The whole truth and nothing but the truth!

     Have you ever shared your troubles with someone, maybe cried a little, and then waited for them to pity you and tell you, "wow, that's really tough!" ... but then... they DIDN'T!?! Instead (hopefully) they told you what you needed to hear: truth.

     The second week of October was one of those times in my life. :) It was the final week of two of my online classes and all of our school staff went to a Teachers' Convention in Mexico City for three days. This is one of those times in life where I've really felt spread thin. At one point, I felt extremely overwhelmed and sat down with someone who reminded me that God never gives us more than we're able to do because He always gives us the strength to do what He calls us to. In the end, physical things are just physical things. What really matters is how I handle the situations I am given...do I have joy?... do I have peace?... am I still in loving submission to God? I'm so thankful that God continues to show me grace by shaping and molding my life. It is also a blessing to be in a place where people will share truth with me and simply sit down and pray with me. :)

     The Teachers' Convention went great! There were some speakers from ACE in the United States that came down and shared God's Word with us ( in ENGLISH! yippy!) through a translator. There were also seminars we went to where we all learned things that will really help us to run the school better. The top three things I walked away with were:

1. Smiling is a choice.

2. My responsibility in helping my students set their school work goals for the day.

3. My character will either reinforce the godly character we teach the students to have, or it will deny its value.

Something fun- while in Mexico City, we met an Avatar! ;)

(Thank you, Erick Martínez for the photo!)

Go to the Ant....

Two days ago I came upon a community of hard workers. I noticed their diligence, their ability to follow their leader, and their persistance inspite adversity. They didn't even seem to be distracted by my presence though I towered over them with my observations and eventually sat down on the patio to admire them. I was reminded of Proverbs 6: 6-8, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." That was definitely what these ants were doing. :)

God used these little ants to encourage me. Free time isn't exactly in my vocabulary right now. Everyday is full and requires a lot of energy (more mental than physical). But God is faithful and just like He gives these ants their energy, determination, and ability, He gives me what I need to fulfill all He's called me to. This is a unique time in my life and I want to learn to trust the Lord in more ways than I've ever had the opportunity to before.

... the ants are still out on the patio....