Count down:
Days: 55
Dollars: $550
Those numbers worked out nicely. That was not intentional on my part, but it is pretty cool to me. We had an anonymous donor take care of the fees for all of our visas. What a blessing! Mr./Mrs. Anonymous donor, we sincerely thank you for your generosity!
Preparation updates:
I completed watching the video for Fairness and I get to do an interesting activity with the students. I get to start off seemingly arbitrarily handing out pieces of candy to students while leaving others out. Then we get to talk about how that made them feel and why it is important to treat people fairly. I am trying to decide how I should go about doing this. Should I have one of my co-teachers pass out the candy, one of the students? Thoughts, suggestions?
Does anyone have any recent pop-culture references that would be good examples of Respect or Fairness?
Over tax free weekend I purchased a new pair of athletic shoes and I made sure I got a pair that are mostly gray. Apparently white athletic shoes are a dead giveaway that you are American. Not that I have any hope of hiding that! I also got a rain coat (that fits) to be able to layer with a sweater, if necessary. I have travel adapters for the power outlets. I am debating on purchasing a backpack that has built in security features to keep out wandering hands. I am sure this is a little overboard, but we travel quite a bit and it would get good use.
If it is not already obvious, I have never traveled out of the United States. Any advice for newbie international travel?
Until next time...
Paka
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Russia Update
On July 15th I send the following letter out via email:
"Dear Friends and Family,
Twice a year members of our church travel to Volgograd, Russia to teach the Character for Kids program at Volgograd Pedagogical University. The Universal Values taught are Honesty, Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Courage, Caring, Fairness and Hope. The students are typically studying to become teachers and the goal is to model to them how to teach the values to their students. There is also an advanced class that the students can take on Conflict Resolution.
A key part of this journey involves our church supporting a church in Volgograd. While we are there, we meet and study with the members, share meals, and fellowship together. We will also spend time outside of the University fellowshipping with the students.
I've felt God's nudging for years to be a part of this program. Ryan and I have prayed about this, God has been faithful with the timing of my job and our family, and in October of this year I will travel with 5 other members of our congregation to Volgograd!
I have two requests of you as I prepare for this journey. First, and most importantly, I ask for your prayers. Please pray for our team as we prepare for this journey, that God will keep us safe, that He will open our hearts and eyes to where He is leading us and where we need to spend our time. I believe there is power in being prayed for by name, so the group going is Rick Ellis, John Cooke, Mike Odle,David Gleason, Rachael Wise and Julie Pagenkopf.
The second request is more difficult for me, but I believe that God calls us to ask each other for help when needed. I ask that you prayerfully consider joining me financially on my journey. The cost of the trip is around $2,500 to $3,000. No gift is too small, and all gifts are sincerely appreciated. Any funds raised beyond that will either be used to assist other members of the team pay for their portion of the trip (if needed), or to provide additional assistance to the church in Volgograd. Please send contributions directly to our church with “Julie Pagenkopf –Russia” in the memo line. Please also label the envelope with that information to help distinguish it. The address is Riverside Church of Christ, 150 E. Beltline Rd Coppell, TX 75019.
Also, there is a post on March 17th about the decision to start this journey.
I thank you for your prayers, love and support as I make this journey. I know God has big things planned for me in this ministry.
Love and Blessings,
Julie Pagenkopf"
Financial Updates:
Thanks to some very generous gifts, I only have about $900 remaining to raise. God continues to be faithful even when I have doubts.
Preparation Updates:
Our team meets regularly to get together and spend time getting to know one another and prepare for our journey. I started really reading through the materials and trainer's guide two weeks ago to begin to prepare my portions of the classes. I get to teach Respect and Fairness and I get to assign the homework the first night.
The homework is really easy, (and not so much) we ask the students to write down what they believe. Ex. I believe in love at first sight, I believe in God, I believe in aliens, I believe peace is possible etc. The one thing I am struggling with in presenting this assignment is what examples to put up on the presentation. I could go with the ones that are already there, or I can put up some new ones. One of the current examples is the peace answer. I was given the opportunity to read some previous years papers and that answer was given an awful lot. So I am wondering did they put it down because they really believe it or because it was a good example. My goal is to spur them to introspective thought, but not end up with cookie cutter answers. Any thoughts on possible examples? Maybe I am just over thinking it.
I am still delving into Respect and Fairness. Luckily a couple of the guys hired someone to record all of the classes, and so far I have watched the one on Respect and have some notes. More to come on that another day.
I hope to provide more frequent updates as we get closer to our travel date.
A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who are Making this Possible for me by providing support in EVERY way.
"Dear Friends and Family,
Twice a year members of our church travel to Volgograd, Russia to teach the Character for Kids program at Volgograd Pedagogical University. The Universal Values taught are Honesty, Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Courage, Caring, Fairness and Hope. The students are typically studying to become teachers and the goal is to model to them how to teach the values to their students. There is also an advanced class that the students can take on Conflict Resolution.
A key part of this journey involves our church supporting a church in Volgograd. While we are there, we meet and study with the members, share meals, and fellowship together. We will also spend time outside of the University fellowshipping with the students.
I've felt God's nudging for years to be a part of this program. Ryan and I have prayed about this, God has been faithful with the timing of my job and our family, and in October of this year I will travel with 5 other members of our congregation to Volgograd!
I have two requests of you as I prepare for this journey. First, and most importantly, I ask for your prayers. Please pray for our team as we prepare for this journey, that God will keep us safe, that He will open our hearts and eyes to where He is leading us and where we need to spend our time. I believe there is power in being prayed for by name, so the group going is Rick Ellis, John Cooke, Mike Odle,David Gleason, Rachael Wise and Julie Pagenkopf.
The second request is more difficult for me, but I believe that God calls us to ask each other for help when needed. I ask that you prayerfully consider joining me financially on my journey. The cost of the trip is around $2,500 to $3,000. No gift is too small, and all gifts are sincerely appreciated. Any funds raised beyond that will either be used to assist other members of the team pay for their portion of the trip (if needed), or to provide additional assistance to the church in Volgograd. Please send contributions directly to our church with “Julie Pagenkopf –Russia” in the memo line. Please also label the envelope with that information to help distinguish it. The address is Riverside Church of Christ, 150 E. Beltline Rd Coppell, TX 75019.
Also, there is a post on March 17th about the decision to start this journey.
I thank you for your prayers, love and support as I make this journey. I know God has big things planned for me in this ministry.
Love and Blessings,
Julie Pagenkopf"
Financial Updates:
Thanks to some very generous gifts, I only have about $900 remaining to raise. God continues to be faithful even when I have doubts.
Preparation Updates:
Our team meets regularly to get together and spend time getting to know one another and prepare for our journey. I started really reading through the materials and trainer's guide two weeks ago to begin to prepare my portions of the classes. I get to teach Respect and Fairness and I get to assign the homework the first night.
The homework is really easy, (and not so much) we ask the students to write down what they believe. Ex. I believe in love at first sight, I believe in God, I believe in aliens, I believe peace is possible etc. The one thing I am struggling with in presenting this assignment is what examples to put up on the presentation. I could go with the ones that are already there, or I can put up some new ones. One of the current examples is the peace answer. I was given the opportunity to read some previous years papers and that answer was given an awful lot. So I am wondering did they put it down because they really believe it or because it was a good example. My goal is to spur them to introspective thought, but not end up with cookie cutter answers. Any thoughts on possible examples? Maybe I am just over thinking it.
I am still delving into Respect and Fairness. Luckily a couple of the guys hired someone to record all of the classes, and so far I have watched the one on Respect and have some notes. More to come on that another day.
I hope to provide more frequent updates as we get closer to our travel date.
A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who are Making this Possible for me by providing support in EVERY way.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
In Memory - Year 2
Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the day a dear friend got to meet Jesus with his sweet daughter. You can read my post from the 1st anniversary here. Everything I said from last year still holds true. I still miss Phil and Raychel a LOT. Life will never again be the same, and that's ok. This year I choose to focus on the fact that they are with Jesus, and that's where I want to be. I am not sad for them; I am still sad for us. I look forward to the day that I FINALLY get to meet Jesus and he will say "Well done, come on in!" And part of me hopes Phil will be waiting there to greet me and say, "Well done, nah, she did ok, but let her in anyway." And we will hug (and I would say, and I would cry, but there are no tears in heaven, so I will get all the crying done now) and it will be as if no time has passed. He will show me around and sign me up for Praise Team.
Today is also the 2nd birthday of a SWEET BOY! Happy Birthday Big Boy! You are a beautiful light and a wonderful gift! You have Godly parents, family and friends and I look forward to continuing to watching you grow!
From Romans 8
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Thanks for stopping by. Please keep Debby, Zachary and the rest of the family in your prayers today.
Today is also the 2nd birthday of a SWEET BOY! Happy Birthday Big Boy! You are a beautiful light and a wonderful gift! You have Godly parents, family and friends and I look forward to continuing to watching you grow!
From Romans 8
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Thanks for stopping by. Please keep Debby, Zachary and the rest of the family in your prayers today.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wonderful Wednesday
I decided that "Weigh-in-Wednesday" was too weighty of a title.
I lost another 1.6, for a total of 38.2, but if anyone asks I say "40 pounds."
Short post for today.
Final thought:
"Being FAT is hard, Being SKINNY is hard, choose your hard."
I lost another 1.6, for a total of 38.2, but if anyone asks I say "40 pounds."
Short post for today.
Final thought:
"Being FAT is hard, Being SKINNY is hard, choose your hard."
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Water Day - Please read TODAY!
My sweet friend, Kelly made me aware of a great project for World Water Day.
Today and today only they have a matching contribution up to $25,000.
My goal is to raise $550 dollars today for this project. Clean drinking water changes lives for people in more ways than we can imagine. This amount will train one mechanic to care for 50 wells, keeping clean water pumping for 5,000 people!!! Together we could help 5,000 people with only $550 dollars!
http://www.tapwater.causevox.com/jmpagenkopf
I ask you to prayerfully consider any amount that you can give to this project, and or re-posting on Facebook to make even more people aware of this project. Thank you!
Today and today only they have a matching contribution up to $25,000.
My goal is to raise $550 dollars today for this project. Clean drinking water changes lives for people in more ways than we can imagine. This amount will train one mechanic to care for 50 wells, keeping clean water pumping for 5,000 people!!! Together we could help 5,000 people with only $550 dollars!
http://www.tapwater.causevox.com/jmpagenkopf
I ask you to prayerfully consider any amount that you can give to this project, and or re-posting on Facebook to make even more people aware of this project. Thank you!
Weigh-In Wednesday
I didn't make it to Weight Watchers on Tuesday, but when I logged on to my computer today Ruthanne over at Eclectic Whatnot reminded me that yesterday was Weigh-In Wednesday.
I went into our bathroom and did my weigh in. Just like I would at Weight Watchers, with my work clothes on. Granted, it was two days late, but I knew it would keep me on track either way.
The number for today is..... 190.5. WOW!
I have to admit I did not track (bad) or do anything especially different this past week. But no matter what I attend my Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes that burn some major calories and earn me some major points!
That brings my total loss to 38 pounds! I am so grateful that I have this body and that it is working for me. I hope that I can remember that when I put food into it.
Question: Have any of you done a cleanse diet? Which one did you do? What did you think of it? Did you talk to your doctor first?
Happy Thursday!
Visuals are good for me to remember how far I've come, so here's another comparison shot with my sweet friends. You can also see how big our kiddos have gotten.
I went into our bathroom and did my weigh in. Just like I would at Weight Watchers, with my work clothes on. Granted, it was two days late, but I knew it would keep me on track either way.
The number for today is..... 190.5. WOW!
I have to admit I did not track (bad) or do anything especially different this past week. But no matter what I attend my Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes that burn some major calories and earn me some major points!
That brings my total loss to 38 pounds! I am so grateful that I have this body and that it is working for me. I hope that I can remember that when I put food into it.
Question: Have any of you done a cleanse diet? Which one did you do? What did you think of it? Did you talk to your doctor first?
Happy Thursday!
Visuals are good for me to remember how far I've come, so here's another comparison shot with my sweet friends. You can also see how big our kiddos have gotten.
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| January 2012 |
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| April 2011 |
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Big Decision
Several months ago my hubby and I made a big decision. We decided that I would go to Russia with our church. We have attended Riverside for seven years, and for seven years this is something that I have felt God calling me to do. Thank goodness God is patient. Until recently I have not had enough time off to make the trip. They are gone for 16 days, that's right, 16 days, with about 3 of those days being travel. We will then teach Character Education classes at Volgograd Pedagogical University for two weeks. (more to come on that in another post) We will spend the weekend with our students and with members of the church that we support there.
This past week I hit a milestone in my preparation for our Fall trip. I received my passport in the mail! This is my first passport EVER. My first international trip is going to be to Volgograd, Russia. It is very intimidating, exciting, and strangely fine all at the same time.
I have talked with several people that have gone in years past and the one thing that stands out to me the most is their unconditional love for the people. It reminds me of Jesus, and that is the underlying thread of why I press on. Another reason is I have a degree in Secondary Education that I am not using. Was that God's plan all along? I don't know, but I do know that in ALL THINGS GOD WORKS! He walks along side us and makes the most out of every decision that we make; what an example of love and grace.
My plan is to post updates as I walk this journey. The Spring team leaves for Russia in a few short weeks, and I know they eagerly anticipate their upcoming trip.
Thank you for walking alongside me and this Big Decision.
This past week I hit a milestone in my preparation for our Fall trip. I received my passport in the mail! This is my first passport EVER. My first international trip is going to be to Volgograd, Russia. It is very intimidating, exciting, and strangely fine all at the same time.
I have talked with several people that have gone in years past and the one thing that stands out to me the most is their unconditional love for the people. It reminds me of Jesus, and that is the underlying thread of why I press on. Another reason is I have a degree in Secondary Education that I am not using. Was that God's plan all along? I don't know, but I do know that in ALL THINGS GOD WORKS! He walks along side us and makes the most out of every decision that we make; what an example of love and grace.
My plan is to post updates as I walk this journey. The Spring team leaves for Russia in a few short weeks, and I know they eagerly anticipate their upcoming trip.
Thank you for walking alongside me and this Big Decision.
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