Inks, Impressions, and Ivory: October 2012

I am beginning to understand that I am here to teach more than piano. Some lessons are so difficult. I think mainly because a few of the kids would rather be playing Wii, or playing outside rather than playing piano. This brings out bad attitudes. And when the students begins to pout, or doesn't even try to do what we are working on, no progress can be make. There is no use on forcing them to do it, because there is no want to learn. No one is going to learn anything unless they have a want to learn it, and they certainly are not going to retain it, unless there is a want. Now, a want doesn't have to be exactly a want to learn piano, it simply needs to be a want to accomplish a task that has been placed in front of them. A want to do what they're told (for none of them have the option to learn piano, by Julie, all of them take lessons), and a want to do something well- whether they like it or not. Life is full of these tasks. When the students begins to show disregard for piano, that's when I completely stop teaching piano. And that's when I start teaching whatever God lays on my heart in that second. It may be diligence, perseverance, work ethic, obedience, you name, I've probably covered it! I'll be honest, these lessons can be brutally painful. I think I've had a lesson go for close to an hour and a half which a normal lesson is 30 minutes. But! God has given me much patience! I thank and praise Him, whether my lessons are getting to the kids or not. I was almost going to type "and don't get me wrong, the good lessons far out weigh the bad." But than I thought about that, and it contradicts everything I just said. All of my lessons are good, and for the glory of God. Whether my student is playing beautiful minuets or just sitting and waiting for me to give in, I preserver and pray God would use even just one thing from that lesson to impact their lives.

Being a missionary here, and living 24/7 with two other missionary women, there is a bond that connects all three of us. Sometimes, a day will be just too much, not for any particular reason, and one of us will brake down. We can't explain it, we don't know if it was the hard class we had to teach, if it was feelings of homesickness, if it is the stress of having multiple things to accomplish everyday, if it was seeing all the brokenness on the side of the streets, it could even be joy or happiness we don't know. But everything just hits and collides at once. Creating unstoppable tears. And even when the weeping young woman of God doesn't understand, the other two still do. It's like, we are all here together, we can't explain what we are going through or what we are learning separately, but we still get each other. It's an understanding and friendship only God can give. Thank you Lord, for these missionary sisters.

This week, we were blessed to have two of Vicky's friends come and serve for a week. They both shared our room, so all five of us were a little cramped in here. But it gave us joyous times as we got to know each other by talking and laughing in the evenings. Laiza and Jackie spent their week here helping in the school, playing with the kids, teaching guitar lessons, and helping with chores. Then to top off the week, they prepared a theatrical with the kids! Friday night they preformed "Abraham." They made costumes, and entire set with curtains and props, a dialog and acting! It was so fun to watch the children, and I believe they had fun as well. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our two knew friends today, as they had to return to their Seminary school here in Mexico. It was fun getting to know them, and Jackie gave me hope and encouragement of learning Spanish. She is originally from Mexico, but has lived in the States for two years, and so she has learned English. She speaks it so well! It gives me hope to someday speak Spanish they way she speaks English.

Here are some pictures of my Missionary Sisters and our two new friends! Enjoy!

Vicky and I. Vicky is a seminary student that is completing her course by serving here for a year. She is such a blessing to have in my life. She only speaks Spanish, so that is a barrier for our friendship, but we find many other ways to communicate. And, I am getting better at speaking/understanding Spanish.

A picture from recess. Back row: Mireya, Mikayla, Angie, Caleb, Vicky. Front row: Ruth, Dani, Carolina, David. Mireya is our head teacher in the school. She is so sweet, I enjoy her friendship. She willingly helps me with Spanish, anytime she sees me studying, she will come over an help me, no matter what she was previously doing. She is Godly and wants to serve. Her and her son, Joel, come three times a week to teach school and Joel comes to attend school. On Fridays, her other son, Jorge, comes to study as well.