Bible Study

Tonight I am writing a bit later than I normally do. I just got home from a bible study and Leila, they all remind me of you and Ryan's community group from Mars Hill. They are all young couples that are just starting families and that sort of thing. I really enjoyed going and getting a chance to meet some locals. It wasn't really what I expected because the pastor of the church came and he normally isn't there. He was there to check in with them to see how everything is going and to get their feedback on some changes he wants to make within the church and see if they have any suggestions or changes they would like to see happen. I think I will go back again because they are studying the book of Jeremiah and I think that would be interesting for me to learn more about because I do know one verse off the top of my head, 29:11 and I live by that daily because being here has been a struggle at times for me to want to figure out exactly why I am here and all of that. Jannah picked me up from Tracy's and she is such a sweet girl. She just got married about 5 months ago to a guy named Troy and she is a year 3 teacher. We had lots to talk about on the car ride there and back seeing as I am a year 3 student teacher. I told her that I was getting observed tomorrow by my university supervisor here and before I got out of the car she prayed for me that everything will go smoothly tomorrow with my observation. I just think it is a wonderful thing that I have just met this girl on Sunday for a very brief time and now she is picking me up to go to bible study and praying with me as I get out of the car. God has been teaching me so much since I have been here but I am constantly reminded of these two things: Love God. Love People. I think that is all that he asks of us because then everything else will fall into place. Time is such a valued thing in every one's life and when we invest time in others it can make a world of difference. Jannah barely knows anything about me and yet she was so willing to give up a little of her time and it made me feel so welcome and comfortable. I want to be able to share that with people that I meet here and when I come home. I am so thankful that I have been able to have this opportunity and make these memories. I have had a countdown since I got here and at first I felt guilty about it because it felt like I was trying to focus on the end point rather than enjoy the journey, but I talked to my good friend, Madison and she helped me to see that I can look at it as I only have this many days left to share God with other people, or I only have this many days left to see as much of the city as I can. She helped me to see that I need to look at it more as a time frame to get everything checked off and try to fit as much stuff as I can into those 50 something days left.

Today was a lot better than yesterday! I was able to teach for pretty much the whole day except a little at the end. The kids are still funny as ever and today I was teaching a health lesson and they had a "Healthy Eating" worksheet that they had to fill out. One of the questions said what types of food should you eat the least amount of? And Jakob's answer was "lollies and shoklat" Lauren, it reminded me of the little girl you used to babysit, Ava, that would say "Wa-ren, can I have some shoc-wat milk?" haha or however she said it. Too funny! I think there was other funny stuff that happened but I was so busy I forgot to write it down! Anyway, it is about 10 to 11 and I need to get to bed. I am getting observed tomorrow so please keep me in your prayers. Much love to everyone!

Hebrews 12:1-2