27 September

I am looking at the last week of my TEFL course. I have A LOT of homework. However, with just one week to go and having a tough teacher for French last year in Paris (thanks, Régine) I know I can handle it. I did really well on my method test. I actually pulled an A! That's thanks to teaching experience and all of those years of teacher in-service. Now we are on to grammar. It's one thing to know what is right and a whole other thing to know why it's right and then be able to teach it to someone else. Let's just say there will be even more study and preparation for the next big test on Wednesday.

I have thought quite a bit about the love of God this week. After talking to a friend one night, I could feel God's care for me through her. Then the next day on the train I was once again aware of God's love for me. I just relaxed and enjoyed the goodness of it for a moment (taking a break from homework). Then I looked around and realized these people don't know that He loves them like this... how sad. Isn't that what we really want people to know? Don't we want to share Jesus because we want people to know that they are really and genuinely loved by the Great Lover? We all want and need to be loved. And God is the only one who gets it right 100% of the time. What a good message.

Also, I was talking with some friends from school on the topic of marriage. They had the typical view going these days. "Yes, it would be nice if marriage would last forever but people change and I don't know if my marriage would last or not." "Can you really blame someone for leaving if the other person changes or cheats?" All of us were single. Two of them have long time boyfriends. I was quiet for most of the conversation, but when I did share my opinion I was thankful for the good and godly marriages that I knew. The marriages that have survived depression and even infidelity. I could tell it was impressive to them to hear of people choosing to stay together through very difficult circumstances. So thank you to those of you who may not have a perfect marriage (does such a thing exist?) but you have chosen with God's help to be faithful.

Prayer requests:
-a good finish to this last week of TEFL training
-continued provision for the next stage
-continued good health and rest
-a safe journey to France on Oct 7
-a good transition into life in Alsace

**the picture is Waterloo Station taken from my classroom window

17 September

I am almost half way through my TEFL course and so far so good. I have taught two lessons this week and they both went well. I had forgotten how much I like to teach. I seem to forget when I haven't taught in a while. It only takes one lesson to remind me though. There is a lot of lecture, prep and work to be done but I have managed to stay on top of it all. It is a lot of teaching method, which I've had, both as a teacher and as a language student last year. God has prepared me for this course and I am grateful for it. Otherwise, it would be a little overwhelming.

My class is made up of 17 people from several different countries. The reasons they are there are as varied as the people. Our teacher is Polish. She is a ball of energy and really knows her stuff. It's been enjoyable for me to be a part of such a diverse group.

Commuting has been good. I'm definitely getting my exercise. I had a chance last Friday to check out the National Gallery. I love free museums. I realized that when I lived here 11 years ago, I always took the Tubes (subway). I missed so much of the city by being underground for my travels. So, I am hoping to walk around the central part of the city and rediscover London.

Prayer requests:

I am home sick today. (Taking this opportunity to blog.) Please pray for good health to finish this course and throughout the fall.
I will have major tests on the next two Wednesdays. Please pray I do well on my tests and the remaining 4 lessons I have to teach.
Please pray blessings, healing, and grace for Ruth and Ralph who are such kind and generous hosts to me.

**This is a picture of my school in London near Waterloo Station, Schiller International University. However, my certification will come from TEFL International.

6 September

I have safely made it to my English home. I will be here for a month. Tomorrow I start my TEFL course which will train me to teach English as a second language. I will then take my certificate and move on to Alsace, France to volunteer with a church there helping with the youth.
That's the fall in a nutshell if you hadn't heard the plan before.

So starting tomorrow, I become a London commuter. AND I'm actually looking forward to it. Crazy. I'm not much of a city girl, but the idea of catching a train each day and continuing to learn and be equipped for the next stage is exciting to me.

I am ready for a new adventure. I am starting this season of life in fullness and hope. (2 Peter 1:3) I am very grateful to God for all that He has done. The most amazing thing He has done in my life is not paying for stuff, it's not the travel, although these things are great! The most mind-blowing thing God has done in my life is that He is transforming me. He has healed me, grown me, taken me apart and put me back together. I am on more solid footing than ever before. Even when the terrain constantly shifts, I keep my balance. This is a huge change and improvement for me. This is the power of God to save. This is the power of love. This is the power of the Gospel. This is what we must share with a hurting, dying, lost world. We all need this precious Jesus that can set us free and transform us.


**This is the first buddy pic of Liviyah and me. Isn't she sweet!?