до свидания

As i sit here in the airport in Moscow, getting ready to fly out for the last time, there are many thoughts and emotions that I am dealing with. We'll see if I can get through typing this blog without losing it completely (I'll let you know at the end). 15 & 1/2 years ago, God brought me here, and I had no idea what He had in store for me. Looking back, the only word that comes to mind is "WOW!" What a journey it's been! In one sense, I am closing the book on this chapter in my life. I know I will be back to visit, but my life is getting ready to take a completely different route on this journey, and just like 15 yrs ago, I don't have any idea what is going to happen.

There are many things that I will miss about Moscow and many things that i won't miss. At one point I had started my Top 10 list of what I would and wouldn't miss, but never quite finished that. So let me tell you some of those top 10. I will miss the beauty of summer here and the beauty of winter. I will miss the snow but not the bitterly cold temperatures or the winds that literally chill you to the bones. I will miss the ease of public transportation and not having to deal with car repairs, insurance or gas; but I will not miss the throngs of people that crowd into the metros, nor the lovely smells that accompany them. I will miss the view from my kitchen window, but not the late night drunken parties or the constant flow of car alarms. I will miss a lot of Russian food -- blini, schwarma, Black bread, pelmeni, and smoked cheese. I will miss being able to walk most anywhere. In Florida it's too hot to do most anything outside, especially walk from place to place.

But most of all, I will miss the people who have changed my life. I will miss my roomates, my close family at Hinkson, and the most amazing students in the world. I will miss their hugs and their laughter. I will miss late night poker parties at my apt. I will miss the interaction that comes with being a teacher and relationships that I have built here.

All of this being said, I know that wherever God leads me next, I will carry Russia in my heart forever. I am leaving Russia with 3 suitcases, and 2 carry-ons but I am leaving pieces of my heart here.

P.S...I didn't cry during this blog write. In the words of Michael Card..."There is a joy in the journey. There's a light we can love on the way. There is a wonder and wildness to life, and freedom for those who obey." Here is to finding that joy!

до свидания.

The Reality of Relationships

My time in Korea has come to an end. Tomorrow night I will return to Moscow for 3 days to collect my stuff, say more goodbyes, and then head Stateside on Friday.

To say that my time here was amazing, just doesn't quite seem

to do it. I had a fantastic time teaching and getting to know some new kids. I even learned a thing to two about the SAT. I also did a fair amount of sightseeing -- went to Seoul 4 times, did a little touring in Suwon, and went to the North/South Korean border. I ate so much good food, I am sure that I gained some weight. But all of these things pale in comparison to what brought me the most joy here. I have been teaching for 13 years now, and that means that I have taught a lot of students and built many strong friendships with them. Over the past month, I was able to reconnect with many of these students, and I was reminded of how valuable my friendships and relationships really are to me. Life would not exist without these relationships. I can't imagine how people live their lives without strong friendships and community. I remember being in middle school and having no real friendships -- I think that is why they are so important to me now.

As I look back over my life, I realize that there have been relationships that I have let slip away. There have been times I have made mistakes in my relationships, causing others to be hurt by my actions or my words. Obviously if I could go back in time and restore those relationships or make more effort to stay in touch, I would do so. But I can't, so I must move on and make sure to cultivate more deliberately the relationships I have right now. It was so awesome for me this month to see students again, some of them whom I consider to be good friends. I loved the fact that I could talk with them about where they are in their lives, what God is doing, and where they are headed; that we have could have serious talks and laugh our heads off about the old days as well. Some of them I may not see again for a few years, but I know that our friendship will still be there the next time we meet.

I have said this numerous times, but I want to say it once more -- I never imagined that my life would be as blessed as it right now, for the simple reason that I have people in my life that care about me and have shown me love. Especially when it comes to the students I have taught, I would not trade the world for the time I have spent with them. Some of you may have heard this saying: "In a hundred years it won't matter what my bank account was or what kind of car i drove or house I had; what will matter was that I was important in the life of a child." Thank you God, for the chances I have had to influence children's lives, and thank you to all of you who have made a difference in mine.