Easers, Oreos and things learned

I had a little bit of difficulty figuring out what to tell you all this week. It was as normal a week as can be. I was really sick on Wednesday but the medicine of prayer healed me quickly. Thank God! 

I got letters this week!!!! They are so exciting. Yes email is faster, more practical and seems to make more sense, but man are letters so much fun and homey. Actually seeing the handwriting of someone is soo incredibly nice and knowing they took the time to write and mail it. So lovely. Thank you my letter writers!

Here are a few adorable things the girls did this week. On Thursday I sharpened about 30 pencils since my kids go through pencils so incredibly fast. It saves time if I already have sharpened pencils for them so they dot goof around. But all the sharpening made my hands black with lead. My 2nd grade girls were appalled at how dirty they were. So they cleaned them. With easers, yes easers. It took about 5 minutes but they literally wouldn't let me teach with black hands. Sitting and watching them smile and giggle at my "goofiness", I realized just how much they cared about me. They wouldn't let me walk around with dirty hands.

I wear sweatpants in the morning since my pj shorts are too short to go downstairs. One of the little girls, saw how long they were and rolled them up for me so I wouldn't trip on them :) 

I can't remember if I wrote about craving Oreos or not. Well after school, I always eat a snack. I have a tupperware in the dried where I pit my stuff. On Thursday, I opened my Tupperware to find Oreos :) one of the manangs saw my surprised look and told me she thought I would enjoy them. 

I cannot express how loved I feel here. There really are no words for how to explain it. You all just need to come visit in january with my church.

Yesterday was my one month mark! In some respects it feels like I've always been here and in others, I just got here. But after a month here's what I've learned and will continue to learn. 

The funny: I know how to say "where is the verb" in Filipino since I sit in on my kids Filipino class. I know if something looks like pork, it's jackfruit masquerading as meat. I know how the make the kids laugh by trying to speak filipino.  

The more serious: I am learning selfless service. The manangs serve selflessly constantly. If they are ever fed up or tired or just done with serving, you would never know it. 

I am learning peace. Learning not to worry, that God has it all handled. I just have to let go. For those of you who have been here, I'm sure you've felt it. I'm not saying it's like a spa where they play weird music to relax you. No, it's loud and crazy at times. But the people here are peaceful. They aren't stressed, always have a smile ready or a joke to tell you. 

I thought I was learning patience, and I am. There are many things you have to be patient for. But my mom gave it a far better word. She said I'm learning self-denial. It is so true. I didn't think I was, but I really am a self-centered selfish person. Here, all that I know and want, is gone. There are the little things of not being able to grab a burrito if I'm craving it. I can't easily satisfy my every want. In a bigger thing, is not having constant access to my family. I get skype one day a week. Even then if a storm or some other problem arises, the signal is gone and I have to try again later. Self denial is something I will learn for the rest of my life. 

And I'm learning how to go to God for everything. He has been faithful to give me more than I have asked for. It's as if He was waiting for me to be quiet for long enough to show me how wonderful and loving He can be. 

These things may be hard to learn and accept but I am thankful Je is taking the time to teach me. 

I will end with food, cuz that is just how I roll. We had a banana cake for a treat this week. It's like a pancake, but banana. Man is that delicious!!!

No pictures this week. Till next week, goodbye. :)