This week has been insane. It was one of the best birthday weeks I ever had. I was spoiled day after day. I will try not to brag, but there are no guarantees. It comes down to being overwhelmingly blessed by those near and dear to me. I have to give a shout-out to some of the highlights of this week.
My kids. During our morning devo time, the kids were mentioning my upcoming birthday as a praise for a week and a half before the event. They were stoked which in turn made me super excited. One of the students prayed this past week and thanked God for my upcoming birthday and after she said "amen" the kids were getting so upset she said something about my birthday. To which she replied, "I didn't say anything guys!" I just tried to act like I had selective hearing at the moment and avoid that awkward moment. Well on the big day, my sweet aide (Gisela) organized a surprise party. The kids each gave me a flower, balloon, and sweet note. They read them aloud. I was a mess. It was too sweet. Then they say Happy Birthday in English and Spanish. (A great plug for working at an international school!) We had my favorite kind of cake - it is like a milky way in cake form. Mrs. Gisela prayed for me (even my spouse wherever he may be) and said some kind words. My students' parents blessed me with a mani/pedi from a nice salon down the street from my school. Yay for getting pampered!
My roommates. I awoke Thursday morning to a trail of coke zero, water bottles, coffee, and Sublime candy bars from my room to the kitchen table downstairs where there was a bouquet of beautiful flowers. There were 30 candy bars to be exact! :) Then after school, we went to a lovely Italian dinner at this chic restaurant in Larco Mar. After dinner it was desert at Chili's for a molten lava cake. That cake was gone in 1 minute. Literally. SOOOOOO good!
Megan No. 30. The week ended with a Chanel No. 5 themed party with all the attendees in pink, black, and white attire. My roommates decorated the house with awesome CoCo Chanel sayings and played awesome jazz music. We grubbed on some awesome Mexican food (my favorite) and battled in Just Dance until the sweat got the best of us. NOT TO MENTION, that I got to sing Glee karaoke. I put on a mini concert. It was so many dreams fulfilled in one night. :) A shout out to my sweet friend, Terri, who was the decoy girl. She took me out get pedicures and keep me gone as long as it was needed. I know that role can be a bit stressful. :)
In summary, I have to state how blessed I am. I don't even know if I could articulate everything I feel. I welcome 30 into my life because as I look back at the past 29 years/11 months/364 days leading up to this moment I know how deeply loved I am. I have learned some incredible (some painful) lessons over the past 3 decades. I have been connected to some life-changing people that have encouraged me to be me and trust God in all things. I have traveled and lived in parts of the world that different than my own home country. I may not have a ring on "that" finger or have a couple kids that call me mom, but God has given me a purpose of loving and knowing Him along this journey. I am so excited to see where God takes me in this life He has given me. To all the birthday cards, phone calls, facebook posts that were written you have moved me with your kind words. I will treasure your words in my heart for years to come.
But hold on...there is more!!! We had to celebrate Valentine's day AND the 100th day of school on Friday. So I went to bed as a 30 year old and came to school dressed as a 100 year old. The kids were invited to dress up as 100 year olds and the teachers had to lead by example, of course! One of my students said, "You look more creepy than old." Thanks man! :) We had fun celebrating love and each other with exchanging our valentines.
Our new student, Mateo, is doing well adjusting. He is opening up more with the other students. We are doing some science experiments so that could always use prayer. The kids may not remember a lot of what I tell them, but they remember what I do! Ever since the rubbing alcohol bottle exploded on my face in QUARTER ONE, the kids have brought it up 3 times this past week. Such sweethearts! A group of us are signing up for a Color run (5k). I have always wanted to do one and I think it is pretty cool that my first one will be in Lima.
Prayer Requests:
- that I will be mindful of why I am here and not get wrapped up in this international experience
- our school has Spiritual Emphasis Week coming up next month. Either a team has to come down or the teachers will be leading. Pray for plans as they are being made and for students' hearts to be sensitive to what God will want to share with them that week.
Enough rambling for now!
You are loved,
Megan
(This cake is SOOOO good! It's a Peruvian thing!)
(We are 100...can't you tell?)
(We love hashtags at our house.)
(My sweet card!)
(She is the mastermind behind the surprise! Love youuuu!!!)
(We may be old, but we are cute.)
No comments:
Post a Comment