Hello Family and Friends,

I apologize that I have not posted anything for a while. It has been very busy with teaching and tutoring. I have classes everyday but Friday and tutorees in between each of those classes. It has been really an experience trying to teach people a language when I cannot speak theirs. But it is very possible. You may not think that it is a mission field(because at first I was skeptical), but let me tell you that it is amazing the possibilities here. Especially with tutoring. I have so many kids tell me their problems and about everyday life. The topics that are "accidentally" covered is also amazing. Christianity is sometimes mentioned and it is very exciting. Also it comes up that you can speak your own believes, its a blessing! My roommate had someone tell her that she didn't believe in love or marriage because she never has kept a boyfriend very long. She says she gets bored with them. She then concluded by telling Julia that she knew something was missing and that the young men were not fulfilling that need. WOW!! RIGHT?? You need Christ!!! -what Julia wanted to yell but knew it was not the time. Julia and I are praying earnestly for these students that they will open themselves up for learning of Christ. The young people here are very secular and many have told me that they are atheist. Young people making decisions that they don't believe in love or in God. 15 year olds actually. Very awing. I also have a young man that is very interested in the world and politics. It came up about all the crazy things that are happening in the world and that there is a possibility of a world war. During this conversation I was able to say that I was a Christian and that I believed that there is good and bad in this world and that no matter what happens, I know that I will be safe. :) It is really amazing. I really love these people who I teach and I am going to have a blast this year.
Also a new SM came on Thursday. Chase Olsen is his name and he is from Wala Wala University. He kinda had a hard time with the time change but I think he is okay now. Please pray for him as he literally dives into teaching. Julia and I had more time to prepare and get accustomed to everything. Also I have a big praise that there was an extra guitar lying around that I will be able to use! There is someone possibly interested in me showing them how to get started and also a young girl at the church is interested in piano lessons. :D
The church here is so great too. God has put me in a wonderful church family. They are especially wonderful because they have put up with my piano playing every Sabbath. ;) They even tried my vegan dish the other Sabbath so thats good. hah. The food is sooo good here that I might roll home instead of fly! But that is okay. I actually doubt that that will happen because Julia and I walk about 4 miles a day going back in forth from different locations to tutor and teach. That does't include going to the market or to the Bureau to see our boss. My boss by the way is Tom. He is a really nice guy with a really nice wife and a really cute little girl! She is the one who found my mushroom. He has just become a vegan and has inspired Julia and I to also try with him. It has gone well! Cooking is a little harder but we made some pretty good naleszniki (almost like crepes) without eggs or milk. They were awesome actually! Tom, Julia, and I are going to do some vegan experiments next Sunday in his kitchen so we will see how that goes!! Hopefully nothing will blow up! I have also found that it is very strange to be vegan here because eating cheese and milk is part of their culture. But I really feel better not eating cheese! hah sorry I feel like I am rambling on. :)
But this year is going to be really great. There are some days I come back from teaching, ready to collapse from exhaustion. Sometimes I feel discouraged because my class of 11 year olds seem to not respect me and I don't know what to do with them. But you know, the next day I feel so refreshed and ready that I know it is God-given. He has been there every step of the way and I know that He will continue to be. These past 4 weeks have been a growing up experience in itself. The experiences, the trials, the struggling, and maybe a couple tears. :) But it has been great. Those hard times have been a great minority and the good times a majority. I love these people to death and I know that when I come back I will think of them often. I think of you all often also. May God richly bless you as He takes you all on a journey or your lives. I pray that you will also ask God to give you trials so that you can "praise Him in the storm" and become anew and ready for a new day! This always used to sound so strange to me but now it doesn't. The trials brings on new things, you change, grow, and become reborn. God is good.
I am sorry you cannot post on my blog. Hopefully I can change that. I am working on it! I miss you all and may God richly bless you. :)