Beginning of the End...

It is the final week of my fall semester at Calvin---my last fall semester at Calvin. That's right, I've managed to cram 5 years worth of study into 4 years + a summer. Let me tell you, I am more than happy about that. Anyway, this semester was spent teacher aiding, preluding assisting, studying, studying and more studying. It's nice that I've finally figured how to manage my time and schoolwork without getting too stressed. It's about time I learned how to do that.

I've learned a lot about myself this semester. I didn't know how passionate I was about education and students. I never realized how much I care about the educational system. I've been blessed in my Christian school systems. I've had amazing teachers who care deeply about their students. It's so discouraging that not all teachers are that way. I met teachers this fall who didn't "give a damn" about their students (and that's a quote). I have to wonder why these people become teachers in the first place. The job is demanding and draining. Why would someone choose a job like this one if they're not in love with it? I'm sure that's a question I will continue to grapple with as time goes on...

Thankfully, I was able to teach an entire unit to 10th graders while I was working at the high school this fall. It was an amazing experience. My teacher said my plans were well thought out. She was quite impressed with my work. Even though I questioned a lot of the day-to-day routines at the school, it was a good experience. I learned about managing a classroom and I was able to experience teaching. I now feel like I can move on to student teaching. I'm still quite nervous, but I know that I am ready. Calvin has prepared me. This is what I am supposed to be doing. Like that one important guy said, "Your vocation is where your deepest passion meets the world's greatest need." Teaching will be my vocation. I am excited to see how God will use me in the lives of my students. Let the journey continue.

-K

Another Journey...

As I sit here trying to do homework I find myself distracted. I am thinking about graduation. I am thinking about teaching. I am thinking about SpringHill and Indonesia and SPH and all my students. I find myself longing to be back at SpringHill and I often wonder how my friends in Indonesia are doing. And then I find myself thanking God for the wonderful summer I had.

If I could summarize my summer in one word it would be: STRETCHED

Whether I was on the other side of the world or right at home at SpringHill, God continually kicked me out of my comfort zone. I'm pretty sure He did this to teach me a little more dependence on Him. Nonetheless, I'm glad He did.

I've already written about how God stretched me in Indonesia. Let me talk about camp a little bit. I had two days to recover between my world travels and my journey at SpringHill. The decision to go to camp that quickly probably wasn't the best, but God pulled me through. My first team was a struggle because I had to be the disciplinarian on my team. That was a huge struggle for me. I kept imagining that camp would be just like it was the year before. It was so weird to come back and be "that one girl that left training early to go do something I can't remember." That already threw me off. But on top of that, I had this role, the disciplinarian role, that I hated. I felt like God wasn't using me. I felt like I couldn't connect with my campers. But then God blessed me with an amazing work crew and beautiful small group. Those 8 people got me through the two weeks. He showed me that He can still use me even when I am struggling. I never cry when I say good-bye to campers. But with that team, I couldn't stop crying. It was amazing what God had done in their lives. He was truly glorified in that team.

I could go on forever about other ways God kicked me out of my comfort zone with following teams. But instead I want to talk about a new journey I'm embarking on....

I started teahcer aiding last week. That's right. I'm growing up and I'm gonna be a teacher. Last week was quite a challenge. I am in a public school which is a challenge in it of itself. (I'ven been in Christian schools since kindergarten.) Thankfully, this week is getting better. I am enjoying myself and I like gaining experience. I find myself looking at teacher teacher websites and getting excited about ideas I can implement in my classroom someday. I am looking forward to this journey of teaching. I'm already being stretched. I can't wait to see how God will continue you to stretch me outside my comfort zone.

love.

P.S. Feel free to share ideas about teaching! I love "stealing" good ideas...

The Final Reflection (about Indonesia)

Hi Friends,

I have been back in the United States for about 5 days now. Last Wednesday I traveled about 29 hours and finally was picked up from the airport at midnight. I was exhausted but I could not sleep. Thanks, jet-lag. It was nice to spend a few days at home to catch up with family and take some pictures. I didn't get a whole lot of time to unwind, however. I left two days later for SpringHill Camps in Evart, MI. So now I am going to do my best to reflect on what I learned through this process.

First: God brought me outside of my comfort zone the past two summers. Last summer He brought me to SpringHill, where I was stretched and challenged more than I could ever believe. This summer He again got me out of my comfort zone and brought me to the other side of the world. I wanted so badly to spend my full summer working at camp. And at first I was really frustrated that I couldn't stay. But through this process, I have learned to rely on God. I have learned that His plan is bigger and greater than what I can comprehend.

Second: I got to experience another culture. I was able to live in a new Christian community. A Christian community that was surrounded by a strong Muslim community. A Christian community in which I was able to meet some friends from all over the world. Not only was I able to be a part of this community, but I also had the privilege of learning about their culture. I learned that people from the other side of the world aren't that different. But at the same time I was able to see the differences that make each of our homes special. I learned that Asia does not think of breakfast the same way Americans do. And now I appreciate breakfast more. :-) But that's just one small thing.

Finally: I saw how God can and might use me in a foreign country. I loved teaching my students and I want to go back to Asia someday. But now I am at camp. I am on my two hour break and it's time for me to focus on my campers. It's time for me to let God use me here. At Springhill. I have 40 campers this week. I felt extremely unprepared coming back to this place. I missed most of training because of Indonesia so I feel "out of the loop." But yesterday I realized that didn't matter. God can still use me even if I am "out of the loop." So now I ask for your prayers for me, my team and especially my campers. I want them to experience God these next two weeks. I want to be strong for them and I want to grow with them.

Please stay tuned if you want to hear camp stories.

Love,
Kait