- bought plane tickets to the PFO (Pre-Field Orientation) training in Southaven, MS
- sent out support letters
- received most of my immunizations (2nd Hep. A shot to come this summer)
- started to brush up on my very limited espanol with the help of Rosetta Stone
...and yet to do:
- make a packing list
- develop long-term teaching goals by becoming more familiar with the school's curriculum and North Carolina's learning standards
I have also contacted the 2nd/3rd grade teacher at Highlands International School and she assures me that I have an amazing class to look forward to for this summer. I can't wait! I will have around 11 or so 3rd graders and around three 4th graders to teach.
This will be my first full year of teaching experience, so along with the excitement also comes a fair share of doubts that are hard to shake. Am I up for the challenge? What if I fail? When those questions come, I just remind myself of the peace and sense of God's calling I had when I interviewed and accepted this position. If the Lord is for it, than who can be against it? So what do I do when presented with these doubts? "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." -John 14:1 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." -Ephesians 6:11 The devil's darts of doubt miss their marks everytime when I am trusting the Lord's plan for my life and following it in His strength and might, not my own. "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5 Praise God and his Word for the encouragement and comfort they have been and will continue to be during this time of preparation!
I would love to hear feedback and answer any questions you may have regarding Bolvia, this blog, anything in general, etc... I have two e-mail addresses now as well and am in the process of converting one of them bjotho@bethel.edu to my new one bjorlie@gmail.com. Feel free to drop me a note. God bless!
P.S. One last thing regarding contact information while I am in Bolivia. I will not be using a cell phone while in Bolivia, but a free computer program called Skype. I would encourage you to download it at www.skype.com. It's a great way to stay in touch. My skype name is bjorlie. Pretty simple, eh?
