This past Friday and Saturday, for Bostick Service Day, the high school students went down to southern Indiana to help with the tornado cleanup. We helped to build and paint sheds for storage purposes, and we helped to sort through donations. We all stayed in a church that Friday night. I thought that it was neat that we had a lot of fun together while we were helping. I felt that I got to know some people I don't usually talk to better. I guess that's the beauty of high school trips!
Days have been wonderful within the last week of school and temperatures have considerably almost reached 83 degrees. Tennis practices for high-school and middle-school have started and so have all spring sports. High-School is buzzing with excitement as they received back their tablets. Pastor Appreciation Day has come and gone and we all thank our pastors for their influences on us and their willingness to serve. Eighth grade is buzzing with glorious excitement about their recent Washington DC heritage trip. They tromped through places near and around DC and learning everything about America's history. Prom is also coming for the High-School Seniors and an Underclassmen Party is destined to be scheduled for any freshmen and sophomores only from TPCA. All the same, excitement is brewing in both high and middle school and Mrs. Powell went with the 8th graders to their DC trip! Had fun sleeping in the hammocks, Mrs. Powell and 8th grade! -Emilee Johnston, a Freshman
Welcome back all high-school students from J-Term!!!! The last month had been a blast and everyone in high-school had something to do for the last two weeks. High-school Freshmen and Sophomores classes went exploring the culture of the Spanish Speaking world, while the juniors and seniors of the upper classes went sky-high searching for future colleges. Deep thinking and heart-wrenching words were spoken by the Potter in Nicaragua and students of every class got to explore to be what it was like to move away from what they've known for a lifetime of fun and learning. High-School is buzzing with excitements again as tablets of newer technology were handed out to each of the high-school students. They were collected again the last couple weeks [to update software], but are expected to be returned soon enough. A new security system was installed while the High-School students were out, new keys were given to the students as they passed to and from the buildings to join their classes. The keys that the High-School students received are specifically designed to open only the modulars and the back of the main building leading into the middle school hallway. It was actually a great relief to most of the High-School students, only a pain to those who forget them (and the 8th graders) for the doors lock instantly after they've been closed whether automatically or specifically closed. Well, a lot of exciting things has occurred over the last month and yearbook staff members are needing pictures from any events to finish the yearbook for this year. Emilee Johnston
Wow. The past few weeks have really flown by. After I blogged last time in Nicaragua, our class went zip lining, had a great time visiting our buddy's houses, and then had a sad time saying goodbye. Who knew you could grow so close to some one in a week? I pray every day for them and their families. I hope that I am here to go on the next Nicaragua trip, but I may already be in Taiwan, as my family is moving there to become missionaries. Well, that's all for now. Have a great month! Bye. - Danae Johnston, 9th grade
Here are Amy Malott’s Blogs (Spanish Teacher and Parent). TPCA 9th/10th graders traveled to Nicaragua Jan 5 - 16 for ministry, Spanish language immersion instruction and fun.
Day 1 We arrived safe and sound here at the Quinta Primavera in Managua a couple of hours ago. We had no trouble whatsoever in the travel. All of our bags, customs, immigration, etc....all went smooth as silk. We have already moved into our rooms, had a team leader meeting, and enjoyed a delicious dinner of baked chicken, rice, salad, french fries, french bread and that delicious mango juice! We are looking forward to a time of devotion and relaxation later this evening! More to come tomorrow.
Day 2 Wow! What a day we have had today! I cannot imagine being more impressed with the team leaders and the students! The leaders have each risen to new levels of involvement and relationship with the students already! The students have each risen to new levels of trust, courage and friendship with each other! It almost brings me to tears...and it is only the second day! Today was the first day we had instruction with the Nicaraguan teachers. The students are divided up into four small groups and each have a native teacher assigned to them. One of the teachers commented on how impressed he was with their writing skills. He remembered last year thinking that this was an area of weakness for most of the students in his group...not so at all this year. In fact, he told them several times how much they had progressed and how proud he was of them. Another teacher told me that when she offered a 10 minute break to her group, the students told her that they didn't need it and would rather continue with their lesson...shocker! Needless to say, she was also way impressed with her students! The most advanced group was assigned a teacher who does not speak any English AT ALL! They were a tiny bit freaked out at first, but after a short time they managed to follow along. They commented afterwards that they could never let themselves "drift off" even for a brief moment or they would be lost and that they had to rely on each other to figure things out when they didn't understand. I am so excited to see how much the students are going to grow in their language as they are challenged in this immersion experience! The fourth group has a teacher who is very relational and connected with some of them as they ate lunch together. It was a proud day for their Spanish teacher (me) not only in the area of their language, but also in their positive attitudes, their respectfulness towards the workers at the Quinta Inn, their laughter, their patience, their reflective insights, their eagerness to learn Spanish with their Nica teachers and their overall spirit of unity...now I am at tears! Moment to remember #1- When Nathan Walker was trying to console a fellow classmate of an "injustice" he said would not reconcile itself for at least 200 years from now...Nathan commented, "Dude, you will be dead by then anyway, so don't worry about it!" Ha! We all laughed hysterically! Moment to remember #2-Watching Tavian Eastman talk with his teacher over lunch and watching them try to communicate with each other in Spanish. Moment to remember #3-Listening to Dr. Rascoe explain to the kids about "pre-judgments"...prejudice, racism, opinions and superiority in our society at our "Reflection Session" last night. Moment to remember #4-Teaching Jalen Stevenson how to knit and then watching him practice his knit stitches as he rocked in the rocking chair on the back porch. More to come tomorrow...good night.
Day 3 This afternoon after our 3 hour session of Spanish we traveled by bus to the top of a volcano and then hiked around the perimeter. The view at the plateau where we started our hike was absolutely breathtaking! There was a waist high stone wall along the edge of the crater that stood between us and a hole in the earth that was as deep as the eye could see! The smell of sulfur was very strong and even bothered some of the students' eyes and throats. You could see the smoke billowing up from within the volcano...I wish you all could have been there with us to see it! The beauty of God's creation that we witnessed today cannot justified by mere words! After we left the volcano we traveled a short distance to the Fortress of Masaya. This was a military fort utilized by the Nicaraguan government to protect this area before the Civil War. Later in the 1980's it was converted to be used as a political prison. General Zamosa was in power and ordered that an additional level be dug beneath the prison as torture and execution chambers. The trained guide at the fort who is employed by the Boy Scouts gave us a guided tour of both the prison floor and the torture and execution chamber floor. The information and history he provided left all of us speechless and sober. The drastic contrast we experienced in just a few short hours was mind boggling! One moment we were literally on top of the world basking in God's glorious creation and then the next moment we were surrounded by physical and spiritual darkness that was literally the place where hundreds of Nicaraguan political prisoners suffered pain, destruction, torture and death!...Needless to say the bus ride back to the Quinta Inn for dinner was VERY quiet...wheels were turning! Moment to remember #1-John Schultz stepped up and took responsibility for something that he was not responsible for. Dr. Rascoe was so impressed with his leadership that he rewarded him with a $20 bill. Later John tried to return the money saying that he didn't deserve it. Dr. Rascoe responded, "We do not choose our actions in order to be rewarded, but rather we are rewarded by the actions we choose." Moment to remember #2-We got back to the Quinta Inn for dinner so late from the volcano and the fort that the ladies who work in the kitchen had to go home before we arrived. Because of that, we had to do all the dishes ourselves. Amazingly there were a few servant leaders that volunteered right away and stepped right up to the task and finished it well with a cheerful heart! We have good kids!
Day 4 Today we had two amazing experiences with the students! After our 3 hours Spanish session we packed bags of food to distribute to families in need in the community near Pastor Oscar's school. We then traveled to that community and visited with specific families in their homes. The students were divided into 5 groups, each with a translator and a representative from Pastor Oscar's church. The families were overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness! What a blessing it is to be a blessing! Each of the teams was assigned five families to visit and at each visit a different student was designated as the one to ask the family members questions, share about our school and our mission, ask for prayer requests, and then lead the entire group in a prayer with the family! Wow! that was really a stretch for some of the students and they rose to the occasion remarkably! Some of the family members had suffered loss of a loved one, financial ruin, and fatal illnesses. As the students blessed them by talking with them, praying for them and offering them the blessing of food and household supplies, many of them cried tears of joy! Once again....indescribable! After we left Pastor Oscar's commuity we traveled by bus to the church that is a sister church to TPCC called "Living Water Tabernacle". When we arrived we were all greeted warmly with hand shakes, hugs and kisses as brothers and sisters in Christ...all members of the family of God! They invited the entire group to stand up before the church and introduce ourselves one at a time. They clapped after each introduction! The children in the church were magnetized to our students! They wanted to hold their hands, hug them, look at them, talk to them, and even touch their hair!...it is not often they see blonde hair and blue eyes-I am sure they thought it might feel different than the dark hair they are accustomed to! Moment to remember #1-Listening to the students on the back porch during our evening reflection session talk about the family visitations and the church service...the love of Christ is transforming their hearts and minds! Moment to remember #2-The look on Dr. Rascoe's face and the inflection in his voice when I told him that the pastor of the church wanted him to deliver the sermon..."WHAT??? NO!!!!"...He did an amazing job! :)
Day 5 Today was the first day our kids met their Nica buddies at Hallie's park. They ran to the bus when the Nicas arrived and made a tunnel with their arms for them to walk through as they exited the bus. The Nica students felt very special and were giggling a lot! After we played several "ice breaker" games to get to know each other, we had Spanish and English classes for 3 hours. We shared a delicious lunch together under the pavilion and then played volleyball, soccer, dodge ball and basketball with the Nica students. It was awkward for most of them because they didn't know each other and didn't know what to say and often didn't know exactly how to say what they wanted to say. By the end of the afternoon it was evident that the walls were beginning to break down. It was an amazing day! Moment to remember #1-Seeing the expression on the Nica students' faces as they walked through the TPCA students' arm tunnel. Moment to remember #2-Watching Dr. Rascoe roll around on the dirty concrete floor while he laughed uncontrollably after watching one of Marvin's videos...he is one of us now!
Day 6 Today we went to Catarina to visit the "Potter's House"! Words cannot describe the experience!...but I shall try...The Nica students and our students all piled into the big white bus to travel over an hour to our destination! You all know that the bus ride is a big part of the experience! We broke up into two groups and did a scavenger hunt with one group while the other group was experiencing the demonstration at the potter's house. The scavenger hunt was a huge hit! They had a list of over 40 items...some in English and some in Spanish that they had to find! Not only did they have to find them, but they also had to take a digital photo to "prove" they found it! The funniest one to me was the waiter when they had to go into a restaurant and explain to the waiter what they were doing and why...Ha! We switched groups after a couple of hours so the group who did the scavenger hunt could go to the potter's house and vice versa. The potter used a big clod of clay full of rocks, straw and grass to begin his demonstration. He then showed the students how they prepare the clay by wetting it down, smashing it with their feet, breaking it apart to pick out the "imperfections" (our sins), and then shaping it into something beautiful on the wheel. Every step of the process was linked to the Bible and used to preach the gospel...in Spanish and in English! It was awesome! Moment to remember #1-Noah Lyons taking off his shoes and using his feet to spread the clay on the ground. Moment to remember #2-A Nicaraguan family approaching Mrs. Harris and I to ask us if we would let them take a picture with their two young daughters sitting with us...we felt like "movie stars"! Ha! Fun to be blonde in Nicaragua! :)
Day 7 Today we had language classes for three hours at the Quinta Inn and then packed up the bus to go to Lake Nicaragua. The kids were excited to go to the beach and hang out with their Nica buddies! It was really neat to see so many of the students get in the water and play with the Nica students! They had a great time! The whole time we were there the kids and even the adults were in the water the whole time! Many of the Nica kids do not know how to swim and don't like being in the water because they are afraid. So at one point I look over to my right and Dr. Rascoe is teaching a Nica girl how to blow bubbles and float on her stomach. The next thing I know he has at least five girls circled around him waiting their turn for him to help them learn to swim! It was a sight that I shall never forget! He did that for a long time...and with no Spanish! Gestures go a long way! :) Moment to remember #1-Nathan Walker commenting that he didn't need toilet paper or paper towel in order to go to the bathroom, so why did he have to pay 10 cords to go to the bathroom!? Moment to remember #2-Watching Dr. Rascoe teach a whole group of Nica girls how to swim in Lake Nicaragua. Moment to remember #3-Hearing Emilee Johnston share during reflections that she had come to accept the way her recent surgery had turned out after hearing the potter's presentation.
Day 8 Today we went to the school where the Nica students attend. We had our three hour class sessions there in the classrooms. It was good for our students to be able to feel what it is like to be in the same conditions that the Nica kids are in every day. After class we all went to a restaurant for lunch to have "papusas". Papusas are a corn flour dough that is filled with either beans, cheese or chicken and then fried. They served hot sauce and cabbage slaw to put on top. The kids ordered Fanta sodas and talked and laughed with their Nica buddies. When we finished lunch we returned to the school to do a service project of painting and cleaning. The Nicas and our students worked together side by side to accomplish the task. They had a lot of fun while they worked, talked and laughed. Throughout the afternoon during the service project the TPCA kids went in small groups with a leader and a translator to each of their buddies' home to meet their families. Many of the students were touched by the hospitality and the graciousness of their Nica buddies and their family members. Some of our kids were not quite prepared for exactly what they would see when they went to the homes. However, they handled it very well and gained more insight into their buddies' lives. After we got home and had dinner we had a surprise visit from a professional Mariachi Band! They played songs for the January birthday people and the kids danced to the music on the porch! Moment to remember #1-Walking through the impoverished streets of the neighborhood where we went to visit the Nica students' homes. Moment to remember #2-Watching the students dance on the porch to the Mariachi music Moment to remember #3-Seeing Jordan Gonigam hold her Nica buddies little 4 month old brother.
Day 9 Today was the last day with our Nica buddies :( After breakfast we went to Hallie's park for class and then ate Pizza Hut pizza there under the pavilion for lunch. The students spent the rest of the afternoon playing volleyball, basketball, and soccer. There were several groups of students in different areas of the park doing their own things...it flowed so smoothly! The school director was there with us and she gave makeovers to Jamie and Jordyn...it was great "girl time"! One of the Nica leaders organized several "Minute to Win it" games for the students to play...they were really funny! In one of the games the kids had to stack 5 apples on top of each other without letting them fall. In another game they had to use straws to suck up M & M's on the end of the straw and then hold it while they ran to the other end of the pavilion to drop it on their team's chair. The grand finale was the breaking of a huge pinata! The kids were swinging the stick wildly as they were spun around and blindfolded! It was sooo fun! As we packed up the bus to leave, they kids had to say goodbye to each other...hugs and tears galore! It was a tender moment for everyone! Moment to remember #1-The expression on Jordyn's face when she looked into the mirror at her makeover. Moment to remember #2-Watching the kids hug and cry when they left the park. Moment to remember #3-Hearing Miss Campbell's sister scream at the top of her lungs when she opened the bathroom door and saw a Nica boy doing his business...oops! Ha!
Day 10 Today was a SUPER fun day! We left early on the bus to go to Granada. We had our class there in the city around the square at Central Park. The native Nica teachers had a curriculum designed around the history of the city. The kids went on a walking tour with their teachers and hear all about the sights, the statues, the cathedrals, the monuments, the market, etc. Some of the classes even went on a horse drawn carriage ride all throughout the city! One group climbed to the top of the cathedral to see the amazing view of the whole city. Another group walked to the beach and took pictures of the lake where they could see the island of Omotepe in the distance. When we finished the class tours we ate lunch at the famous "Tip Top"...basically the Nica version of KFC. The Nicas LOVE Tip Top! :) After lunch we were on our way to zip line down a nearby mountain! There were 11 lines and 17 platforms that zig zagged down the mountain...it was absolutely amazing! Some of the students were scared out of their minds, but they all managed to put their faith in God and ask Him for the courage they needed to make it through all 11 lines! I was so proud of them! Many of them overcame their fear of heights and felt empowered and strong when it was all said and done...that is good stuff! Moment to remember #1-Eric Meadows stacking up all the chairs on the porch after our morning devotions...he stepped up this week and took it upon himself to do this task on a regular basis...without being asked! Moment to remember #2-Seeing the look on Jordyn Gonigam's face when she turned around on the bridge after the first zip lind and said with a huge smile on her face, "Mrs. Malott! I am going to do superman this time!" She had conquered her fear of heights! A very proud moment! Moment to remember #3-Hearing Dr. Rascoe screaming like a little girl when he came down the last zip line that the guide was bouncing up and down...I had also screamed just as loud when they bounced me! :)
1/1/12 Today was the wackiest day of the year! WAKE UP PEOPLE! That's what we had to do at 2:50am or earlier this morning. Pack, jump in the car, and race to the charter bus. Well, not exactly race to the charter bus... anyway, there we were snoring away on the way to Chicago. That was only the very beginning part of a lonnnnng airplane ride. Four hours total--I think. Now the day is over and we're all safely in Nicaragua. Does anyone have a feeling that this trip will fly past like the Washington DC trip? Don't fret on the plane, try not to yell on the plane either. If you're deaf on the plane, pop your ears and if that doesn't work, swallow. I tried talking to Ann Powell in Spanish--it worked--somewhat. Now what? Can't wait for tomorrow! OH, the weather here in Nicaragua is perfect and somewhat humid. Did I mention Mrs. Malott slept almost the entire plane ride? I got stuck in the middle--twice. All the same, the day went by beautifully. AND, the view outside the plane was gorgeous! It's amazing what God did--a most beautiful sight. Have Humans try that for a Change! Gotta go, will blog tomorrow about a question we discussed tonight.
1/6/12 Now that I've been here for two days, I noticed that Indy was vastly different than Nicaragua. Crossing the road randomly was different for me and since Miss Campbell stopped me before I crossed--she knew that I would've been runned over by a truck that wouldn't stop. Smart Miss Campbell! But, as I looked around the playground that we were cleaning, there were a lot of bottles an glass--and you get the point. I came thinking Nicaragua would be just like Indy--I was most definitely wrong about that! Talk about dirty roads, old looking and worn down buildings--writings on the walls and people lying against them. It is different! When people come and knock against the side of the bus--I wonder why they're doing it in the middle of the road. It's not smart to do stuff like that in the middle of the road. You feel bad for tem and wonder why. A whole new world--"and a population, me,"--that's what came to me from a song. It's awe to think that we mostly take for granted what most people don't have. It's humbling! Man, I didn't realize that we were being prejudice when we thought about what it would be like here compared to Nicaragua. I thought it would be the same as the US, but Nicaragua is not the same and I keep telling myself that I'm from America--the USA. People speak differently too, and when you're speaking both Spanish and English at the same time--it's hard! The volcano is tomorrow and it's supposed to be 80 degrees too. Have any snow in Indy? Emilee
1/7/12 Wow! The sky was overcast most of the day, but it never rained. Today was the most physical work out day out of the two full days we've been here. I'm the Hiker Queen! I was the first girl to ever reach the top of the volcano!--And I'm proud of it! But what was drastically different, was that we went to a Fort that told some of Nicaragua's dark history. Not only was it about war and death, but it was dark-really dark in the 2nd level. I was terrified enough to cling to Miss Campbell the entire way through the 2nd level. I had a most horrible feeling that we had walked into the most deathly place anyone could be in--and I was right when I learned that there were torture rooms. No one knows what happened to the dead bodies of the prisoners... now that really freaks me out! The thing about climbing the volcano was that it showed God's artwork and how pertiful it really can be. Besides the smell of sulfur, which really does smell like rotten eggs, it's neat to think that it was an active volcano. I can actually see the bottom of the world--amazing to think how much time God put to form the earth--or was it how little time? Anyway, the drastic change from being beautiful earthly and created by God volcano, to the dungeons of the Fort--showed me just how inhumane we humans can be. Our choices makes things like this happen...our choices can stop things like this from occurring again. Wow... Mind-blowing right? Last night was my first day out to a Nicaraguan Ice-cream shop. It was crazy! We screamed as we ran across the road to the other side. Nathan scared the girls by running out waving his arms...it was fun! Plus, the chocolate milk shake tasted delicious and we all arrived safely back. I think I'm beginning to regret having climbed the whole way up the trail to the top of the volcano...and that steep hill to the Fort too... Getting late and going to bed early tonight. We still need to catch up on sleep from the loss of the early mornings and plane rides. Tomorrow's Sunday...and we're going to Church that in complete Spanish... hope I'll be able to understand it.
1/8/12 My first day of Spanish Sunday School was a bit unnerving! It was loud and wholley pure worship for the same God that I serve. It was amazing, the loudness of one single voice leading others in worship-and the joy that they brought to the whole group. I was in awe that the fact was that they weren't thinking about how they looked, or their conditions and their physical needs. It unnerved me, and practically shut my mouth closed from any protest. The length of the songs were long and we stood up the entire time. My poor feet! I guess I couldn't really complain since I've been sitting all day mostly, I really needed the exercise. My hips were sore from yesterday, and I had to walk. Visiting the people of the Church was unnerving too, but it was also a blessing and a lifetime of an experience. We learned that it wasn't all about us, and that it wasn't us that needed help. At home, I have a nice house, computers, and my favorite Lord of the Rings Cannon. The homes we visited didn't even have a computer, much less books from what I saw. But--the thing that really impacted me was they were happy. I usually complain and try to give every excuse that I needed that something that I really wanted, Dad would tell me that I already have everything that I need. Boy is he right! I should've learned by now what Dad had been trying to tell me all my life--I might forget about it again. But the Nicaraguans don't even think about what they want, they think about what they can do for others. That is something I know that I really need to work on. They, as in the Nicaraguans, have the part in giving willing down. To me, they are the example of happiness in what little they have. The lesson I have learned is valuable, and the lesson of equality is even more valuable-that I will work on tomorrow. And tomorrow, I will meet my Nica Buddy...I'll tell you guys her name that evening. God Bless you all. (PS. Thank you Mom and Dad for letting Danae and me go to Nicaragua. Many hugs and kisses for the missing ten to eleven days. I miss Daddy's blessing he gives every night. Loving you always, and your daughter forever, Emilee) Emilee
1/9/12 Today had been a mixture of fun and newness. Firstly we met our Nica Buddies today, and what we saw was different than what we had expected or prejudged to see. At least, that was what had happened to me. I learned that like me, she loved to read books and that she's either heard or seen some of the things that I liked as well. We found equality amongst each other, and when we played the games with the balloons and relay...we had to find some way in order to communicate. Spanish was as expected, but not the dozing off and struggling to stay awake. I had not expected Carolina to know English so well and to speak it frequently to me and to be able to understand what I was saying. As I asked her about her family and what she liked, I learned that her favorite color is red and that she had two brothers. But what struck me was that she had her own cellphone--and it was a nice one too. I hadn't expected her to have one since I had been told that my Nica Buddy isn't as wealthy as I was. For that I hadn't expected them to be dressed as nice as they were and their language that they spoke I listened to during lunch to see if I could catch a few words that I knew. We played dodge ball and my buddy knew enough English to help tell Danae's buddy what was going on. But what was really cool was that we connected and that she had been Haley Malott's Nica Buddy two years before. The things we did today helped me learn that I was just like Carolina in many ways. She was smart, cheerful like me, and loved to read. She and I are the same--well, we aren't ordinary and that makes a huge impression on what I thought it would’ve e been like. For that I am thankful and am happy to learn another valuable lesson that I MIGHT so easily forget.
1/10/12 Wow! I think I am an official visual learner. I was able to understand what the potter was saying today during his lesson and I was able to help mix the clay that he was using. Every time he turned I felt that God had specifically meant this message to me. Sometimes I feel alone and unwanted--ignored and even wished that I wasn't where I was. I know I’m not the kind of prettiness that the world wants me to be--I couldn't control it. I CAN'T. Some people could call me stubborn if they've known me for years. I don't cry at movies, I don't cry when I fall. I've been through worse, I even don't cry when someone hurts me...I just hold it in. I never talk about those things, and I never talk about my--imperfect hand to anyone publicly except those who are very close. When to them I say very little about what I like and what I usually think about my hand. Just ask, and they can testify. But when the potter spoke about the clay, and the message about the clay through the Bible, I thought about my hand and how ugly it was to me. I confess that I always hated it..I even told my mom this. I hide it without even knowing that I did, and I’m always conscious about my physical imperfectness. But just like the clay, everyone is imperfect. We just had to accept what we were given and what we are like. Image bearers of God, I used to scoff at that--whenever I hear it, I always thought "why would God make such an ugly girl like me and force her to go through at least 5 surgeries and still call her an 'Image of God'?" I'm still conscious about my face, and my hand. Everyone knows that I've recently been through a surgery and that nearly destroyed all of my confidence in myself and what I looked like. The message of the potter taught me that it doesn't matter what we think of ourselves now, because when the tests come, we'll be ready. We'll be revealed as we truly are, and I hope that I will past the test as a young woman of God. My faith in Him has definitely strengthened and I've learned to finally accept what I am and why God made me like this. He's suffered before, and what I'm suffering isn't worse than what He suffered when he gave his life up on the cross... If you're reading this, I hope you'll consider what I'm saying about myself. I'm not perfect, I'm self-conscious like everyone else, but unlike a lot of people, I'm unique. I think I'm the only person with a deformed hand and I'm hoping deep inside that one day I'll meet someone like me physically and spiritually. It's hard for me to write about this, much harder for me to even speak about it. But I hope you won't make fun of it, it's personal and I know what some remarks my classmates might make. But I don't care. I've finally overcome one of my greatest obstacles of life, and I won't be ashamed to talk about my hand anymore. "It's a part of God's design, and even if you think it's ugly or I'm ugly I won't be offended. Just accept who I am and what I'm good at and we'll get along just fine..but if you make fun of God, or what he made...you're in the worse kind of trouble you could ever be in."
1/11/12 I accomplished something tonight that I thought that I would never have been able to accomplish, and that was telling everyone tonight about my life-changing moment. I accepted my appearance, my personality, and I was able to announce it to everyone, including those that I wasn't too comfortable with. That would be the boys. I didn't realize that I would be struggling from holding my tears back as I told everyone, but I had never expected everyone to clap... And that had broken me. I'm blessed to have friends such as Peter, Danae, Kelsey, my close buddy Ann...Eric and I could go on. Things are different now. Just saying my hardest thing to say was different enough and was probably one of my most difficult tests that I felt that God put me through. If I'm really accepting what I blogged about last night, would I be willing to announce it to everyone? And I was and I did. I passed the test. I can move on with a changed life. Now did I show this change to my Nica Buddy who I should be really concerned about and if I am impacting her life as well? Her answer will be my result and her memory of what we did will always stay with her as well as the things we did will always stay with me--always. Well, we're halfway through and I'm amazed that already I'm not the same girl that left North America nearly five days ago. As Miss Campbell would say "we're over the hump," I couldn't agree more. But that also means we're halfway done with our stay in Nicaragua; but I don't want it to end yet I miss my family--I'm torn in two. My relationship with my Nica Buddy is growing. Most of the time during bus rides we're both quiet and I think she's thinking. We're learning more and more about each other and since we've talked since we've met, I feel like that she's become a sister to me. Playing in the Lake Nicaragua was new to me. When we played in Florida's ocean waters, there was no trash and people were always in it. Carolina was afraid to go in the water so she stayed by the beach and watched us play. I tried to convince her that the water was fun and if she saw me in the water she would want to get in. But all she said was quote on quote: "No, I can't. I can't swim." Everywhere I would look it would have miracles and fun display before me. I saw my classmates form stronger bonds with their Nica Buddies and I loved every moment. It was good for everyone to come to Nicaragua and have this amazing and life changing experience--at least I believe it was a life changing experience and always will be.
1/14/12 The last day and a half had been rough. Diarrhea and Mom and Dad not being here with me had finally caught up. Not the diarrhea part, but the missing Mom and Dad really hit me hard when I got sick. It started the night before yesterday and I've finally gotten better around lunchtime. I'm back to normal now and I'm well enough to blog and talk about what's been going on. I missed the party for our nica buddies, but I think I would've been miserable. Well, I may post another blog tonight, but now's devotions. See ya all on Monday.
TPCA has gone though some exciting events these last few weeks and month. High School has had some major events take place. Bats flew out of the Spanish room in the High School building (only one thankfully!). Fortunately, our Romanian friend, Alex, was able to rescue the poor bat. It nearly terrified Mrs. Malott to death.
Christmas Programs with Middle School and High School are over. Way to go 7th grade boys of the Middle School Choir! Wasn't expecting that type of entertainment by Mrs. Powell. High School is relieved to finally have their android tablet or KUNO tablet. School for them would be a lot easier now that they've got them in their hands. J-Term trip is coming up. School has come to a close for this calendar year and everyone (including the teachers) are glad to have at least a week's break off for Chirstmas. Have fun! Merry Christmas everyone! -Emilee Johnston a member of the TPCA Eagle Core
Well, we had our Madrigal dinner last week, and it was great! All of us Choir people looked great in our costumes, and everyone remembered their lines. Thanks to everyone who helped with that by the way. If you weren't able to come to it this year, you have got to come to it next year!
One of my biggest jobs is helping students to be able to answer the questions that pop up in everyday life, making them independent life-long learners. I love it when something I teach, in class, is generalized and I see it show up in different places in their lives. I enjoy sharing a book called, Our Library Won’t Tell Us Anything. The teacher never directly gives the students answers but rather guides them to a place where they can find the answers to their own questions. She doesn’t “tell” them ANYTHING, she teaches them EVERYTHING! Every time I share this book with a class, I inevitably hear and see many of the things that Mrs. Skrumpski, the librarian in the story, teaches within the book. I hope I do just as good a job as Mrs. Skrumpski does. I want to make sure that I don’t tell my students anything but rather equip them with the tools they need to answer the many questions they have every day.
The book fair is one of my favorite events of the year. I just love the excitement of the students as we search for just the right book. While it is my primary fund-raiser for the school year, I am always amazed by the number of things that we all learn along the way. While parents walked side-by-side with their students I could hear the little people telling their parents about how to find a “good fit book”---I love it! Economics and an understanding of money is always a light bulb that seems to come on for kindergarten and first graders. Then there’s always the lesson of choosing quality books over flashy, short-lived nick-knacks; a lesson usually learned the hard way.
