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| I told my kids there was a surprise and look what they saw!!! |
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| Most of the elementary excited to listen to the firemen! |
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| Look at all those buttons. |
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| Miss B (3rd grade) and Miss W (1st grade) got to dress up. |
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| Look at those awesome uniforms. |
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| Now profes, run to the fence and back. No big deal! |
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| Ok, now we're going to attach the hose and spray you all! |
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| More water, more water! |
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| Mrs. Trussell, I'm all wet! |
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| Woo hoo! We got soaked by the fire hose. |
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| That was so AWESOME! |
As most of you know, or housing situation upon arrival was not permanent. We had the apartment until the end of August, then we had to move. It was a little unsettling- fighting the desire to unpack and settle while knowing that it would have to packed and moved in less than a month. Regardless we persevered and have made our move “to the West Side”.
All teacher housing is within close proximity to one another in the northern part of Bogota. There is a main highway which splits the groups into two. Thankfully a foot bridge goes over the highway so socialization and catching the bus to school can happen without the hazard of dodging 8 lanes of rush hour traffic.
In our move, Ed and I switched sides. We went from the side closest to the morning bus (a 3 minute walk) to a 15 minute walk in the morning. We also went from the side with the tiny grocery store to the side with the shopping mall, movie theater, restaurants, and smaller shops as well. SO it has it’s perks.
I think our newest obsession after moving is the “meat stick man”. On a street corner about 1 block away a man sets up a BBQ and grills chirizo (sausage) on a stick and arepas (think really think corn tortillas filled with melted cheese) for only $1.25 for the both. This has become our new fast food treat!
We also like our new house. It’s small and we miss having lots of counter space, but we have new laminate floors and fresh paint. We have made it home (minus decorating… that’s still in process.) Check out some pictures!
(top left: bedroom, top right: spare room/workroom, middle left: dining room, middle right: living room+Ed, bottom: kitchen/laundry room)
Every Tuesday we have staff devotions as a way of strengthening our community. This morning something new struck me (which is always exciting when I’m half awake). The devotional was on seeking God’s heart, not just his hands.
Esther was the example given. When she went before the king, she didn’t just want to save her people, but wanted to know the king as well. She had his respect, and he listened to her. Several times before making her request she hosted banquets in his honor. Had she just gone to the king without establishing intimacy, she would have most likely been killed immediately.
How often do we skip the intimacy with God in order to get what we want from Him? We come to God with the list of problems “to lay before him” yet don’t stop to worship Him for who He is.
We were challenged this morning to go to the secret place and intimately know God. Leave our problems at the door, shut the windows to distractions and know our God. Matthew 6:6 says “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Don’t allow the outside world and the stresses be a distraction between you and God.
For a while now, I have been focusing on the descriptions of God. If I am honest with myself, however, it’s been more for the habit of reading something rather than a way of intimately knowing God more.
I remember learning a while ago about the practice of meditation as a way of knowing God more. I used to think that meditation was an Eastern philosophy of emptying the mind. However, it was pointed out to me that in the Bible meditation is mentioned several times- and not as an emptying of the mind rather a focusing on one specific attribute in worship.
Here’s my challenge: (for myself and anyone else who would like to join me). For the next 2 weeks I am going to intentionally meditate on the descriptions of God as way of learning more about Him and growing in my relationship with Him. I know it seems a little strange to post this for the world to see, especially after the point of being secret, but I do it as an accountability to myself.
Who knows what I will learn and how I will grow- but that is the beauty of it. I may or may not post some thoughts as I go through this process (posting seems to deplete the “secrecy” of it, however, I think through writing… so we shall see).
Also, if you want to join along the link above goes to a month-long reading plan through youversion. Enjoy and please let me know if you do!
I’ll be honest, this transition to Bogota has been harder than I thought it would be. I have been so excited to settle down and unpack my bags that I forgot how hard moving to a new place really is.
I think the first surprise was changing from a small school to a big school. This was a change we intentionally made, but it hard. I went from a staff of 7- all of whom relied on each other for survival to a staff of over 40 teachers and 30 support staff. It is a welcome change, but one to get used to. I still don’t know everybody’s names or what they do. Plus with a staff that big sub-groups form and the process of finding a “niche” is necessary.
I was also surprised to find it hard to know how to get around and what to do in our extra time. We live in the north end of Bogota and the school is there also. It takes time and navigational skills to venture out of our area- both of which we are slowly gaining- but not fast enough for my liking.
I think the most surprising was just how distracted I have been from my relationship with God. When in a new place “survival mode” kicks in, and I revert to my earthly instincts of trying to do it all myself. I forget that I am doing God’s work and need to let him in to work through me. I forget to prioritize the word and just bowing before him in prayer. It leaves me dry and frustrated.
Finally this week I have began to feel settled. I am starting to feel the routine of my days and have had a spark to re-ignite my relationship with God. I am making friends and finding fun ways to spend my free time. I just had to let myself adjust and slowly adapt to a new place.
Please continue to pray. Pray we continue to adjust. Pray we make genuine relationships with our community. And most of all pray that our relationships with God grows and thrives as our lives settle into this new ministry.
I will leave you with pictures of my students… aren’t they adorable!!!
For those that knew us in Bamako, you know just how important “laughing cow” cheese is to life. Not only is it inexpensive, but it can make a boring piece of bread just a bit more palatable. And if you are Becky you can work your baking magic to create the most amazing cheese ball.
Well, on our way back from the retreat (see below) we discovered the Colombian “laughing cow” factory! Sadly they do not sell processed cheese, rather a magical supply of fresh cheese, caramel, and all sorts of baked goodies! Win!
This past weekend Ed and I joined the teaching staff for a spiritual retreat in hot country. That means we went from Bogota fall to non-Bogota hot weather! I welcomed everything warm weather brings except the bug bites.
The topic for the weekend was integrity which is also the school theme for the year. I was excited to unpack this topic so that I can better communicate it to my students, especially since I was unclear of what it really means on a deeper level. I am sure a few more blog posts will appear as I process.
Outside of teaching times, we were able to explore the resort and enjoy the beauty of Colombia.
Around the resort was a trail of ancient ruins re-created.
There was a trail of folklore characters. Here is the “witch”.
We also found a zoo… with lots of birds, monkeys and turtles.
Sometimes us teachers are just a little strange!
This delightful creation we nicknamed “Colombia in a cup”. It has: shaved ice, strawberry syrup, pineapple, banana, mango, passion fruit, sweetened condensed milk, ice cream and a wafer. YUM!!!