Another week has passed

Saturday...I sure do love this day! I had a good week at school, but I am very glad it is the weekend. I am beginning to understand why it is so important for us to have a Sabbath. Last night, Friday, I left work and came straight home. I lounged around, ate dinner, and did some more lounging. This morning I woke up bright and early - both good and bad! I am thinking most of my Saturdays are going to be dedicated to lesson planning and my Sundays will be dedicated to going to church and enjoying my free day! This whole "grown up" thing of getting up early and going to work all day sure makes it difficult to sleep in on the weekends.

Since almost all my time is dedicated to school, I have not had an adventure this week...but I may be going to see some monkeys this afternoon! I made a goal to experience something new each week. So far I have met that goal!

John 15 has really rung true for me. Adjusting to a new life in a new country is exhausting, and then when a full time job is thrown on top of that...it seems impossible to do anything. One day last week I was so drained, tired, and exhausted (I understand those words are synonymous but it helps get the point across) I just about forgot to pay when getting off the bus, and when getting on the train I tripped and fell onto the escalator. It is a wonder I remember to eat! But through the power and grace of God, I have gotten through each day and I am smiling and my kids are smiling :)  I was talking to one mom and I told her, "I honestly do not know how someone who does not have a relationship with the Lord can do this." Christ is my source of strength. Without Him, it would not be a pretty picture. There are days when I want to snap at my students...and sometimes I actually do...but I quickly ask for strength or patience...and it is given! God has been so good. Not only blessing me with family here, but with a small group of women at school I pray with before school, parents who email me saying they are praying for me, students who bring me encouraging cards...the list goes on. I have SO much to be thankful for. God is alive and is graciously helping me through each and every moment.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:5

Enjoy the pictures - they are few but still give a glimpse into my life.

 This is how we mow lawn in Singapore! No such thing as John Deere...but we have the next best thing! The workers are dressed from head to toe (and please remember how hot and humid it is here!!) - some even wear helmets but I am not sure why? To mow, they use ONLY weed wackers. It is quite the sight :) But they sure do get the job done fast!

One of my student's summary and illustration of Moses. We have been going through the Old Testament and each week they summarize and illustrate our story. This is Moses and the Burning Bush - I am SO proud of all my students :) :) :)

A night on the river

Monday was yet another holiday - what better way to celebrate than go down to the river?!?? 

Here is a small taste of my adventure.

I think this is the first pick-up truck I have seen on the island. Please note the cute-cuddly sticker on the back. Don't see those on the trucks back on the farm!

An extremely fun looking bungee swing. I need to find someone to go with - any takers???

Beautiful rainbow shutters.

Check out the size of that ant!!

A tree that looked like it was growing a pineapple.

Not sure what this flower/plant is...but it is everywhere.

The famous hotel. Yes, that is a ship on the top.

Clark Quay.

Along the river. Cool photo if I do say so myself :)

7-Eleven. One on every corner.

Prayer request

Please be praying for my health. The end of last week I began having a scratchy throat. I felt fine, aside from my sleep depravity. Now the scratchy throat has moved into my chest and I sound like an "old smoker". Again, I feel normal I just sound horrible. Apparently it is common for people to have "walking pneumonia" over here. Hopefully with sleep, drinking lots of fluids, and your prayers I can dodge that bullet! I cannot afford to not be able to talk - I would be able to make do if the situation arose, but I prefer to avoid the situation. 

I know God is with me and giving me the strength to get through each day...each moment. 

Thank you again for all your prayers :)

First week of school...check!

I, along with my students, have survived the first week of school!! Praise God!! I have a class of seventeen students - five boys and twelve girls. In my class, there are over ten different countries represented - USA, South Africa, Holland, Sweden, Latvia, South Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and England! Such a great glimpse into the diversity God created.

Tuesday morning, the first day of school, brought a mix of emotions - excitement, nerves, exhaustion, and fear of the unknown. We had a few bumps but nothing that we couldn't handle - it was the first day after all. Figuring out where to go and what to do when you get there is what the first day of school is all about!

My students are leaps and bounds ahead of where I was expecting. On the third day of school, I was already teaching them fractions and they were completely with me! I am going to have to tailor my lesson plans quite a bit to fit these bright minds! I am grateful for a three-day weekend; due to a Muslim holiday we do not have school on Monday! Hurray :) My time will be spent resting and writing lesson plans!

God has blessed me more than I could ever have hoped for. Not only with my family here but also the wonderful community at ICS (my school). All the parents are so helpful and willing to help in whatever way I need. I am looking forward to getting to know the parents of the students in my class - one mom has already invited me out for breakfast! It is so evident God is alive and moving here. I can feel your prayers...10,000 miles away...THANK YOU!! God is so powerful!

Please continue praying for me and my students. My body is beginning to be effected by the stress and exhaustion of the past few weeks. My voice needs strength...as does the rest of me...especially my mind. Each day I come home physically and mentally drained. I never knew how tired one person can be. After an entire day of teaching, standing on my feet and talking, I am ready for bed!

I am looking forward to this next week to see what God has in store. My students and I have already had some good talks about God - we are striving to be a class that gives thanks.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support.

First day of school

Tomorrow is my first day of school! Please be praying for me. I have no idea what is going to happen but I am as prepared as I can be. The Lord is alive at ICS and we are excited to see what He is going to do this coming year.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." 

Philippians 4:13

Here, there, and everywhere

Enjoy some pictures!

 Went to Chinatown on National Day. There are tons of shops that sell Singapore memorabilia - great place to shop for Christmas presents!

 Look at all those people! Us Americans sure do stand out.

 Not only are there tons of shops, but it is cheap! Note how everything is $2 :)

 The top of a temple in Chinatown. The cow is a fake but the bird was real.

 It is free for tourists to go into the temple...the catch is tourists have to purchase a "ticket" in order to take pictures. I was outside so this picture is okay...I hope :)

Fun fact: A gecko's tale will fall off when you grab the gecko. 

Welcome to 2nd grade!

My very first classroom!!

"Information Station" where student mailboxes are and other important information. 

My area...no students allowed back there.

Here it is - it will look better once there are students sitting in the desks :)

Today was Open House. Students and their parents came to meet the teacher. It was good to meet some of my students. I have kids from all over the world - Singapore, India, USA, Australia, Holland. Geographically we are very diverse...gender wise, not so much. I have seventeen students; out of those seventeen, I only have four boys. Yikes!! I am excited and nervous for school to begin Tuesday. God is good and I KNOW He will give me the strength and time to get  all I need to done.

"Is this real life?!"

I am utterly exhausted...and the kids have not even arrived yet!

The past two weeks have been filled with meetings, meetings, and more meetings. I never knew how many meetings a person could attend in one day...I now know. Last week was new staff orientation - we newbies got a tour of the school and of the neighborhood, learned all the ins and outs of the school, and got time to work in our classrooms. It was extremely overwhelming the first few afternoons of working in my classroom - I had A LOT of cleaning to do. Thankfully my aunt and cousins, who I am living with, came and helped - I do not know what I would have done without them. In four short afternoons the classroom was transformed into Ms. Jorgenson's 2nd grade classroom. I will post pictures once I remember to take my camera to school :)

This past week has been all staff orientation. It has been great to meet and begin to get to know the returning staff. They all are so willing to help in whatever way I need - I am sure I will be taking them up on their offers! Again, the mornings have been filled with meetings and the afternoon is classroom work time. Saturday is Open House where the students and their parents come and meet the teacher. Tuesday is the first day of school. AHHHH!!!!! Prayers would be greatly appreciated. I still cannot believe I am a teacher. It doesn't feel like I am old enough to be doing this. Although I am been dreaming of being a teacher since kindergarten, it all seems sort of dream-like. But although it seems dream-like...I am enjoying every second!


Today is National Day - Thursday, August 9. National Day is Singapore's birthday/independence day. Everyone gets the day off. There is a parade - which is not actually a throw-candy-kind-of-parade but a stand-on-stage-and-showcase-a-cool-act sort of parade - and of course, there are fireworks. I am taking the day easy; going to see the movie Brave (it just came out in theaters over here) and work on some lesson plans.

Please keep me in your prayers. School is starting Tuesday and like I said, I am already exhausted. 

Oh...and I am trying to make a conscious effort to take pictures - will post them as I remember to take them :)