It's All About Perspective

I had an interesting shift in perspective recently.

As I have been considering whether or not to extend my time in Romania, I had in mind the perspective of people in MN and the US that are impacted by my being here. I had a mental list of the people that were affected: friends, family, church, myself...

During a recent conversation, I had an interesting shift in perspective. For a number of different reasons, I have gotten some notes from students recently. Many of them have stated their appreciation for my being in Romania and teaching at BCA. I realized that at this point, my leaving Romania and BCA would affect a whole other group of people. That decision would bring me closer to friends and family in the US allowing me to participate in lives on that side of the world, and yet greatly affect the students and families that I have gotten to know here. Although I myself have been greatly affected by the departures of families, I hadn't ever thought through the implications of my own potential departure-that others would experience the same things that I have experienced on the departures of friends and colleagues.

It's all about your perspective...

I Will Lift My Eyes

Written by Bebo Norman and Jason Ingram

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let Mercy sing
Her melody over me
God, right here all I bring
Is all of me

‘Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
‘Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now

I was sitting in front of my computer this evening listening
to the radio and ended up pondering what does it mean to lift
my eyes to God-to bring Him all of me. I have come to realization
that I am not perfect-imagine that. I am thankful that isn't a
surprise to God! He is the Lover I need to save me.

Minimalism

This week, part of my Bible study lesson talked about how we all tend toward busyness which often leads to being minimalists-doing everything with as little effort as possible since we know that there is more to come around the corner-if not already in front of us. After our discussion Tues night, I was beginning to question my choices.

One of the things I concluded was that it is okay for this season to not have an additional ministry outside of BCA. I think that God prepared me in amazing ways for each of the classes that I am teaching-and for each of the students that I interact with each day.

So, what is too much? I know that each of us have different capacities and abilities to handle different loads. Interesting to think about and seek God's plan. his best for us.

I would love to hear your thoughts...

Worship Night

How amazing!
It was wonderful to join this great group of guys and two wonderful vocalists for a time of worship earlier this week. How cool to see these kids stepping out in faith! Wish you could have been there!

Spirit Week

I had fun coming up with a new way to do my hair. After manuevering through doorways and trying to aviod students, I decided that I knew what a moose feels like. I don't think that I will choose to wear my hair like this again, but it was fun for the day:)



(with Jane Perkins-1/2 grade teacher)

Esti tot ce am
Esti domnul meu
Doar pentru tine eu traiesc
Esti domnul meu
Esti tatal meu
Tu nu poti fi inlocuit

You are all that I have

You are my God

For you alone do I live

You are my God

You are my Father

You can't be replaced

What an amazing thing to be able to affirm together with believers-that God is all that we have, that we live for him alone, and there is no one that can take his place! He alone is worthy.

God is adequate as our keeper.... Your faith will not fail while God sustains it; you are not strong enough to fall away while God is resolved to hold you.
J.I. Packer

Curtains:)

I just wanted to share that I now have curtains in my living room. They aren't perfect (some are slightly different lengths), but I smile each time I walk through my living room.

I started working on the ones for my bedroom-and even found a curtain rod that is long enough-now I just have to figure out a way to get the 3 meters home without injuring anyone. Once they are finished I will try to get pictures to show:)

Student Thesaurus

My kids are so smart:) Last week they worked together to come up with synonyms for "said". As a class they generated over 60 words that could be substituted for "said". Had I asked them beforehand how many they thought they could identify I am sure their estimate (and even my own) would have been much lower. What amazing minds God has gifted them with-and the ability to work together in our brainstorming-piggybacking off of other ideas. I'm excited to see how their ideas will show up in their writing this week and in following assignments:)

Worthy!

I love how music captures my mind-how it creates a vivid image for me. We sang this song at Bible study last night and I traveled home with this song running through my mind. He is worthy of all praise and honor that we give Him-and even what we don't.

Worthy is the Lamb
Darlene Zschech

Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank You for this love Lord
Thank You for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb, Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious
High and lifted up, Jesus Son of God
The Darling of heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb