My incredible life

You know I never know how to title my blogs so I decided this sums it up. This week has been great. I am learning how to be a better teacher and feel God's hand guiding me more and more. Today I went to church with my roommate and a friend from school. I enjoyed the service and the congregation is small so I felt comfortable. The only discomfort came when a man was introduced to me and he really kissed my cheek. Now I am familar and completely comfortable with the "air kiss". I love hugs too, but if I don't know you then I don't really want your lips on my skin. Hmm the learning curve is great for me right now. Sooo anyhow I went to a BBQ yesterday and had a rocking time. I realized though that you have to decide to leave five minutes before you want to leave because it takes that long to say goodbye in Peru. This is where you "air kiss" and hug everyone goodbye (and you cannot leave anyone out) So it takes awhile. It was a great day full of fun, laughter, and little ones running about. The highlight was seeing Jared Schlak thrown in the pool by his roommate Mario.LOL. I'm glad it wasn't me it's winter down here. Even on a sunny day I don't want to swim right now.Many blessings to all who read this.

Refined in the fire

God has certainly been teaching me a lot about myself. This week has been one of my most challenging in a long time. My students are great and I love what I do. I have been learning how to accept the guidance of those who know more than myself and submit to their counsel. It's tough though because I would love to say that I know it all and I am terrific the way I am. The truth is however that I am imperfect and have a lot to learn about life, teaching, and growing in God. My prayer this weekend and into next week will be to learn how to be humble and to be a quiet spirit which is of great value to the Lord. Not to be without a voice but to be a listener and consider my words before I speak. That I would take the advice and encouragement of others and apply it to my life. I thank God for the lessons He is teaching me. I only hope to use my experience being in a new world to encourage everyone that is in my life. May the Lord bless all of you who read this blog.

The first week

Well the first two days anyway have been terrific. I am really tired but my students are wonderful. I'm so excited to be here. I think I understand better what God's calling is on my life. I love being able to teach these children about Christ. Dealing with things in a godly way rather than grabbing at straws trying to figure out what works. This blog is short I know but I'm so sleepy I don't know what else to write.

Who needs lanes anyway?

Hello everyone. I know it's been awhile. Well I am getting adjusted and start teaching tomorrow. I decided that I was going to relax tonight so I now have time to write a blog. You may be wondering about my title for this blog. It came about when last night I realized that I am not at all afraid of people or buses when they create their own lane or cross over into oncoming traffic. The system here in Lima is just get to where you are going by any means necessary. Ordinarily this would frighten me. I am used to having to obey traffic lines and signs, but here they don't care. Way to stick to the man Lima!! We don't care about no stinking lanes here.LOL.

On a final note I have been thrilled by what God has been teaching me. Don't get me wrong it's still very tough being here away from my friends and family. But God has reminded me this week that He has a perfect purpose for it and even when I don't understand, He does and is in control. I suggest reading the book of Habbakuk. It helped me this week tremendously. Well TTFN I'm off to shower, eat and relax. Love ya, Court

Thursday July 24

Today has been another day of rest for me as I have been suffering from stomach problems. The wonderful thing is though that I am allowed to spend more alone time with God. I was looking through the books left by the missionaries who live here usually but are home on furlow. It's a book called Valley of Vision and it is a collection of puritan prayers and devotions. I would highly recommend it as it has helped me find the right words at times when I am praying daily. I have even been inspired to begin my own book of person prayers (don't bet on it being published though). It's so tough sometimes when you have been called somewhere and then suddenly are stricken with aflictions. For me it's my stomach for others it's been migraines. Please pray for us as Satan is certainly waiting to attack. I know why I am hear and feel confident that God will use us all in an amazing way. I am learning what it will be like to be in a Christian international school and how I can serve those at the school, but I am also seeing how to show love to my roommates and recognizing their needs and not just focusing on my own. The joy of this that I can see Jessica my roommate doing the same. I praise God for her because she it the oppossite of me and is an inspiration to what I need to adjust in my life. I hope that I can repay her in return. I will sign off now with a prayer from Valley of vision:
O Lord of the oceans,
My little bark sails on a resless sea, Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely; Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course; Let not my faith be wrecked amid strorms and shoals; Bring me to harbour with flying penants, hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled. I ask great things, expect great things, shall receive great things. I venture on thee wholly, fully, my wind, sunshine, anchor, defence. The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless, but my helm is held steady, the Word secures safe passage, thy grace wafts me onward, my haven is guaranteed. This day will bring me nearer home, Grant me holy consistency in every transaction, my peace flowing as a running tide, my righteousness as every chasing wave. Help me live circumspectly, with skill to convert every care into prayer, Halo my path with gentleness and love, smoothe every asperity of temper; let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief; may I strive to bind up every wound, and pour oil on all troubled waters. May the world this day be happier and better because I live. Let my mast before me be the Saviour's cross, and every oncoming wave the fountain in his side. Help me, protect me in the moving sea unitl I reach the shore of unceasing praise.

A puritan prayer

Church

Today my roommate and I got up for church and left our house around 9:40 am. We were visiting a Spanish church with one of the Spanish teachers from the school. Church began at 10 and ended after 1pm. No Sunday school that was just the service. Oh and did I mention it was Baptist? So all you clock watchers out there just know that Church in other places is an all day commitment. It was a great service and I really understood a lot. I have even been invited to a house this Friday for a girls night. The only difficulty was my roommate Jessica has been plagued with migraines since she got here. If you could just lift her up in prayer that would be great. I think I will go with her to the clinic if it doesn't get better. Other than that things are going very well. We are trying to get ourselves in a routine though because we have been feeling like tourists and we need to start thinking about a more long term routine. Please continue to pray for all of us here serving the Lord. It is going to be amazing I know but I also know that the adjustment has only just begun. Oh and pray for my ministry with the cab drivers. I've been able to witness to a couple of them and they were very open to hearing me out. And no mom I was not in the cab by myself.LOL. Love you all and praying for you all to. Hasta luego!!

The first official day!!!

I arrived in Peru last night and with relatively little trouble. The flight was long but I got through immigration and customs just fine. After getting to my house around 2 in the morning I was able to sleep finally in a nice comfortable bed. Today I woke up and met our maid. She is the sweetest person I think I've ever met. The only issue is that she speaks spanish at lightning speed and it was a challenge to keep up, but we did ok and she told me my spanish was good.LOL. Anyways later in the day my roommate, a friend, and I went to the store to buy groceries and other items we needed for our houses. Figuring out the exchange rate was a trick but luckily I have a roommate who is very good in math. Yay for math teachers!!! Now I am home and about to crash out after I organize my clothes a bit. Thank you all for your prayers for my safe travel it was a smooth trip. Pray for me tomorrow because I am going to walk to the store by myself. The only way to gain independence is to do something by yourself and I live in a safe neighborhood so off I go to investigate my new world.