Freezing in February

In the past week there was a drastic drop in temperature.....yesterday morning it was -17C in the morning.....I'm hoping that with the approach of March, this will be the end of cold weather....i'm ready for SPRING....for WARMTH!!!!

So my recent days have been very busy. I'm assistant

coaching for a jr. high girls' basketball team at Tien Shan...which you know I absolutely LOVE! The girls are absolutely precious, and I'm getting to some bball as well:). Then, we have our IB visit this coming Friday. A guy is coming t

o check out our school and see if it qualifies for certification. I'm a little anxious about it...I've spent my entire year so far working at becoming a good "PYP teacher", but there are some other things that I have no control over that may keep us from getting the authorization....so we'll see...fingers crossed ;).

This past Friday we had our annual International Night for our school. Since we have 22 countries represented in our school it's a good thing to celebrate our internationalism :). We had a great time. Each country set up a table and brought traditional foods, then different groups did performances...and by the end everyone was doing a panjabi (Indian) dance :). I am indeed enjoying my time here! And while I have made a verbal commitment to stay another year, some recent events and upcoming events may change that....we'll see....I'm still praying and asking God for wisdom!

My Class- We have lots of nationalities represented- Korean, Turkish, American, Israeli, Kazakh, Russian, British, Indian, and Bangladeshi :).

Me, Aliya, and Aizhan....I'm sporting my Red-White- and Blue :)

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY to my baby sister!!!

Today my baby sister is 21 years old....wow! I wish I was able to be there with her to celebrate this fabulous day! But alas, I am many many many miles away. I have been thinking about her all day long! Remember all the funny things we've done throughout the years....choreographing dances, dramas, making videos, singing Celine Dion at the top of our lungs, quoting lines form movie after movie, getting nails done, dying hair, cutting hair, shopping, road trips....sigh....many wonderful things! I'm SO thankful for all the things we've gotten to do together! And i'm so excited for all the fun ones ahead!

I am so thankful for my baby sister. She is pretty much the best sister anyone could have ever asked for! I am so grateful that God gave AJ to me for a sister! Even with the arguments and spats....there is no one like my sister :) (a couple sister songs are coming to mind at the moment). Her passion and hunger for truth and more of Jesus is such an encouragement! There are not too many big sisters who look up to their little sister, but I do!

If I was there, I would give a toast to AJ in true Kazakh fashion....but a virtual toast will have to do....

so AJ, here's to another fabulous year of growth, passion and love. May you continue to grow more and more in the knowledge and love of God! May you continue to shine the light of God to everyone you encounter! Thank you for loving me and being an encouragement to me always! I love you baby sister....you're 21.....WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to this heart of mine.....

So...this year...the first weekend of every month, I'm taking a day to just meet with the Lord. A day to turn off the phone, disconnect the internet, and hide the school work. This month I spent a lot of time confessing sin and begging God to reveal the roots of my crap...never a "fun" thing to do, but so necessary. As you all know by now I love songs! I was praying and journaling this old song came to mind. I think I had originally heard it on the WOW 1999 CD :)....that makes me feel a little old....seeing as that was more than a decade ago. ANYWAY....this song is so beautiful, and great reminder that I can put locks on doors of my heart. Places I don't want Jesus coming into and messing with, areas of my life that I want control over...when in REALITY His plan is far more better than mine! I am so thankful that God doesn't ignore the hard work that comes with remodeling me:) He digs out all the garbage, paints the walls a new color, and opens the doors wide! Thank you, God, for changing my heart!

Welcome Home-Shaun Groves

Take, me, make me

All You want me to be

That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

Welcome to this heart of mine

I've buried under prideful vines

Grown to hide the mess I've made

Inside of me Come decorate, Lord

Open up the creaking door

And walk upon the dusty floor

Scrape away the guilty stains

Until no sin or shame remain

Spread Your love upon the walls

And occupy the empty halls

Until the man I am has faded

No more doors are barricaded

Chorus:

Come inside this heart of mine

It's not my own

Make it home

Come and take this heart and make it

All Your own

Welcome home

Take a seat, pull up a chair

Forgive me for the disrepair

And the souvenirs from floor to ceiling

Gathered on my search for meaning

Every closet's filled with clutter

Messes yet to be discovered

I'm overwhelmed, I understand

I can't make this place all that You can

I took the space that You placed in me

Redecorated in shades of greed

And I made sure every door stayed locked

Every window blocked, and still You knocked

Take me, make me

All You want me to be

That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking