I`m still here!

Our apartment!

Hey my abandoned friends! This is going to just be a quick snippet, but I wanted to provide some hope to any of you that check this desperately each morning in hopes of finding a new post! Actually it was my brother David who reminded me that I even have a blog. :)

Well, life has begun as a Mrs. and it has been a great ride so far. I do tend to have quite a new mindset though, shopping for both of us and thinking always about what the next meal will be, how I should prepare it so we both like it, etc. Also, in the movie realm, we have to find one that would fit both our interests, or just sacrifice once in a while for the other person. Marriage is one of the greatest tools that God invented for keeping us humble, patient and selfless. Believe me, I´m still not there, but He works on it every day!

Been thinking a lot about my little nephew lately. Seeing pictures on facebook with his parents and getting bigger every second, it is hard to not be near him. But the best part is that we do have facebook and skype to keep in touch. I have gotten to see him a lot on the web cam, and hopefully he´ll at least recognize my blurry face once he gets old enough.

This will have to be short, since I need to go heat up leftovers soon and make up some hamburgers. I promise to post more pictures soon and to do my best to keep up with the blog! I´ve been reading tons of blogs lately and couldn´t abandon mine any more.

Hasta luego...

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Tarapoto is a small Peruvian city packed with motorcars, (motorcycles with an attachment for passengers) There are lots of small markets filled with everything from homemade cheese to aguaje, a fruit known to me in Portuguese as buriti. It was never much of a favorite fruit to me, but Aulo had me try it in ice cream form, which I LOVED.

Paujilzapa on the other hand, where my future in-laws live, is even smaller, situated in the jungly mountains. It definitely brought back memories of growing up in Flexal, as it was filled with lots of thatched roof houses, and the people had similar mannerisms. I absolutely fell in love with the kids there, of course, and took lots of pictures. Let me tell you about one of them.

Groner is a sweet little 5-year old who is in kindergarten. Though I only saw him a couple of times, I quickly saw how lovable he was. The first time, we were going to visit his parents to invite them to our wedding. His dad was in Aulo’s graduating class (for middle school) and we wanted to make sure to give them on of our invitations in person. As we walked into their house, I spotted his little face peeking curiously at me from behind a curtain. His mom asked him to run over to one of the bodegas, little “stores” that are actually just shelves in people’s living rooms, but SUPER convenient. She asked him to buy Oro, a typical Peruvian pop. He ran out, coin in hand, reminding himself out loud, “Oro, oro, oro!” Running back a few minutes later, hugging a huge 3-liter bottle, he panted, “Here, Mom, I got it.”

After serving us, his mom slipped out for a minute, and Groner ran to get some picture albums. Leaning on my arm, he would turn every picture, and most of them were of his dad. But he never failed to say, “Oh, and this is my papi, and here’s my papi…here’s my mom, and my papi.” His little toothless grin would light up each time. It warmed my heart to see a kiddo so proud of his dad. A lot of kids here don’t have dads who are present in their lives.

Later on that week, we saw him walking back from school, backpack on his shoulders, and I couldn’t resist getting a snapshot. I am excited to be able to go back to Paujilzapa at Christmas time, having already met some of the kids. Aulo and I hope to be able to plan some Christmas ministries for the kids and their families. There are a couple of churches there, one that has about 3 people, and another about 30. As we begin ministry in Iquitos next year, we also pray that when we go to visit his family at different times, we can encourage these two small churches and also explain more of the Gospel to those who live there (a lot of whom have known Aulo since he was little).

Another little kiddo who loved his picture being taken!

Getting ready for takeoff

There is no other time like the present to do a little blog updating! My family and my sister in law's family are counting down the hours as the first grandchild on both sides is about to be born. We praise God for His goodness in the baby coming soon so that everyone who came to visit will get a chance to hold the tiny little guy.

However, the flight from Punta Cana to Lima had been cancelled, and the next available one was two days later. Soooo, I made sure to let them know I was not planning on staying two days alone in the airport, and they assured me they would give me two nights in a hotel in this touristy beach city. :) So free vacation! What a blessing from the Lord!

As far as support raising the past month and a half, it is definitely a growing experience in trusting God and learning to expand my comfort zones. I have loved getting to share Aulo and my vision for Peru, and many people have committed to pray about joining our team.

The next few days will involve hanging with my newborn nephew, heading to Missouri for 4 more days to finish packing up, (choosing what I would like to bring with me and what my parents can bring, etc.) My next post will most likely be from Lima, where I will be doing a few document things at the embassy, and then heading to Tarapoto with Aulo for a couple weeks to hang out with his family. Then soon after that, IQUITOS!

November?

I can't believe that my last post was in MAY! Ridiculous amounts of things have happened since then, and I don't want to drone on and on, so I think I'll share it in the form of a story. :)

Once upon a time, there was a brand-new teacher who had no idea what to expect from a whole new place and school and people. The faraway place was supposed to be in a country she called home, but instead this city was full of crazy new twists, different accents, and plus there weren't very many bugs here! Not to mention she needed a blanket to sleep at night during the winter months....really? Winter here???

As the new school year approached in August, she began to realize what a HUGE task teaching would be, and spent a lot of time preparing and making fun posters for her computer classroom. She came up with some hopefully good rules, prayed a lot for this new phase, and said goodbye to the wonderful summer with Aulo, Bethany, Nelton and clan.

The beginning was full of surprises and fun discoveries with the kids. Realizing she would have to learn more than 150 names, as she taught Kindergarten -5th grade, plus preschool in the afternoon, she began leafing through past yearbooks. Phrases such as "I LOOOOVE you, Mrs. Sarah" from the preschoolers and "This game is sooo fun Miss Hoobyar...I think I'm going to like the next one too!" were encouraging and helped her get through the day.

One day in late October, as she was walking around during a beautiful 75 degree recess, doing her duty, a third grade group of girls stood frozen, staring in sheer horror at the shirt of their strawberry blond friend. "MISS HOOBYAR!!!!" came their scream to my ears. "Look!" Four sets of fingers pointed to a huge, cool-looking beetle on her shirt, as the victim of this bug's attention stood paralyzed with fear, eyes as huge as the beetle itself. Finally! A bug like where I used to live! thought this brand-new teacher. She brushed it off with her cracker package, stepped on it and moved on, chuckling to herself. The girls were so adorable as they walked carefully away, giggling with relieved tension.

Not to say that this teacher loves bugs or has never had shivers run down her back when a cockroach walks over her foot, but somehow the presence of the beetle confirmed that indeed she was in the country where she feels most at home.

This is only one little part of the new teacher's adventures. There are countless moments throughout the day where she has to pray for strength and patience, and others where her eyes fill with tears as a child is sobbing after disobeying (preschoolers :) Teaching is certainly not a walk in the park all the time, but with the Lord's strength, each moment of the day can be a potential for a child to learn something new! Praise God for these opportunities to share His Light with His precious creations.

No more student status

Friday was my last day of student teaching!! I can't believe it's over... I feel relieved and sad all at once. The kids were pretty sad to see me leave, but I'll actually be back on Friday afternoon to sub for a couple of classes. That made it nice to not have to finish everything up AND say goodbye all at once. I ate lunch with two of the girls as a reward for good behavior. They were so talkative and it was fun to be able to eat with them on my last day. In the afternoon I gathered up all of the materials and cleaned up my area. It was "bittersweet" (overused phrase I know, but quite fitting,) to realize that this is the end of my college career! How crazy! Over the weekend I finished up my portfolio stuff - student profiles, tweaking observation notes, etc.

About two minutes ago, my heart sang as I wrote all these files to a CD. When it ejected from the computer, I could almost hear "Pomp and Circumstance" in the background. :) When I was decididing whether or not to come back to the States for graduation, I asked my oldest brother David about it, because he opted out of coming back, as he finished up everything in December of '05, I believe. He said that he really doesn't regret it much at all, and when he dropped his last paper off at the professor's office, he could almost hear that famous graduation song also. So...I am now looking forward to the approaching summer, and also starting to think of ideas for next year. I have a few decisions to make this week, and would appreciate prayer for that. I am excited to come up with some creative ideas and to have time to really reflect on improvements I can make and all that jazz. Yesterday was a fun day, and was somewhat of a celebration for me. My church had a race in the morning- a 50-meter dash, and an endurance one. It was so fun to fellowship with brothers and sisters in that sort of atmosphere. I enjoyed running with the women, and I won 2nd place in the endurance one and 3rd in the 50-meter. The prize was a box of chocolate. Ironic, I know, but very Brazilian :) The pastor's wife won first place in the endurance one, and she deserved it for sure! She walks about 10 K every day, and is in her mid-40's or 50's. She even was recovering from a cold, and still won! Talk about in shape! AND only 11 days until I get on that plane to Peru! By no means will it be a "perfect summer" (I don't believe in perfection until heaven,) but it will be a really important time for Aulo and I's relationship. Getting to spend that time in person and see how the other person responds in many different situations will confirm either that it's going to go further or it can't. I'm really excited to be able to talk to him without having to look at a screen in front of me. However, I am incredibly thankful for the blessing that Skype has provided us. It is so nice to at least hear his voice every week.

Thank you all so very much for your prayers!!! I could not have made it through without them, and in the really rough patches, I could definitely sense them! I will hopefully have a chance this week to send out my update letter, so be looking for the second edition of "Sarah's Scribblings" :)

Something in the fall air

Waking up to a chilly morning, I quickly grabbed my clothes and headed for the shower. I was excited for a new day, but wishing for the heat that I had experienced at the beach only 4 days earlier. Still feeling the remnants of a sunburn quickly turning into a tan/peeling skin, the cold air that whirled around me as I walked out the door in a skirt, (Moody student teacher dress code), was quite a contrast.

Throughout the morning, things were crazy as usual. Checking student's homework in the few spare moments while they were gone at Art was a flurry of math papers, spelling crosswords and the rubber fingertip I use. It was good because my cooperating teacher and I were able to meet and discuss some things I can work on. These meetings are always really helpful, but also overwhelming and make me feel as though I need to all of a sudden get so much bettter. But every time I think that, I remember that God's is molding me, not quickly making me a great teacher. That is not the way He works, but instead shapes me slowly and steadily to do His work in a way that is most effective.

Later that evening, I was overcome with homesickness. I had so much I needed to share with SOMEONE and just wanted to run to a dorm room or a family member. Then I realized what an ironic thought that was "I just need to talk to someone." Someone is ALWAYS there and loves it when I talk to Him. Realizing that I don't have any close friends here yet can seem sad, but then I realize that it helps me run to God so much more. It can become a temptation to want to either wallow in pity or run to Skype and try to talk to someone before telling God about my difficulties. But with a heart more vulnerable and open, I was able to experience God's friendship in a new way.

The kids continue to be a blessing. Though there are moments that become frustrating because I know I'm not getting through to them as much as I could, there are others when they make me remember why I want to work with kids in the first place. They are so honest and vulnerable, and that can be a scary thought, because my words need to be so well thought out.

Anyways, these are my Friday evening thoughts. I am enjoying a quiet moment with some music, and am looking forward to the Brazilian small group I'm part of from our church. We usually have a great time laughing, praying and being typical loud Brazilians. Praise God for carrying me through and helping me with my really awful bout of homesickness. I was actually almost physically sick for a while, but had to keep trusting God to get me through it.

Goodnight honeymoon stage

There always comes a time when reality sets in. In most phases and transitions of life we experience a short period when everything seems to be going perfectly smoothly and nothing will discourage you from the task at hand. And then there comes a point where you realize that being joyful and content takes work and lots of time with God.

Next week is going to be my first full week of teaching and though it is a short week, I became very overwhelmed yesterday. Part of the reason for that is because I had spent a lot of my free time during the schoolday painting the big backgrounds for the third grade play. It took quite a bit of time, and I was exhausted by the end of the week. Thankfully, the Lord put my perspective in the right place, reminding me why I am doing all of this: because this is where He has put me and because I have so much to learn from these kids. Not to mention that they are in need of someone to guide them and I am one of those people right now.

Last Friday (the 19th) I was able to go out to the Word of Life in Atibaia (about 2 hours from here) and reconnect with some missionary friends I grew up with in northern Brasil. It was such a great time, though short and really encouraged me.

There were some very meaningful moments this week. My parents got to come visit for Sunday- Tuesday which was a blessing!! We were able to have some fun times and good talks, and they got to see the church I have been attending as well as see PACA. We died laughing on Monday night playing Dutch Blitz and Mad Lib together. Mom got frustrated with Dad winning all the time that she threw all her cards at him and then with a laugh said, "That felt SOOOOO good!!!"

The kids did a wonderful job on their play. They sang a song by Mary Rice Hopkins called "Forgive" which is about the parable of the unmerciful servant. It is a really beautiful song and when kids sing it always gets to me. Such sweet sounding voices. Even though practices could get stressful and they wouldn't listen, that moment at the end when they would practice their song would help get my mind in the right place.

That is all for now! I have finished my lesson planning and am hoping to enjoy an evening with my roomate and another friend. :)

Thanks for your prayers! I cannot tell you how much I have felt them. There are times when I feel so discouraged and God just reminds me of His purposes and plans - they can be unknown to me, but He has already laid them out for me. SO thankful!