Peace

 

Saying good bye... hasta pronto

 

Climbing the Mountain

From an email I wrote to my sister and a close friend this morning...

This morning I was reading 'Three Cups of Tea' which I had begun a while ago but stopped reading because I was annoyed with some political biases (I think there was an anti-Bush, anti-war line in there, and criticism on how our country has dealt with terrorism... not that I think we're perfect...). I got over it and started reading the book and learned a couple of cool lessons. First, not everything is black and white. That is why we are given the Spirit, and the light of Christ, and the gift of discernment.

I read that one line and decided to judge the author, editor, anyone involved in the humanitarian project (which the book is about) as being radical tree hugging liberals who didn't respect our country or its leaders. As I read today I realized that even if someone has belief with which I do not agree, they can still do a lot of good and I can still learn from them. I am strong enough in what I feel is right not to be swayed in the beliefs I believe are incorrect, to be able to sift through that and learn the great things they have to teach and to contribute. I know we have to be careful with this because the adversary is real and cunning, but I can feel/discern when something is not worthwhile, and when I need to sift and find the treasures.

The second thing I learned was from the experience of a man whose sister died of a seizure. She had some kind of disease she had always struggled with, and finally died at a young age (23 I think). He had grown very close to her and had made her part of his life even though he was 12 years older, I think partly because he didn't know how long she would live. As a tribute to her he went to Pakistan to climb one of the most difficult mountains in the world (K2), and leave a necklace that had belonged to her at the top. There were complications and he did not make it to the summit. He said that for the first time he had discovered the limit of his physical strength. The title of the chapter was 'Failure'.

I thought about how in so many ways that experience was success, even and especially his failure to get to the summit of the mountain. First, he experienced what his sister had experienced her entire life- physical limits keeping her from doing things-good things, she wanted to do. That empathy was probably more valuable to both him and her than making it to the top of that mountain. Second, he was that much closer to figuring out that there is strength available for him, which he will need in this mortal journey. He was agnostic at this point, but knew there was something greater. I don't know what his beliefs are now, but I have a feeling that through other experiences he has realized that at times when he did not have the strength to accomplish something, there was a strength... not just a force, but a person who loves him, enabling him to accomplish that thing.

I realized in reading that chapter that some of our greatest successes in life, some of the greatest progress we make, come from our 'failures'. Those times when our strength isn't enough. And we sacrifice the the beautiful vistas we may have witnessed at the summit of the mountain for a glimpse of the eternal perspective of who we are becoming, how loved we are, and the treasures that await us. Sometimes at the moment of that sacrifice, sometimes years later, and sometimes I believe after this life we realize that the sacrifice was well worth it.

I love those moments when I realize that every moment of the difficulty was necessary and worth it, and that I wasn't alone.

Back to School!

Suggestion: Think of something you used to love to do when you were little. Maybe using your bike as your main form of transportation (mainly to get from one friend's house to the next), going to the Farmer's Market with Mom and eating a fresh piece of fruit on the drive home, having a picnic, taking your comforter off your bed and setting up on the couch on a Saturday morning to be part of whatever's going on in the living room, making a drawing or poem or painting for Mom or Dad, going to the beach then staying sandy and salty all day long, whatever it may be that was so fun when you were young. Try to recreate an element of that in your life.

I was recently reminded of how much I love going to school. I have loved studying and learning and taking tests (I know, weird) and everything that comes with it since I was little. My dad says that when he thinks of me he pictures me on my bed with my books spread out all over the place, pen in hand, concentrating on whatever assignment I was working on. That's what I remember about high school. Granted, I could have benefited from a little more social interaction, but I guess I made up for that at BYU.

Three weeks ago I finally began to tackle a goal I have had since before I started undergrad. I remember driving out to Utah to start my first semester at the BYU and telling my parents that I wanted to study abroad, serve a mission, finish undergrad, and go to grad school, but that I wasn't sure how I would have enough time to do all of that before I got married. I have learned just how possible that actually was (timing wise). Here I am, fulfilling the last of the list of goals I made when I was 18 years old. I feel extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to do all of these things and more, even though my greatest goal is to have a family. I am grateful that all of these experiences will help me become a better nurturer and teacher, in whatever capacity that the Lord would have me fulfill that role.

Breakthrough!

Despite my story-telling insecurities, I have recently made a breakthrough in my classroom. It might just be possible to have moments of greatness even if I still have many areas to work as a teacher.

Friday night I was at CVS (let's not jump to hasty conclusions about my exciting social life) and found an amazing foam parrot hat. I thought I could definitely find some use for it in my classroom (along with the foam bookmarks and foam frogs I know my 8th graders will be fighting over- I'm starting a foam fad fyi).

Yesterday, after a nice couple of relaxing teacher workdays, I was feeling renewed and rejuvenated and ready for a new start. I started classes as usual in Spanish but instead of picking up my 'Permiso para hablar ingles' sign (which I have to be holding in order to speak English) I dawned the dreaded parrot hat. The kids immediately looked at me like I had gone crazy (a look I'm getting more and more the longer I teach). And I told them that since it was too easy to just pick up the English sign, I would have to wear the hideous hat whenever I wanted to speak English. Their confused expressions turned to sheer amusement and stifled giggles, and miraculously the idea was golden. They were so eager to call me out that I didn't dare speak English, they were more focused and attentive throughout class, and it lightened the mood when I did have to put on the hat.

One break through at a time...
(picture ad provided for anyone considering investing in this surprisingly miraculous accessory- it will change your life, and yes I do look just about as rediculous as this girl)

On A Warmer Note...

No, I did not take this picture but... in a little less than two months I will replace this one with a few of the trip that Suz, Sarah, and I just booked to... Puerto Rico! This is strictly job related and for language and cultural development purposes only. Which is why I will be spending NO time on the beach, NO time hiking in the rainforest, NO time snorkeling, NO time visiting the bioiluminescent bay, and NO time bike riding around the island on a cruiser. I will probably spend the entire time studying my Spanish Phonetics Phonology class, and maybe visit the fort if I have time.

The Silver Lining

This morning,despite Fairfax County Public Schools' permission to stay in bed (and work President's Day instead of this lovely snow covered Wednesday)... my internal clock told me I was done sleeping at 5am. So rather than fight it I got up, got on the bike, and continued my recent favorite read 'Integrative Nutrition'. It's amazing how a good book can make a morning workout go by so quickly.

DCPS employees weren't so fortunate (although they will be enjoying President's Day however they wish while the rest of us FCPS folks try to find a way to pass time with the two or three kids whose families decided not to take a vacation). Since I was up, I decided to take Suz into DC to avoid public transportation in the snow.

As we were driving I suddenly felt so blessed to have had this morning (as nice as sleep is) to exercise, spend time with one of my favorite people, and see the beauty of a snow dusted morning in our nation's capitol. Everything was covered with a fresh layer of white powder. We saw the Memorial Bridge, the Potomac, the Capitol, the Washington Parkway, the National Cathedral... all from a new perspective as everything slowed down and the world just seemed more peaceful.