What a busy, interesting, and exciting day. I woke up this morning and, running on very little sleep, helped one of the teachers move from the Medina (the old part of the city) to Fes Jedid (the not-as-old-as-the-old-part-of-the-city-but-still-an-old-part-of-the-city and where the Jewish quarter used to be). Although there was a temperate breeze that felt quite nice, after moving many boxes and trekking through many alley-ways, the sweat was dripping by 10am!
Back in my apartment, I contemplated a nap, but decided (quite shockingly!) that I would be a bit domestic before it got hot. In the less traditional Moroccan way, I cleaned/mopped my floors. Moroccan homes are not carpeted (a fact that I will probably find unpleasant when it turns chilly in the city), and it is necessary to mop. Traditional floor cleaning requires a large amount of water to be dumped on the floor and then squeegeed toward a drain somewhere in the house. Because I'm not a) good at mopping floors b) a fan of dumping water everywhere when I'm not sure what I'm doing and c) Moroccan, I went for the less risky version of cleaning and used a bucket and cloth, pushing the rag around on the end of the squeegee until everything was nice and wet. Although I'm sure I just moved the dirt from one side of the room to the other, I still felt quite accomplished when all was said and done. I also did two loads of laundry, washed the dishes, and looked at a bit of 12th grade literature before mid-afternoon. Go me!
This evening, all the teachers in Morocco so far (some have yet to return from summer vacation) went over to the founder of the school's home. We had a lovely meal and wonderful fellowship. It was great to meet the two newest members of the staff who arrived just last night somewhere around midnight. Although they were still jet-lagging a bit, they were so bubbly and enthusiastic about their new careers here. We all went around the table and shared how we each ended up in Morocco. Each story was unique, but they all seemed to be similar cases of doors opening, and miraculous connections just when they were needed. It was so encouraging to see how we were all ordained to be here at this exact moment. If I wasn't excited this morning or even this past week about teaching, I'm staring to be--and if not even about teaching, then about being in Morocco. I'm so excited for my new friends and the experiences, joy, sorrow, frustration, grace, surprises, laughs, and everything else we're going to share together these next few years. I just know that they will turn out to be some of my life long friends! I know that I sometimes have a trust issues, but Daddy never lets me down when I'm in a new place. He always has new, friendly faces ready to welcome me and help me adjust, and Morocco is no exception. I'm feeling very blessed right now, and even though it's not quite home (and I'm sure I'll have down days following this high), I'm glad that I have such wonderful people around that we can transition to the "home" stage together. :)
Tomorrow I'm going to the school to check out my classroom, and later this week we're heading up to the mountains for a mini "before school and stresses begin" vacation. I'll try to post some of my adventures later this week! Hugs and Kisses!
P.S. I wanted to share some devotions that I've been reading this week. Ever since I arrived here, each one has been pertinent and applicable to my situation and feelings for that day. I hope these speak to you as well.
"Find me in the midst of the maelstrom. Sometimes events whirl around you so quickly that they become a blur. Whisper My Name in recognition that I am still with you. Without skipping a beat in the activities that occupy you, you find strength and Peace through praying My Name. Later, when the happening have run their course, you can talk with Me more fully. Accept each day just as it comes to you. Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. Instead, trust Me enough to yield to My design and purposes. Remember that nothing can separate you from My loving Presence; you are Mine."
"Expect to encounter adversity in your life, remember that you live in a deeply fallen world. Stop trying to find a way that circumvents difficulties. The main problem with an easy life is that it masks your need for Me. When you came to Me, I infused My very Life into you, empowering you to live on a supernatural plane by depending on Me. Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where I want you--the best place to encounter Me in My Glory and Power. When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me! Allow Me to fight for you. Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighty Presence."
Back in my apartment, I contemplated a nap, but decided (quite shockingly!) that I would be a bit domestic before it got hot. In the less traditional Moroccan way, I cleaned/mopped my floors. Moroccan homes are not carpeted (a fact that I will probably find unpleasant when it turns chilly in the city), and it is necessary to mop. Traditional floor cleaning requires a large amount of water to be dumped on the floor and then squeegeed toward a drain somewhere in the house. Because I'm not a) good at mopping floors b) a fan of dumping water everywhere when I'm not sure what I'm doing and c) Moroccan, I went for the less risky version of cleaning and used a bucket and cloth, pushing the rag around on the end of the squeegee until everything was nice and wet. Although I'm sure I just moved the dirt from one side of the room to the other, I still felt quite accomplished when all was said and done. I also did two loads of laundry, washed the dishes, and looked at a bit of 12th grade literature before mid-afternoon. Go me!
This evening, all the teachers in Morocco so far (some have yet to return from summer vacation) went over to the founder of the school's home. We had a lovely meal and wonderful fellowship. It was great to meet the two newest members of the staff who arrived just last night somewhere around midnight. Although they were still jet-lagging a bit, they were so bubbly and enthusiastic about their new careers here. We all went around the table and shared how we each ended up in Morocco. Each story was unique, but they all seemed to be similar cases of doors opening, and miraculous connections just when they were needed. It was so encouraging to see how we were all ordained to be here at this exact moment. If I wasn't excited this morning or even this past week about teaching, I'm staring to be--and if not even about teaching, then about being in Morocco. I'm so excited for my new friends and the experiences, joy, sorrow, frustration, grace, surprises, laughs, and everything else we're going to share together these next few years. I just know that they will turn out to be some of my life long friends! I know that I sometimes have a trust issues, but Daddy never lets me down when I'm in a new place. He always has new, friendly faces ready to welcome me and help me adjust, and Morocco is no exception. I'm feeling very blessed right now, and even though it's not quite home (and I'm sure I'll have down days following this high), I'm glad that I have such wonderful people around that we can transition to the "home" stage together. :)
Tomorrow I'm going to the school to check out my classroom, and later this week we're heading up to the mountains for a mini "before school and stresses begin" vacation. I'll try to post some of my adventures later this week! Hugs and Kisses!
P.S. I wanted to share some devotions that I've been reading this week. Ever since I arrived here, each one has been pertinent and applicable to my situation and feelings for that day. I hope these speak to you as well.
"Find me in the midst of the maelstrom. Sometimes events whirl around you so quickly that they become a blur. Whisper My Name in recognition that I am still with you. Without skipping a beat in the activities that occupy you, you find strength and Peace through praying My Name. Later, when the happening have run their course, you can talk with Me more fully. Accept each day just as it comes to you. Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. Instead, trust Me enough to yield to My design and purposes. Remember that nothing can separate you from My loving Presence; you are Mine."
"Expect to encounter adversity in your life, remember that you live in a deeply fallen world. Stop trying to find a way that circumvents difficulties. The main problem with an easy life is that it masks your need for Me. When you came to Me, I infused My very Life into you, empowering you to live on a supernatural plane by depending on Me. Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where I want you--the best place to encounter Me in My Glory and Power. When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me! Allow Me to fight for you. Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighty Presence."
