Staff vs. Students

The students in this school have a lot of problems. There are many respect, relationship, and discipline issues we have to help them grown in. But despite some immaturities I love them all so much! I feel almost like they are my own kids. This week has been so hard for me because other staff members have been coming down hard on MY kids. Maybe the students need it, but many of them have come to me crying or had really down days because of how staff has approached them. We all need a lot of wisdom to lovingly disciple them. Please pray for us leaders (and it wouldn't hurt to pray that I can exercise self control keep from strangling harsh people... just kidding). But I do need help to respect other people's pastoral styles.

But my Sunday was beautiful. Today one of my friends that lives in the University student house went to church with me. We had such a good time bringing comic relief to our weeks. But we also get a kick out of entertaining our entire bus with our expressive Spanglish. We get more creative in communicating all the time! Church was so good!!! And I knew all of the songs; it's easier to worship when you don't have to think really hard to understand what you're singing. I'm learning more Spanish and it makes me really excited. But learning a culture is so much more fun than just learning the language!

Have a wonderful week. And make sure to let someone know how much you love them oddities and all!

21-year-old Princess

My birthday here was the best I have ever had in my life! I felt like a princess all day long. For example: I wanted flowers, and not only did I get flowers, but I got four bouquets; my entire day was like that. God just made me feel so beautiful and appreciated.

Some of the highlights from my party:
* my American friend Desteni and some Colombian guys reinacting the "Thriller" scene from "13-Going-On-30"
* having two Colombians serenade me with two songs that I didn't understand a word of... but I'm good at smiling and nodding
* the student I'm closest to deciding not to leave for Puerto Rico, but finishing the school here (this was the best present I"ve ever been given!)
* another really good friend calling me even though he's in Venazuela
* getting a notebook that everyone wrote in: my qualities and how I've impacted them
*** Having a cake smashed in my face

My Amizingly Musical Kids

I feel like I am a band geek again. In this school the kids are so talented. Whenever they have free time they sit around and take turns playing guitar and singing. It's like a never ending worship service. One of the first assignments for creativity time was to come up with something creative. Most drew something cute... but Juan Esteven wrote a song. WROTE a song!!! It's actually really good with a chorus and a part he raps. I think I'm going to try to record it onto my computer with him and one of the girls singing harmony. They inspire me to pursue more of the creative things I love like music and drawing and writing.