Steps of Faith: Year Two

It has been awhile since my last post. I could blame it on the fact that I am busier, but that would be a bit of a lie. Anyone who says they are busy, but still has time for Facebook is not truly that busy at all. So, I have no excuses really. I think the main reason is, our lives are getting to be pretty normal. Everything was so new last year, we could post about all the new things we were doing. This time around, it all looks a little familiar and, I guess, not as noteworthy.

We have finished Term 1 and have been in school for 2 1/2 months. I was able to start my job as an ESL teacher and have enjoyed being in the classroom again. It can be complicated teaching Gr. 2 to 6 all the same content while changing it to fit each child's English abilities as well as age level ability. Let's just say, no one envies my position. However, they do envy the fact that I am part time. I love showing up at pick up time with my regular clothes on while all my colleagues are stuck wearing their uniforms for just a bit longer. I love the fact that I can still be home for the majority of the time with my kids, and they love it too.

Our second year is easier in so many ways, but not without some of the same difficulties that we faced last year. It is easier in the sense that we "think" we know what we are doing. It felt so good to be able to talk to the "newbies" about our experiences and teach them things so that they wouldn't make the same mistakes. We felt confident about knowing where we live, knowing what we can and can't do, and knowing the people in the community. The kids adjusted easier to the school and their new teachers, and Paul felt more confident in starting his second year as a teacher.

But, as I said, there are still the difficulties of feeling truly settled in a place. We continuously miss our families and our friends, the ones who know us...really know us. We miss the comfort of being completely ourselves, our stupid selves, and knowing they love us despite our shortcomings, of which we have a lot. I miss the hugs of those people or sitting across the table with them for a coffee or a glass of wine. I am so thankful for a community that fills that void in the best way they can. Without knowing it, there are so many of them that have encouraged us and blessed us as we learn to live away from our loved ones.

There are difficulties, yes, but a lot of the same things we would be dealing with wherever we lived. Kids struggle in school with school work and friends, and we struggle in our daily lives, but it is not unique to Indonesia. People struggle wherever they are at in life; living here does not change any of those things.

Every day we are thankful for a wonderful Christian education for our kids, excellent job opportunities for both of us, the experience to live in this country, and for people, both near and far, who encourage us as we continue to take our steps of faith.

Here are some pictures of some of the special things we have been involved in since my last post!!