tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82562595745412607072024-03-13T08:29:02.017-07:00~Thoughts from Cambodia~Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-16117409384491373312013-08-11T16:27:00.003-07:002013-08-11T16:27:49.784-07:00Not now...
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve always considered myself to be a patient person…maybe I
just haven’t been in situations where it was really difficult to be patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here I am, after 6 weeks (that was
supposed to be 3 ½) still in Akron waiting for something I have no control
over, and realizing that my patience is running low.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Theory: Patience is a fruit of the Spirit—it is important for us to
show patience to others as we reflect who God is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I am so underserving of the
endless patience God has already shown me throughout my life as I fail again
and again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important for us to
have patience with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His timing is
perfect and when we get angry when He is not doing what we want…well, you can
tell just by thinking about it, that’s a little backwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have patience I have to trust that God is
in control and knows exactly what He’s doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Practice: During the first week I was in the States I got poison ivy
all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have ever had it, you
know that it is miserable and takes a lot of patience in the intense itching, the
sleepless nights, and just in taking so long for it to go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that was my first challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then throughout the summer God continued to
challenge me in having patience with my family, with living at Grandma’s, with
having to go out somewhere with free Wi-Fi to use the internet, and with the
delay with my visa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are all fine
and life goes on, but I was surprised by the attitude that came out of me in
certain situations—an attitude of pride and a sense of entitlement to things
going my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what do I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
visa for China is having major complications, so it looks like I will be here
for another month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I am
asking all the “why” questions and wondering whether I was supposed to go in
the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am still certain
that this is what God is leading me to do—just not in the way that I thought it
would happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this situation
especially, there is nothing I can physically do to work it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to choose to trust and rely on Him to
take care of it—not only in my head, but in my heart and my attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I thought if I’m here, I might get some
sort of job to help pay for things and give me something to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I slipped in the rain and ruined my
knee so that will be impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was reading back over my journal from the end of my time
in Cambodia, and read how I prayed that God would prepare my heart to serve at
a new school and to love my new students because I did not feel that it would
be possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe God is providing for
this request through my extended time of rest and waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The battle against my human nature and against
my brain continues and my angry moments don’t go away, but I want to choose to
trust, choose to let go and allow God to do what He is doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-9309180478752675372013-07-27T11:02:00.000-07:002013-07-27T11:02:38.403-07:00Updates
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Friends, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Thank you so much for your patience with me and for supporting me and loving me over the past 2 years! I am sitting here trying to figure out how to update you on
what has happened in the past… 4 monhs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Definitely <u>not</u> me getting better at blogging. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s work backwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right now I am sitting in a coffee shop in Akron, Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been in the States for a month now
staying with my grandparents, visiting friends, trying to get things sorted for
the next part of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of you know
I am now an aunt, and I got to meet my beautiful niece Saphira Grace since I’ve
been here. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Before
flying to the States I spent a week in Hungary with the rest of my family—it
has been such a blessing to get to see them more than once this year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And before that I was finishing up the school
year at Hope in Phnom Penh. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time continues,
life is happening, but the last few months seem very incoherent. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope that most of you have already heard that I finished
my job in Cambodia in June and am moving to teach at an international school in
China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now just waiting for my
paperwork to be processed so I can get my visa and get there as close as
possible to the start of the school year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you could join with me in praying for this process with timeliness
and complications, that would be great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are some pictures from my last week in Cambodia.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEsiVGaT9L4/UfQHFbq60xI/AAAAAAAAAJg/EjnDoJI565k/s1600/1011168_4813939637463_1512495935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEsiVGaT9L4/UfQHFbq60xI/AAAAAAAAAJg/EjnDoJI565k/s320/1011168_4813939637463_1512495935_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My beautiful 10SL pastoral group. I will miss them so much!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlxiX_W-Rs0/UfQHcl0jIXI/AAAAAAAAAJw/GUK-EQ7BYgE/s1600/DSCF3367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlxiX_W-Rs0/UfQHcl0jIXI/AAAAAAAAAJw/GUK-EQ7BYgE/s320/DSCF3367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our amazing tuk-tuk driver.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hBt452jfchw/UfQHZsEF_5I/AAAAAAAAAJo/9zm8e3f9s2U/s1600/DSCF3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hBt452jfchw/UfQHZsEF_5I/AAAAAAAAAJo/9zm8e3f9s2U/s320/DSCF3373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Working will never be the same without Youjin and James- love you guys!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXVQKLR4II4/UfQIuuk6j5I/AAAAAAAAAKA/1OsS7Fsx3kw/s1600/DSCF3269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jXVQKLR4II4/UfQIuuk6j5I/AAAAAAAAAKA/1OsS7Fsx3kw/s320/DSCF3269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My last music classes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Q9kKAPm7Y/UfQI03Jm0jI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/hlZKW4sgMJE/s1600/DSCF3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Q9kKAPm7Y/UfQI03Jm0jI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/hlZKW4sgMJE/s320/DSCF3307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time with the wonderful housemates.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDf_Zpm1yF0/UfQI0m7gBtI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Xyf7EhVutnA/s1600/DSCF3350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDf_Zpm1yF0/UfQI0m7gBtI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Xyf7EhVutnA/s320/DSCF3350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left my classroom more organized than it ever had been. Part of trying to end well. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leaving my home for the past two years was not an easy
decision, and though I know it was right, I still feel guilty about it and am
working through some of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It broke my
heart to leave my students and I have yet to fully understand the finality of
the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting from nothing again in
a new place seems a little crazy, but I truly love teaching these students and
believe that this is what He is calling me to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also know that God will continue to provide and be the constant in my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am finally starting to get
excited for this new adventure in China and am looking forward to getting
started and meeting my kids. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Similar to my school in Cambodia, I will be paid enough to
live on but need to raise some support for extra expenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would be interested in supporting me
financially either with a one-time gift or monthly, please let me know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am serving with Oasis International Schools
and my project number is 003759.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
use this link to donate </span><a href="http://oasisis.org/donate"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://oasisis.org/donate</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-82290646128085259752013-05-04T21:24:00.000-07:002013-05-04T21:24:39.999-07:00The start of the lasts
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Friends, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I apologize for not communicating with all of you
lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year has been a whirlwind
full of wonderful things and difficult things, and when I try to explain in
words what is happening, I find myself overwhelmed and unable to express the
way I want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think also, it has been
a confusing year in some ways and if you know me well, it is hard for me to
talk about something if I don’t have it figured out. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed, and here I
am at the beginning of May, thinking about how to end my time in Cambodia
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like a just got
here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week I had the privilege of being on an adult TCK panel
where parents at the school were invited to ask questions about life as a TCK
and how it has affected us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really
enjoyed the evening—just getting to share experiences and trying to communicate
to parents that even though there are tough things about it, they are <u>not</u>
messing their kids up by living overseas. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
I teared up a couple times as I always do when talking about the life of a
TCK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every time I hear others’
stories, I am amazed by the unique lives, and the way that God works in us so
personally. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, one of the main
topics of questioning was about transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Transition to the host culture, transition to the passport culture,
transition to university after graduating… never-ending transitions it seems!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is the hardest part of this
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never gets simpler really to
leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the re-entering I have made
some progress and found some things that work for me, but the leaving is
gut-wrenching every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So that is the phase that I am going into right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have about 6 weeks left at school with my
kids, with my friends and in this city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last night I had my last concert with the community choir that I have
been a part of during my time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a good one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know the next few
weeks will be filled with “lasts”, so I am trying to prepare myself to be able
to enjoy them and to end this phase of life well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am still waiting for direction about where to be next
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have some exciting options, but
would appreciate prayers for wisdom in this decision. Thank you!</span><br />
Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-23839723117901979992012-11-08T17:34:00.000-08:002012-11-29T17:42:56.563-08:00November<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time continues to fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Days are getting quickly filled up with rehearsals and school work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas…actually not at all with the weather and all, so I have to keep reminding myself of the facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Christmas concert is in 5 weeks, so yesterday we started working on props and costumes—a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">much </i>simpler process than last year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week we had auditions for our Spring Musical, Cinderella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited to get started on that! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Needless to say, we are making schedule after schedule and hoping that it all somehow fits together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The life of a music teacher, eh? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These past couple of weeks I have started thinking about decisions that are coming up in my life once again, having to do with where I will be in the coming year or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process always seems so complicated—in any decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s so easy to get caught up in it—so easy to worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have to remember the way God has directed my decisions so far in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the fact that my worrying does no good at all, and that He will provide in the exact moment that I need it (whatever it is).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My perceived timing needs are so wrong sometimes…and sometimes He is just waiting for me to remember to ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few months ago I was walking home from school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty much exhausted by the time I leave school, so I was walking along, past all these people and thought “Why do You have me here among all these people that I will never get the chance to invest in or even just get to know?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as I turned the corner, I heard “Sister, sister!” and a group of 4 girls were trying to catch up to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we talked as we walked the rest of the way home and it was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And things like that happen over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I even think about it when I know better?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it’s just habit I think—what a crazy habit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take it as it comes, God's got it under control.</span></div>
Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-86141952293629180932012-10-07T07:56:00.001-07:002012-10-07T07:56:31.724-07:00A few quick pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJi5bABAAo/UHGTTjMxPNI/AAAAAAAAAIA/miygJ4UKXG0/s1600/DSCF2951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJi5bABAAo/UHGTTjMxPNI/AAAAAAAAAIA/miygJ4UKXG0/s320/DSCF2951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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View out my bedroom window. We live next a dump/recycling place. The contrast is hard to wrap my head around sometimes.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--H569Bjo6gE/UHGTZTt1h5I/AAAAAAAAAII/V54JcRKxWHU/s1600/DSCF2953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--H569Bjo6gE/UHGTZTt1h5I/AAAAAAAAAII/V54JcRKxWHU/s320/DSCF2953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our kitchen area. So thankful for the lovely space. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDKZo_HYmT4/UHGTdi85a1I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/E7_QCbeUqU8/s1600/DSCF2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDKZo_HYmT4/UHGTdi85a1I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/E7_QCbeUqU8/s320/DSCF2954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Entrance/living room area.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igRQrKZDJuw/UHGTk5BLAzI/AAAAAAAAAIY/oqQkY_M3To8/s1600/DSCF2955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igRQrKZDJuw/UHGTk5BLAzI/AAAAAAAAAIY/oqQkY_M3To8/s320/DSCF2955.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Buddhist shrine right outside out door.</div>
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Little fruit/vegetable stand right across the street. They pop up everywhere.</div>
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My street. We are very fortunate that it doesn't flood.</div>
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People spend their days outside in the open for the most part. Life is public.</div>
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Little bananas. The fruit is great!</div>
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Me in my moto-helmet. I carry it around with me when I go out.</div>
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Just a few pictures to help visualize a bit. :)</div>
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Come visit anytime!</div>
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Please pray for Cambodia this week, there is a tropical storm coming through and people in the provinces are worried about flooding. Last year we had bad floods and many lost their houses, their ricefields and livelihoods. They can't afford to have that happen again. </div>
Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-5314537559933012612012-10-07T07:29:00.002-07:002012-10-07T07:29:56.586-07:00Reaction check-up<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The past two weekends I even came up with topics for my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weeks ago I was supposed to take pictures and talk about things that have become normal to me since living in Cambodia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week I was going to write about how Asian Hungarian culture is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which both might happen soon! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But today something different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been learning a lot about myself lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is not as smooth as I thought it was going to be, and as new situations come up, it’s interesting to notice my natural reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, I’ve never had a problem with following rules, but I am finding now that boundaries that are put up that I don’t completely agree with are difficult and don’t bring out the best in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, realizing the influence I can have whether good or bad, simply by the way I walk through the door has to change the way that I react to the thousands of things that happen in a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So this morning at church the sermon was on suffering, from 1 Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a topic that I have discussed in many one-on-one conversations, many Bible studies, I’ve lead classes on the issue…it’s not something I haven’t thought about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But usually the conversations have to do with the presence of suffering rather than the reaction to suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning one of the key phrases mentioned was “the presence of suffering does not necessarily mean you are in the wrong place or doing the wrong thing”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is true when I think about it, it makes sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have never thought of it that clearly before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pain is not something I readily welcome into my life…not many people do—but I think my natural conclusion with pain is that there is something that needs to be changed…whether that is me, or the people around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The situation or my location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the presence of suffering does not mean we have to change something, it doesn’t always mean that I need to make adjustments to make the suffering stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such a simple concept, but so complex at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hardships, conflicts, frustrations that may be going on can be part of the life-process rather than a clue to turn the other direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me this is an important thought right now as I react to everyday situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope this encourages you too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More to come on life in Cambodia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For sure. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-56295769926087052412012-07-05T23:55:00.000-07:002012-07-05T23:55:18.878-07:00A good week<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The summer is almost halfway over!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds like such a long time and then it goes so quickly. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> For the first time in my life (as far as I can remember), I do not have something concrete to do with my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am taking things as they come up, taking some Khmer lessons, and doing some work for school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week—perfect timing because I was starting to get bored—I got to help lead a service trip with some of the high school students who are here this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to an orphanage called Jumpah in one of the nearby provinces mainly to help with jobs needing to be done around the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my first time spending more than a day in rural Cambodia so it was a good experience for me to be sleeping on the floor, using squatty potties and bucket showers. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I was challenged again with thinking about the lifestyle I live and the way I use my resources. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides the manual labor we got to help with evening English classes, play volleyball and just spend time with the kids there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also got to teach a music class to a few of the students there, which was one of my favorite things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure where to start with them or what their musical abilities were so I asked if there was anything specific they wanted to learn, and one of the young men said “I want to learn anything that you know”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> With the music and with English classes it was so encouraging to remember the joy of learning as we interacted with the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also a joy to watch the students that came with us step out and love people and be challenged themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the week we were dirty and sore but we got to serve and get to see more of God’s work and His people in Cambodia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a couple pictures from the week…</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KR_fU3DR8g/T_aK9vsw0xI/AAAAAAAAAH0/mYje44LPHgM/s1600/Jumpah+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KR_fU3DR8g/T_aK9vsw0xI/AAAAAAAAAH0/mYje44LPHgM/s320/Jumpah+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-65926846744675293852012-06-15T22:36:00.002-07:002012-06-15T22:36:41.641-07:00End of the year<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So it’s been a week since the last day of school—this means my first year of teaching successfully finished (!), but it also means a goodbye-exhausted heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, especially recently, I wonder why I allow myself to go through this so frequently when I know how much I hate it…but who am I to say no, eh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If He is calling me to a place and giving me the strength to go through it, I can’t say that it’s too much goodbye-ing, too much transition so I don’t want to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I know this process well, it tears a bit on my already hurting heart with a new set of people I have grown to love and appreciate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has truly blessed me in so many ways this year in His wise and unexpected ways and the sadness right now is right and good because of how He has worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I’m sitting here wondering what words to use to try to explain what has happened this year, it seems there is so much to say that there is nothing to say…when the thoughts are rushing through your mind but none of them are full thoughts so they probably wouldn’t make much sense to anyone—that’s what is going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I will just say that looking back lots of it looks like a blur, but a blur with clear pictures of beauty throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blur comes with the job of being a music teacher, comes with being busy, it comes with phases of adjustment in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have seen amazing growth and change in my students this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen them think certain thoughts for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen the transition from confusion to understanding in all kinds of situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen students recognize talents they didn’t know they had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen kids shine as they selflessly use the abilities God has given them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And those of you who know me well know that these are the things that make my heart smile…as I take time to rest and reflect this summer I pray to understand and see more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will be in Phnom Penh during our break from now until the beginning of August, so I will have more time for skype-ing and emailing and would love to talk to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, if you get the urge to visit South East Asia this summer, you are more than welcome to come by and stay with me! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-82359066112406061032012-04-12T01:29:00.000-07:002012-04-12T01:29:04.005-07:00Godspell!Well, it all happened and I am so thankful! :)<br />
It seems like much more than a week and a half ago since the performances, I think life just drastically slowed down afterwards...no Godspell and we went on our April break. Anyway, my kids were amazing, and I was and am so so proud of what they did! People were impressed and surprised by what they produced. Even my band was made up of all students, who only had the music for 2 weeks and were able to keep the show going! I really have no words to explain what it was like, but it was just beautiful to see the kids on stage, using the talents God has given them, working together and creating something so creative and so excellent. :) It was a powerful experience and thinking of it will always make me smile! <br />
Thank you for your prayers for me and for the students~<br />
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Here are some pictures for you to enjoy from the show!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXzoaNja4MI/T4aQdYV9YHI/AAAAAAAAAHM/LQjmwwJbLuk/s1600/IMG_6550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXzoaNja4MI/T4aQdYV9YHI/AAAAAAAAAHM/LQjmwwJbLuk/s320/IMG_6550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCa2-Fcoquc/T4aRKsngdVI/AAAAAAAAAHU/YIZUXG0U8nc/s1600/IMG_6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCa2-Fcoquc/T4aRKsngdVI/AAAAAAAAAHU/YIZUXG0U8nc/s320/IMG_6572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-12126108924366004982012-03-18T23:58:00.001-07:002012-03-18T23:59:35.266-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is way past time for a blog update, and I apologize for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gotten into a better routine this semester so I guess I just need to put regular blogging into that routine. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My 3<sup>rd</sup> set of grades were turned in this week, which means that my first year of teaching is ¾ done!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t seem real, it is all going so fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am no longer a “new teacher” at school, which is nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recruiting for music activities this semester was much easier than at the beginning of the year when I had no idea who the kids were and they didn’t know who I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I am still enjoying my students and have been learning so much about teaching, about Cambodia, about people…it’s hard to explain. </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are less than 2 weeks away from the performance of Godspell! Yesterday we had our first rehearsal where things gelled and it was so great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My cast is wonderful—many of them have never been a part of something like this and it has been beautiful to see them do new things and grow in confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are still details to take care of and last minute organizing to do as well as some intense rehearsals yet to go, but it will happen and it will be good. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I will post pictures after the performance!</span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another exciting thing happening at the same time is that my sister Hannah is coming to visit for 2 weeks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am looking forward to spending time with her and to showing her my life here. </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> And she will be here in time to see Godspell~ </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: black;">Things at school this semester have been a little chaotic and difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many changes happening—more than usual at an international school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest thing right now is that the high school will be moving to a new location in August because we are short on space and the prices were raised on the rent for the buildings we are using now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new school will be on the other side of the city and many people will have to adjust, but it is a necessary move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will change things for teachers of course—for me mainly that I will no longer be working together with Youjin, and that I will need to take on some other classes in the high school to fill my schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Along with that, here’s a little advertising...If you are reading this and looking for a place to work next year, Hope School is in need of new teachers as well as office staff—it could be you! </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></em><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><em> Check out the school website: </em></span><a href="http://www.hopeschool-cambodia.org/"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><em>www.<b>hopeschool</b>-<b>cambodia</b>.org</em></span></a><cite><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><cite><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;">and let me know if you have any questions</span>! </span></cite></span></span></cite></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UkC3hRodTE4/T2bYRGlB8lI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/KziQFHaYVg4/s1600/DSCF2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UkC3hRodTE4/T2bYRGlB8lI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/KziQFHaYVg4/s200/DSCF2884.JPG" width="200" /></a><cite><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></cite></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That is a lot of what is going on right now—lots of things to do, I find myself gliding through days, which isn’t my favorite thing to do, but God is faithful in providing glimpses of His beauty that bring me back to reality and keep me going. </span></cite><cite><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></cite><cite><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></cite></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please pray for the next 2 weeks of crazy preparation for Godspell and for my cast, that this would be a great experience for them and a powerful experience for the audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></cite></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8fSMoZI57g/T2bYOsDClAI/AAAAAAAAAFI/tBdQAGW-e5E/s1600/DSCF2881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8fSMoZI57g/T2bYOsDClAI/AAAAAAAAAFI/tBdQAGW-e5E/s200/DSCF2881.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XA3Cg04WSBQ/T2bYHm6z2VI/AAAAAAAAAE4/IK7FehQrfjI/s1600/DSCF2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XA3Cg04WSBQ/T2bYHm6z2VI/AAAAAAAAAE4/IK7FehQrfjI/s200/DSCF2880.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some of the things we are getting ready...painting philosopher busts and havi<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QuP7e5FyEQ/T2bYKYORckI/AAAAAAAAAFA/XYDYx8JVWuo/s1600/DSCF2883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QuP7e5FyEQ/T2bYKYORckI/AAAAAAAAAFA/XYDYx8JVWuo/s200/DSCF2883.JPG" width="200" /></a>ng a table built for the set. :)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-39784848524525978162012-01-14T17:24:00.000-08:002012-01-14T17:24:30.911-08:00Back to my new home...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second semester has started full on, bringing lots of new things with it. I am now teaching a middle school math class which I am really excited about, I am moving with my housemates to a new place because the people whose house we are living at now are coming back from furlough in a week, and I get to start directing my first real musical, Godspell, that will be performed at the end of March! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are a couple of pictures from my Christmas concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out really well, I was so proud of my kids! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ax5s1oLpp6Q/TxIkdkaeEYI/AAAAAAAAADg/pJxl7t-LdrA/s1600/12_December_2011_320%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="height: 213px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 313px;"><img border="0" height="212" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ax5s1oLpp6Q/TxIkdkaeEYI/AAAAAAAAADg/pJxl7t-LdrA/s320/12_December_2011_320%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asVMGNvYnd0/TxIk3lL4K-I/AAAAAAAAADw/X1D3WWJ9hZE/s1600/concert+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asVMGNvYnd0/TxIk3lL4K-I/AAAAAAAAADw/X1D3WWJ9hZE/s320/concert+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COQPJqE8Gyc/TxIkhw2bsjI/AAAAAAAAADo/4XNClnhwd-E/s1600/12_December_2011_517%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COQPJqE8Gyc/TxIkhw2bsjI/AAAAAAAAADo/4XNClnhwd-E/s320/12_December_2011_517%255B2%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S1ChORooCDM/TxIlDn2JUwI/AAAAAAAAAD4/jbk6QQfDshs/s1600/383151_245459348852935_100001666140372_621234_2021045485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S1ChORooCDM/TxIlDn2JUwI/AAAAAAAAAD4/jbk6QQfDshs/s320/383151_245459348852935_100001666140372_621234_2021045485_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Time is such a strange thing—being back here in Cambodia now it feels like I never even left, like things are just continuing, but I know better than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I was back in the States with my friends and family, it also felt like I was just continuing my life from before…like no time had passed but it had!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am thankful that distance and time passing doesn’t seem to matter so much anymore in continuing relationships. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over Christmas break I got to go to Iowa to be a part of my friend Joy’s wedding, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEwez6xGzdY/TxImecE7YeI/AAAAAAAAAEg/CibUfkm0fAk/s1600/399164_597445698663_179202845_32410095_884438842_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEwez6xGzdY/TxImecE7YeI/AAAAAAAAAEg/CibUfkm0fAk/s320/399164_597445698663_179202845_32410095_884438842_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got to see friends who are living all over the world,</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-690W9y0DDy0/TxIml5QMHtI/AAAAAAAAAEw/xt_zCkjewPw/s1600/401715_10150633017788976_695488975_11734000_353061797_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-690W9y0DDy0/TxIml5QMHtI/AAAAAAAAAEw/xt_zCkjewPw/s320/401715_10150633017788976_695488975_11734000_353061797_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and to see family,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Z5RPEbq2Y/TxIl2VUSWVI/AAAAAAAAAEI/RRBVS2VrJIk/s1600/DSCF2767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Z5RPEbq2Y/TxIl2VUSWVI/AAAAAAAAAEI/RRBVS2VrJIk/s320/DSCF2767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlkQDcG8epg/TxImYtxjXjI/AAAAAAAAAEY/jasnEC6SbjA/s1600/383254_10150486789678550_501613549_8741162_835881053_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlkQDcG8epg/TxImYtxjXjI/AAAAAAAAAEY/jasnEC6SbjA/s320/383254_10150486789678550_501613549_8741162_835881053_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got to see my little brother get married to now Meagan Lingenhoel :) , </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VnIdQTyJD40/TxImjmP3E4I/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZdLS4v-Sqmk/s1600/393977_1690591961791_1747508769_794493_700886804_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VnIdQTyJD40/TxImjmP3E4I/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZdLS4v-Sqmk/s320/393977_1690591961791_1747508769_794493_700886804_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and just spend time with the people I love. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGR3eAZClbQ/TxIlSRWHigI/AAAAAAAAAEA/DpexMi2WBdU/s1600/DSCF2704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGR3eAZClbQ/TxIlSRWHigI/AAAAAAAAAEA/DpexMi2WBdU/s320/DSCF2704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4oZHc_Ynks/TxImCPIdY8I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/bsv_GXOuia4/s1600/DSCF2776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4oZHc_Ynks/TxImCPIdY8I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/bsv_GXOuia4/s320/DSCF2776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just to catch you up a bit on life… </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> As I am getting back into routines and trying to keep the momentum from last semester, I would appreciate your prayers for transitions happening among staff and students at school and for the process of starting Godspell- I am really excited for the product and for what God will do in these kids' lives through being involved in this show, but also a little nervous. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-71012434132455718972011-11-26T23:17:00.000-08:002011-11-26T23:17:13.038-08:00Thankful<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m thankful for my ceiling fan,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And for the coffee 50 cents can buy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m thankful for my friends afar,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And for the kids that make me cry.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, a very poor attempt at poetry. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> It’s been so good for me though this week, thinking about all the things that God blesses us with and remembering to acknowledge that—not just breeze through not taking notice of anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially now with the craziness of getting ready for the Christmas concert, it takes effort to stop and reflect, but it is so important for me to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYDPVQkqcmI/TtHjMnUbWbI/AAAAAAAAADY/StndYRO_9EI/s1600/DSCF2659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYDPVQkqcmI/TtHjMnUbWbI/AAAAAAAAADY/StndYRO_9EI/s320/DSCF2659.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the beginning of my time here in Cambodia, I was frustrated by the lack of resources we had for music, and by the broken piano that was being used for everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was telling my mom (who is a music teacher in Hungary where I went to high school) about all of this, she decided to have her middle school musical be a fundraiser for our music program here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The students and administration agreed, so that is what happened!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weeks ago they did their production of “The Princess and the Pea”, which I’m sure was wonderful, and raised money for us by selling tickets and collecting donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are sending us around $1500 to put towards our music program here at Hope!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are get to use this lovely piano that you see as a result of this, which both myself and my students are enjoying, and we will be purchasing some music for our choir and band that we wouldn’t have had the funds to get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so thankful, and just wanted to share with you about this beautiful blessing and support we are experiencing all the way from Hungary! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is getting down to the last few weeks of school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weeks for me, three for the students… I am learning so much about how to do things as a music teacher and how to do things as a music teacher in this country through getting ready for this Christmas production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How to be efficient, how to be clear about what I want, where to buy paint and wood, what paint not to get, how to organize rehearsal schedules, how to order pizza… I could go on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do love the process though, I love the challenge, I love the way that my students get excited, I love seeing the pieces come together and the kids succeed in an amazing way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Besides all of this, my highlight of the week was my Year 7/8 classes this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are finishing up a music history unit, and started the Romantic Period this past week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were supposed to be “music critics”, analyzing what they heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finished the class period with Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, and they loved it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so fun to hear them get excited about classical music and see and hear things they have never heard before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please continue to pray as we get close to the end of the semester, for good time management, organization and team work in the last 2 weeks before the concert, and also for my coming trip to the States, that God would prepare my heart for that- Thank you!</span></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-2002571810734375792011-11-09T23:45:00.000-08:002011-11-11T17:56:42.118-08:00November??<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s hard to believe that it is nearly the middle of November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My housemates and I have been wondering where the months have gone, it seems like this semester has flown by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also doesn’t feel like winter here, where we are still sweating every time we walk outside—that may be part of it. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am continually amazed by God’s patience with me and His provision of energy, conversations, emails from friends, ideas and words to speak right when they are needed as the time is going by and the newness of this life is wearing off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbxtbEc-L8M/Trt9fmDQ9dI/AAAAAAAAADA/n7Yd-InwbY4/s1600/261%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbxtbEc-L8M/Trt9fmDQ9dI/AAAAAAAAADA/n7Yd-InwbY4/s1600/261%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7nwq51N8vI/Trt944FuCeI/AAAAAAAAADI/1FjrRay0T-8/s1600/267%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7nwq51N8vI/Trt944FuCeI/AAAAAAAAADI/1FjrRay0T-8/s320/267%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since my last update, I have gotten to see a little more of Cambodia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few weeks ago, one of the year 13 students at school decided to work together with a radio show that was taking supplies out to the flooded provinces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked students and parents at school to donate food, toiletries and clothes to collect, and in the end we had 350 bags of food and a good sized pile of clothes to take to Prey Veng.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the opportunity to go with a group of people from Hope to deliver the supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the past couple of months, the flooding in Cambodia has been very bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a long bus ride, we loaded the packages onto a boat and rode for an hour over rice patties and homes that were covered in around 3 meters of water to an island where the poorest people from the 10 surrounding villages were waiting for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good for me to see the reality of village life outside of the city, but it also broke my heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were handing out food and antibiotics, I understood more of the poverty </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and hopelessness that is present in this country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people had lost the little that they had and were stuck sitting on small islands just waiting for the water to go down before they could try to start their lives again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still struggling with understanding how we, in the community I am living in, can continue living the lives that we are when all of this is going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So knowing how to respond and also how to think about it is a challenge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DtJp6Wm8iR8/Trt9dxv2BrI/AAAAAAAAAC4/au1uwnd94bw/s1600/266%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DtJp6Wm8iR8/Trt9dxv2BrI/AAAAAAAAAC4/au1uwnd94bw/s320/266%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On a different note, our new choir and band at school had the opportunity to perform for the first time this past weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started to rain right before we started, so everything was moved to a covered area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids handled it all so well, and people seemed to really enjoy the performances which is encouraging. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I am very proud of them!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIi7dBny-JE/Trt-IpjgzfI/AAAAAAAAADQ/V_GclJPH9FQ/s1600/DSCN0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIi7dBny-JE/Trt-IpjgzfI/AAAAAAAAADQ/V_GclJPH9FQ/s320/DSCN0226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Besides that, we are moving towards finishing up the semester and towards the Christmas concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I went out to start buying material for making costumes, we have started rehearsals for both the primary and the middle school plays, and are working on building props and sets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing how many details there are to take care of and keep track of when putting together something like this! Please keep myself and You Jin (my fellow music teacher) in your prayers during this next month—this is the first time for both of us to be doing something like this on our own. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will be in the States for Christmas this year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am flying into Chicago on December 14<sup>th</sup> and driving to a wedding in Iowa, then to Ohio to be with my family, then to Indiana for Jon’s wedding and I would love to see as many of you as possible! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-11509002156677615302011-10-09T00:48:00.000-07:002011-10-09T00:48:34.936-07:00Flags<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We just finished our FLAG week at Hope International School, and though it was a lot of work, it went really well and much more smoothly than I thought it would. :) FLAG stands for "Forever Learning About God", kind of like a Spiritual Emphasis week other places, and the theme this week was from Micah 6:8:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> "He has shown you, O man, what is good.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> And what does the Lord require of you?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> To act justly and to love mercy</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> and to walk humbly with your God."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So we explored the topics of justice, mercy and humility. These kids have such a different understanding of those words because of what they have seen...the first day we talked about justice and as part of the worship time, the students were asked to write prayers for a justice need that they felt strongly about in response to what they had heard. They have seen injustice, they have seen poverty. Many of their parents work as full time missionaries dealing directly with these issues. The kind of humility and passion that can be seen in these prayers is truly amazing. I took a few of them from the wall...</div><blockquote>"Praise be to you for you are the God of justice and the one who blesses us daily. Lord, please help us to bless you by not standing down and staying silent in the face of injustice, but help up to speak out against injustice by standing up and saying it is wrong."</blockquote><blockquote>"Lord, everyday I see a country broken by injustice, poverty and slavery. Only you can heal these people and this nation. I pray for healing."</blockquote><blockquote>"Lord, help me to play my part and not to be overcome by fear or lethargy."</blockquote><blockquote>"I pray for all the street kids here. And how they are ignored and blend into the background. Gelop me and fellow Christians to open our eyes and see them as beautiful people you ahve created and treat them as you would. Thank you for the opportunity to live in this country and have the opportunity to impact the lives of the people around us here."</blockquote><div></div>Please pray with me for the students who understood more about God and the way He has called us to live, that what they heard would not just be a week-long thing, and pray for the staff at school that we would have wisdom in how to follow up with what happened this week. Thank you. :)<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last week for our week off from school I went with one of my housemates Kelly to Malaysia. I am not very good at taking vacation, and by the end I was ready to be useful again, but it was a good break for my brain and much needed before the craziness of the rest of the semester started. One of the craziest things about Malaysia was the number of flags that were everywhere there! See picture...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yes, that was a normal sight pretty much everywhere we went. :) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Other pictures from Malaysia:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxWzorT4NyU/TpBJIQ3F-8I/AAAAAAAAAB8/HS_6Cy387DE/s1600/DSCF2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxWzorT4NyU/TpBJIQ3F-8I/AAAAAAAAAB8/HS_6Cy387DE/s320/DSCF2609.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCoAg5SRR5M/TpBJN4-NEbI/AAAAAAAAACA/6Wxqyfq-bOQ/s1600/DSCF2626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCoAg5SRR5M/TpBJN4-NEbI/AAAAAAAAACA/6Wxqyfq-bOQ/s320/DSCF2626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The highlight of the week for me was going to Port Klang to see the Logos Hope. I got to see an old friend from Hungary, Tarissa, and I got to have dinner with my sister's friends from her year there! To add to the great day, when we were walking through the bookstore, I ran into a Hungarian guy and got to speak Hungarian with him for a bit. It felt so OM-ish...hard to explain any other way, but it was like a flash-back to old life. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This past week was so full it felt only 2 days long, and I have a feeling that fullness will continue till December. I really do love what I am doing. The responsibility is overwhelming sometimes, especially because the things that I am responsible for don't only effect me anymore. But my competence comes from God, and I have to remember that as I'm speaking in meetings and making decisions that I don't feel qualified to be making--it is not me who has to have the ability to do things and I am so thankful for that. So thank you so much for your prayers, and I will try to be more consistent in my blogging. :)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-72822891656130639122011-09-09T19:39:00.000-07:002011-09-09T19:39:02.965-07:00Whirlwind.Saturday mornings are beautiful times for me. Things are quieter on the streets, I don't have to wake up at 5:30, and for the morning I feel like I have so much time left in the weekend to do my work that I don't feel the pressure. :) Today the internet is working beautifully and it is relatively cool as well. Just lovely. <br />
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(I do apologize, I failed to take pictures of my students during the week- I kept thinking about it after they left which doesn't do any good, eh?) <br />
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The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind, literally. So many things to think about and so many things to do. During the week it feels like I never stop, and even if I make myself sit down for a minute, my mind is still going full-speed. I had a nightmare about beginning band at one point, which is silly because it is going well. :) It is a struggle to keep up with everything, but we are still holding on. And truly, it is such a joy to do what I have been doing. It is insane, but when I am in the midst of the insanity, I love it because we are making progress, we are being productive, and we are serving the students who are so wonderful and so funny. <br />
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Our bands and choirs have started! For many of the students it's the first time in an ensemble like this, so it's not only musical learning, but logistical learning for them as well. There are some who are already making the music room their home and being a part of music their comfort zone. :) So cool. For band we have a strange mix of instruments so we have been arranging the music ourselves partly because we don't have any music but also because of the huge range of abilities within the group, we are writing parts for specific students. It is an adventure for sure, and neither You Jin or I have experience with this kind of work. I am so thankful to be working on things with her though, rather than doing it all on my own. :)<br />
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My relationship with my "pastoral group" of 8th graders has been a point of joy and a point of prayer. These students are the ones I get to see every morning for devotions and then on Fridays for an hour of "Christian Perspectives". They are dear to my heart, a classic group of 8th graders, but with more that is behind their 8th grader-ness. We have been doing journal questions for devotions once a week and I am learning so much about them, and as I'm learning, I am gaining more and more responsibility to respond, love on them and fight for them. This is why I wanted to teach in a school like this, and I am so excited and feel so privaleged to interact with them at this level, but also feel inadequate to be responding to all the thoughts and questions especially in a school setting. Though they are all the same age and they are all TCKs, each one of them has a different way of thinking about their sitation- both about the process of them moving to Cambodia and what the purpose is of life in Cambodia. Please pray for wisdom and courage with these kids. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>For those of you who wanted to know about my first birthday in Cambodia, it was quite nice. :) I had the normal day of school, and had a list of things to get done (which didn't happen). My friends You Jin and Anu made a little party for me during my off-periods, another teacher brought me fancy cupcakes, my students were very cute all day, though my pastoral group was quite upset that I hadn't told them ahead of time so they brought in things on Friday and made me a beautiful card. (I found out birthdays at school are a big deal.) And my housemates took me out to dinner to a nice Italian restaurant and got me a cake. It was a good day. :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dfJ6HHUvdxQ/TmrM7RqPJhI/AAAAAAAAAB4/Qf5kev-btrg/s1600/DSCF2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dfJ6HHUvdxQ/TmrM7RqPJhI/AAAAAAAAAB4/Qf5kev-btrg/s320/DSCF2584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-74224445254081930042011-08-26T21:49:00.000-07:002011-08-26T21:49:50.204-07:00Developments.<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hOCfS7ylqs/Tlhr1cmQNrI/AAAAAAAAABo/m-lNcrNov90/s1600/DSCF2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 327px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 299px;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hOCfS7ylqs/Tlhr1cmQNrI/AAAAAAAAABo/m-lNcrNov90/s320/DSCF2576.JPG" width="298" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The weeks seem to be rushing by faster and faster every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Days are getting filled with extra events and my head is getting filled with extra ideas and responsibilities. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> They are good things, but I have realized the importance of being still here—last weekend I felt like I had been at school the whole week so I planned to go out a few times over the weekend to check out some markets and a new church and buy some guitar strings for school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all fun, but when it got to Monday I felt like I hadn’t had a weekend because it takes so much energy to get around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So tonight I am going to a wedding reception for a couple who work at school, but otherwise I am staying in for the most part. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHGDf6oGw2w/Tlhu_XnjxeI/AAAAAAAAAB0/cFaNs-ltvWs/s1600/DSCF2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHGDf6oGw2w/Tlhu_XnjxeI/AAAAAAAAAB0/cFaNs-ltvWs/s320/DSCF2580.JPG" width="240" /></a>This week was filled with some new experiences…on Sunday I went to an Anglican church for the first time (and got so lost on the way there! hehe), I went to check out an international choir that meets on Tuesdays, I successfully got to the US embassy to get visa pages in my passport, I spent some hours recruiting students I didn’t even know to join our extra-curricular music clubs, and tonight I am going to a Khmer wedding reception. Oh, and last week I bought hand drums for my classroom!!! I’ve had the chance to do some things that were comfortable too like play a board-game with my principle’s kids at their house, and go out to a nice dinner with a friend last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I mentioned earlier, life has been full. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think that I am coming out of my “autopilot” stage of transition, and I am starting to see reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am deeply missing people for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am falling in love with my students and realizing that I will be following through with them until they leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relationships that have started here are now in the “in-between” phase where small talk is not enough but real conversation may still be awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as always when I transition, I am fighting the urge to turn off, fighting the urge to become bitter and to do it myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know so well that this is where God has led me to serve, and I am so excited to face the challenge, but I have to allow Him to get me through the transition phase and take me to the things He has called me to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The major prayer request for this week would be the extra-curricular clubs that we are starting up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because there has been no music program, there is no band or choir program built into the schedule, so we are doing them after school or during lunch as clubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are going to be eclectic groups with different skill and experience levels, and a strange mix of instruments as well. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Please pray that figuring out the details would not come in the way of the students enjoying the experience of music, and that we would be wise in the way that we approach the groups and the things that we ask of the students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are adorable and enthusiastic, and I am so excited to see them learn and succeed! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully next week I will have some pictures of them for you~ </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But for today I will leave you with the picture of my lizard that I found on my bedroom wall this morning. Isn’t he cute? </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHtZ3JWeBIM/Tlhs2aHUEfI/AAAAAAAAABs/-c0kibUBusE/s1600/DSCF2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHtZ3JWeBIM/Tlhs2aHUEfI/AAAAAAAAABs/-c0kibUBusE/s200/DSCF2579.JPG" width="186" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-7521318218370603742011-08-13T22:59:00.000-07:002011-08-13T22:59:39.540-07:00Dust<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Transitioning to a new place is such a strange thing that happens in my brain. At this point I don't think that I understand that I am <u>living</u> in Cambodia, yet it feels so normal, like I have been here for a lot longer than a week and a half. The reality will hit me a little later I suppose. For now though, I have finished my first week of teaching, I have met all my kids, and am now working on composing a curriculum for the rest of the year. :) </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This week was a whirlwind, but it was a really good and challenging one. Every new place that we work and new group of people that we work with comes with a process of understanding how things are run, learning all the terms, and getting into a routine. Hope School is run differently than other schools I have seen, but I am learning how to fit into the structure. More important than the structure though, the students that I get to teach are just beautiful and they are what make teaching worth it. They are from all over the world and have lived in Cambodia for different amounts of time. Most of them I get to see once a week, so learning names is something I will be investing in. I am spending a lot of time with a group of 8th graders in the mornings throughout the week for devotions. Though they are still classic 8th graders, they have a different world view whether they know it or not. I have seen creativity and crazy potential from so many of my kids already, I am excited to encourage them to think, to explore, to learn and to express. Please pray for wisdom as I make decisions about what and how to teach these students. </div><br />
So what is Cambodia like? I haven't experienced Cambodia too much outside of school, though I did ride on the back of a moto for the first time (public transportation where you get on the back of someone's motorcycle and they take you where you need to go) when I went out to coffee with a new friend from India. We were the only people at the coffee place and were watched the whole time. :) The city is an interesting place to be--there is no space. There are shops of everywhere, and swarms of motos and tuk-tuks on the streets. I think the most frustrating thing for me so far though has been the inability to communicate. I have not been in a culture for a long time where I couldn't communicate, and I forgot what it feels like. Waving and smiling doesn't quite satisfy. However, within the next couple of weeks I will start my Khmer lessons. :)<br />
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This morning I was reading Psalm 103. As I have been going through this week and the past few weeks, I have made many mistakes in the ways I am teaching, in the ways I am interacting with people, and in the ways I am thinking. And I know that those mistakes will continue to happen. I have gotten frustrated with myself and though my emotions are mostly numb right now in my transition, my feelings of guilt have been active. As a rational person, I have been able to tell myself to stop being overwhelmed by guilt, but this morning reading Psalms 103 confirmed what I had been thinking. In verses 9-10 he says, <br />
"He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." <br />
Then later in verse 13-14: <br />
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust." <br />
My "need" to not make mistakes is not how God looks at me. He remembers that I am dust and has compassion. :) So there is my thought for the day. <br />
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I haven't been able to take too many pictures, but here are some of my music room. It is one of the best classrooms in the school, so I am very thankful. The last 2 pictures are taken from the roof of my house showing the contrast between people's living situations here in Phnom Penh.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLnFlttBsuY/TkdezHOtC4I/AAAAAAAAABg/SH-GpVMFvts/s1600/DSCF2570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 333px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 298px;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLnFlttBsuY/TkdezHOtC4I/AAAAAAAAABg/SH-GpVMFvts/s320/DSCF2570.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-68405416925852300952011-08-07T06:26:00.001-07:002011-08-07T06:58:12.499-07:00Things I have learned already...<ul><li>How to cross the street. It's a lot harder than you'd think! Traffic rules don't exist, so walking across a street full of motor bikes and tuk-tuks can be a challenge. My housemate's sister already got a "Cambodian tattoo" from the motorbike exhaust. :) </li>
<li>I will be teaching barefoot! So many of us have dreamed of a job like this, and I get to do it. We take our shoes off at the entrance of the school. At my first staff meeting it made me laugh when I looked around at a room full of barefoot teachers. :)</li>
<li>Never agree to the price they ask for at the market. I have observed lots of haggling, and am trying to get up the courage to do it myself. </li>
<li>On hot nights if you take a nice cold shower before bed, it helps you to cool off enough to fall asleep.</li>
</ul>And so many more things, but those are a few I can point out right now. My time here so far has been full of learning both the culture and about how the school works. It has been pretty much insane, but so good. :) The people I have met have been lovely, kind and helpful as I am figuring out everything. It is a blessing to be a part of an international staff whose hearts are ready to submit to and serve the Lord, I have already been so encouraged by these people and their testimonies. <br />
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Tomorrow morning I start school! My first day as a REAL LIVE TEACHER! I am teaching year 5 (grade 4) and up for general music, doing after school extra-curriculars yet to be determined, leading a class of 8th graders for devotions and Christian Perspectives, and anything else that may come up. Emotions consist of nervousness, excitement, fear, anticipation, and mostly I really just don't know what to think. I am trusting that God will be working through me and will be my strength this week as I head into something where I have no idea what I am doing...but that's the way it should be anyways, eh? :) <br />
I will know more after tomorrow, and will also try to post some pictures of my new home/life. Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-76834276882833274672011-07-31T04:41:00.000-07:002011-07-31T04:41:30.315-07:00Humanness in Transition<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is it too early and too much of a sleep deprived morning for this to make sense?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will see… </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I leave to fly to Cambodia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it still seems unreal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bags are mostly packed, I have said some painful goodbyes, and have tried to tie up as many loose ends with the paper work side of things as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a 89<sup>th</sup> birthday party for Grandma and my cousin, and last minute packing and note writing, there is plenty to keep me busy for the few hours before I head to the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet in all the motion, overall this feeling of overwhelming gut-ache seems so familiar to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Transition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I am in this world, I know that this will be a reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This summer God has been revealing my humanness to me. Sounds a little strange, I know, but let me explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes up in conversation with my high school campers so often!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we talk about “life” in private conversations and talk about topics in DIG (Discussions Involving God) sessions at camp like love, sin, freedom and suffering, I have realized my complete humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I naturally react to things in such a human way—and I think that all my life I have been avoiding that realization because humans are so stupid so often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through these discussions we often come down to the question of “So if we know this is how we naturally act, what do we do about it? How do we deal with knowing our humanity and reacting in a wise way?”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good questions, huh? </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bringing it back to the topic of transition, I am seeking answers to those questions in this area today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that my heart will be broken as I leave because I naturally long to hold on to the relationships and the fake stability of the life I have been living during my time in the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is not a bad thing and I am not seeking to ignore reality—but how do I deal with my humanness in this situation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I let God take over my mind instead of my grief? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I write and think about this, I am feeling more at peace than I have for quite some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God IS faithful, and I have seen that over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God DOES provide, both physically and spiritually—this is so evident in my own life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who am I to worry, who am I to seek my own comfort?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not call me to ignore the pain, but to have peace as I trust Him because of His faithfulness and love while I leave this phase of life and enter into a new one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things about Him I know so deeply to be true, and I will choose to remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has prepared me in crazy ways to go teach in Cambodia, and in the pain of leaving I am at peace and am so excited for what He will bring in this new life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over this past year of what seemed like continuous transition, I have been so encouraged by these verses:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lamentations 3:19-24</span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember my affliction and my wandering, <br />
the bitterness and the gall. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I well remember them, <br />
and my soul is downcast within me. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet this I call to mind <br />
and therefore I have hope: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, <br />
for his compassions never fail. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are new every morning; <br />
great is your faithfulness. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; <br />
therefore I will wait for him.” </span>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256259574541260707.post-5318127632747540442011-07-17T08:49:00.000-07:002011-07-17T08:49:22.159-07:00New phase of life<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In two weeks from today I will be moving to Cambodia, and a week after that I will be a real music teacher at Hope International School meeting my students and starting up my own classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems unreal as life at the moment is consumed by my wonderful campers. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Yet it is a reality, and though I feel complete peace and joy about God’s leading and my decision to go, my heart aches as the time to end my life in the States comes closer, and I recognize how hard it is going to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting a new phase of life is exciting, but it comes along with the ending of the previous phase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has blessed me with relationships, experiences and growth over the last 4 years in ways I did not expect, and I am so thankful for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please pray…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">… as I finish my last 2 weeks at Camp Carl, for strength and focus, and for continual wisdom as we disciple our group of high school campers and help them prepare for life outside of the camp bubble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is doing some beautiful things! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">… for good closure as I leave the life that has been a reality for the last 4 years, especially in saying goodbye to family and dear friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>… for both physical and emotional preparation for starting life in Cambodia. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I head into these next two weeks, God has reminded me that His power is the only thing that I can rely on to get me through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now I am juggling so many thoughts and situations, and when I let one fall and get frustrated with myself, He reminds me as He reminds Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will choose to trust in Him for strength, endurance, focus and wisdom in the craziness that this time holds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is good.</span></div>Sarah Grace Lingenhoelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268293439455029160noreply@blogger.com1