How do you express?

I am back from my trip. I am back from Sierra Leone. I am back on American soil. Making those statements seems so standard, but this trip was everything but that. As I look back on all the things I experienced, the people I met, the stories I heard, and the relationships I built over the past three weeks, I am overwhelmed with emotions. I am overtaken by feelings of joy, sadness, bitterness, frustration, love, hope, injustice, knowledge, power, excitement, passion, and heartache! It is amazing how many feelings and emotions can run through your blood all at the same time, and how you can feel so inadequate to fully express them in words. Over the next couple weeks, I am sure I will be blogging quite frequently as I try to figure out all that I learned while in Sierra Leone. This is the first of many posts relating to my trip. I hope you enjoy reading them and processing along with me.

As all those emotions run through my soul, I feel them all for specific reasons. I feel joy over the way that God has renewed my life and perspective. I feel sadness over having to say good-bye to good friends that I made on another continent without knowing if I will ever see them again. I feel bitterness over having to experience the materialism in American culture after seeing that people live on so little. I feel frustration of the lack on resources and money that is available to people in Sierra Leone. I feel love because of the love given to me from the people in Sierra Leone and knowing the Jesus loves us all no matter what! I feel injustice over seeing how people are treated, discriminated against due to certain circumstances. I feel hope because of seeing Christian disciples working to serve God even after the war that has plagued their country. I have knowledge because of hearing people's stories, seeing their lives, and listening to them speak about God's mercies and his will for their lives. I feel power because I know that God is working in tremendous ways in Sierra Leone and has a great plan for the people of that nation who are working to transform the new generation of leaders. I am excited to see how God will use the nationals under COTN to change the nation of Sierra Leone. I feel passion because I have found a place that I love and am passionate about. I feel heartache because of the tragic stories I heard during my time in Sierra Leone.

This is a small, small attempt to express what is going on in my brain and head right now.

I leave you with a picture that I have come to love and adore. This is Kadiatu Jongo, a girl I came to love very quickly. She is from a family of 17 kids, she lives in the village of Banta Mokelleh, she is six years. She loves Jesus and knows that he loves her:)

A light at the end of a dark tunnel...

So as you can probably tell from my most recent posts, I have been very much stressed, overwhelmed, and emotional. The added stress of having to find a place to leave was very much relieved yesterday. I think we found one. When all the "organized plans" fell through, I found msyelf not sure of where to start. Yesterday, I spent the majority of my day two places: on the internet looking at housing options in Aurora and driving around look at places to live. The first place I looked was actually my favorite. It's a two bedroom, two bath condo about 1 mile from school. The lady that currently lives there is moving to London in July. She is willing to pro-rate the rent for July, plus allow Brittany's dog to live there too! I am taking Brit (future roommate) back on Tuesday to look and hopefully get the ball rolling in regards to applications and leasing information. Please pray this works out. Our stipulations initially included reasonable rent, allowing dogs, and within 2 miles of work....and this condo fits all three of those. Pray as we continue to search and try to nail something down before Saturday.

Change o plans...

Oh my! So I got a phone call yesterday from the lady that we were supposed to move into her house in July. She informed us that she will not be moving out. We are on the house prowl now. We have had things set about housing since March and hadn't even been looking because the situation seemed so perfect. Haha, so much for being in control. Please be praying as we have 7 days to find a place to live before we go to Africa:)

Sweet Endings and Happy Good-byes!

So today I repeatedly found myself fighting back tears, as we watched the year-long slide show, as we packed up our room, as I gave hugs to my kiddos. My students kept asking me, "What's wrong Miss. Cole?" How was I supposed to respond to that? Well, I responded by saying, "They are happy tears." This year has been AMAZING, beyond words, and absolutely the best thing that could have happened to me. However, as it came to an end, I was overwhelmed with emotions. Everyone always says your first year is hard, but they also say that those kids will always have a place in your heart. How true that is. My kids have surely pushed me to my patience limits this year, but I love them to death. Today, as I realized I was saying good-bye to them as second graders, I was very emotional.

All of my little "munchkins" have grown so much this year....not only in height, but academics, love, passion, and pretty much every area. I know that I will have over half of them again next year, however, it was still hard. I am now at a point where I can start looking to the future. I am so blessed to have the opportunity of working with some of the same kids next year. I find myself already praying about next year's class and the dynamics. I know some of the students I will surely have and look forward to continuing to build relationships. At this point though, it's time to say good-bye to this year! Adieu.

It's Gonna Be a New Year....

Today, I officially received my "contract" and invitation back to Vanguard Classical. I am so excited about next year, being with my same kiddos, working with an absolutely amazing team and having a year under my belt. The best part about this contract...oh yeah, a big fat raise:) YEAH! Thank God....

Countdowns....

I never have the been the kind of person to be big into countdowns, but after being a teacher, I am all for them. We officially have 10 days left of school with kids, and 14 days as teachers. AHH! I am so ready for summer. I mean, I love my students and all, but they are starting to grate my nerves and just overall drive me crazy. People have always told me that they get crazy and excited at the end of the year, but I never imagined it would be this bad:( Yikes.

Another countdown in also on, not by days, but weeks at this point. In about 3 and a half weeks I will be on the ground in Sierra Leone. I am so excited about this opportunity. If you think of our team, please pray for safe travels and especially healthy bodies. I think that is my biggest fear...getting sick. I keep praying that God will protect every aspect of our trip and I know tons of other people are praying also, so thanks:)

Today is a day of running errands and lesson planning (for school and Sierra Leone). So....as they say in Japan "sionara." Adios, ciao bella!

Lysander the Highlander!

So, today was an eventful day! I went out car shopping because Rhonda (my old honda) seemed to be a on the fritz, having some issues lately. I went to the first appointment and was highly disappointed. You see, I really wanted a Highlander, however the one I was looking at was way over my price-range. I walked away and decided to stop in at another dealership... I didn't have an appointment though. 3 hours later I drove away in my new car! I managed to somehow get a 2007 White Highlander with 30,000 miles for a really good deal...anyways ,just had to share my news with all you who check my blog:)