn't a Spanish speaking service like I was hoping but there is a small group led by a man and his wife who are from Argentina.

I'M. SO. EXCITED.

Hopefully, this means I will learn Arabic and not lose my Spanish at the same time *fingers crossed*.

Today, because it was a fifth Friday, it was a family friendly service. So kids of all ages led the singing, did the announcements (in which all the new people got to stand up and introduce themselves) and were the ushers. Then we heard a wonderful message on Philemon.

When was the last time you heard a good message on Philemon? I racked my brain and I'm not sure that I've every actually heard a MESSAGE (not lecture) on Philemon. It was all about putting faith into action. Keeping our eyes open to be able to put into practice the things we have learned from the Word. Paul encouraged Philemon and commended him for being a good servant but then challenged him.

Challenged him to forgive.

Challenged him to let go.

Challenged him to put into practice what he had learned from Paul.

Fitting don't you think?

I'm about to start my first week teaching in a different country. It's time to practice what I've learned.

Missing all of you,

Adjusting...The First 3 Days

I’m living in a state of shock. I’m not sure that I actually believe I’m going to live here for the next 10 months. Can you believe it?!?!?!?!

The past 4 days have been absolutely crazy. I left from home on Thursday afternoon (thank you Annie) and arrived here around 9pm local time (that would be 1pm EST). Then began the process of entering the country. We had to get off the plane, use the bathroom, get our baggage, go through passport control, go through customs (twice) and meet our driver. Surprisingly, this only took a little over an hour and a half. After we loaded up all the bags (there were 6 of us being picked up together) on the bus we started the drive to the city in which we would be staying. We had heard it would only take 90 min but we didn’t get to our apartment until nearly 2am. 

We were completely shocked when we entered the apartment. IT’S HUGE!!!!! There are four bedrooms, four bathroom, a kitchen, a entry way which serves as our dining room (sort of) and a huge living room. After we picked rooms and put our suitcases away we discovered there was no running water. After nearly 24 hours in transit this wasn’t exactly pleasant news. In addition, we were stranded in a new city with no phone or internet. We had no way of contacting anyone to let them know. So we laughed about the whole situation and resolved to figure it out the next day. 

So Saturday, we were picked up by the school bus with the principal and taken to the mall (a 4 min walk from our apartment but it seems like over twice that in the heat). We got cell phones and were able to pick up some basic needs. I have to say after a summer in a small town in Oman the Carrefour (kind of like a Walmart) here was a bit of culture shock. There were actually American products in the store and I was able to buy things like peanut butter and a reed diffuser. It still has all of my favorite Arabian products like dates and mangoes :) The afternoon was spent relaxing, waiting for the water repairman. He came that evening and an hour later we had running water!!!!!! I never thought I would be so thankful to the Father for water :) Then we trekked back up to Carrefour with our list to get more stuff only to realize there was no way we could make it back to the apartment with everything. We took the 15 second drive in a taxi back home.

Sunday was our first day of orientation and it was great to finally have all the brand new people in one room together! We got to talk about the history of the school and then share our stories of how the Father brought us all here. It was absolutely amazing. The Father is working in such amazing ways to transform this region. After a delicious lunch we got our very first tour of the school! The family that owns the school took us all over the campus. We got to see the classrooms, the library, the gym, the swimming pool, the playground and all the offices/work rooms. I didn’t get pictures because I forgot my camera :( But I promise I’ll take some the next time I go! After this we went back to the apartment and got ready for another trip to Carrefour (I’ve been there every single day since I’ve arrived). Any spare time has been spent unpacking and hanging out with my housemates. I’m with three amazing young women and I can’t wait to get to know them even better! 

Today was another day of orientation. We learned more about what the school will be like and what will be expected of us. Then we got to hear more stories (our team is quite large) and spend time together. I finally finished unpacking this afternoon and hung out more with my housemates. The heat really drains energy from you and the afternoons are needed for rest and recuperation. 

I found out today some exciting news about the upcoming year...

-I will have my very own classroom!!!!! Originally, I thought because I was in a support/resource room type role that I would be sharing a classroom or rotate into other classrooms. However, yesterday after our tour the principal informed me I would have my own classroom to do whatever I wanted

-I don’t have a classroom decorating budget. We were told today that we would make a list of everything we want and the school will get it for us, within reason of course ;)

-I’ll be working with 3rd-5th graders! This is brand new for me but this age seems like an amazing group to be teaching. Apparently, their last teacher wasn’t very effective and the kids are eager for a teacher that genuinely cares about them.

-I find out which classroom in the school is mine tomorrow. I’ll definitely be posting pics of the decorating process when I get started.

I don’t have too many pics on my computer because I haven’t been able to sync them from my camera yet but as soon as I do I’ll post a tour of the apartment and the school!

Here are some pictures I never got the chance to post...

Goodbye breakfast with Annie!

My last American baseball game

My packed suitcases

My countdown to leave has been replaced with a countdown until the first day of school...September 9th!

Arrived

I'm here!

Back in the desert and back with people I love.

It has been quite a whirlwind and I'm not even sure what I can say.

But I'm safe and incredibly excited. I'll be posting pictures of my apartment (it's huge!) as soon as we get internet in the apartment (it could take up to a couple weeks).

Stay tuned...

in which ameera leaves & annie takes over.

this is a spontaneous guest post by annie! by which i (annie) mean, i am taking over ameera's blog. (she doesn't see it that way. and ps, who else is concerned by my speaking of myself in the third person in that first sentence?)

ANYWAY.

ameera is leaving for the uae today.

TODAY, Y'ALL.

ameera's passion for the middle east has impacted me greatly, most notably by her absence last summer while she was interning in oman, and most recently by a conversation she and i were having with L and her husband A at church last sunday.

let me just tell you about that last instance for a hot second.

L and A and ameera and i are all standing in one of the church hallways talking about the uae when all of a sudden, i remember, as L and A are mentioning, they grew up in dubai. and then the three of them proceed to have a conversation about arabic and the middle east, during which i am hopelessly lost and dazed and confused, a feeling to which i am not used, people; a feeling to which i am NOT. USED.

(awkward syntax much? kind of like the awkward feeling i had. <-- all of this is also awkward.)

to read things that are not awkward, you should head to samantha's blog to read more about what ameera will be doing in the uae.

in the meantime, ameera and me? we're taking a drive to the airport to kick off the beginning of ameera's million and a half hours of travel.

i'm still trying to figure out who roped me into enabling ameera to LEAVE ME.

after all, ameera and i have been good friends for about five years now. doesn't that friendship mean anything to her?!

i'll tell you something (i mean, i've told you a lot of somethings, but this is the last of them): our friendship sure means something - a lot of somethings, and less rambly in nature than the former somethings - to me. and that's why i can tell you, as ameera leaves for the uae today (TODAY, Y'ALL), i have never, ever been prouder of her, nor more blessed to call her friend.

On My Way {Part 12}

Location: Farmington Hills, MI

God has been so good to me through this preparation process. I have met some amazing people and I'm so grateful for the team, those going and staying at home, of which I am a part. This past month my to-do list has included:

-Sending out updates
-Meeting with friends and family
-Preparing expense reports
-Packing
-Moving things back to Michigan
-Sending out Thank You Cards
-Buying clothes
-Going to doctor appointments
-Numerous Skype dates
-Most importantly...lots and lots and lots and lots of PRAYER!

I can't believe that I'm leaving in a little more than 48 hours! However, I'm so excited for this new adventure and can't wait for you all to be on it with me :)

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

On My Way {Part 11}

Location: Farmington Hills, MI

My official authenticated diploma

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

A little bit of blog love

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

My car is stuffed and I'm heading back to Michigan today!!!!! The rest of my week is quite busy so I'll be MIA from the blogosphere. However, during my absence let me throw out some reading suggestions from blogs that have been quite encouraging to me recently :)


I'm forever indebted to Annie for introducing me to the world of blogging. She got on my case when I wasn't consistent and has helped me with every reincarnation of my blog (I think I'm on number 3 right now). Her blog has always been an example for me. Not only in the design but also in the way she pours out her hearts in the posts. Her vulnerability and writing style teach me every time I read a post. When I grow up I want to be a blogger like her :)
Check out her collection of posts about how God called her to Spain. (Fair warning: I cried a couple times)

Erin's heart for encouraging young women is inspiring to me. She has a desire to "inspire women to love God, chase dreams and pursue purity". How amazing, right? When I read her posts I am encouraged by her honesty. God has consistently used her blog in my life to convict and challenge me in my faith. She's also one of the sweetest people I've met via blogging. I don't think I've ever gotten a reply/comment from her that doesn't make me smile. 
You should definitely read this post about pursuing purity, as a Disney princess fanatic it particularly caught my eye :)

I don't even know where to start with Samantha. We found each other through a series co-hosted by the two lovely ladies above with two other bloggers. Since then our friendship has grown via blog comments and numerous emails. As a fellow teaching nerd we have loads to talk about. As is true of all of the girls in this post it is her lovely heart that has grabbed me. She has a heart for the nations and is thinking about teaching overseas one day. It is such an encouragement to have her in my life...she's a gem.
Find out why she wants to be a teacher in this post...the dress she's wearing in the picture makes her look very teacher-like :)

Katie is another blogging friend with a passion for the nations. Her love story is amazing. Her posts are wonderful. Most of all, the encouraging comments/replies I receive in my inbox from her light up my day. She's also a fellow traveler and her collection of travel photos are exquisite. I'm most excited to see how God works in her life as she continues her journey with Empowering Lives International.
Learn how she got there in her series about her heart for Africa... {part 1} {part 2} {part 3}.

Whitney doesn't have a blog button...yet :) She's one of my dearest friends from college. I met her freshman year and we became acquaintances. Thankfully, God brought us back together junior year to become close friends. Recently, she's been through quite a trial and her strength and courage throughout the whole ordeal has been awe-inspiring. This blog is quite new and I can't wait to see how God uses her in this new season of life. 
My favorite post so far is about a topic close to my heart...striving for excellence in everything you do.
That should keep you busy until I get back ;)

Saying My Goodbyes (Chicago Edition)

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

Be warned: This post is photo heavy

Since my commissioning my days have been full of goodbyes. I'm leaving for a whole year and as a result have the difficult task of saying goodbye to my friends, some of whom I may never see again. The past few days have included...

Late night froyo date with Stephanie, one of my fellow interns from last summer

 This is my after-a-full-day-of-work-i've-gone-completely-insane-look

Left: Cake Batter covered in chocolatey goodness Right: Cheesecake with raspberries and chocolate sauce

Dinner at Dawn's Apartment

Yummy vegetables 

Chicken before

Chicken after (Chicken adobo to be exact)

Cinnamon topped oatmeal muffins for dessert

Saturday Breakfast with Heidi

Coffee with caramel and milk

Turkey bacon (there's a first time for everything)

View from the sun deck toward the lake

View from the sun deck towards the west side

Homemade french toast (made with challah bread)

How cute is my Californian friend?

<3

Farewell to Sunday School

We're not very good at group picture taking ;)

I'm leaving them in very capable hands

La Colombiana!!!!!!!!

Breakfast with Esperanzita 

 Delicious Flan and my new perrito :)

One of the many gifts from Esperanzita 

Farewell Chicago...it's been marvelous!

On My Way {Part 10}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

My collection of TESOL books

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

Friday Letters

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

Dear Storage Bins,

Did you get smaller in the last 2 months? I was sure I fit more of my belongings into you the last time I packed. Are you conspiring against me? I know I have too much stuff but my current concern is getting it all back to Michigan. Then, I promise I'll get rid of some stuff :)

Dear Fellow Bloggers,

You girls are such an encouragement to me! Even though I'm not able to comment as I would like on every post, I want you all to know that your posts warm my heart and challenge me, as a blogger and a young woman. The way you share your hearts and lives with all of your readers is inspiring. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Dear Chicago Weather,

Can you please decide what season you want it to be? Preferably, something mild. Rapidly changing between blistering heat and violent thunderstorms makes it difficult for me to enjoy the Chicago summer. Is this payback for a practically non-existent winter? 

Dear Students From Last Summer,

Can you believe I'm going to be on your side of the world again in less than 2 weeks! I can't wait to visit you all and see what's going on in your life. Most of you have started university or will be entering this fall. I know you've grown into mature young women chasing your dreams. I hope you are enduring Ramadan well and spending lots of time with your families. I miss you so much!!!!!!!

Dear Macaroni and Cheese,

I became addicted to you during my recovery from my wisdom teeth extraction. You are delicious and comforting, as well as easy to chew :) However, you're not aiding in my quest to get back in shape. In fact you are detrimental to it. So, if you could find a way to make yourself less appetizing and appealing I would be greatly appreciative.

Dear Swim Students,

I can't believe my last class with you is over. I've had a blast getting to know you over this past year. It brings a smile to my face just thinking about you. You were the highlight of my week all throughout the school year. I loved the way you loved swim class and practiced so hard to get everything right. It amazes me how far you all have come. I hope a new swim teacher will come along soon.

Love,

On My Way {Part 9}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL


Plane ticket confirmation email...

2 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

Senior Picture Album

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

This trip is different than any other. I’m not packing for a weekend, two weeks or even two months. I packing for an entire school year. Having just graduated and moved out of college, I have the perfect opportunity to sort through all of my belongs, organize everything and decide what’s coming, what’s staying and what’s being tossed. 

During this process I came across an interesting piece of history, my senior picture photo book. Do you remember those things? The little black photo holder that you collected your friends senior photos? If your friends were anything like my friends they wrote cute and funny farewell notes on the back of their pictures.

As I looked through these pictures I realized I’m not in touch with ANY of these people anymore. I’m not kidding. I have no idea what’s going on in the lives of a single one of these people. For some reason, the people with whom I kept in touch never gave me their senior pictures *cough Annie cough*. 

I got a bit nostalgic, granted high school wasn’t that fun for me, but I did have some great friends. However, I was one of the few people who went out of state for college. In addition, I went to a private school where everyone was training for full-time kingdom work. My life went in a completely different direction than my high school friends. The majority of my friends in high school weren’t Christians. It seems as we went through college our lives went down completely separate paths and we had nothing to talk about anymore. 

I’m friends with most of them on Facebook but social media can only provide you so much information. I’ve seen them at college parties. I’ve seen them on Spring Break. I’ve seen them at their graduations. Yet I still feel completely disconnected.

I don’t think I ever seriously expected to keep in touch with all of these people. Now my circle of friends is centered around college. However, these people are from all over the country and world. Aside from school, there’s no central place to see this amazing group of girls. I’m going to miss them so much while I’m overseas but I hope I’ll do a better job keeping in touch :) 

On My Way {Part 8}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

My church in Chicago commissioned me this past Sunday:

Sharing about my upcoming trip

My pastor and the elders

My dear brother and sisters

This experience was like no other. I can't tell you what a privilege and honor it was to be a part of this!

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

miscellany monday

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

1. Wednesday night was spent celebrating the birthday of a VERY special woman from church. She has greeted me with a smile, kiss and hug every Sunday for two years. I felt so privileged to be a part of the celebration of her life. I will miss these ladies so much!

The birthday girl

Some of the small group ladies

My side of the table

2. On Thursday my mom drove all the way from her house to Chicago (5 hours in the car not including stops or the time difference) with my twin brothers to pick up a large amount of my belongings to take back to MI. I'm so blessed right?

3. I got to have brunch with this very special girl on Friday morning. She even got all dolled up for me :) It was so amazing to be able to spend time with her before I leave. She's been such a special part of my life for the past year and a half. I'm going to miss her!

4. I don't think I've every been so thankful for a thunderstorm than I was on Saturday. I was scheduled for my first (and last) double shift at the pool (9:45 am - 8:45pm). Luckily for me, after I got back from my break a huge storm rolled in and I sought refuge inside. No one came for the rest of the evening and I got to catch up on some reading.

5. I found out yesterday that I have three other girls who will be on the same flight overseas as me. This provided some much needed relief. Now I don't have to worry about arriving by myself :)

How was your weekend?

On My Way {Part 7}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

After leaving Texas I began the nerve wracking process of waiting for approval. I was in consistent contact with my application liaison and the principal of the school. All of my forms were in and my references had submitted their recommendations. I prayed that God would open the doors necessary if it was where He wanted me this next year and close the doors if He had me somewhere else.I was stuck in limbo. The principal of the school was expecting me to join the team in the fall but I didn’t have an official contract. I was doing Skype conference calls with the other teaches but I hadn’t been processed through HR. My supporters were praying about the process without too many details about the opportunity.

Then, it all came together very quickly. I got an official email welcoming me to the team, a contract to sign and spoke to the principal on the phone. All of the sudden I was making a list of questions to ask, being included on the email thread and researching the Arabian Peninsula. I wrote, printed and sent out a newsletter announcing this new season of life. Responses started coming in immediately. God demonstrated and is still demonstrating His faithfulness, care and provision through this whole process.After this huge step forward, a trip specific to-do list (quite a lengthy one) began to form. It seems every time I cross something off another task gets added. By God’s grace, I will be able to finish it. 

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

August Goals

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

I'm stealing this idea from this Annie, though I am sure it is a common post among other bloggers :)

1.Read at least three books- preferably two off of my required reading list and one leisure book. This is quite doable seeing has I have a double digit hour plane ride coming up towards the end of the month.

2. Connect with my partnership team- this is quite vague but before I leave on the 23rd I’m hoping to make connections, in person, over the phone, via Skype and through email with the people partnering with me as I go overseas. With only 3 weeks left I’ll be quite busy.

3. Finish my Gulf Arabic Review Book- my Arabic is quite rusty. I want to at least get my conversational skills back to a decent level before I leave. The only weird part is most of the audio recordings are of men speaking instead of women. 

4. Stay on top of my thank you notes- as people continue to support me I am sending out hand written thank you notes. Honestly, it’s a great problem to have so many people responding that my thank you notes are piling up :)

5. Raise the rest of my partnership team- I can’t post too much about this on the blog but if you want more info email me!

6. Arriving safely overseas- including but not limited to...adjusting to the climate and the time zone, getting along with the other teachers, preparing well for the upcoming school year and settling into my new apartment.

This should keep me busy for the month! What are your August goals?

Reading Recap: JULY

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

I know I’m a day behind on this but I read some excellent books in July and would love to share with you all.

I’m stealing this idea from sweet Samantha as a motivation to read more :)

Book: Friend Raising

Author: Betty Barnett

This phenomenal books is a must for anyone who is embarking on a faith-support style of living. Becky began this lifestyle in 1975 and currently works for YWAM. She fills these books with her personal experiences of support raising along with Biblical principles she’s gleaned along the way. What I appreciated most was the practical advice she gives to people who are just starting out and people who have been down this road before. Even though I started writing support letters when I was in junior high, I had never done it the way Betty suggests. I felt so disconnected from my support team, only communicating them when I was going on another trip. This book convicted me as I read the Biblical basis for support raising and I realized I had to change my ways. I was able to put some of her advice in practice in my most recent newsletters and communication. The change in response was nearly overwhelming. This books was a huge blessing.

Book: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Author: Stieg Larsson

I finally got a chance to finish the series. I’m not sure how you all feel about this series. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not the most pleasant topic. However, Larsson is a magnificent storyteller. The way he can use the most minute details to twist an entire story around is astounding. In my personal opinion, this final installment was the least graphic/explicit. I found myself skipping over large portions of the first two books but this one was more about tying everything together. Again, Larsson is fantastic. For those of you unfamiliar with the series it’s about computer hacker expert Lisbeth Salander and investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Their lives intersect in the first book over the disappearance of a young girl 20 years ago in Sweden. The second book spirals out of control with the unraveling of a lifelong conspiracy plot against Salander. The final book resolves the cliffhanger of the second book, bringing the whole conspiracy into the light. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it but fair warning this is not for the faint of heart. The original Swedish title translates “Men Who Hate Women”.

Book: Stories from a Teacher

Author: Jonathan Flores

This is first book I read on my Kindle. It was free for the Kindle and the synopsis looked quite interested. It’s about a young teacher (he started at 21 year old in 2008) in an inner city Maryland school district. This memoir is similar to The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. It’s a collection of vignettes of the first four years of teaching. He’s brutally honest, emphasis on brutally. It’s made clear throughout the books this is a low-income school district with gang activity, high teen pregnancy rates and drug use. The kids are a handful to say the least and the language is excessive. However, it’s finally a story about a young teacher hoping to change the world, without the Hollywood glitz. Passion, frustration, disillusionment and hopelessness all mesh together in the poignant memoir. Another fair warning, the kids in this school district don’t have a filter and Flores doesn’t use one for them. There is some really gritty subject matter but in the midst of all of it Flores passions for teaching and his students comes through. I would definitely recommend this for teachers hoping to work in inner city jr. high and high schools. 

What have you been reading lately?