I really do have more Russia stories to tell. I won't give you another list of excuses because who really cares about why? I don't even really want to hear it. So, I thought today I could tell you more of my story and how this trip has changed me.
I fell in love with Russia. I am sitting here trying to think of another way to phrase it because that sounds weird to me, but that is really how I feel. I was nervous at first and although I felt like in my head I knew what to expect, I did not know how I would feel about everything. I had butterfly moments and I had moments of pure joy.
I was REALLY nervous about teaching. Which STILL seems strange to me. I do have a degree in Secondary Education. I was trained to teach - 8 years ago - with little to no practical experience in the classroom in the last 7 years. Unless you count teaching in the nursery at church, which I don't. Anyway, the nerves got better the more I was in front of the classroom and by the second week I actually felt competent. Yes, there are always things that happen that I wished would have gone differently, but overall, big picture, I really felt like I accomplished what I set out to do.
I was also (although I didn't realize it at the time) nervous about meeting the teams Russian friends. The people that have been in their lives for YEARS, and now I was the new girl (one of the new girls). Not only was I new, but I was youngish (most, if not all are younger than me) and female and I had NO idea how they would react to me. And let's face it, I am one of THOSE people that wants everybody to like her. I always worry that I am more "in love" with someone than they are with me. THAT was totally silly. I think by day 4 or 5 Rachael and I had "girls nights" set up on two different nights!
 |
| Girl's night Photo by Rachael Wise - www.rachaelwisephotography.com |
In the beginning we were almost always attached at the hip. I am sure it was because we were both newbies and together we were able to remember almost everything (like directions). We eventually got our bearings, but still spent a lot of time together because we became so close.
 |
| My Sweet Roomie Photo by Rachael Wise - www.rachaelwisephotography.com |
I also completely fell in love with the students that we interacted with, but I will tell you more about that in a separate post.
There were so many people that welcomed us into our lives unconditionally with completely open arms and that was a HUGE blessing. One day I hope to tell you more about those people.
Until then...
One of my favorite Bible passage about love:
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 comment:
Fun post to read! Kelly
Post a Comment