A Long Tale For Those Who Haven't Given Up Hope

7 months... a long time to wait. I wouldn't blame you if you have given up hope, because I probably would have also. I feel like almost every blog I write starts out this way: an apology and a promise to do better. I'm tired of being lousy at blogging, and I really would like to be better. I just need the discipline. Hopefully, the discipline to blog will set in this time around. I would like to have a blog appear at least once a month, but as the past has shown, it may be longer.

Once again though, I am sorry. Many of those who still read are supporters either in prayer, monetary giving, or both. I appreciate this support, and I want to share about how the Lord is working through your support both in me and in La Paz, Bolivia. So, let's get started...

Back in La Paz

The last post brought you up to speed with the trip Stacy and I took. The first thing I want to do is wrap the trip up.

We arrived in Arica, Chile late in the morning fully expecting to have to catch an overnight bus back to La Paz, but luckily we found a bus leaving at about 2:00 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, it didn't actually leave until about 3:30. It was a Bolivian bus company, so really it was only about a half hour to an hour late. ;) Our bus came into La Paz just before midnight and we brought our belongings over to the temporary housing for Sheldon and I. Sheldon had borrowed a few cots from his workplace (Samaritan's Purse), which accumulated for all the furniture we had in the place. Stacy went to bed right away, while I went with Sheldon to return the vehicle we had been using and check the Mallasilla apt. for anything we might have forgotten to pack. I took Stacy to one of my favorite restaurants, Charlie Papa's, for breakfast and then I showed her around the city area. When we came back to the apt. we played a few cribbage games with Sheldon, went to eat some silpanchos (meat, potatoes, rice, and eggs), and then went to see Avatar in 3D at the Megacenter in Irpavi. The next day, Sunday, we went to church, which meets at the school, and I got to introduce Stacy to my Bolivian family and church family. We even went to eat some chicarron (fried pork) with my Bolivian family. Stacy wasn't a fan of the chicharron. :) After lunch, we went and chilled at the apt. for awhile with Sheldon. Then, since Stacy was hungry (she didn't have much chicharron :) ), we went out to eat at Charlie Papa's again and then to go play some wallyball. I was able to again introduce her to some Bolivian friends from church and other places. After wally, we went to get some ice cream and then back to the apt. to get Stacy packed up.

We got up at about 3:30 the next morning and caught a taxi up to the airport. We had a small bite to eat and said our farewells. It had been a whirlwind of a trip, but it was good to spend time together, and especially to show Stacy a little of what my life is like living in La Paz.

2nd Semester

Before the next semester started, I spent long hours putting together the 5th grade social studies curriculum guides that I had, surprise surprise, procrastinated on. It felt really good to get them out of the way. Curriculum guides have been the bane of my existence these past three years. :) Second semester with my class was amazing. I'll point out a few special memories.

1. We had a tall tale writing celebration where the students wrote their stories on half sheets of paper staple underneath each other to make an exaggerated and literally tall tale. :) We also bought an Interminable, a pizza with slices that are about a foot long (no exaggeration!). I couldn't believe that students were asking for seconds!

2. I had a student that started displaying a lot of emotional and behavioral outbursts in the classroom. I don't feel comfortable sharing too many details, but suffice to say it was a definite challenge for me. My classroom management skills were put to the test time and time again. I was in constant prayer. On the last day of school, he leaned up next to my crying and begging me to stay at school. He definitely made a lasting impression on my heart, and I'll be looking forward to seeing him again in August.

3. The class also really got into our classroom elections. We had nominations in our classroom to determine the candidates. We then had the candidates give speeches during our lunch with the 3rd and 5th grade classes. It was then the 3rd and 5th grade classes that voted. Despite a landslide victory, all the candidates and participants had lots of fun. I even have 3rd graders begging me to do the same thing next year. :)

4. We had an accreditation review in March that went very well! The reviewer from SACS (Southern Area Colleges and Schools) that had accredited us last year returned to see how things were going that we had said we'd be working on. He was very impressed, which was a huge encouragement to the entire staff, especially for those who had been there when he had come the previous year.

5. Sheldon and I took a three day trip during Spring Break to see the Salt Flats of Uyuni (Salar de Uyuni). It was a great time of bonding and perspective shots. The Salt Flats work well for that. They provide the perfect white backdrop.

I guess that about wraps up my third year. We did have a couple teachers leave our staff, one who has been the second grade teacher for the past four years and has spearheaded many projects to promote academic excellence at Highlands. It will take a lot of pitching in and helping out to fill the holes she's been filling in. We will have some new staff coming in August. 1. 2nd grade teacher 2. middle school teacher 3. elementary principal/academic director and 4. high school social studies teacher. It won't be nearly as big of a group that came this past school year. It will be good getting to know each and every one of them.

Another good friend of mine that won't be returning is Sheldon. Over the past two years, our friendship has grown fast and strong. To celebrate that friendship we planned a little trip to go on after the school year was out. We began with climbing the tallest mountain in Bolivia, Mt. Sajama. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I never plan on trying to climb something higher. 21,500 ft is plenty high for me! Most people take three to four days to climb it, but Sheldon and I hoofed up and down it in two! I'll stop bragging though, because I looked pretty pathetic climbing up the last 1,000 ft, but as Sheldon kept reminding me, "The important thing is we made it!"

After our climb, we went on a week and a half long trip through northern Argentina. A few highlights:

1. Being told bussing through Paraguay that we could not buy a visa at the border and we had 24 hours to exit the country. Oops! It's the first time I've been an illegal in a country.

2. Spending two days visiting Iguazu Falls on the northeastern tip of Argentina. I've seen pictures of Niagara Falls. They have nothing on Iguazu! They were extremely beautiful and breathtaking! It was a snapshot of God's beauty and power!

3. Having a steak and wine dinner in Buenos Aires. It was very expensive, but Sheldon and I had promised each other that we'd splurge at least once. It was chilly and windy when we walked out of the restaurant, but neither of us noticed. :)

4. Stopping in Salta for the day, so we could watch in anticipation as the U.S. beat Algeria to advance on to the next round of the World Cup!

5. Playing many games of cribbage, spades, and hearts. We spent over 50 hours of our trip in either a bus or train, so games were a great way to pass the time, even though almost all of our bus trips were overnight trips. Yeah, we didn't get lots of sleep on this adventure! :)

Regarding the Future and Prayer Requests

I have decided to return to Highlands for a fourth year of teaching. I love the school, staff, and students and while I'm pretty sure this will be my final year, it's hard to say it with certainty. I am thinking that after this school that I would be going to another city in Bolivia to spend about three months immersed in Spanish. While I can hold basic conversations now, I'd like to improve to a higher level of fluency. I don't know what the Lord has planned after, but I'd like to be able to increase my skill set to be able to serve Him more effectively. The Lord has given me a passion for children, and I feel called to minister in Spanish speaking countries.

While these two things are helping to guide me as well, I still do not know what comes next. I might stay in Bolivia and join SIM missions and help out in La Paz with their Children's Ministry program, in which case, I better start learning Aymaran too. :) Maybe it means heading to another Latin American country. Maybe it means going back to school in the States or taking online classes to get a more advanced degree. I honestly don't know what He has planned next, but I'm trusting in Him.

After saying that, here are my requests:

1. That He would direct my paths and give me wisdom and understanding in the upcoming decisions I'll have to be making.

2. That He would continue to use me and Highlands to be a light to the students, parents, and the surrounding communities.

3. That He might open up opportunities for close friendships that help keep me accountable and disciplined in the Lord in Bolivia, since Sheldon will be living in the U.S.

4. That He might help me stay disciplined in my communication with supporters, and my daily communication with Him.

5. That even though I've learned to be content with being single, the fact that it's not a desire in my heart makes it hard for me to always be at peace with the notion. So, prayer that He might be my one, true desire of my heart and let my course run from that point. :)

Thank you all again for your patience and support. Hopefully, next time will be only a month away! :)