Leap of Faith on LEAP DAY

Read this valentine I got from one of my students. I am hoping this kid is prophetic! MISS (NOT FOR LONG) FLORES! Haha!

Happy Leap Day everyone! I hope your month of February went well. Let me start out by saying GOD IS GOOD! He hears our prayers. Thank you to all of you who have been praying for me. The month of February was a pivotal month where I needed breakthrough. God showed up and made it the best month of teaching I have ever had! Halleluiah (or “Halleluiar” according to Tyler Perry’s famous Madea character)! Can I get an AMEN?

 

My class creatively reviewing their spelling and vocabulary words.

We went to see the new building on campus and talked about the importance of foundations. They were more engaged than it looks in the picture!:)

Truly February was amazing! I didn’t stay longer after work, and I didn’t prepare more. I didn’t do anything more. In fact, I did less in those areas. I would say that this month holds the record for most days I left before dinnertime. What did change was my understanding that I am not in control. I let go of my fierce management of every moment and relaxed more. I focused on necessity and dismissed the rest. The craziest part is that as I asked God on what to focus on He changed my ideas of what was a necessity. It all the sudden had become a necessity to enjoy the day. Sounds trivial, but something I thought of quite differently before. I used to think that if we get everything on my to-do list done then we have a good school day. My days needed to follow a specific plan. My plan this month became…to be surprised! It was completely different for me to focus on having a good day despite my to-do list. It goes hand in hand with realizing that I have a choice to be happy despite my circumstances. This might be basic for you, but such thoughts are quite revolutionary for me. Besides focusing on having a good day, I had a necessity to smile and experience true joy with my students. I had a necessity to make sure they felt heard and loved. When my focus changed toward relationships with my students the rest came even easier. We didn’t just sit around and talk, in fact we stayed on track as far as curriculum goes, and my students did well on their formal and informal assessments. I must admit that it was difficult at times to walk away from my plans. There were days that I forgot and got lost in the hustle and bustle of routine, but this month gave me so much hope. I have regained the hope I need to continue on the rest of this quarter and this school year. I have hope for the next year to come, and I have become inspired to continue to revolutionize the education field. I am more encouraged than ever.  So Thank You Lord for February, now bring on March Madness.

 

Sometimes you just can't help but laugh at this kid!

And so, what does this MADNESS of MARCH entail? TRIATHLON TRAINING AND SALAD EATING!!!! I have my sights on HONU next year, a half Ironman distance. Besides swimming, biking, and running, I have to change how I eat. I invested in a food processor and have committed to eating mostly raw foods. I will eat meat on occasion and cooked veggies too, but no more processed foods. I am really excited about this new adventure and I will keep you posted on how that goes. I have chosen to follow this path for many reasons, but two stand out as the most important reasons to do anything…

A quote I read that has helped me realign my thoughts to what is true. No longer will I let thoughts hold me back.

 

1. I want to help spread God’s word to this huge Kona triathlon community. I have met so many awesome people in this outside community. They are driven individuals, and many have kind and giving hearts. I want to have some authority in this community where I can show who God is. This can happen if I continue to volunteer and also compete in local races. I don’t need to win the races, but exemplify a hard work ethic.  By just showing up with a good attitude, God can use me to make a difference. I truly believe that.

 

I'm in that group of bobbing heads about to swim in a race.

2. I want to continue to overcome hurtles in my life. I have always let sleeping in, negative thought patterns, poor eating habits, and laziness dictate my life. I have believed for too long that I cannot do this. The truth is I can! I can become a strong competitor. I can overcome my laziness and although I will most likely never become an elite triathlete I will be someone who can testify that my God is the God who helped me overcome.

 

For Spirit Week at school we had an OCCUPATION & ANIMAL DAY. I dressed as a pro triathlete because I honestly couldn't think of anything else.

So that is what is new with me. If you feel like you would like to help support me in my crazy adventures I encourage you to take that leap. I don’t just need financial support, I need covering in prayer as I face each day. I will be going on outreach this summer and will definitely need more financial support. I will send more information on that when I know more details. However, if you are thinking about partnering with me or not, I invite you to check out the bottom website which pretty much sums up the BIG picture of what I am doing here in Hawaii. I am serving God with my life. Yes, it is Hawaii, but I have been called to this place to be a missionary. So if you are thinking about it or even if you already are a supporter of mine, I encourage you to read this when you have time:

http://www.uofnkona.edu/whylivebyfaith/5593

TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH WITH ME!

Mahalo for your time!

Shauna Flores

“Don’t Stop Believing”

This is the firework show that brought in my new year!

“If you wake up in the morning and you feel like you do not want to come to school, then tell yourself, get over it and go to school!” These are my exact words to a student of mine this afternoon. He has missed five days this quarter because he has not wanted to come. His recent move here has been rough for the little guy and he is not taking the changes well. I talked to him about his feelings and about his choices today when I gave him his missing work, just like I did the four times before. Another student of mine is also having a rough time adjusting and is definitely testing me every moment of everyday. I am constantly reminding him to make a better choice. I am continually talking him down from an overreaction. “You have a choice to make; I hope you make the right one;” I feel like a robot repeating this concept over and over. For both students I could almost see letter for letter, word for word, escape my mouth and float toward them during these conversations. Those words were meant for them, but they should have floated on back to me. I too need a reminder that I have a choice and that life is more than my feelings. In fact, I just got a classroom helper who almost daily reminds me of patience and has even said, “Wooosawwww,” to me to try to help me cool down after a stressful student encounter. I am convinced God has sent Tim, my mission builder helper, to refocus me on what is true by getting past my overwhelming feelings and reactions. I often think, how did I get here? Why have I allowed my feelings to run my life? Then I realized, it has to do with expectations…

My 4th Classroom this year! I like this one!!!!

My New Class of 9, 6 to 3 girls to boys ratio.

I have tried to run my classroom like a well-oiled machine. A machine where there are no kinks and everything works to its best. There are well-defined rules, routines, and procedures. Everyone knows their battle stations. I expect it to run as planned, but amazingly it never goes as planned! In one moment, one kid can spill water all over, another can fall out of his chair, another can have no idea where his pencil is, another cannot find her vocabulary paper, and another is singing “Don’t stop believing, hold on to that feeling.” IRONICALLY! The song choice of my nine-year-old student was so poignant. If I had “held onto that feeling” I may have screamed! None of this is made up, this happens daily. I am sure you can all relate. I don’t have control over anything. This is how life is, we think we have control, but we don’t.

What I am beginning to learn about myself is that I expect more than what is possible. I set myself up to be upset and let down. I let my thoughts and emotions dictate my actions. At this rate I will not be a teacher for long, which is sad because I truly believe I have a gift for it. God has blessed me in the areas of teaching. It all comes down to that, the truth is that God has put me here for a reason. He has given me these gifts and talents for a reason. My overly high expectations and feelings are getting in the way. But not for long, I am starting to realize that my mindset can change. I can live beyond my feelings. It starts with a choice.

Roommates on our hike to Captain Cook Monument.

My roommates and I hiked an hour down to the monument.

Then we snorkeled in the beautiful bay!

I can choose to think in ways that produce joy and contentment, no matter what my circumstances. Every obstacle in the classroom is an opportunity for me to make that choice. When the opportunity arises I don’t have to cry over the spilt milk. I can clean it up and move on. Every obstacle is an opportunity. When one of my students breaks out into a Journey song I can sing along instead of give him the teacher glare! (You know, the look like if you don’t stop distracting everyone during this test I will literally fly across the classroom and close your mouth for you.) I have perfected this glare, but I don’t want it any more. I might need it for special occasions though. I’ll keep it for those, but it cannot make an appearance everyday!

This poisonous creature was outside my apartment. Centipedes gross me out!

I have been reading a book called “AWAKENED,” and although I have fallen asleep while reading it several times, it has shown me that this change is possible. I am not the only one who gets caught in my emotions.Maybe you are reading this and feel like you can relate…well there is hope for you as well. And so, I have made up my mind. I will have break though in this. I will be transformed. However, I cannot will this to happen. I am not one self-help book away from change. What I believe is that my God can change me. He is mighty to save and He can save me from this life of negative feelings. When I started this adventure with YWAM I stumbled across the verse “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” –Romans 12:2. This was the first verse I had ever underlined in my bible. This verse means so much more now. My way of thinking needs to be renewed and so this is my prayer. I believe God has big plans for me in this mission. Through me, education can be brought to the nations! I cannot do it without a renewed mind. To misquote the amazing band one more time, “I won’t stop believing, but will let go of my feelings!” Breakthrough is on the horizon; I believe it! Please join me in praying for this.

P.S. A friend of mine from here in YWAM, has a new Discovery tv show premiering tomorrow night. Please watch it and support Andrew West in “Beast Tracker!” http://dsc.discovery.com/gear-gadgets/

Mele Kalikimaka

"Mele Kalikimaka" and "Hau’oli Makahiki Hou"

Merry Christmas or should I say Mele Kalikimaka! I know Christmas was yesterday, but I figured better late than never! I hope that this post finds you doing well. I am sure by now you have been immersed with family, friends, presents, and food….lots and lots of food. I have had the nagging feeling that I needed to update my blog, but I have put it off for a while. My parents sent a newsletter to their friends and family and referenced my blog. I went on my blog and realized that the last time I posted it was the end of August. Oh my, I have been bad. I need inspiration to write and by allowing myself to be boggled down with work I wasn’t inspired. But now I have found inspiration from you! Yes you, the people who have been praying for me, reading my updates, thinking about me, and supporting me. This is for you, your Christmas  cards, gifts, and love has inspired me!  So, I thought I would get back into the swing of things by a simple Merry Christmas blog. I know you have probably been reading and mediating about how our savior came to earth…the true reason of the season. I thought I would send you the Hawaiian Pidgin translation of this familiar story. You have to read it out loud to fully understand. This is my gift to you, TRUTH and HUMOR—all you need in life!

Da Jesus Book-

Matthew 1:23

²³“Lissen! One young wahine

Who neva sleep wit nobody,

Goin get hapai.

She goin born one boy.

Dey goin name him Emmanuel.”

(“Emmanuel” stay mean, “God stay hea now wit us guys.”)

Luke 2:9-12

⁹Right den an dea one angel messenja guy from da Boss Up Dea Inside Da Sky come by dem. All aroun dem one awesome light wen shine from da Boss. An dey wen come real scared. ¹⁰But da angel guy say, “No scared. I come fo tell you guys Good Stuff From God dat goin make you guys an all da peopo stay good inside. ¹¹Dis day inside King David’s town, one boy wen born dat goin take you guys outa da bad kine stuff you stay doing. He da Christ Guy, da Spesho Guy God Wen Send. He da Boss. ¹²Dis how you goin know him. You goin find one baby dat stay wrap up inside plenny cloths, lying down inside one ting fo hold da cows food.”

There you go, IMMANUEL, God is with us and His entrance was in the most humblest of ways… He was laid in “da ting dat hold da cows food.” I love that! As far as my life goes here in Hawaii, I honestly don’t have much to update you all on, but I will try. The most important thing to note is that I am doing well and loving God more and more!  So, here is a quick 10-point update for those of you in a rush!

1. New teacher Brooke came and took 3^rd graders in mid October. She is my age and came from North Carolina with her beautiful four-year-old daughter Ava! Check out her blog: http://www.brookeavaywam.blogspot.com/

Brooke is an amazing woman of God and an awesome new member of The Learning Center!

 2. Finished First quarter of 4-5^th school year at the Learning Center.

These are my girls. I have been called to Disciple them, but through them I am learning a ton about myself! They are stretching and growing me!

3. Did my first sprint triathlon in Hawaii about a month ago.

SWIM: I've been swimming in the ocean often for training and fun! I'm getting better everyday, and I finally learned the true distance of the buoys. FYI- the 1/2 mile buoy means there and back to the pier is only a 1/2 mile....not a total of a mile. I thought I was going a lot further until I learned that. DANG!

BIKE: I seriously fell off my bike and landed like this. This is not staged. I was in a parking lot playing a practical joke on friends and could not clip out in time. It was slow motion and as I clipped out of the pedal the force made the bike flip over and fall on top of me! Don't worry it did not hurt! This is what I get for hiding other people's bikes.

RUN: I ran last weekend in the Jingle Bell run and got third for best costume. My friend Pam and I made these ridiculous outfits together. It was a ton of fun.

4. Next quarter 3 boys have been added to my previous class of 6 girls. I see less drama in the future!  

As an act of pure servanthood, I washed my student's feet. A friend of mine in Texas makes soap perfectly named "Clean Heart Creations" which I used.

5. My classroom is moving for the fourth time, just a building over to provide more family housing for the huge January quarter of university students. From hot hut (3-5^th grades), to new huge room (3^rd-5^th grades), to new small room (4^th-5^th grades), now to a new big room with wall space. It gets better and better. 

This is my wall space in the classroom. Rules, pictures to motivate me, and our job chart. I called my students IRONGIRLS this quarter.

In order to fit all the desks in my small classroom I had to arrange the group diagonal. It is a good thing we are moving because 9 kids won't fit!

6. Having an awesome time in apartment with new roommates! Crystal works with performing arts at the university and her dancing inspires me to get my groove on! Katrina is the ESL teacher at the Learning Center and keeps me laughing to all hours of the night. Jo, my third roommate finally got her Visa from Germany and will be coming in January! Thank you God! She was the second grade teacher last year and will be teaching again when she returns.

My roommate Katrina and I dressed up for Halloween. She is an 80's chick with big hair and I am a Hawaii tourist. Most people who visit look like this...socks and sandals. We had too much fun!

7. Just celebrated my first Christmas away from my parents. We still were able to talk and celebrate together. Friends here made my Christmas truly wonderful, full of surprises, fun, parties, and food. Christmas blessings include the SUPER 8 movie, a moped until February, an IPHONE 4(no joke!), Base Performance products (http://www.baseperformance.com/), money to help pay for my trip home, and tons of other gifts. WOW! God is good!

Thank you MOM and DAD. It is totally like the Goonies!

Thank you Millers...I loved the tree and all the goodies under it! It was perfect!

8. A friend of mine, Megan, has started a photography project entitled Soul&Story. She takes pictures of women without make-up and she asked me to be a model. She is trying to give young girls an alternative view of beauty. It was a huge privilege of mine to be part of it. Here are a few of my favorites: Check out all of her work and other inspired artists on her Facebook blog. https://www.facebook.com/pages/SoulStory/237534036295357

9. I’m going to Clovis in April for my bestest friend Geri’s wedding! I cannot wait to help her celebrate her new life with the amazing Elliott! It is official, I am the last of my high school girlfriends to get married.

Me and the Bride to be! Friends since 1996!

 10. Praying about an outreach this summer, the recent developments in North Korea have opened some powerful doors.

I was a hop, skip, and a jump away from North Korea this summer and I am currently praying about going there for an outreach this summer. A closed country is opening up!!!!!!

Okay that’s it. By the way, I didn’t get Christmas cards off in time. They are on their way…fashionably late and wishing you a belated Christmas and the Happiest of New Years! Yay 2012!

All My Love and Mahalo Plenny (Thank you Very Much)-

Shauna May

PS- I sent a Newsletter in the beginning of November. If you did not see it, check it out. If you want to be on my mailing list, let me know!

oct2011new1

PPS- If you would like to support my ministry here is how you can do it.

http://uofnkona.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=652&MN=5593

Thank you for helping me FLY!

EAT, PRAY, LOVE…and DISCIPLINE

The girls of the Oh family. My first picture ever doing the "peace" sign! I taught Grace (far left) at the Learning Center. This family also lived next to me in the dorms last year.

Let me start out by explaining the well thought out title. I am sure the majority of you instantaneously were reminded of the popular book/movie called EAT, PRAY, LOVE. This thought either sends a thrill through your body because you enjoyed that story, or you twinged because you could not believe I paralleled my summer with such a crazy narrative. Take heart, I did not travel to distant lands and renounce my beliefs to become an apprentice of a Buddhist monk and have a summer romance with a complete stranger. I did watch this movie for this first time this summer and was greatly impacted by the story because it highlighted what so many young women are searching for…freedom: physical freedom from the world’s view of beauty, spiritual freedom, and freedom that comes from being truly loved. My journey this summer has shown me that the freedom we all seek comes from Christ. My spiritual freedom has come from a growing DISCIPLINE to seek God. I know right now that this makes absolutely no sense, but maybe my summer adventures will better explain.

REUNITED in SOUTH KOREA! Me (left), Jenny (center), Kate (right).

EAT

My summer break began is South Korea. Every summer I try to reunite with my old college roommates, Jenny and Kate. Kate currently teaches high school Spanish in Oregon and Jenny teaches Kindergarten English in Pohang, South Korea. This year a reunion seemed out of the question and then I was blessed with a roundtrip plane ticket from the IRS (tax return) to Seoul. The OH family, (I taught their son and daughter at the Learning Center) who currently live outside Seoul, picked Kate and I up at the airport and thus our adventure began. The very first day we visited the Gyeongbok Palace, Insadong, and the Seoul Tower. We were so blessed to stay with this Korean family because we got to experience incredible cultural hospitality and homemade food. Like most vacations, our trip consisted of one meal after the other. There were a few times Kate and I went to restaurants that had no English and no pictures. This is when it became apparent that we were in a foreign country and that Korean is a foreign language indeed. Once I unknowingly ordered a seafood noodle concoction with tiny purple octopus throughout. This was definitely not my favorite of meals, but everything else was amazing.

This is Gyeongbok Palace near mid-town Seoul. Each building was beautiful, but this was my favorite. This was where the king and queen help large banquets.

More of Gyeongbok palace...Day 1 in Korea! Take a look at the colorful detail on each building. It is absolutely beautiful.

I was able to teach English to Jenny's class for a day. They were too cute! Leave it to a teacher to work on her summer vacation. I was doing RECON for a future Learning Center in South Korea.

The Korean BBQ was my favorite. Jenny and her boyfriend Scott took us to a Korean BBQ, a place they called “The Inappropriate Cow” (cleverly named after the picture on the window) where we fried up our own meat over a grill at our table. I feel in love with dolsot bimbimbop (rice and veggie mix served in a hot bowl), bulgogi (seasoned meat), and there was also a fried-doughy green bean pizza that was so great. I also found these cracker-cookie treats that were sweet and salty at the same time. They were magical! One night, for a change the four of us went to a Japanese restaurant and were joined by two new friends. Again, no English, but this time Japanese scribbled the pages being of absolutely no help to us. We spent ten minutes trying to tell the waiter we wanted sushi or sashimi, but had no success. Finally, the waiter said something, smiled, and we unknowingly agreed. We sat on the floor in our own fancy rice-paper room, which I have never done before. As each course came my stress levels over the price began to rise. Nine courses later I thought I was going to die from overeating and the overwhelming anxiety over the bill. We all made guesses of what the bill would be; I kept thinking $60 a person because it was so nice. Hours later we were finally able to get up from the ground and only had to pay 186,000 won, which was less than $30 a person. I ate sea urchin, tons of sushi rolls, sashimi, a whole fried fish, and green tea tofu, all of which quite possibly could have been worth a lot of money anywhere else. It was a feast fit for a king and a true blessing, excluding the nervousness, of course. Yet another reminder to be anxious for nothing!

My first Korean BBQ! Kate, Jenny, and I at the "Inappropriate Cow!" Pohang, South Korea.

Homemade Bulgogi. Thanks Mrs. OH!

Dolsot Bibimbop

This is how good those cookies were!

PRAY

Traveling through this country where language was at times a barrier gave me the opportunity to pray for little things and big alike. Little things like traveling graces, food prices, and direction. Big items like friendships and religions. I have so many stories of times when God showed up, but I am also well aware that He was there all along protecting us. I prayed for the country of North Korea. We went on a day long USO tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and stepped into North Korea. What a deeply sad situation. Lord, bring freedom to those in North Korea! The religion of Buddhism is quite popular in South Korea. My friend Kate was very interested in the Buddhist temples and the culture/ religion that they represent. I was interested in seeing them for their historical impact. We ended up seeing two different temples, both beautifully painted and decorated. One was on the coastline and had a giant golden Buddha next to it. It was quite the sight. I tried to appreciate all of it for face value, but spent most of my time walking the grounds and praying for the visitors. I asked God to seek these people out and reveal himself to them. I bet most people where there looking for something, not knowing they were looking for the God that saves!

I am literally standing in North Korea next to a Republic of South Korea (ROcK) soldier in the room where North and South Korea meet for war/peace talks. I'm in Taekwondo position just in case a North Korean soldier decides to take me hostage!

Beautiful Buddhist Temple on the coast. People come from all over the world to see this temple and find spiritual awakening. My prayer is that their hearts will be AWAKENED! (Ephesians 5:14)

I prayed often over finances, especially that night we went to the Japanese restaurant. I prayed during the late night travels.  I even prayed for more courage when dancing at the Salsa clubs. I really do not like dancing, but my friend Kate loves it. I wanted to go for her, but was nervous because I usually never get asked to dance. Salsa dancing in Korea was a totally different experience and definitely an answered prayer. I got asked to dance the entire night, and never got the usual creepy “stranger-danger” feeling from my dance partner. Everyone there was there to have fun and they even invited Kate and I to join them for a late-night dinner after dancing all night. The best part of this story is that in a completely other town at another salsa club, the same thing happened, this time Jenny got to have some fun too! We all had such a great time together. My other prayer was over my friendships with Jenny and Kate. I prayed for God to restore our friendships and help us to get close again and share our lives together, like in college. This too has been an answered prayer. I talk more regularly and email more with them both. They are always in my prayers; I love them so.

Korean BBQ after a night of Salsa dancing with our new friends. Good times and Good food!

LOVE

My summer was full of love! Cue “Summer Loving” from Grease…just kidding I am not referring to that type of love. However, I am more confident that ever that God has a plan for that too. I am actually referring to my love for God and for the many friendships He has given me. My Korea trip rekindled friendships with my college roommates. My three weeks in California helped me reestablished friendships and gave me much-needed time with family. Being on my “too school for cool” trip to a math conference in Colorado for a week showed me yet another kind of love because complete strangers opened their guest room to me. Never before have I experienced such hospitality. This love has carried over to my new place of residence. I have more love for the staff and families of the Learning Center. I am more than excited to start this new school year. I feel a calling to disciple my new students, which will be in grades 3/4/5. My job is not to teach them factual information, but to cultivate their innate love of learning and to guide them toward having a stronger love for Christ. I have more love for the YWAM community. I have more love for the Kona community at large. It is like a fire has been ignited within myself and I want to meet and talk to everyone.

My parents and I at my cousin's wedding in Paso Robles.

and DISCIPLINE

Let me preface this by explaining what I mean by DISCIPLINE; it is not a scary term when used in context. I am not hinting at religiosity, pain, turmoil, strife, or drudgery. I am trying to highlight a way of responsible living where you want to do the things you should do because you know it is the right thing. There is such happiness and freedom in doing what you are supposed to do. Opportunities tend to appear when you do what you should do. I am talking about doing things you should do because you love it, eventually. I have had a strong sense that I am to be working on my discipline during this season of my life.

This is my DISCIPLINED face!

I must admit, I was not disciplined this summer! In Korea, I ate whatever I wanted. Most of the food was healthy though, except our bread runs to the local bakeries. When I was at home I ate out every meal so that I could meet with friends and family. I had to get as much Bulldog Grill (Doghouse) and In and Out as possible before it no longer existed in my world. But when I got back to Hawaii, I decided to be disciplined with what I chose to eat. I even started working out more. I have joined a new bike club and ride my bike 25 miles every Saturday. A co-worker and I have decided to walk an hour ever Monday, Wednesday, Friday and are going to add swimming on Fridays. I have been walking or riding my bike to work some days too. I have decided to start training for another triathlon. Why not, I live in the town where the World Championships are and even taught the child of the tri-athlete who is 26^th in the world! Not that I am going to be doing IronMans; I am doing something much shorter. Me posting it, makes it real now! I’m just in the beginning processes, so I’ll keep you updated. Here is the kicker, the proof that I am working on being disciplined…I have made my bed every morning. Yes mom, you read this correctly! I believe that by forming these good habits I am building my character…they go hand in hand.

My Hawaiian car! That's right, I am mobile! There will be no speeding though, most roads are 25-35. Time to relax!

After trying to be disciplined in my eating, daily routines, and working out, I received a revelation. I heard God correctly, when he said that Discipline is to be my next season, but it did not involve being disciplined in eating or physical training, it involved LOVING GOD! I need to be disciplined in my relationship with Christ. I need to seek Him in everything and never loose sight that I am His child. Life is not about having earthly beauty (being a size 4 and having cut abs), nor is it about eating whatever is before you and becoming a lethargic blob. Life is not about being perfect (religiously doing what you know you should do), nor is it about doing whatever the heck you want to do (what the world sees as freedom). This Life that God has given me and you alike is about rekindling a relationship with our creator and shining His light into this world through discipleship and through showing love to those who God puts in our lives. Like I said before, being disciplined in life provides these opportunities. My prayer now is that I continue to seek God and He continues to give me opportunities to help others seek Him too. And so I start every morning with a simple prayer, “Lord, direct my steps to do your will.” Then I try, sometimes unsuccessfully, but I try to read His words and hear His will. I am being disciplined now, so that I can disciple my students. I need all your prayers to not give up on these disciplines. I know I will stumble, but I don’t want to fail. I want to EAT, PRAY, and LOVE my way to Freedom! Want to join me…

If you want to help support my ministry visit:

http://uofnkona.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=652&MN=5593

The view from a friend's back yard!

Exciting Times of Provision

I got to go on a free helicopter ride a month ago. A friend of a friend got me on what is normally a $500 ride around the Big Island of Hawaii. I took a picture with the pilot because he was cute! Shameless...

I’m back, with so much to tell you. I just don’t even know where to begin. I’ll start with the exciting news and move on from there. The most exciting news is that there is officially 2 days of school and both those days are half days. Really, that adds up to one more full day of school. I am totally counting down because my never-ending to-do list has actually dwindled down after today. Report Cards-check! Parent Conferences-check! Student Portfolios-check! All I have left is cleaning out the classroom tomorrow and the student’s Character Awards ceremony Thursday. Then it is “Peace-out” for summer! I will have been successful in completing our pioneer year at the Learning Center, where I don’t just teach, I help transform!

These stacks of papers are just two students' work from the whole year. Even though a lot of work is done on IPAD we are no where near paperless yet...but we are working toward it.

I could go on and on with all the amazing things we did this year. I would like to tell you a short story of one of my student’s transformation. One of my boys who began the second quarter had a hard time praying aloud and wasn’t sure how God could be in everything. I still have a hard time praying aloud, but anyways, last week, this same student, showed me his growth. Every week my students have to say a memory verse from the bible. Every week a few of my student’s forget parts and do not pass. This last week, this little boy stops me before we started our presentations, and he said, “Miss Shauna, I think all the kids are going to pass today. I prayed that God would give us all wisdom. Jesus says if we ask for wisdom he will give it to us. So we are all going to pass.” Sure enough, amazingly all my students passed on the first try. This is the first time it happened all year. This little boy was so excited because his prayer came true. I was thankful too because his faith has grown more. This week another student told me he prayed, just like the first boy. All the kids passed again. We should have been praying all year long! It took this little boy’s child-like faith to show me real faith, and his faith is multiplying. God is so amazing.

The Learning Center learned all about Ancient Greece this last quarter, so they had participated in their own Olympic games in PE. The kids chose a country to represent, made that flag, and presented ancient Greek games for their families.

So, stories like that happened all year. I am so blessed be part of it. But now, the school year is over. All my development, all my work is now going to help someone else next year. As much as I loved first grade, I am moving on. I actually really thought I would teach first grade again next year, but I kept getting this feeling that I need to be flexible. I also interviewed all of the next year’s first graders and I realized…these are babies coming in. I am not a nurturing type. This year’s class was perfectly tailored to me because most of my students were boys who needed tough love, and the girls were just as tough as the boys. The precious little girls that I interviewed for next year, seemed fragile and I was already trying to wrap my mind around having to hold hands and plan tea parties! When we received a new teacher who loves teaching first grade I was more than willing to hand it all over. This new teacher will be perfect! I am learning to be flexible, and am not quite sure which grade I will be teaching next year. Did I tell you our school jumped from 1^st and 2^nd grade this year to 1^st through 7^th grade next year? God has big plans for our school. The faster we build our foundation, the faster we can multiply around the world. We’re nuts, I know! I have the possibility of teaching 3, 3&4, or 4&5. It is all up in the air. Many parents have been asking if I am taking bribes for which grade I will be teaching next year. I definitely feel the love here. I am leaning towards 4&5 because I have never done those grades before. I am up for the challenge, but I am not sure if I am smarter than a 5^th grader! I plan on meeting up with friends who teach those grades back in my hometown to pick their brains and gain more wisdom. Amazingly we don’t have a building for our school next year. I suggested a multiple room tent! We could set it up in the grass somewhere and have classrooms in each tent room. Who knows, I could use one room to sleep in! I totally would do it too! Could you imagine that? My tent idea was a bust among the rest of the staff, but we are still praying for a space next year. If by the end of August nothing turns up, my tent idea will be back on the table.

We made a giant slip-and-slide to celebrate the end of the school year. I went in my clothes because I couldn't let the kids have all the fun!

If you want to see more information about my school, check out our new website. It still has not been completely finished, but it will give you a good idea of what we are all about. It also proves I am legitimately working at this school. My bio is on the website as proof, just in case you were wondering if this was all an elaborate hoax.

http://uofnlearningcenter.com/

Once school is over, a new life of adventure begins for me. I am going to South Korea to visit friends from college. My friend Jenny works at a public-government school in Pohang, South Korea. My other friend Kate and I are going to meet up there. Jenny, Kate, and I have been friends since college and have somehow been able to reunite every summer since our graduations. I am so blessed by their friendships. This year has been really tough for me because I have been pretty lonely without friends. I am truly excited to keep our tradition alive and travel to Asia. I am most interested in seeing how the school works. I teach many kids from South Korea at the Learning Center and I am greatly intrigued of how their education system works. Besides checking in on the school, we will be traveling the country and learning more about the culture. I’ll be taking notes on how our school could one day open a branch in that wonderful country. Amazingly I had never met anyone from Korea before I moved here to Hawaii. Now I know many Koreans and Korean-Americans. I am even staying at one of my student’s family house in Seoul when I arrive. God has truly blessed me with these connections. The best part about this whole trip is that I really could not afford it, but I truly believed it was where I was supposed to be. A few days after I booked my flight I received my tax return for the exact same amount! God is good. You can’t make this stuff up! So I am going, free and clear on a truly amazing adventure. I will be in South Korea June 14-July 1. If you think of me during those two weeks, please pray for my protection and safety, for an amazing time with my great friends, and a time of peace, joy, and rejuvenation. South Korea, here I come!

I tried surfing down the slip-and slide on a boogie board. What you don't see in this picture is what happened next. I'll leave it to your imagination, but it was something that definitely would make you laugh!

After South Korea I am returning to California for three weeks. I cannot wait to come home and visit my family. I have really missed my parents. It will be a change living in a new place since my parents moved, but as long as I am near family I will be happy. The last week of July I will be going to Colorado for a math seminar. Yes, I am a nerd. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity. The University of the Nations paid for my flight and I am staying at a friend of a friend’s house for the week. All I have to pay for is food and a rental car. I am beyond blessed. I am going to try out the new curriculum our school is most likely going to adopt called, Singapore Math: Math in Focus. It is going to be a lot different than the math we did this year. I am really excited to learn new things and new ways to teach concepts. Also, because we are an international school, we want to use successful international methods. I am also stoked to take all the knowledge I learn and to teach all the other teachers when I return in August, what an honor! I hope I learn enough during the seminar. Note taking-don’t fail me now!

It's not a double-rainbow and it didn't make me cry, but is it beautiful. (If you have no idea what I am referring to watch the "Double Rainbow" famous utube video.)

Looking back though my summer plans, I have been reminded of how truly blessed I am. I get lost in the shuffle of everyday things and it takes times of reflection to remember that it is because of God’s grace and provision I am where I am. I’m staying at a friend’s apartment for my last two weeks. This new place has a pool that I have swam in everyday since I moved in. Being off campus has also allowed me to eat GLUTEN free. This last week I have never felt more free and healthy. From the lanai I can see a much more beautiful view of the ocean. Everyday I am reminded that I live in Hawaii! I no longer have to decorate my classroom Hawaiian (like I did in Cali)…the geckos’ poop reminds me everyday! I am so thankful to be out of the dorms! In fact, once I finalized the decision to move out I found out I had three new roommates! God saved me from that repeat nightmare! The day I decided to move out is also the same day a friend allowed me to borrow her other car as her husband left for business. I had a truck to move with. God knew before I knew I knew I needed that truck. God continues to provide for me financially. My trip to South Korea is paid for-bam! I have enough money in savings to bring my RAV 4 car over to Hawaii this summer-bam! I believe that God will continue to provide so that I no longer need to live in the dorms when I return in August. I might be living in a classroom/tent…but not the dorms! J

The view from my new lanai....well, at least for the next week!

With all that said, have you taken a second to reflect on your blessings? Have you stopped and thanked God for how He has provided. I don’t deserve any of this, and yet I am blessed. I would love to hear how you have been blessed. Comment on my blog and share what awesome things God is doing in your life! My prayer for all of you is that you are blessed beyond measure. Here is more good news from the Hawaiian Pidgin bible, hope it brings a smile to your face while you read it. (Phillipians 4:19-20) Fo Da Philippi Peopo “¹⁹An you know wat? My God goin give you guys everyting you need, cuz you guys stay tight wit his Spesho Guy Jesus Christ. He get plenny rich stuffs, an goin be awesome how he give you guys plenny. ²⁰I like everybody tell: “God, he our Fadda. He awesome foeva! Dass right on!”

One of my creative students put his Chinese flag on a sword to carry during the flag ceremony of their Ancient Greek Olympics. I saw the sword on my desk and when I picked it up I noticed the flag. I laughed out loud! He is hilarious. I needed that laugh this morning.

Overview summer schedule-

My 21^st Birthday- June 8^th (Yes, my 21^st…don’t question it!)—Forever 21

End of School- June 9^th

South Korea-June 14-July 1

Homeward bound-July 2

Los Angeles (LA)-July 3-7

San Luis Obispo (SLO)- July 8-10

Clovis-July 11-23

Denver, Colorado- July 24-30

Clovis-July 31st

Kona, Hawaii-August 1^st

The way this schedule is set up I feel like a rock star with tour dates! If you want to meet up, let me know! Email me and we’ll set it up.

My first birthday present this year! Two bags of Korean style noodles from one of my students. He wanted to give it early and was too shy to give it to me at school. His mom said that this was to help me get ready for my trip. Too CUTE!

Actually, it will be my 29^th birthday tomorrow, June 8th. This means I have one year to make a ton of things happen. I have a little wish list of things I wanted to accomplish before I turned…gulp, 30. I know life doesn’t end at 30. I didn’t call this list a “bucket list.” I just believe that thirty is an epic year. I already crossed off taking a Helicopter ride this last year! So starting tomorrow my countdown begins. I’ll keep you posted when something get’s scratched off my list. Next time I write to you I will have ASIAN country scratched off! I look forward to sharing my South Korea adventure with you. Until then, be safe. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. DANKE for reading.

If you never received my newsletter in April click the links for front and back:

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If you would like to partner with me during this journey, you can donate online at:

http://uofnkona.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=652&MN=5593

Eight Months at the Learning Center, Boy Have I Changed!

My first grade class! Getting smaller and smaller everyday.

I started my class today by telling my students how much I love them! They all responded by putting their hands over their mouths and with big eyes they giggled. I told them that this must mean they love me back. What freedom I have found in this place where I can express to my students that I love them. With six of my seven students being boys, of course their reaction was goofy, but maybe it will resonate with them. I felt like I needed to start the day speaking into their lives and letting them know how much I cared about them. Who knows, maybe this is a moment they will remember…I know I will forever remember it. The fact that I have chilled out enough to slow down and focus on relationship with these kids is a huge step for me. I have always been pushing and striving as a teacher to have my students accomplish work, but the more time I spend in this environment the more I find myself striving to find out what the Lord wants me to do. Today I actually listened to the call to begin the day differently and spent quality time with my little rascals.

We are the yellow team! I helped coach in our first track meet. We raced against kids from the public school. Three of my first graders metaled in their events!

I am sure you noticed that I said I have seven students. I cannot believe it either, and the numbers will continue to dwindle down. As I had said before, I had gained two new students at Christmas making my total at ten. Since then, I have lost those two students and another. Two moved and one needed to return to Kindergarten. (10-3=7) Now I am at seven students, but I will loose one more next Friday because he is moving too. (7-1=6) Another student is going home for 3 weeks beginning next Friday, but he will return.  (6-1=5) This month two more students will be leaving on outreach, but they too will return after 5 weeks. (5-2=3) Another student is leaving at the end of April for another surgery, but will only be gone a week. (3-1=2) Another student will be traveling with his father to three different countries around the world, but only for three weeks beginning at the end of April. (2-1=1) I have one student that is staying put! This is madness! For all the students that are leaving and returning I have to put together independent study work, meaning that I already planned the rest of my year. God never gives us more than we can handle, but this is comical. I am thinking that during the time period where I only have one student I will move him to second grade! Wouldn’t that be great? I can just help the second grade teacher out. We’ll see what happens. However, I will already have the first grade curriculum finished so I may as well use it.

The iPad is helping my first graders read. They are taking these on their outreaches around the world. This makes it less books for them to carry and more fun.

When I first saw this crazy schedule of students coming and going I have to admit I had a bit of a panic attack. It really is crazy. Really, how does a teacher teach without students? However, God helped me to completely change my perspective. When I saw how our IPADS can help make all of this work, I became stoked! Technology has made this really exciting. I have to plan the rest of the year for my two students that are going on outreaches anyways, which will ultimately better prepare me for all the other students’ departures. (An outreach is like my trip through Central America last July-August, but these kids are traveling with their families: one to the Ironman Triathlon circuit in the US and the other is traveling to Mexico.) For these two kids I am putting virtually all their work on their IPAD. Because of today’s technology they can do all their work without paper. I can scan their work and they can write all over it and even type on it and then their parents can email it to me…the same day! How awesome is that? Maybe if you are not a teacher you might not understand, but for me this was mind-blowing! This makes putting all the work together fun for me and the fact that I can monitor their progress as they go is so less overwhelming. It is kind of like an online class, but for first graders! The best part about all of this is that this work is preparing our school for our larger goal of reaching the nations with technology. My developed curriculum is in the beginning stages of actually going global. This is really exciting. So never mind all the planning and scanning and prepping, it all fits into the bigger picture, which is bringing biblically foundational education to the world. How blessed am I to be part of it?

First and Second Grade with our water jugs. The gray water tank behind us actually collects rain water and is a replica of the Water 4 Life water tanks made in Rwanda.

Another clue to how awesome this learning environment is revolves around how my students practice intercession. Intercession is basically praying for someone else’s needs. In the beginning of the year during prayer my students would always pray for their own “owwies.” They would have stubbed toes, scrapes, cuts, and would always ask for prayer for those boo-boos. Each week our students receive a new buddy, which is a student they play with at recess and pray for nightly. This practice has really opened up relationships and helped students focus on others. Each month we adopt a ministry on the University of the Nations campus and we pray for them each morning. This last month we learned about the Water For Life organization on campus. This organization teaches people in third world countries how to collect rainwater in tanks. They build water tanks in schools so that at least the children will have safe drinking water. One of my student’s family is involved with this ministry and they will be moving to Rwanda this summer to continue to teach the people about safe drinking water. My students really enjoyed praying for and learning about this ministry so we decided to take it a step further…

The gallon jugs of water was super heavy for my students. It was comical to watch!

This water jug is almost as big as he is.

My students saw pictures of kids in Rwanda walking with huge water jugs full of dirty water. I decided to make the students experience this. So we took empty gallon milk jugs and went to a water tank on campus that is a replica of those made by Water For Life. Those people on campus who work with this organization met with us and explained how important water is to my students. Then they helped our students fill their jugs with the rainwater and we walked up and down and all around campus. It was hilarious watching these first and second graders carry a gallon of water. It was tough work for them. They couldn’t believe that kids younger than they are can carry four times as much! We ended up at the ATV gardens on campus, a place where Water 4 Life exhibits and develops many of its water projects. There, each student emptied their gallon of water into a fish pond. Then to top it off each child was able to release a fish into that pond. We had learned all about fish the week before in science, so it was awesome to see the kids watch real fish.  They felt real ownership over the pond because they worked so hard to fill it. I am hoping that this too will be an experience that they will remember.

We finally made it to the fish tank and poured our water in. The kids were exhausted from caring the water everywhere.

Here I am releasing a fish into our class pond. The fish I released died a minute later. I couldnt believe it. One of my students pointed it out and exclaimed, "Its floating!"

These first and second graders are also praying for different countries. We have recently prayed for Haiti, Egypt and for New Zealand.  Now we are praying for Japan because of current events. Our kids could minimally relate because a much smaller tsunami hit our shores. We have been praying for relief to the country and that they experience true hope during this disaster. I hope that you can join us in this prayer. Thank you again for reading my blog. I hope it brings insight into what it is I am doing here in Hawaii. Pioneering this school has been such a blessing. Thank you for following my journey.

Here are some pictures of my adventures when I am not in the classroom!

A week after the tsunami hit the Kona coast I went snorkeling in Captain Cook Bay. It was crazy seeing all the debris from wrecked houses on the ocean floor.

I swam with the dolphins. Look how close they got. This was so amazing! There was 40-50 of them because it was the day after the SUPER MOON.

Jo (2nd grade teacher) and I at Pololu Valley during our Spring Break! See, teachers have fun too.

Wish you all were here. I miss my friends!

If you would like to support my mission, click the link below!

http://uofnkona.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=652&MN=5593

3, 2, 1…3, 2, 1…..1/2….JUMP!

 

Believe it or not, I jumped off this! It is the southern most tip of the United States.

There I stood on the cliffs of the southern most tip of the United States. The ocean breeze was strongly blowing against my face. My toes gripped the cliff edge. “Jump!” I thought to myself. “No, I can’t do it!” The Pacific Ocean below was the most beautiful blue and was so calm and clear that I could see the ocean floor. “Okay, do it!” I reassured myself that it is possible. I crept back to the edge. I swung my arms back and forth. My friend counted from ten down and as she approached one my heart began to pound almost outside my chest. “One!” she yelled and I threw my arms upward, but my body went nowhere. “You can do this,” I said aloud, “Just do it!” My arms swung again and I said, “3, 2, 1…” I closed my eyes, nothing. Then I said a short little prayer, “God give me courage.” I said it again aloud, “3, 2, 1….1/2…..” and I JUMPED. I freefell 40 feet to the ocean and was miraculously able to keep my body straight as I plunged into the warm water below. I jumped! I did it! It wasn’t so bad! I have done crazy things like this before. In fact I jumped 60 feet into a muddy river in Costa Rica a few months before. Why was this time so difficult? Why did I hesitate? Why did I question myself? Why did I fight it?

This is my view from the edge of the cliff!

 

These questions come up in my daily life. Times when I am not overlooking an ocean cliff, but facing everyday life problems…issues that seem impossible. Why is this time so difficult? Why do I hesitate? Why do I question myself? Why do I fight it? Being a teacher I face issues everyday; all teachers can relate. And these questions of doubt and fear rise up more often than I would like to admit. I am supposed to be a missionary, and in my narrow viewpoint of this field I have these thoughts that everything should be hunky-dory. Things should be awesome everyday, right? I’m serving the Lord, I am with believers, I am in a place I feel called…so why are there problems? Short answer…this is Earth and I am not perfect, nor is anyone else. I constantly forget this; I naively strive for perfection and am utterly shocked when things are not perfect. Honestly! It is a bit sad if you think about it. I want so much to change, and I feel that I have, and yet at the same time I battle the same issues. I have learned a lot about myself this month however, so much that I feel I have changed, at least a little bit.

We visited the university's Natural Farm, where much of our food is grown. My students got to plant corn, and then we prayed to God to help it grow. First graders are too cute!

About two weeks ago I hit a brick wall. Not literally, but emotionally. I came to the point that I broke. I started questioning why I came here and why I started teaching again. The new semester had started and I had received two new students within a week’s time. Both were considerably behind and I could not wrap my mind around catching them up. How do you download five months of foundational information into a student’s brain. It isn’t possible. Those two girls, conveniently both named Grace, on top of the stress of having high kids that I knew I was not reaching, and lacking any classroom assistance because my parent helper was gone, flung me into a place where I was DONE! In fact, I am pretty sure those words came out of my mouth, “I am DONE!” I wanted out of here. I remembered all that I did not like about teaching in the past and just had a pitty-party for one. Knowing I was reacting out of fear and anxiety, my school leader asked me, “What is your biggest fear?” At the time I couldn’t answer, but after some thought I realized, I fear that my students will not learn and that when they attend another school their teacher’s will ask who was your last teacher. When they discover it was me at a private Christian international school they will automatically discount all my hard work and question even Christianity. Big fear right? Uncontrollable and yet this is the root to my anxiety. I have problems, I am aware of this.

I was able to visit the top of Mauna Kea, where there is snow and you can watch the sunset above the clouds.

I now know why I “overreact” to my circumstances and why my fears are far beyond reality. I am a burden bearer. I’ve got the weight of the world on my shoulders. My staff leader at The Learning Centre asked my staff to take the Strengths Finder test. I actually had taken it in 2008 to appease my father. Father knows best! I kept the results and gave that to my leader, who in turn took everyone’s strengths and gave them to a woman who professionally analyzes such information. This woman put them together in a visual chart to help explain how we as a staff are to work together. It was amazing to see everyone else’s strengths and see how we could capitalize on each other’s strengths at the school. I saw how the six of us are different and how we are the same. I have known my strengths for over two years, but honestly did not see them as strengths at all. I saw them as describing me, but in a negative way. Achiever=high-strung…Context=relating everything to everything… Empathy=feeling other’s pain all the time…Responsibility=overly responsible to the point where I believe everyone else should be as well…Deliberative=never able to make a decision. The woman that we met with during our staff meeting went over everyone’s strengths and then looked at me and asked, “Shauna, what do you think about your strengths?” I felt like I was in therapy or something. All eyes on me, I said, “I see them as negatives. Like I am a constant stress ball feeling like I have to achieve so much in responsible way while always feeling other’s pain or caring what others think and meanwhile questioning every decision. It is a life I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Why can’t I be carefree and joyful? “ The woman said that she knew I was going to say that because of what my strengths are and how they come together. The deliberative side of myself questions everything about myself. My deliberative side combined with my empathy makes me a burden barer who takes on others feelings. This is why I am always stressed over my students. I can’t distance myself from them. If they don’t understand something I allow it to negatively affect me. However, the achiever inside of me helps me overcome this eventually and helps me figure out ways to reach my students after my initial freak-out session.

Here is the Plaza of Nations, with all the flags of people represented here during YWAM's 50th Anniversary. I am in this crowd of staff here at the university.

She then proceeded to speak truth into my life and explain that these are in fact strengths and that I just need to harness them. I need to take control of my feelings instead of letting my feelings control me. I have heard this all before and yet, I can see clearly that I have been made with super intensive feelings and thoughts. The only way I cannot let them control me is by asking God to let me know what is true. He can help guard my heart against being a burden bearer. If I go to Him with these problems in prayer, He takes control. As a burden bearer I should be amazing at intercessory prayer! I should be in prayer for others all the time, giving all my worries about them to the Lord and thus my fears disappear. The bottom line is that I was made this way for a reason. Without Achievers, nothing will get done. Without people who put things in Context, we would never learn from our mistakes. Without Empathy we could not relate to others. Without Responsibility no one would trust each other and without Deliberation no one would make appropriate well-thought out decisions. What I have learned is that God has fearfully and wonderfully made me with incredible gifts. At the age of 28 I should finally be accepting of myself don’t you think? Like one of my friends said, I need to be more “YOUier!”

Jo (2nd Grade Teacher) and I doing handstands on top of Mauna Kea, above the clouds. My handstand is weak!

I can now answer those questions I asked myself when I jumped off the South Point cliff in Hawaii: Why was this time so difficult? It is difficult because I let my feelings dictate my actions. Why did I hesitate? I hesitate because I feel overwhelmed with the weight of the world. Why did I question myself? I question myself because I don’t trust that God will be with me during all my struggles. Why did I fight it? I fight it because I am burdened by so much and I am too weak to do this alone. But the truth is, I am not alone. God is faithful; He is with me during my struggles and my triumphs.

At what school can the students watch educational movies at a real theatre? Here they can! This is my class (and my parents on the top) at our new theatre that was built for the 50th celebration. I now do my work duty at the theatre....if you call selling popcorn a work duty!

Now if only I could remember this during my own personal “ocean cliff,” of teaching. Every weekend before work as I stand on the cliff overlooking the vastness of all the things I have to do I have to talk myself into taking that step off the cliff and go to work. I have to narrow my view from the huge blue-ocean and focus on the point of entry. I need to focus on what I can handle…not all the burdens of the world. Basically, if I take these fears and temptations of simply giving up and give them to God, He will help give me the strength to persevere past the edge and actually jump. Once I jump I am fine. Once I go into those classroom walls, I am fine. I get most things done and I actually enjoy myself. I realize I am equipped for the job, I have been given the gifts to do it, God is with me, and that He gives me the courage if I just ask.

There are even dolphins on the streets here!

So now that I realize my God-given strengths I need to apply them as strengths. I need to focus on what I have been given and run with it. I need to JUMP off and experience freedom in Christ. And now that I think about it, so do you. You too have been made with strengths and with a purpose, now ask God to let you know what those are and for the courage to step out in Faith trusting that HE will provide! Come on in, the water’s fine! Now…3, 2, 1, ½….JUMP!

Come visit anytime!

Praise report: Our school desks came in! My students have actual desks. Before we had borrowed tables that were all shapes and sizes, where some of my students’ feet actually dangled from their chairs while others could barely fit and they were all searching for elbowroom. God has answered a prayer for new desks. They have taken over two months to arrive. They made a huge difference in the classroom. It was like a weight had been lifted. I soon discovered I am a spatial person and now that the classroom has order I can actually focus on teaching.

Here is how my classroom is situated. Yes, that is a workout ball in the middle. When I sit on it I am at eye level with all my students and am working my core out at the same time! Genius!