Friday, August 19, 2011

My Class

  
My Wonderful Class

I have realized that somehow I always seem to end up with quite a few more boys in my class than girls.  I guess there is less drama that way. :)


My wonderful class enjoying my Friday afternoon tradition...Fun Friday.  I think the Oreos with milk was a big hit!


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Monsoons

I took these photos on the way home from school today.  This street is perpendicular to mine.

Monsoon season is here!  I now see why my brother was so concerned that I wasn't very high above sea level. 

Monday, August 15, 2011

First Days of School

 Classroom is ready...

I'm ready...

I know many people all over the world were thinking of me and praying for me this past week as I began teaching.  Thank you so much!  Your prayers were answered.  I was a bit nervous on Monday morning, but it was just the usual first day jitters. :)  My first day went very smoothly.  I have a class of just 11 students!  I am thankful my class is small at the moment because their English levels vary quite a bit.  I definitely have my work cut out for me as far as trying to meet their individual needs.  That part will be the most challenging part to me.  I thought many of you would get a kick out of a question I was asked by one of my students at the end of the first day.  "Miss Verdi why do you talk like a cowboy?"  I guess he picked up on my southern accent!  LOL  I'm also guessing that the only time he has heard a southern accent is from watching movies...maybe Toy Story?  I don't know.  There may be 9 Khmer and 2 Korean students with a southern accent by the end of this school year. :)

I would have to say the highlight of my week was being able to freely talk about God in my classroom.  I must say it was quite unusual starting each day with a Bible story and later in the week having a student remind me that we needed to pray before going to lunch.  I definitely enjoyed being able to share Jesus with them and know that that will continue to be a highlight of each day for me.

So I have survived the first week.  It was very busy as I basically was just planning one day at a time which for those of you who know me well know that is difficult for me.  I am not a fly by the seat of my pants kind of person.  I like to plan in advance.  However, I feel that God is teaching me to really put my full trust in Him each day knowing that He is going to take care of me and will give me the wisdom that I need for the present day.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Stepping Out of the Boat

Yesterday someone who works for Asian Hope shared a devotional with us on Matthew 14:22-33.  He told us (all the new teachers) that we had stepped out of the boat.  It was somewhat like a "light bulb" moment for me.  I have realized that I have definitely stepped out of the boat and am trying to stand up on the waves knowing I am in very unfamiliar territory.  I can identify with Peter who was afraid when he saw the wind.  My wind right now...adapting to life in a third world country...being thousands of miles from home...getting ready to start my sixth year of teaching to students whose first language isn't English...okay to me that is a lot of wind! :)  I don't want to focus on the wind though.  The main main point I took from the devotional was this..."Don't focus on what or where God has called you instead focus on Who has called you."  I hope I always keep that thought in my heart and mind.  It is not about the place or the task...it is all about Him who brought me here to teach.  

 The wonderful teachers and teacher's assistants who I am working with at AHIS.  I love how many countries are represented by the staff...Philippines, Cambodia, New Zealand, India, Canada, South Africa, and the U.S.

 My sweet roommates - Merla and Jessica