Wearing Many Hats

In high school I had quite the array of after school and summer jobs to help keep my bank account out of the red. For four years, I worked as a "Tax Preparation Assistant" at spending my after school hours in front of a copy machine hoping and praying that the Lord wouldn't call me to be an accountant (no offense mom:) One summer I was a server in the dining room of an assisted living home. Again, I enjoyed getting to know the residents and hearing their stories, but was pretty certain that God hadn't blessed me with the patience to serve the elderly. Another summer, I was a landscaping assistant at a hotel got in touch with my inner handyman. I remember reminding myself when the copy machine had jammed for the four hundredth time, or when I had to hold my tongue after a resident complained about their food again, that these jobs were only temporary and that one day I would be doing something that I love.

Now that I am on the other side of college just starting out my first real job, I find myself reflecting on where I thought I would be back when I was grumbling in minimum wage jobs. I never expected God to bring me here to do some of the things I am doing now, in fact I always thought I was never cut out to work overseas. Nothing compares to looking back on years past and seeing the hand of God guiding every step and being reminded that it isn’t about me, but that it is all about Him.

The past month or so has been very busy. The majority of my time has been spent at school either planning for my ESL classes, planning for projects like tree planting for Week Without Walls or the all-school work day, subbing in all kinds of classes from PE to computers, or working in the bookroom with Jennie. I have been so blessed to have worn quite the number of hats here at BAIS lately. I have been learning a lot about myself from hidden gifts to limits that seem to pop up in stressful times. I am being stretched and molded in ways I never have before. Through the challenge of these experiences God is drawing me closer to Himself reminding me that “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

After years of knowing I would never be working in an accounting office or an assisted living home or landscaping at a hotel, today I can say that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Not anywhere close to where I thought I would be, but smack dab in the middle of my Father’s will.

A Snapshot Update...

Amazing places I have gotten to see:

• Borobudur: A few weeks ago we went to Jogjakarta and got to see the sunrise at a large Buddhist temple and one of the seven wonders of the world. Although it was painfully early, nothing beats watching God's creation wake up with the sun:)
• We took an eight hour train ride to Jogja and got to see some pretty amazing scenery that reminded me that I am kind of afraid of heights:)

Cool things I have gotten to do:

• Plant trees!: A group of fifteen students and four leaders planted about 150 trees. We planted 50 right off the toll road with a group from a local Muslim school. The next day we went a planted 85 trees out at the new campus. It was really cool to see the students step out of their comfort zones and sweat for Jesus:)
  
• This past weekend was an all school work day. The goal was to purge all classrooms and offices of things that we don't need anymore. It was challenging, but really cool to see everyone work hard with a common goal.
  

Crazy things I have eaten:

• Horse Sate: It is a specialty in Jogja, but not much of a specialty in my mouth:) I think I prefer spicy woof woof:)
• Pigeon: I know, this one was pretty interesting. We also ate this in Jogja at a Japanese restaurant. It tasted like chicken, not a whole lot of meat.
  
• Indo-mex: We went out to Mexican food this weekend, and it was surprisingly good. Growing up in Arizona, I have become a Mexican food snob, but I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Lada's.

Things to look forward to and be praying for:

• SeaTribe: We are headed to the remote islands of Indonesia in about three and a half weeks to spend time with the people there. Pray that some of His love would rub off on them through our conversations with them. We will be working hard, teaching some English, getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, and eating all kinds of fun foods.
  
• Please continue to pray for the New Campus Project: the details of the building, the transition for the teachers, the housing for next year, the moving process and the hiring of new teachers for the five positions that are currently open.

Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. I hope you are all doing well. Please keep me updated on your lives, so I can be lifting you up in prayer as well:)

With Your Likeness Let Me Wake

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

We sang this song in church last week, and I was reminded not only of His sovereignty and provision, but also that it is through the storms or that refining fire that something beautiful is produced. Last year, as I was anticipating my semester on the other side of the globe, fear and anxiety were constant companions. Although I knew where I was going and what I was going to do, January sat there looking like big question mark. I had no idea what I was going to do, and being the controlling type that I am, I hated having that huge unknown at the end of my calendar. Through the struggles, challenges and downright painful times, God was shaping my character and equipping me with the strength to face what this semester would hold.

This year the theme is all about trust. Everyday I have to surrender my worries about finances, my worries about my ESL lessons, my worries about projects being completed. Last Sunday I was feeling the weight of these worries and as tears streamed down my face, I soaked in the lyrics of this song, and was able to hand over all those worries in the hands of my Heavenly Father. I hope that this song brings a little hope into your day, because it certainly was a pleasant reminder for me this week.