I've put up a couple new Web Albums full of pictures.
One is from a trip a group of us took to a local orphanage. At our staff Christmas party instead of giving gifts to each other we gathered gifts to give to a local orphanage. Then one Saturday we went up (it's a little ways up the mountain) and spent the morning with the kids of the orphanage. We brought a Christmas tree and stuff to make ornaments to decorate it. We also brought up some cakes to enjoy and Jennie, one of our teachers, gave a little devotion. It was a very fun day.
View the Orphanage Pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/emilyinbandung/OrphanageTrip
The other album is of the Idul Adha holiday. This holiday is celebrated by performing animal sacrifices. I had put up some pictures on my blog before Christmas, but there are quite a few more. It was quite the cultural experience! Caution: These pictures are pretty graphic (unlike the censored version I had put on my blog before). But for those of you who want to view the whole experience, enjoy.
View the Idul Adha Pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/emilyinbandung/IdulAdhaAnimalSacrifices
Friday, January 25, 2008
Switchfoot
Switchfoot came to Jakarta last night and quite a few of our secondary students went. They were all talking about it on Friday at school. (Some of them had bought t-shirts and were wearing them.) I guess this would be an exciting event in the States, but our students don't usually get to do stuff like that here in Indonesia so they were pretty thrilled. Those that went had to make the three hour drive from Bandung to Jakarta but I'm sure they thought it was worth it. Their excitement is so fun to see.
Here are a couple of pictures taken before Christmas break. These are my 9th grade students (they were having a study party right before semester exams). I don't have a whole lot of pictures of my students so I thought I'd post a few that I do have. Figured maybe you'd enjoy seeing some of the faces that I work with day in and day out.
Studying for exams in the BAIS library.
Hanging out in the "pit," one of the few places here that actually has carpet. Students have to take off their shoes before going it and get to relax on pillows.
Yes, that's me. I showed up at the study party for a little bit to help answer geometry questions.
Here are a couple of pictures taken before Christmas break. These are my 9th grade students (they were having a study party right before semester exams). I don't have a whole lot of pictures of my students so I thought I'd post a few that I do have. Figured maybe you'd enjoy seeing some of the faces that I work with day in and day out.
Studying for exams in the BAIS library.
Hanging out in the "pit," one of the few places here that actually has carpet. Students have to take off their shoes before going it and get to relax on pillows.
Yes, that's me. I showed up at the study party for a little bit to help answer geometry questions.Thursday, January 24, 2008
Revive Me
I know I promised pictures of my birthday celebration... they are on their way, I promise.
It's been hard to get back into the swing of things here. We are almost done with our second week back. Everyday seems filled to the max with unexpected things popping up all the time. I've been tired and come home pretty worn out each day. Pray for strength and adjustment.
This is going to be an incredibly busy semester. There are a lot of different things going on at the school. In a couple of weeks we are having Week Without Walls, a week where the students and staff spend time in various ministries around the city. We're hosting some open houses this week to try and attract new families to the school for the coming fall. The school is in the middle of a building project, building a new school about 45 minutes from where we are right now. There are so many details that go along with this project. One of which is the logistics of actually moving all of the stuff in our school. Another is all of the staff (and many school families) moving their houses and personal belongings. Some drama has surrounded our recent house searching... details aside, it has been an added stress. Please be in prayer over the many details of our new school, the building project, and the move.
But in the midst of these circumstances God has been showing up. Last week one of our high school teachers shared in chapel of her recent struggles and how God showed up in the midst of them. She played a song that has been running through my mind ever since, part of which says "Revive me according to your loving kindness." And slowly, but surely He is.
This is the view out my front door. That's my tree. We've been having some amazing sunsets that light up the whole sky (only for about 3 minutes, but still). Don't you see Him? He's all around...
It's been hard to get back into the swing of things here. We are almost done with our second week back. Everyday seems filled to the max with unexpected things popping up all the time. I've been tired and come home pretty worn out each day. Pray for strength and adjustment.
This is going to be an incredibly busy semester. There are a lot of different things going on at the school. In a couple of weeks we are having Week Without Walls, a week where the students and staff spend time in various ministries around the city. We're hosting some open houses this week to try and attract new families to the school for the coming fall. The school is in the middle of a building project, building a new school about 45 minutes from where we are right now. There are so many details that go along with this project. One of which is the logistics of actually moving all of the stuff in our school. Another is all of the staff (and many school families) moving their houses and personal belongings. Some drama has surrounded our recent house searching... details aside, it has been an added stress. Please be in prayer over the many details of our new school, the building project, and the move.
But in the midst of these circumstances God has been showing up. Last week one of our high school teachers shared in chapel of her recent struggles and how God showed up in the midst of them. She played a song that has been running through my mind ever since, part of which says "Revive me according to your loving kindness." And slowly, but surely He is.
This is the view out my front door. That's my tree. We've been having some amazing sunsets that light up the whole sky (only for about 3 minutes, but still). Don't you see Him? He's all around...
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Celebrating Year 23
Well, I'm back in Bandung, Indonesia. I had a great Christmas break and now I'm back to life here. We started school again this past Monday. Although it's hard to start getting up early again, it is good to be back. I'm blessed to really be enjoying my job.
I wanted to share my birthday story. I left LAX on January 8th. Along the way, somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, it became January10th. After serving breakfast on the plane, a group of flight attendants came over and gave me this cake and sang Happy Birthday to me (at least I think they did... I was kind of delirious). The cake was a little strange as you can probably tell from the picture and image because it was airplane food. Then other crew members continued to come over and wish me Happy Birthday. Although it was sweet, it was also kind of depressing to be traveling alone on my birthday, traveling toward a place with good friends but no family.
Things went fairly smoothly in all my travels to get back. My flight took off an hour late from LAX, which caused me to miss my flight in Malaysia. They got me right on the next flight with just a couple hours layover. However, I didn't get into Jakarta until 6:00 pm or so. From there I got on an airport shuttle that took me to southern Bandung and then I took a taxi from there to my apartment.
By the time I got to my house it was 10:30 pm and I was a beyond exhausted. But I arrived to these fun door decorations. Some girls had come over shortly before I got back and done it all.
Although we had originally planned to go out to dinner that night for my birthday, that didn't quite happen. But it was postponed to Saturday night and we had a great time. I'll post some pictures soon.
I wanted to share my birthday story. I left LAX on January 8th. Along the way, somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, it became January10th. After serving breakfast on the plane, a group of flight attendants came over and gave me this cake and sang Happy Birthday to me (at least I think they did... I was kind of delirious). The cake was a little strange as you can probably tell from the picture and image because it was airplane food. Then other crew members continued to come over and wish me Happy Birthday. Although it was sweet, it was also kind of depressing to be traveling alone on my birthday, traveling toward a place with good friends but no family.
Things went fairly smoothly in all my travels to get back. My flight took off an hour late from LAX, which caused me to miss my flight in Malaysia. They got me right on the next flight with just a couple hours layover. However, I didn't get into Jakarta until 6:00 pm or so. From there I got on an airport shuttle that took me to southern Bandung and then I took a taxi from there to my apartment.
By the time I got to my house it was 10:30 pm and I was a beyond exhausted. But I arrived to these fun door decorations. Some girls had come over shortly before I got back and done it all.
Although we had originally planned to go out to dinner that night for my birthday, that didn't quite happen. But it was postponed to Saturday night and we had a great time. I'll post some pictures soon.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
I have had a wonderful vacation in the States over the past few weeks. It was great to get a chance to hang out with family and visit with some friends. Now I'm off on a red eye flight to make the long journey back to my home very far away. Please pray for safe travels. I also ask for your prayers as I'm currently not feeling too well. Just this morning I woke up a little achy and with a stuffy nose.
Here are some highlights of my time here with family and friends.
Here are some highlights of my time here with family and friends.
Cookie Baking
The day after I arrived in the States my mom and sisters (and one of my sister's friends) and I spend the day baking lots of yummy Christmas cookies.
Tea with the Girls
With lots of family in town a bunch of the girls got dressed up and went to afternoon tea.
New Year's Eve
It was a quiet New Year's Eve with just a few friends. We ate a yummy dinner of ham and played games and toasted in the New Year while watching the ball drop on TV.
My parent's new giant TV. My dog Conner.
Rose Parade
My sister, one of her friends and I had prime seating at the Rose parade in Pasadena because one of my sister's friends lives on the parade route. I've been to the parade many times, but it was fun to enjoy it once again.
Happy 2008!
Early Birthday Dinner
My parents took me out for a very fun birthday dinner at the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant. We enjoyed cheese fondue, salad, dinner fondue with meat and vegetables cooked in a chicken broth, and a delicious chocolate dessert fondue.
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