A Life Lost, Faith Renewed...

As many of you know there was a tragic misfortune in Yap this last week. Kirsten Wolcott was murdered on Thursday, November 19. She had gone on her usual morning jog and when she did come back at class time they sent people out searching for her. They found her deep in the jungle stabbed several times. Even now as I am writing it is hard to imagine that this has happened when it could have happened to any one of us SM’s here or in any other place. We are on the front battle lines for Christ and since God’s side is winning, Satan is upset and trying his best to throw any thing in our way to prevent us from serving God with our 100 percent best.

The SM group, here in Palau, found out Thursday afternoon and there was a room full of mixed emotions. I, for one, was crying and confused, asking God why He allowed this to happen. Yes, even part of me was upset at God for a little while, just asking why, why, why. But after the initial shock had warn away there was peace that settled over our group. Some of us reached for our Bibles to look for encouragement while others of us prayed and asked for God’s encouragement, help and peace. This whole situation, so far, has really brought our group together, not only to keep each other safe, but also in a renewed strength to press forward and share God’s gospel with the world.

In this kind of situation I think of the commonly used phrase, live today as though it was your last. When I heard Kirsten’s story is struck me that I had just witnessed a modern hero, here in the year 2009. I had talked with her briefly in Hawaii on our way here and even at SAU since we were both in the same choir group and had the same major. In my small amount of interaction with her I saw that she was not afraid to call sin by its right name and she was a true Christian who did not hide the fact that she was in love with Jesus. She truly lived each day as though it was her last and I am trying my best to live up to the same standard.
She was taken from this world because I believe God knew she was ready to go. He knew that since she was serving Him faithfully He could allow her to leave from this sin polluted world. What great mercy God has! As you read this please remember the Wolcott family in your prayers and also the SM’s on Yap since two of them have already gone home. This is a terrible world we live in, but Christ is coming soon. Let us all keep this faith burning in our hearts.

Just to comfort you all, I am doing fine and still loving it here in Palau. It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this Thursday especially since I haven’t felt cold except while taking a shower with cold water. My kids our still keeping me on my toes, but doing great and learning so much!! I still love them so much even on the though, pull-out-your-hair days.

I’ll be home in exactly 26 days and I couldn’t be happier. I’m looking forward to being cold a majority of the time, taking a nice warm shower and not having to cook the same boring this for myself over and over again.

I miss you all dearly and pray that God is blessing you. Remember to be thankful of His gifts this holiday!

Novermber.... No snow :(

It’s finally a beautiful, relaxing, Friday afternoon and I have a few minutes to catch you on what’s been going on lately. I know it’s been many weeks since I’ve written last, but I’ve finally discovered that the work of a teacher leaves little time for blogging.

I am finally adjusting to the life here that I have in Palau, including the increasing heat index. For the past few weeks it hasn’t rained a lot therefore leaving it very, very hot. My hair is constantly up in a pony tale of sorts and it’s a little annoying to be sitting in my classroom sweating for no reason at all. We are saving money on air con (the Palauan way of saying air conditioning) so only four out of seven hours are to have air con. There is some sort of breeze some of the time, but it just never seems to reach inside my classroom. They (past SM’s) say that you get used to the heat, but I’m thinking that I’m an exception to that. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the heat!

Well, on a more positive note, the one thing I am getting used to is the same thing every day. I wake up, have worship, get ready, go to staff worship, meet my kids, go to the classroom, then have the same nine subjects every day. It’s extremely repetitive, but I love it (teaching) so much that the repetition doesn’t seem so bad day after day.

My students bring me such joy every single day! They are always saying new things, coming up with new ideas and making me laugh over the simplest things. For example, Ilang just got a letter from her pen pal, Rhina. In the letter Rhina told her to give me a hug every day since Rhina isn’t here to do it. So for the past few days she comes up at random times during the day and gives me the sweetest hug. I know that a teacher isn’t supposed to have favorites, but Ilang is truly my favorite. Her heart is the size of Texas and she has love for everyone. She is always telling me how much she will miss me even though I’ll still be here for 6 ½ more months.

In the end, I have come to a realization. Half my heart will be left here in Palau at the end of May and the other half I left back home with my wonderful family and friends. I miss and love you all!!