Mid-Year Reflection Through Video

This year has been so amazing so far and I feel so fortunate to be in such a wonderful place. I have never met such an amazing group of people and I feel greatly blessed that He has called me here to be with these people.




I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! I hope it was a time shared with family and friends! G0d bless!

In other news:
I am still $3238 away. If you would like to contribute please go to teachoverseas.org and click "contribute" on the left hand side. There you can donate online, where you type in my name and amount to donate or you can send a check to the following address. To send a check write my name on a separate sheet of paper along with my account number #209133. Thank you!

Christmas Time is Here

One week ago, two weeks from Christmas, I asked my roommates if they would want to throw a Christmas party for our students and friends. Even on such late notice, they agreed! The next week I was busy informing all of my students...over 90 in all...about our party, because the girls do not teach adults, they informed their friends. I figured I would tell all of my students because 1) I didn't want to leave anyone out and 2)not everyone would be able to come right? Well, to our surprise, over 60 students and friends joined us out our house to celebrate the Christmas season.

Prepping for the party and practicing the games

Our party started at 6 but because we were thinking Vietnamese time...we assumed people would start showing up at 7. I think people were too excited about the party because instead of coming late....people started showing up a half hour early!

For more than a half hour, floods of people came through our door, motorbikes packed in our small alley and shoes were in a jumble outside our door. I regret now that I did not take a picture of the chaos outside but what can I do now? Once people were finally settled inside, we tried every effort to get them to start eating. Apparently, the way we had it set up (at a table) was awkward for their culture, so we ended up moving the food into the center of the room where is was quickly devoured. And let me just say that we had asked everyone to bring some food and man did they bring food....our counter was loaded with more food than we could have imagined. We had no idea what we were going to do with all of it but by the end of the night, all but one bag of fruit and a cake was gone!

The party only lasted two hours but those two hours seemed to last forever...which was fine because we were having fun. During the night we played three games, which didn't get everyone involved but made everyone laugh. The first game we played was "Pin the Nose on Rudolph". There was a little cheating involved but because they seemed to have never seen this game, we let it slide. The other students had a fun time watching people spin around and try to stick the nose in the right place. Everyone would cheer and clap when a nose was placed. Our next game was pass the ornament which involved straws and paper ornaments. Each team was set up in a line and once the game began, the person in front had to pass the ornament to their teammate only using their straws. We let them practice first and that was funny enough but actually watching them during the relay was even better. When they dropped the ornament they would freak out and were quick to pick it up and complete the race. Each participant walked away with a beautifully decorated ornament of their own. Our last game of the night was an entertaining game of Musical Chairs. This game only came about because the winner of Pin the Nose on Rudolph did not take home his prize of a mini Christmas tree. It was a hot commodity, so we decided to make the students compete for it. The students danced around the chairs to the Christmas music and fought very hard for that tree.

Game time!

One of Lily's friends was way off with her placement of Rudolph's nose. We definitely had a good laugh with that one.

The night was definitely a success! I enjoyed so much seeing all of my students in one setting, enjoying an American Christmas party!

So many different groups of students...two of my business students even brought their children and nephews. Thank the L0rd for coloring sheets that kept them entertained for a while!

In other news....the morning started with a joint Christmas service between the International Fellowship and the Korean church. It was the most amazing experience, getting to sing about our L0rd and Savi0r together. It was definitely an experience I will never forget! The service ended with a lunch together with both American and Korean food....my favorite was definitely the chili!



All in all...it was a WONDERFUL day. And because the party ended at 8, we even got a decent sleep. Who could ask for anything better? I definitely felt blessed by the entire day.

He Is My Provision

The month before I went back to the states, I began meeting with, Shawna, a woman from my church in Ho Chi Minh City. Every week we would meet and she would let me talk and talk and talk while she patiently listened and spoke when she had insight. Well, one day I was telling her how upset I was going to be that I would not be with my good guys friends next year, since I would be moving to Da Nang. She told me of a time when she felt like she was being called to move and at the time it was difficult to leave her good friends behind...however, she knew that because G0d was calling her, He was also going to provide for her. Sure enough, when she moved, the friendships she made were even stronger. She encouraged me that it would be the same for me...she even threw in a little prayer that my new friendships would be with females. (Here it is a lot more culturally appropriate to hang out with people of your same sex)

So with that I was on my way. My first few months here I definitely lacked friendships and it was difficult but He knew what He was doing and after calling out to Him for friends, I now feel like I am knee deep in friendships and it continues to rise.

Already, I have been to karaoke with some, gone over to a friend's house for lunch, and been out to coffee with a few. Yes, I did fun things with my guy friends but I have been enjoying the girls I have so much this year! I find it "ironic" that my classes last year were full of boys and this year the majority is girls....or could it just be His plan?

Today was a difficult day in one of my classes....for some reason the students were not into trying and I was done begging them to do something! In situations like this last year, I would have texted the guys and vented to them and they would have been there...but this year I not only have a listening ear, I have words of affirmation. I know these girls and I have a special bond. All I have to do is think back to the beginning of the night where one of my students, who I didn't teach tonight, came into the classroom because she saw the light on and just talked to me. Or I could reread the text I received, at the end of the night, from a student who asked if I had forgotten her because we had not talked in a few days.

Little things like this reassure me that I am completely in His will. He moved me because He wanted to use me here and He has been nothing less then my provision!

Where Has the Time Gone?

I cannot believe November 13th was my last post! Time has really been flying by this year which is both good and bad. Good because that means the states are not too far away and I get to see family and friends...bad because I love it here and I am enjoying my students.

Because I don't want to think of the future too much, I will focus on the past...what have these past weeks held for me?

ESI had its first conference which was held the week before Thanksgiving and was in the familiar location of Mui Ne....where we went last year.

On the plane to Ho Chi Minh City

We had a few hours to kill in the city before we got on the bus for Mui Ne

Mui Ne sure has pretty sunsets

We got to go mini golfing!

Jenni in her matching PJs which is a typical day outfit for many Vietnamese women...at least in District 6

Drinking our Shirley Temples (Deidra and Ashley)

Other recent events:

We got a Christmas tree!

Getting sinh to (or fruit shakes) with the gang...don't worry we didn't try to drive like this

Hanging out at Le Funk

A group of students came over to cook dinner

The food was delicious and fresh as my students kept telling me while the still live shrimp were jumping off the plate before they were fried

They were such great girls

Mary is so quiet but so sweet

Hopefully it wont take so long to write my next post!

What's Been Going On

The southern Vietnamers came into town two consecutive weekends in a row! First we hosted Steph, Brittany and Melissa. The following weekend Deidra, Jenni and Ashley came up. We had many adventures from a trip to Hoi An for some shopping, a day full of eating and a jaunt down to the river where I picked up a kitty, as you can see in the picture above. I had him for two nights but eventually found him a nice home!


One of the girls from church was leaving us and in her honor with through her a "frou frou" dance party. Vietnam has stores and stores of extravagant wedding dresses and these very colorful ones you see here. The girls who set up the party set up a deal with a store where we paid to rent a dress and get our hair and make-up done. We danced late into the night and had such a blast! It will definitely be a difficult party to top....even though my zipper busted open. Yup that's right...my zipper broke! We tried taping it and it held for a while but I guess I was busting too much of a move because I broke it even more. Luckily, one of the girls in the house was my size. She gave me a new dress to wear and I was back on the floor!



The girl in the middle playing the harmonica is one of my students! Her school was having a talent show and she invited me to come watch. I was such a proud mama watching her and her partner take second place! The girls with the fans won first. They did a traditional Korean dance and the fans were beautiful. The guy in the right corner did an amazing hip-hop dance. Between these three acts, I was very entertained.


The night began with a trip to the movie theater to watch RED. If you have not seen it...watch it! My parents can testify that I am a harsh movie critic and hardly really enjoy a movie. I loved every part of this movie!...so that says a lot. After the movie we went to a friend's house to play cards and hang out. The night ended with drinks and loopiness. It was a pretty decent night.


You may be thinking....does that girl ever teach. Yes I do! I am still working over here but this year it doesn't feel like work. I am having a blast with my classes! Sorry for taking so long on the update. Thanks for being faithful followers!

Nights Out With My Students

From the beginning, I have been in love with my classes. As you can see from the following pictures, we have had a lot of fun.

These pictures were taken on our last night of class. During class I gave out awards and we played games which they really got into. After class we went out to dinner by the beach where we ate snails and a hot pot. We then headed off to ice cream for dessert! Please yarp that we will be able to hang out again soon because they are a great bunch of kids!

These pictures came from Women's Day which is celebrated October 20th. Our day began with our school taking us out to breakfast and coffee. Later that night, one of my classes gave my a flower arrangement which almost made me cry...I was not expecting anything from students, especially from that class. My last class is in their final days of class so the school had planned an "outdoor" activity. We got to go out to coffee for two hours where we talked a lot and played a few games. After coffee, I was planning on heading home and having dinner but they wanted to keep the night going. We decided to go get some dinner and after ten minutes of trying to get enough helmets and bikes, we headed out. Unfortunately we went out too late and could not find a place that was open. However, that lead to talk of a future dinner plans which I am definitely not opposed to!

I just wanted to make a note that since I was here the first year, I have wanted to take a picture of three people on a motorbike...I think it looks so funny. I finally got my opportunity when we went out to dinner. I could only take two because I was laughing so hard. They looked so funny squished together on one bike.

Karaoke With Our School Staff

So this past Sunday night Nicky, Lily and I were invited to go to karaoke with our staff. We didn't really know how to feel because they had invited a lot of other people we didn't know and so we, or at least I, went in with low expectations. I never really break out of my shell around a bunch of new people so I was not expecting to sing a whole lot....but oh how I was wrong. We ended up having a great night that lasted for three whole hours! From the first song everyone was up and dancing and it did not end until the night was over.

Lily and I starting off the night with "Beat It"


When we sang "My Heart Will Go On" we had some reenactments

This is just an example of how much dancing went on

Khoa and Anh...the girls who work in our office. They are so great!

When we came out of the club we realized it had been raining all night! What a way to spend a rainy night!

I Have Friends!

Just wanted to show you how big these stinkers are

This was a picture from dragon dancing. They lifted this kid on a pole and he danced around. I was scared for him the entire time.

We went out to Indian food for Nicky's birthday!

Lily and I went out with Pedro and one of his friends who convinced me to get the "Tea of the Kings". Yeah doesn't it look great!

Just an update to say that He provides! I have been asking Him for opportunities to hang out with my students or with ANYONE. So I have asked some of my classes to ice cream or pizza but both times I have been shut down. Yes, it hurt my pride a little bit but according to another friend, it usually takes three times of asking to receive a “yes” response. So I guess I have a few more rejections to take…However, the other night, after asking the whole class out for pizza and receiving a “no”, my class left except for one girl. She usually stays behind and I have always wanted to ask her to get coffee but I have never been bold enough to ask. Since I had already been rejected once that night, I figured why not ask. She was almost out the door when G0d gave me a kick in the pants….I called after her and when she came back in I asked if she would like to grab coffee sometime and to my surprise…she said yes! Woo hoo! I don’t know when that will be but at least it’s out there now.

And the excitement continues…last night, my class was forced to go to coffee with me. Every class has “outings” and with adults, we get to go to coffee! Poor me I know. Out of a class of nine or so, six students showed up and we had a lot of fun. In fear that it might be awkward, I had prepared a game to play but I never took it out. Conversation flowed…mostly my students asked questions about my personal life, “What do you think of Vietnamese men?”, “What do you look for in a guy?” etc. After answering…or avoiding questions we decided it was time to head out but before doing so the students asked me if after their last class (yes, we are ending soon…sad) we could go out to eat “local food”…since I haven’t been eating local food while being here? After dinner they said we would then go to karaoke! You guys…this is not a forced hang out this time! They have actually extended an invitation. Please yarp that the timing of my teaching schedule will work so I can join them. To top it off, one of the girls who I never really got to know because she is so quiet, asked how she could contact me after the class ends. I left the coffee shop with a smile plastered on my face.

James, Me, Peter, Clover, Bean, Ronnie and Tina

Can you guess who the class clown is?

These two boys are so funny. They remind me of a pair I had in HCMC.

And the latest update...Lily and I met a girl at an ice cream shop one night and she asked if she could have my email address. We have written a few times and I have seen her, briefly one other time. She had invited all of us to Hoi An during the Mid Autumn Tet festival but it was on a night we were teaching so all in all, we have not been able to meet. Today as I was at a friend’s house I received a call from an unknown number only to pick up and find out that it was her! She asked if tomorrow I would join her and her friend to play badmitten and go swimming at the beach! It is going to be an early morning since we are leaving at 6 AM but I am so excited! I can’t wait to update you on how it goes!

I have a Jo Bro in my class!

A group of us got together and went to karaoke!

After church a group usually goes out to lunch. This Sunday we went to Ban Xeo

So what have I been up to? Quite a lot actually. This past weekend I saw a movie, got myhair washed, my nails done and my bangs cut. I probably also gained 20 pounds in the past week due to a very fabulous French bakery and trips out, AFTER lunch, to get some dessert. But that's beside the point. Main highlights of my past few weeks would be my hair and my classes.

The girls got Saturday morning off and so we went to get drinks by the river

We decided to make a trip to the Big C on our bikes. Lily and I forgot we had our bikes and bought a hefty amount. Nicky is showing off her greasey thumbs because her bike lock broke on the way home.

My hair is not so much a highlight but it's definitely a story. For the longest time, I have been longing for cute swoop bangs. Nicky has a friend whose bangs are too cute so I have been waiting for a time when she could come with me. This weekend though I was so fed up with pinning my bangs back that I just decided to get them cut. I had just gotten my nails painted a pretty purple and decided to go two for two. I ended up getting boy bangs. I don't know how to describe it and I don't really want to post pics but just picture some pretty ugly bangs. But I pinned up back, we ate lunch and came home. Lily and decided to go back to a salon on our street and get our hair washed. They wave to us every day we pass so we thought we would check it out. Can I just say I almost fell asleep when the girl was washing my hair? It felt so stinking good and I think that will have to be a frequent event. After our hair was dried, Lily got hers straightened and was pressured into getting her hair cut. When I saw that he did a good job on her hair I decided to have him fix my bangs....according to my roommates he did but my crying when I got home proved I was not so hopeful. However, I think I have found a way to style them to where they are somewhat decent. Still no pictures to come.

In happier news, I am still loving my classes! I had a tough one tonight with my favorite class...they were a little chatty but I am hoping they will be back on track next class. After them, I got a new batch of students and I am asking right now for you to lift me up. They are very low and I can see in their eyes how little they understand of what I am saying. They seem to be great students though. Once we connect I am sure everything will be fine and I think they know more than they let on. One thing I wanted to note though was that I totally have a Jonas Brother in my class. Yup, I have an Asian version of the youngest brother! When I get to know them better I will bring in my camera so I can do a comparison. I have to be sly about it though because I am sure a 20 year old guy wouldn't be too happy with me if I asked him for his picture because I think he looks like a kid pop idol....or maybe he would.

For all who don't know...this is Nick Jonas. I never thought I would be putting his face on my page but yeah...my student looks like him!

Excitement!

Today I spent almost five hours with a friend at Googol Coffee Shop. Can I just say I met Audrey when I first got here and we hit it off right away....she is so cool. When I found out I was for sure living in DaNang we both got excited knowing we would be in the same city. Our hours spent at the coffee shop today was evident that we get along well. I am excited for more times like that but that is not why I am updating you. From day one of last year, I had this feeling that He was going to do something big here. I shared that today with Audrey and she confirmed that her group of friends have been feeling that exact same way.....that cannot be a coincidence.

Ironically...or not ironic at all, next year is the 100th year anniversary for the first church in Vietnam which happens to be here in DaNang. Because of this Vietnam is allowing speakers from around the world to come in and have a conference for the people here! Um what!? If that does not give you chills I don't know what will. What event can be bigger than thousands of people meeting in His name? Please start lifting this time up NOW. There are many months from now until next June and a lot can happen. So stoked for where He has brought me!

When I got back from coffee I began planning lessons and listening to my praise music and the song, "You Said", by Hillsong but sung well by Shane and Shane, came on. I may have quoted them before and I may have written a blog like this before but I am just so encouraged I wanted to share again. The chorus sings, "You said ask and I'll give the nations to you. Oh L0rd, that's the cry of my heart. Distant shores and the islands will see Your light as it rises on us." Please make this your yarp. That His people here will see Him and that this nation will turn and know Him.

Pictures and anecdote about my trip to Hoi An in next blog!

What have I been up to?

It was our friend Jane's birthday so we went to Indian food and had doughnuts for dessert!

I have finally begun teaching and I think I am going to have some fun this year with my students...not that I didn't last year. This year I am teaching adults who are taking English classes for their job or while they are attending university. Right now I only have three "classes" that I meet with in a week. I say "classes" because three times a week for an hour and a half I have a class with one woman, a chemical engineer at that, and we go through the book. It is such a lax class. Unfortunately the book is kinda boring so she has found a way to make class exciting, for 15 minutes out of class we talk about a different subject. Tonight we will be talking about travel. My other classes are pretty sweet. They are very low and I receive a lot of confused looks but I think I am starting to tone it down. I am excited to see what this year has to hold with my students!

The weekends have been so nice getting to attend fellowship with my peers which is usually followed by lunch with the group. From there we decide what our plans are for the rest of the day. This past weekend everyone decided to go home except for a few of us. One woman in our group mentioned a French bakery that she enjoys going to. Lily and I thought it would be nice to have some dessert so we told her we would go. She said it was a long way to ride our bikes but we thought we we would try it out. It's a good thing that food there was AMAZING because we biked there 35 minutes each way! Now to some of you, that might not seems like a lot but for a beginner like me...it was torture! It will definitely be a place for special occasions because I do not plan on biking out there every Sunday.

Later on that night Lily and I decided we wanted to go bowling and texted the gang only to find out no one could go. Plan B: See The Last Song. If you don't know what it is about, let's just say Miley Cyrus is the star. However it left us with some good memories.

Monday consisted of lunch at Dawn's and a trip over to the bike shop, which was unsuccessful. That night everyone was free to hang out and we ended up going bowling. We got an extra treat when we arrived because they were putting on a dance show of some sort. The weekend finally came to a close and we are back in the routine of teaching. I feel like I am not completely in the grove yet but after a few weeks I know I will get there.

Bowling and our coffee shop. Notice that Jane's name has been changed to "Vane" and Pedro's to "Perro". We had a few laughs over those.

Oh and side note...I think our coffee shop is a family of believers. The woman wears a cross necklace and her son was wearing a shirt that said, "I have 99 problems but faith ain't one." I am excited to get to know them!

DaNang

DaNang baby! That’s right…I am finally in DaNang! The flight from Ho Chi Minh to DaNang took only an hour but it felt like 10. I was so anxious to get here and even clapped a little bit when we landed. After a quick trip from the airport I had arrived to my sweet house. Later that night we met up with Jeremiah and Pedro for some delicious Pho….good end to the day.

The next morning we woke up and went to DIF or (DaNang International Fellowship). As we were arriving so were our fellow teammates. It felt so nice to be reunited with the whole city team again! I was also greeted with a warm welcome from friends I had met last year. After church we went to our pastor’s house for lunch and throughout the meal I kept looking around thinking this was going to all end soon. It made me excited when I reminded myself that, this year, my time in DaNang wouldn’t end after the weekend.

The day had been so great, hanging out with friends and eating delicious food….it seemed like nothing could ruin the day. Everything changed around 7 when a scream came from Lily’s bedroom. Apparently as she was getting something from her bed, her foot had brushed against the most ginormous spider we had ever seen. We were all hysterical at the sight of the stinking thing. If someone had been taping it, they would have been rolling on the floor with laughter. As one person would leave to get the Raid or some food (since we had not eaten dinner yet) the other two would keep watch like it was our prisoner. After debating about what to do about it, since none of us wanted to get close, we finally picked up the phone and called Pedro. It seemed like ages for him to get here but when he did the spider was dead in seconds.

From this experience I have begun to change my view on cockroaches. Yes, I think I will be paralyzed for a few seconds when I see one but they die after a few shots of Raid…spiders on the other hand do not! Fortunately after an intense yarp (read backwards) session we were all able to sleep well.

It is noon today and so far nothing has happened and I will continue to yarp nothing will but only time will tell.

We had a girls day before I left...tea in San Juan

Jackie and Jeff's wedding!!! Yes there was even line dancing!

I guess the person we rent from really likes wild animals. You can't tell from these pics but the place is awesome. It has four floors and a pretty cool hang out spot on the roof. (Pics from the roof to come...it was raining today)

Back In Vietnam!!!

Hey all, just wanted to give a quick update...I am back in Vietnam and excited to see what this year holds. I flew in August 19th and have been in Ho Chi Minh for a day in a half. Even though my time in Ho Chi Minh is short, it has been great! When I arrived at the airport I was greeted by my friends Phuong and Oanh. I think everyone at the airport was wondering what I was doing there and were even more shocked to see me greeted with screams as the girls ran up to me. The next day I took a drive with Phuong around town....it was so nice to be back on a motorbike again! I was then picked up by my friend Thien who took me to lunch. Our friend Toan met us later and we spent the next few hours catching up on what we had been up to in the past two months. It was so nice to be back with them again and although I am sad to leave them as I head up to Da Nang, I know we will stay in touch.

Today my anticipation of getting to my new city will end at 4 when I land in Da Nang! I cannot wait to update you on how the next ten months go.

I also want to take the time right now to thank all of you. I cannot even tell you how thankful and blessed I am to have you supporting me. This summer showed me just how He is moving at home as well. I was completely overwhelmed by the support I received from my church and my friends. I could not have asked for me from all of you. So thank you! I ask now that you continue your support in pr*yer as well. He is ready to move but the Enemy has such a strong hold that He will try everything in His power to keep the Father from moving. This will come in attacks against the team, health issues, culture shock etc. but I am so confident none of this has to happen. In pr*yer, the Father will be faithful.

Check back for more updates!

Been A Long Time Comin

Hey all...I don't even know if there is an "all" left out there since I haven't updated for a long time but I have had trouble finding the right words. Yes I am cheesy, but there are really no words to describe my experience in Vietnam and because it was so great, it was difficult to think about when I got home. I really missed the routine of getting up and going to coffee with my old couple and it was weird not being able to call up a friend and have them pick me up on their motorbike. I even had a friend ask if he could pick me up for lunch the other day. It was sad but also a nice memory of what my year was like.

I have finally gotten into the swing of things back at home and life is starting to feel normal. I have had many great moments with my family and friends and I am so gracious for these few months I have with them before going back to Vietnam. Here are a few pics from my last week in Vietnam and my first few weeks back in the states.

Our staff took us out to dinner

Then they took us to a bridge where we took many pictures

Saying goodbye to the staff

Snuggling up with my cutie pie niece

Hanging out at the park!