Haha don't you love that I just made up a word for my title?
It's been an interesting week at the Falkner house. Molly and Mama are in Anaheim, CA for Molly's National HOSA competition. She made the top 25 in the nation! As a first year student too. I'm so proud of my lil sis!
Today (I still count it as Sunday since I haven't gone to bed yet) was my friend Ashley's birthday. 21st birthday, and first birthday as a married lady, so definitely a big day!
This week I got my new computer!!!! :D I've only been saving my money specifically for this for the last year. My ooooolllllddddd dinosaur Dell that I bought the month before I started college, well, it's barely dragging it's last leg these days. Plus, it's got something like a 17" screen, weighs more than a Physicians Desk Reference (that's a lot!), and the battery life sucks. I've already replaced the battery once and the charger twice, so I thought it was about time for an upgrade.
My new laptop is a baby Gateway, so small its almost a netbook. It's just under 14", but still is big enough for a DVD/CD drive. Built in webcam/mic for Skyping, tons of free software, great memory space (I grew up with a computer whiz dad so I know what to look for in a really good computer), great graphics specs. I got it on refurb from Best Buy, which normally I would be wary of just for warranty purposes, but if anything breaks when I'm in Ecuador, what good is a year's warranty anyway? I'm much happier with the price tag, only $480!
Now I just have to get used to it! I've used my Dell for so long it's like trying to switch to writing with my left hand. Instead of Windows XP, I have Windows 7. I have newer versions of stuff like Microsoft Works and the DVD player I use. I think the worst thing is the new keyboard. I'm all the time pushing this one key that activates the 'social network' function. It pulls up like five popups of Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, all over my screen! I'm trying my best to find out how to disable it!
This week is going to be busy busy busy as well! Tomorrow I have a haircut/trim. I'm always apprehensive about those, just because my hair is one of my biggest struggles as far as appearance. Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to just thin the bottom layers of my hair and maybe trim up my layers...we'll see how it turns out. Mom and Molly come home tomorrow night, really ready for that!
Tuesday Molly has Senior pictures. I can't believe she's that old already!!! But I know we're all going to have a ball with Jodi Forsyth, her photographer, and Molly is super excited. Wednesday is my friend Ashley's (another one, haha) birthday! I know she's excited!
Thursday I leave for Key West!!! Me, Ashley and her fiancée Paul, Jacob, Thomas and Ashley, our fearless leader Debo, and her son and our unofficial mascot Will all pull out bright and early for a LOT of driving and a lot of fun! Another high point for our trip, Saturday happens to be my 22nd birthday! Just a fabulous trip all around! :)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Reflections on MOT
Before anything else, I want to say I went through MOT with an AMAZING group of people. Five other couples: two not new to the mission field but new to Global, and three just starting out. One couple is in Italy, one is going to India, two are headed to Ethiopia, and one is actually coming to Ecuador, but not until next year. I don’t think I could have had a better group. Everyone has been so warm and open, and amazingly hilarious! They completely took this from just a good experience to an unforgettable one.
Mission Orientation Training. Actually, it should probably be more descriptive than that. Total Missionary Brain Takeover Challenge maybe? Haha I do feel like someone opened the top of my head and poured a bucket of information in!
Global does an amazing job preparing it’s missionaries to be the best servants and warriors for God they can be. They want us to be as ready as humanly possible for what is definitely a completely life altering event, even for someone only going temporarily like me. Being a missionary means that basically every aspect of your life is going to change.
We had some of the best speakers and teachers on the planet, literally. Our main teachers were the Global staff. The staff there is unique in that all are involved in missions, and some have actually lived a great part of their life on the field. They’re intimately aware of where we’re all coming from, what we’re about to be facing, and how best to prepare ourselves for it all.
We spent time talking over everything. I mean literally, every aspect of life. Money, cultural oddities, keeping your marriage happy, warding off culture shock, legal issues, how incorporate culture into your message, dealing with the sometimes unexpectedness of life. I feel like I should get to add like a year or two to my age, at least, just from all the life lessons I’ve been privileged to acquire.
Here’s some of the jewels, my favorite things I’m taking away with me:
- From Bro. William Montgomery: Jesus is known by many names, and all those live inside you. If Jesus is your Prince of Peace, you’ll never have to lack for peace in your life. If Jesus is your Comforter, you’ll never be alone and unwanted. If Jesus is your Savior, you’ll never be lost.
- God can take our most uncomfortable moments and turn them into tools for His glory, if we're open and willing.
- On mountains: They're climbable by the grace of God, for His glory. Sometimes they you get lucky and He removes them from your path, and sometimes they need to be scaled so you can get stronger.
- Joshua 14:6-14 The Israelites send spies into Canaan, and only 2 come back saying 'We can take it.' Well, the thing is, God had already given it to them, but the others were unwilling and unable to accept the challenge and the gift.
- Before God can use you to tear down others' barriers, He has to tear down yours. Worries, anxieties best left at His feet. Accepting that you aren't the smartest person around, learning with humility and eagerness. Considering that God might actually work in a way you never had imagined or planned, and He'll make something much better than you ever though possible.
- From Bro. Brian Collins: Just hang on for the divine ride.
- From Bro. David Eldridge: You have to find contentment with the restlessness of life, with ministering out of the overflow of God's grace. This comes from an abundant, deep, prayerful relationship with Christ. 'Be still and know that I am God' is not necessarily a call for silence, but a call to reflect and truly know and realize God's sovereignty. Chill out, stop, slow down from your busy life.
Life is so busy, but Jesus is an outlet for us to have those silent, peaceful moments. Jesus led a busy, hectic life too, but He still made a habit of seeking time alone with God in a secluded, quiet place. Gardens, hillsides, sea shores. Prayer isn't all talk, but also listening and introspection and reflection.
- The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.
- Approach missions with a 'giving-living' philosophy. Whatever you sow, you reap back multiplied. You can't out give God!
- Great verses I found, Romans 12: 2Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 9Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.13When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Living It Up
Countdown to life in Ecuador has begun. Which means countdown to not-living-in-Mississippi has also begun. To celebrate this, I've started living life kind of like someone who's going on a diet January 1st, and it's still December. I'm going to absolutely live it up and get in as much as possible of what I'm going to miss!
Things I’m Going to Miss MOST:
The FOOD
Actually, the food and the drinks too. Specifically:
Sweet Tea and Lemonade!
Technically I can make it myself, but when the restaurants don't even know what it is, you know you're a loooong way from home.
Mi Pueblo
Sunday night ritual for my family...gonna miss that white cheese dip!
Food from the garden
This is fried okra, my absolute favorite! I've been wondering if there was a way to somehow mail some to myself...but I don't see that happening.
Southern style breakfast food
Scrambled eggs with cheese, crispy bacon, butter sugar toast, homemade pancakes, homemade gravy & biscuits, fried potatoes...oh I can wax poetic on some breakfast food.
I actually couldn't find a picture of my other home-food indulgence. Homemade, from the garden, tomato soup with cornbread all mushed up in it. Oh my. My grandmother puts up jars and jars of soup every year, just in case we ever happen to use it all. I think we actually just started on the 2009 stock. I may have to find a way to mail that. I don't know that I can stomach fake (canned) soup for a year, missionary or not.
I love living in the South. I think we have the best ‘ethnic’ food out of any. Yes, Southern is an ethnicity when it comes to food. Think about it. Where else in the world is mac & cheese a vegetable? Or you can get fried...everything? My cholesterol may not thank me for living here, but my mouth sure does!My BATHTUB!
I don’t care if you have a eight person jacuzzi, it’s still not my tub. And showers? Ugh. Please. Showers may get you clean, but they are passe when it comes to relaxing away your day. My tub at home is custom ordered. Extra deep and extra long so you don’t have to worry about your knees or shoulders sticking up out of the water getting cold. Actually, it’s a little too big for short ol’ me...I can actually lay down flat in it, with shoes on. But who’s complaining? :)The furry creatures I call PETS
Doc, Kasey, Toby, Lucy, and Wilbur. What a menagerie. You invade my bed, steal my pillow while I’m asleep, sneak my food when you think I’m not looking, lick my face when you know I am looking, get little white hair all over my black pants and little black hair all over my white shirts...well, maybe not Wilbur. I’m gonna miss my little cuddle buddies!
Lucy...she pretty much just takes advantage of the humans for her pleasure.
Toby watching tv with/on me...he's such a couch potato.
Wilbur and some Captain Crunch...dwarf hamsters go crazy for the stuff.
I don't have any new pics of my Labs, but they're about the most laid back, easy going pets you can have. Feed us, throw the ball around, pet our ears, we're happy!
My amazing FRIENDS
So, I don't have pics of everybody I am lucky to call my friends. But, I'll still miss em! Of course, those of y'all with wi-fi and webcams, I'll be on Skype just about every evening, and I'll still have Facebook access of course!
Last but most definitely not least
My FAMILY!!!
Oh yes. I'll be on Skype a LOT. Good think it's super cheap!!!
What I'm really looking forward to:
Eating out super cheap (like $5 for a sit-down dinner)
The weather - 85 and tropical during the day, 65 at night
Everything in walking distance...I miss being at college and getting to walk most everywhere, everyday. My house is next to the school, and most of what I'll need in the town is walkable.
Traveling! Ecuador has everything a travel lover like me could want. The Andes mountains, gorgeous beaches, the Amazon rain forest, lots of Incan and Spanish history, all either a few hours drive or a cheap plane ride away. I'm hoping to go to the Galapagos Islands (they're part of Ecuador), and a town in South Ecuador called Vilcabamba that's supposed to be super gorgeous and really nice to stay in. Heck, if I'm traveling all the way down to Ecuador, I might as well see as much of it as I can!
One of the guys I went through MOT with actually went to college in Ecuador for a few years, and he and his family are returning there next year to be missionaries. He gave me a huge list of 'must see/do' things for when I go. Maybe I can hit at least a majority of them...perhaps not the zip lining through the jungle though!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Overwhelming!
It feels like it's been sooooo long since I posted...a little because it has, more because it's been so chaotic, so hectic, so awfully overwhelming lately.
I'll start back at the beginning...of June, that is.
June 6th through 10th, I had Mission Orientation Training with Global. There were five couples and myself going through, all of them amazing, hilarious people.
I tell you, that might be the most information I've ever had to absorb, and the fastest it's ever been thrown at me! But, I got much closer to actually being able to leave the country: mailing list and first mailout letter done, budget written and approved, article written for the Pontotoc Progress, insurance paperwork done, extra paperwork for my visa done (there was a TON of this). And I feel much better about going off by myself to a place thousands of miles away. They put lots of emphasis on us preparing against culture shock, as much as we can, and keeping linked in to home and our support system.
Hopefully, I can write a separate post about MOT, now that my life is back to normal. I have lots of good stuff I jotted down during our sessions I think everybody should be able to enjoy!
Tomorrow morning, I'm speaking for a few minutes in front of my church (nervous!!!) just to explain more in depth what I'm going to do than 'I'm moving to Ecuador'. Wish me...luck? Not to break a leg, for sure!
Just before MOT I met my Ecuador roommate, Laura. God definitely knew what he was doing when he sent the two Mississippi girls to Macas. From what I can tell, we're going to get along just fine! She's a sweet sweet person. And on the plus side for me, she's actually got her Masters in Elementary Ed, so if I get to Ecuador and have no idea what I'm doing, she will! :) She's on the Global site for Ecuador as well, right above me I think.
Two big events have come up in the last few weeks. First, my friends Thomas and Ashley, after YEARS of dating, got married! Then the next weekend, my first roommate Ashley (a different one) married her fiance Sam.
Unfortunately, I've been sick pretty much the entire month of June, to my utter joy. I'm not a good sick person. My mom's a nurse, so if I get sick and she can't fix it, I'm not happy. My friend's mom works as a receptionist at the Acute Care clinic I've been to twice, and she was joking that if I got any more shots I'd leak! She's about right.
The day of Thomas and Ashley's wedding, I went to the Urgent Care clinic I usually go to, and I waited FOUR. HOURS. Some kind of urgent, huh? And after all that wait, I think the nurse practitioner who saw me failed out of school a few times. She tried to tell me I wasn't even sick!
I missed the wedding, and by Monday I was so sick I had to leave MOT and go to a different Acute Care. They told me I was most definitely sick, with strep and a sinus infection. I kind of wanted to go back to that first lady and say 'So there!' but I felt too bad.
Friday I was STILL sick, so I went back for more medical intervention. And then the beginning of this week, even sicker, I finally gave up the Acute Care route, and went to see my regular doctor. It's kind of sad you can't go to a regular doctor anymore when you're actually sick...but that's another soapbox. Anyway, final diagnosis? Secondary strep and walking pneumonia. What makes it walking? I've come to think it's because you actually die a little, but your body is still going. That's what it feels like anyway.
Five antibiotics, three steriods, six cough meds, and a few other goodies later, I'm FINALLY feeling human again!
June's been busy huh? It's not over yet! I get to end the month on a good note. June 30 my Sunday school class is leaving on our annual mission trip...to Key West, Florida! Never been there before, plus my birthday is July 2nd, and we never have anything less than an amazing time, so I'm excited! :)
Next blog: stuff I'm going to miss MOST while I'm in Ecuador! I've already started living in 'take advantage of my limited time left' mode, so if you see me out eating something like a giant plate of Mi Pueblo nachos or something, just nod and wave!
I'll start back at the beginning...of June, that is.
My MOT group
MOT Group & the Global Staff
I tell you, that might be the most information I've ever had to absorb, and the fastest it's ever been thrown at me! But, I got much closer to actually being able to leave the country: mailing list and first mailout letter done, budget written and approved, article written for the Pontotoc Progress, insurance paperwork done, extra paperwork for my visa done (there was a TON of this). And I feel much better about going off by myself to a place thousands of miles away. They put lots of emphasis on us preparing against culture shock, as much as we can, and keeping linked in to home and our support system.
Hopefully, I can write a separate post about MOT, now that my life is back to normal. I have lots of good stuff I jotted down during our sessions I think everybody should be able to enjoy!
Tomorrow morning, I'm speaking for a few minutes in front of my church (nervous!!!) just to explain more in depth what I'm going to do than 'I'm moving to Ecuador'. Wish me...luck? Not to break a leg, for sure!
Just before MOT I met my Ecuador roommate, Laura. God definitely knew what he was doing when he sent the two Mississippi girls to Macas. From what I can tell, we're going to get along just fine! She's a sweet sweet person. And on the plus side for me, she's actually got her Masters in Elementary Ed, so if I get to Ecuador and have no idea what I'm doing, she will! :) She's on the Global site for Ecuador as well, right above me I think.
Two big events have come up in the last few weeks. First, my friends Thomas and Ashley, after YEARS of dating, got married! Then the next weekend, my first roommate Ashley (a different one) married her fiance Sam.
Unfortunately, I've been sick pretty much the entire month of June, to my utter joy. I'm not a good sick person. My mom's a nurse, so if I get sick and she can't fix it, I'm not happy. My friend's mom works as a receptionist at the Acute Care clinic I've been to twice, and she was joking that if I got any more shots I'd leak! She's about right.
The day of Thomas and Ashley's wedding, I went to the Urgent Care clinic I usually go to, and I waited FOUR. HOURS. Some kind of urgent, huh? And after all that wait, I think the nurse practitioner who saw me failed out of school a few times. She tried to tell me I wasn't even sick!
I missed the wedding, and by Monday I was so sick I had to leave MOT and go to a different Acute Care. They told me I was most definitely sick, with strep and a sinus infection. I kind of wanted to go back to that first lady and say 'So there!' but I felt too bad.
Friday I was STILL sick, so I went back for more medical intervention. And then the beginning of this week, even sicker, I finally gave up the Acute Care route, and went to see my regular doctor. It's kind of sad you can't go to a regular doctor anymore when you're actually sick...but that's another soapbox. Anyway, final diagnosis? Secondary strep and walking pneumonia. What makes it walking? I've come to think it's because you actually die a little, but your body is still going. That's what it feels like anyway.
Five antibiotics, three steriods, six cough meds, and a few other goodies later, I'm FINALLY feeling human again!
June's been busy huh? It's not over yet! I get to end the month on a good note. June 30 my Sunday school class is leaving on our annual mission trip...to Key West, Florida! Never been there before, plus my birthday is July 2nd, and we never have anything less than an amazing time, so I'm excited! :)
Next blog: stuff I'm going to miss MOST while I'm in Ecuador! I've already started living in 'take advantage of my limited time left' mode, so if you see me out eating something like a giant plate of Mi Pueblo nachos or something, just nod and wave!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
First Time Lessonplanning
Well, it's totally true. God has a sense of humor, and I think right now He's on the floor laughing at me. That's right people, the girl who swore VBS was the best birth control on the planet, who said she'd never teach, who said she'd not leave the greater city limits of Thaxton, MS...is going to spend 9 months teaching 4 year olds in Ecuador. And the reality has begun to set in.
Being a planner, I'm now going into Panicked Planning Mode. I have only 75 (give or take a few) days before I leave. Next week, 5 of those are totally dedicated to MOT/orientation. In July, 10 are dedicated to my college class's Key West mission trip. And I of course have several odd and end days blocked out for stuff like weddings, Molly's senior pics, one last cake, and little stuff like getting in all my dentist appointments and such before I leave the US. So basically, down to....50? Ohgoodlord.
This week, I've wrote out a GIANT list of people, complete with addresses, that I'm sending support letters to. Believe me, an undertaking of this sort requires LOTS of support. This list will also be used if Global requires me to write up an update letter to send out. Of course, I'll be updating Facebook and my blog much more often than I will be sending out mail, so just stick with me here and you'll be up to speed.
As far as actually planning lessons and stuff, they're actually writing up the academic curriculum right now. Ms. Wendy, the missionary, has been teaching the preschool for the past few years, and the fact that I'm going to teach her class gives her an opportunity to start writing a standard curriculum for all the teachers in each grade to go by. They use a Spanish version of Abeca, mixed in with an English version. And bonus, if I happen to need help, Ms. Wendy's not totally unavailable to help me!
Even with the curriculum taken care of though, I'll still have to come up with crafts, teaching aids, songs, games....all the stuff you need to keep a pack of 4 year olds occupied with you from 8 am to 2 pm. It's been sort of a mix between 'fun' and 'Oh lord what am I forgetting?'
Basically, we're going to cover the Alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, all the generic preschool stuff. I'm sure we'll go over stuff like animals, weather, music, etc. Being that it's a Christian school, we also add in simple Bible stories and songs.
I'm limited as to what I can take with me, basically what I can fit in two suitcases along with all my clothes and personal effects. I'm totally paying extra and just making it overweight, if it's an option. They are in a larger city, so I can buy some supplies. A few things are hard to get down there, like stickers, construction paper, and washable markers, so I'll definitely be packing those. I've already got some teachers saying 'We've got that kind of stuff running out of our closets! Please take some of ours!' so that's good. I will have my computer and internet access at the school, so I can always print off a few coloring sheets or stick in Finding Nemo if I get in a pinch.
It's been kind of fun at my house. I've been making my mom and sister try to come up with little kid songs and games. Some we all remember, some we started out only remembering a few words of and between us we got it, some we just gave up on!
So, here's my project/challenge for all of you. Especially you teacher ladies just coming out of student teaching! I have tons of songs and lesson/teaching ideas, but I need some other ideas. Easy games for preschool age, that don't necessarily have to be played outside, and easy craft ideas that don't require a ton of stuff pre-bought or cut out/assembled. I'm guessing I'll have around 20 kids. Ready.....Go!
Being a planner, I'm now going into Panicked Planning Mode. I have only 75 (give or take a few) days before I leave. Next week, 5 of those are totally dedicated to MOT/orientation. In July, 10 are dedicated to my college class's Key West mission trip. And I of course have several odd and end days blocked out for stuff like weddings, Molly's senior pics, one last cake, and little stuff like getting in all my dentist appointments and such before I leave the US. So basically, down to....50? Ohgoodlord.
This week, I've wrote out a GIANT list of people, complete with addresses, that I'm sending support letters to. Believe me, an undertaking of this sort requires LOTS of support. This list will also be used if Global requires me to write up an update letter to send out. Of course, I'll be updating Facebook and my blog much more often than I will be sending out mail, so just stick with me here and you'll be up to speed.
As far as actually planning lessons and stuff, they're actually writing up the academic curriculum right now. Ms. Wendy, the missionary, has been teaching the preschool for the past few years, and the fact that I'm going to teach her class gives her an opportunity to start writing a standard curriculum for all the teachers in each grade to go by. They use a Spanish version of Abeca, mixed in with an English version. And bonus, if I happen to need help, Ms. Wendy's not totally unavailable to help me!
Even with the curriculum taken care of though, I'll still have to come up with crafts, teaching aids, songs, games....all the stuff you need to keep a pack of 4 year olds occupied with you from 8 am to 2 pm. It's been sort of a mix between 'fun' and 'Oh lord what am I forgetting?'
Basically, we're going to cover the Alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, all the generic preschool stuff. I'm sure we'll go over stuff like animals, weather, music, etc. Being that it's a Christian school, we also add in simple Bible stories and songs.
I'm limited as to what I can take with me, basically what I can fit in two suitcases along with all my clothes and personal effects. I'm totally paying extra and just making it overweight, if it's an option. They are in a larger city, so I can buy some supplies. A few things are hard to get down there, like stickers, construction paper, and washable markers, so I'll definitely be packing those. I've already got some teachers saying 'We've got that kind of stuff running out of our closets! Please take some of ours!' so that's good. I will have my computer and internet access at the school, so I can always print off a few coloring sheets or stick in Finding Nemo if I get in a pinch.
It's been kind of fun at my house. I've been making my mom and sister try to come up with little kid songs and games. Some we all remember, some we started out only remembering a few words of and between us we got it, some we just gave up on!
So, here's my project/challenge for all of you. Especially you teacher ladies just coming out of student teaching! I have tons of songs and lesson/teaching ideas, but I need some other ideas. Easy games for preschool age, that don't necessarily have to be played outside, and easy craft ideas that don't require a ton of stuff pre-bought or cut out/assembled. I'm guessing I'll have around 20 kids. Ready.....Go!
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