2010 was a year to commit to challenges that I set out for myself. I successfully posted a photo a day in my '365 in 2010' blog; I faithfully went to the gym practically every day; I managed to last 6 months with no sugar; I did what I had to do to get my teaching qualifications recognized in NZ; I miraculously finished an on-line course in Business Management. It was a year that I grew in self discipline, learning about myself and trusting in God for what He would have me do next in my life.
My constant prayer was from Psalm 90:17 which says 'May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands.' Kevin and I often wondered what God had in store for us? Why had He brought us to the other side of the world? What is His purpose in all of this? God gave me the promise from Isaiah 41:9 & 10 which says, ''I took you from the ends of the earth; from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I held onto those two verses - one asking God to establish the work of our hands (meaningful, fulfilling work for both Kevin and I) followed by the promise that God had brought us all the way around the world and He had chosen us, called us, and that He would strengthen us, help us and uphold us. What comfort, what a promise.
2010 was the year of commitment, 2011 was the year of change! And so many changes it held, that it feels like the year has passed in a blur!!! The big change for Kevin (and the clear answer to his prayer to establish the works of his hands) was taking on the part time role as assistant pastor at the Chinese Alliance Christian Church along with his role as the pastor of ICC. He now is pretty much the full-time interim pastor leading a congregation of close to 200 amazing Chinese people (and we are the minority - a strange and wonderful experience!) We think God has a great sense of humour to bring a prairie boy from northern Canada to New Zealand to pastor a Chinese church! We look forward to seeing what God has in store for both churches (ICC & CACC) as Kevin leads them in 2012.
For me the big change in 2011 was accepting a full-time position as a Year One teacher! I still feel a bit like an imposter, and yet, I feel like this is what I was created to do! It was 20 years and 2 months from when I left teaching to raise a family, until I stepped back into a classroom as a relief teacher in September 2010. On my 47th birthday in March 2011 I accepted the position of a full-time Year One teacher, replacing a retiring teacher who had been at the school for 30 years. I spent most of the year hoping that I could somehow provide even a fraction of the education that the retiring teacher would have provided for my students. Somewhere along the way, I decided that the most important thing for me to provide to my students was a love for learning, an excitement to be at school, and a safe place where they were loved and accepted. I figured that the reading, writing and maths would come eventually and that I could only do the best that I knew how at the time. I entered an enormously steep learning curve, one that I managed to survive with the help of my incredibly supportive fellow teachers, my amazing family and my faithful God. I made it through my first year and am very excited about the future. I look forward to starting 2012 with my own class of students, each with their own unique personality and learning styles. I am incredibly thankful to God for gently but decisively leading me back into the teaching profession. (which I never would have done had He not made it so obvious to me!)
Other changes in 2011 also occurred right around the same time that I went back to teaching - it's a wonder I survived! lol. MacKenzie left on a six month OE (overseas experience) to Austria from June to December. Kevin and I returned to Canada for 3 weeks in July to finish the final sorting and shipping of what we had left behind there. It was something we needed to do, even though it was hard, emotional and expensive. But now it is done, and we can get on with life!
2010 was commitment, 2011 was change, 2012 will hopefully be cement. (needed a 'c' word - lol) I hope and pray that this year will be a year that we can let some of the cement/concrete harden. I pray that we can sink our roots deeper into this beautiful country that we now call home. I pray that by God's miraculous provision and grace, we will be able to purchase our own home here and stop renting. I pray that I will continue to grow and deepen my knowledge and skills as a teacher. I pray that Kevin will find fulfillment and renewed passion for ministry in the work God has given him. I pray that our girls will continue to grow in their own unique walks with God, deepening their faith, planning their futures, setting goals, growing in their education, blessing others and being blessed in their relationships. I thank God for the people He has brought into our lives and continues to bring - one of the greatest blessings and joys in our lives is the many people who we are able to host and to be a 'home away from home' for. He uses us with our busy lives, crowded house and limited income to minister and care for others; to show love and encouragement; to be Jesus here on earth. We are humbled and grateful. We serve an amazing God! I can't wait to walk through 2012 with Jesus - to meet the people He wants us to meet, to live the adventure He has in store. Bring it on!
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