Life's arms are full of lovelies

Last Saturday after my run...I got to look at this.

and this.

 

Who knew there was a Statue of Liberty on Guam?

                                             At our last apartment, we had a mama pigeon...

 and BABIES!!! (but they died...) :(

Valentine's day! Dad, the kids loved the tootsie pops. 

So. much. SUGAR. yippee!!!!

 Let the craziness begin! Sticky hands + a sugar high = lots of fun!

 

Lunch after church with our Korean sisters in Christ--these ladies love Jesus so much! This was my first experience in a Korean church setting. English speakers listened to a translation of the message through headphones. The lady on the right was the translator.

 

There isn't anything much better than unexpected flowers, right? Abby and I were surprised with these lovely daisies from a lady we helped the week before. How sweet of her!

Here we are at Chamorro Village giving our best "Japanese tourist" pose.

 

 Shish kabobs. oh yum.

 

Even though I was once a tomboy...

my love for reptiles has never gone past frogs and MAYBE very small geckos.

Holding this iguana was out. of. my. comfort. zone. Haha!

Abby and her brother John with some fancy food he brought for us to sample

 And I'll show you these (once again), because they're my favorite:

 "Commit your way to the LORD;
   trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
   your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD
   and wait patiently for him;" Psalm 37:5-7

Speak Life (a shout-out)

"The tongue has the power of life and death, 

and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

Words. We sling them; we toss them; we give them; we abuse them. So many words we say and do not first think, but there are some people who use them in such a way that truly does give life.

Many people have encouraged me while I've been on Guam, but particularly this lady, Miss Nina (here she is with two of her daughters):

Miss Nina has sent me notes of encouragement, as well as just looked me in the eyes and told me how happy she is that I am teaching in the school. I have the privilege of teaching one of her daughters who is not pictured. On the days when I feel exhausted or far from the "old and comfortable reality," her words truly do bring life to my body and spirit. She cares about me and believes in me, and that gives me the courage to keep going. Thank you so much, Miss Nina. You are a great example of a godly woman and a giver of life through your words.

Throw Away the leotard

This Saturday I ran eleven miles in the morning with my friend, Kelli, because we are training for a half marathon in a few weeks. After our run, we graced a local coffee shop with our sweaty presence and kindly took our drinks and muffins out of doors where we climbed on large rocks next to the sea and watched surfers, boaters, and parasailers. The deep blue waves beat against our rocks, receding as white foam. The sky's thick clouds hovered low, and the blue horizon tempted me to wonder, "Is this real? Am I really here?" How supremely wonderful of the Lord to allow me to live and minister His glorious gospel on such a lovely island.

Have you ever felt like you know the answers, but it's not enough? Slowly I'm learning that the glorious reality of God is that He is not just in the business of handing out truth like pamphlets or fliers, like, "Here's some truth; read it and catch ya later." It's so much greater than that.

You see, He IS the truth. His arms embrace the most inward part of who I am, giving me courage, true courage. Our faith is not all about feelings, for feelings can be deceptive. I desire to lead my feelings, rather than be led by them. But sometimes, you just FEEL a certain way. You may know the truth, but you still FEEL a certain way that denies the truth to which you cognitively give credence. That's where His love comes in...that still small voice...and His presence. Just let me be with You, Lord.

He does satisfy. I used to dream of being this woman who never felt worried and never doubted God, the kind of woman who just glowed with Jesus and never felt frustrated. But it seems that perhaps He doesn't desire me to be some sort of SuperChristian Woman flying around, invincible to emotions. Perhaps He desires me to simply be HIS woman, without the muscles, cape, and cheesy smile. Maybe instead of Super Woman, I'm supposed to be willing to be the damsel in distress, and confidently wait on Him as my Hero, my Rescuer. Oh, I know He has already saved my soul, praise His Name! But you know, there are times when you just need Him to be there in a special way. Hallelujah He is here with me. Thank You, Jesus.

Cry out to Him, dear reader. Surrender your will and your life. Stop trying to be super on your own, and be willing for Him to rescue you. As the apostle Paul spoke of hardships:

"I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12: 7b-10

He's the hero, so throw away the cape and leotard. They look pretty silly, anyway.

Kindergarten Quotes

"I want to pray that I can go to an island that has snow."

"How 'bout ring-around-the-posy, Ms. Audrey Ann? That's a good IDEA!"

Child: "My hair's getting long like rapencil's!"
Me: "Long like a pencil?"
Child: "Yeah, like Rapencil's!"
Me: "Oh, like Rapunzel's."
Child: "Yeah! I love Rapencil!"

"I didn't get hanisizer." (her version of "hand sanitizer") 

"You're my beautiful, beautiful lady! You're my beautiful, beautiful teacher!"

I just <3 them. : )

Please Pray for...

• the young ladies on the volleyball team I'm coaching...that I would lead them closer to Jesus.

• my Kindergarten class--patience and wisdom as I handle situations, and that the ESL students would learn and understand.

• my exhaustion...training for a half marathon, teaching PE & Kindergarten, coaching the volleyball team, etc...leaves me pretty tired. : ) I feel like my life is so full, which is wonderful! But please pray for continued strength, stamina, and the joy of the Lord.

• Finances for the school and people surrounding

• the future of our new church...that the Holy Spirit would come and people would grow in the Word of God!

Thank you !

Kindergarten Cuteness

 

 Teaching Kindergarten can do wonders for your self esteem.

"Ms. Audrey Ann, you are Cinderella."


"Ms. Audrey Ann, you look like the Little Mermaid."

 But...it can also make you feel ancient...

"Now her's five. She's old."

The following are from two boy students who are ESL.


Upon seeing a birthday crown: "Dat's a king head!"

As I'm walking towards the door...
Child: "Where you going, Mish Aujee Ann?"
Me: "I'm going to meet with a man about the volleyball uniforms."
Child: "A MAN?! I MEESH (miss) you, Mish Aujee Ann!"

Looking at a picture he drew me:

Me: "Who's that?"
Child: "Dat's ME!"
Me: "Who's this?"
Child: "Dats da bad guy. I KEEL him!"

Wanting to know what time it is...
"Ms. Aujee Ann, what clock is it?"

Week One (AA Goes to Guam)

Authentic Beauty Course: I taught nutrition, fitness, and internet safety, led a team, felt inspired, felt uninspired, stayed up late and got up early, read way too much about diabetes and fatty acids, met some great ladies, and felt the Holy Spirit move.

There were also courses on modest fashion, cooking, First Aid, true beauty,public speaking, poise, etiquette, flower arranging, photography, room decorating, and more! It was so wonderful to watch these girls grow in their skills and confidence. Also, I enjoyed learning new things!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's oatmeal. hee hee....

 

Most of the staff ladies at the end of the banquet. These are our "it was great, but we are so happy it's over" faces.

All of this wonderful craziness ended with a banquet to honor the parents, and a slumber party featuring dancing and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I contend that it does not get much better than this...except for the sleep I got the next afternoon. ;)

The Lord blessed me so much during this week...especially during one of my fitness sessions. We were stretching to  Cory Asbury's "Where I Belong." Check it out here. 

The lyrics include:

I finally found where I belong, in your presence. 

I finally found where I belong: to be with You.

It was all I could do not to cry. After everything, after last year, after so much struggle and prayer...this was right, because I was in His presence. As I stood in front of twenty-five ladies, I also stood in awe of God who brought me here. 

Just wait on Him. He is faithful. Do I still worry and pine over things? Why yes, I am a girl, after all. But His presence...may that be what I want, and I will embrace whatever He brings me, as I dance in His presence. 

Never forget what you should desire. It's not a church service. It's not emotional music. It's not fuzzy feelings.  It's not intellectual titillation. It's not entertainment. It is Him.

Praise Jesus! ~Audrey Ann