After two months of living here, there are a few things I've learned: God is in control. I can plan and others can plan. But ultimately what happens is God's plan. As long as I try to make something happen, it will never be as good as what God wants to happen. I thought I would have more English clubs, but I had three...and they were AWESOME! I could not have asked for better hosts (Ana-Maria, Iancu and Irina, and Cristina), better classrooms (two in high schools and one at the university), nor for better students. I was completely blessed by each group in totally different ways. Perhaps more important than learning God is in control is learning that *I* am not. If I would have planned the clubs, I would have chosen to go where it was safe, where I knew people, and where I would feel comfortable. But God (don't you love those words!) had other plans. While being in Romania is out of my comfort zone in some ways, He chose to stretch me and make me more dependent on Him by having classes where I knew few people (in Targu Mures, I only knew Ioana and in Targoviste I didn't know anyone). However, our love for Jesus gave us an instant relationship, and a deeper relationship than I thought possible in one week. I will cherish my time with each person who helped organize the classes plus all the students I have gotten to know. I really do love teaching! I realized how much I missed teaching this year. Even though these students were mostly college-aged (and a few high school aged students), it didn't matter. I loved creating lessons and activities that helped students become more comfortable speaking English. But most importantly, I loved getting to know them as individuals- interacting and building relationships with them. As some of you know, for a long time I was very insecure about my teaching skills, but I knew I loved working with students. While my last year in Arkansas City was definitely the most difficult, I will cherish the relationships that I made there, both with the students and my co-workers. Many of you helped shape me into the teacher I am today! Finally, I tell people all the time I love Romania, but this trip has made me realize I should be more specific. I love the people of Romania who have welcomed me in their homes, their lives, and their hearts. All the students brought me so much joy by their comments. I loved listening to them talk about their hopes for the future, about their families (and the great food their mothers and grandmothers make), and the importance of making Romania better for the next generation. I loved seeing these glimpses into their families and lives and connecting with the students in this way! While I loved listening to them talk about how the class was different and how they enjoyed the activities, I loved hearing about how I was different-not because I am egotistical, but because it's an opportunity to point them to the One who changed me and gave me the boldness to go to Romania, even with all my flaws. I know there will be a part of me that will always be an American, but the people of Romania are taking over the space in my heart! |
AuthorHi, I'm Laura Ehler. There are lots of nouns that can define me: daughter, sister, aunt, mătușă, friend, teacher, supervisor, student; as well as adjectives to describe me: funny, scared, random, caring, distracted, insecure, disorganized, immature, impatient, incorrigible (I love that Kurt describes himself as this in The Sound of Music). Those adjectives with the prefix not are the most interesting, I think... Archives
June 2015
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