Service Week and a Side of Turkey

Waiting for thanksgiving meal

It has been one of those weeks, a week full of exhaustion and excitement. As a school, kindy-twelve, we had the opportunity to do different acts of service. As a first grade team we looked at where are students were at and wanted to get across the point of serving others even when we get no benefit. The activities involved making peanut butter cookies, washing canteen tables, writing notes of thanks, and more. It was fun to be an example with the students of what it looks like to be serving others. We also had the opportunity to talk about the fact that Christ is the best example of a servant and how we should follow His example.

part of my 72 step walk to work

 The following is another example of God's timing. Within the last two weeks God has given me a passion for the security and cleaners that we have, and has given me more of a desire to build relationships with them and to acknowledge that they are more than just wall decorations (hopefully that imagery makes sense). Anyway it has become so easy to look past them, but then every interaction that I have with them sets an example for my students, and is this example of one that shows Christ love. Not really. But God's timing is so great, two incidences come to mind. One was from last week when I had problems with my Indo bank card so I stood for 15 minutes in our lobby waiting for a ride to the bank. While waiting I had the opportunity to talk with one of the security guards and found out he speaks good English. Then yesterday I had to go downstairs and check out because our machine on our floor was out. After checking out the same security guard was there so I got to talk to him and hear about his life. The second God timing was tonight. I had gotten back from eating dinner around midnight and he asked how I was, I saw an open chair and went and just had an hour long conversation with him. It is just exciting to feel God's love for these people.

Hand Turkeys were a hit

Not only I have I learned to love like Christ, but these two men were examples of being thankful and pointing to the areas I can be more grateful. The security jobs don’t pay much but everyday these guys are their serving with a smile. These guys live far from home and one travels 3 hours round trip to be able to provide for his family. I only have 72 steps to get to my job. The other man gets to see his family once a year and only gets to talk with them on the phone. I have Google hangouts to consistently be in touch with those I am not around. Thanks be to God!

Indo thanksgivng

On the note of Thanksgiving, I will just tell a little of my first one away from family. Thursday during service week some of the parents put together a lunch of turkey, ham, stuffing, sushi, orange chicken, noodles, rice, and vegetables. This was a fun time of sharing with my students some traditional foods and some not so traditional foods. Later that night, a few teachers went out to a dinner. Then Sunday a group from church got together and celebrated one last time.

School Thanksgivng

Last thing before I go, if you have not heard I am getting to travel for Christmas. No I am not going to be home, but I do get to go visit my sister, Jennessa, in Germany. I am pretty excited to get to see what it has been like for her the last 14 years celebrating there, while creating fun memories with her.

Prayer:
Building of relationships

Traveling
Focus
Things I miss from home:

Mailboxes

Things I have cooked:
Sugar cookies
Apple Crisp

As always thank you for praying and excusing the grammar.

Went to a German Christmas Market to prepare for cold German Christmas