July 31: A timely reminder

"Trust Me in the depths of your being. 

 It is there that I live in constant communion with you.  

When you feel flustered and frazzled on the outside,

 do not get upset with yourself.  

You are only human, and the swirl of events going on all around you 

will sometimes feel overwhelming.  

Rather than scolding yourself for your humanness, 

remind yourself that I am both 

with you and within you."

Today's devotional in 'Jesus Calling' by Sarah Young

I needed this timely reminder today.  Although we know there's a purpose for us being here, this definitely has not been an easy start.  The teaching environment here makes me feel flustered and frazzled: 

• The disorganization drives me crazy.  There's not enough room so stuff sits everywhere in piles on top of each other and there's very little space to work on anything.
• Disruptions are constant.  Teaching Spanish and English to two different sets of learners simultaneously in a small room is challenging.  As is teaching 4 1/2 year olds in the same class as 11 year olds
• prepping from scratch for such diversified ages and learners is time-consuming
• A broken air conditioner makes for a steamy room with tired kids after lunch.
• My daughter clings to me because she doesn't want to go to class.  "I wanna go home" she says.  And I know she doesn't mean our home in Quepos.
• During school breaks when I'd like to have a few minutes of respite, our own kids come and complain:  They think school is boring.  They don't like the teaching style.  They can't have water bottles in class.  They can't play in the grass when it's wet from rain (it's rainy season!).  They don't like the (repetitive) homework.  It's draining listening to their complaints yet trying to remain positive.

Our home environment makes us feel flustered and frazzled.  Everything takes longer...especially laundry which we have a lot of because of the dirt and heat.  We have no dryer and very limited line space indoors (we have some outside lines but during rainy season they're quite useless).  Because of the humidity things will take 2-3 days to dry.  No dishwasher means plenty of dishes to do by hand in a small space.  Food preparation takes longer too because of the small counter space that doesn't allow for having multiple things out like at home. 

The kids have seen both of us have meltdowns these last couple of weeks.  I guess there's no hiding our feelings from the kids no matter how hard we try.  Nathan asked us straight out:  Do you guys regret coming here?

No we do not!  But we need reminders like this devotional that we are not in this alone.  We thank God for those of you who are sharing along in our journey.  You are part of our team!  We're so grateful for your prayers and support!