Seeing Things More Clearly

Hello, Everybody! I am finally taking a moment to write! It's been ages! I have been very busy with school; trying to plan lessons for students with such different English levels is very difficult and incredibly challenging. I have some students who can't even read, and then others who are ready to write novels! Because of this, I have been working extra this week trying to prepare materials so that I can set up learning centers to better reach the needs of more students. I have experienced some really low points because it can really be draining to teach all day to students who can't even understand me. There are several who do understand, but at least half of the students still can barely understand my English, and there are some who can't understand at all. I keep going to God for ideas as to what to do, and there are some really great staff members who have offered me much support and encouragement. It's funny how on one hand I can feel such a huge amount of stress, and even sadness, and yet, on the other hand, there are always such amazing people to offer wise counsel and assurance that the students really are learning and that I will make it as a teacher; I still can't help but cry sometimes because God has just been so good and so faithful to me. And the students that He has given me are such fabulous little people! They are so sweet when they come up to me at random and say to me phrases that I know they have been practicing and practicing; they are funny and hilarious and precious and cute - downright adorable! I had one little girl come to school one day with some new grape-colored glasses - she looked just as cute as can be, which of course I told her. Then, later that day, I noticed that her glasses had no lenses! She was wearing them purely for vanity's sake!! I nearly died of laughter at this discovery! What a quirky and hilarious girl! I wish you all could see her - and all of my students, really. Each one is so special and unique. Everyday I ask God to give me the courage and grace and patience it will take for me to teach them anything.
Micah did home visits this past week, and I the week before. It was one of the most unique and interesting experiences we've ever had. We got the chance to meet all of our students' families and see them in their home environment - it was so neat. All of the families were so hospitable, and we walked away with several gifts (even though they weren't really supposed to give gifts, they just couldn't help themselves!). So sweet and caring. These children have books lining their bedroom walls, and many even had their own offices with books floor to ceiling! It is amazing to see the sacrifice these parents are making to see their children be successful. One thing I have noticed about this culture is that everything has to be the best. If they're going to do something, it is going to be done with excellence - there are no short cuts, no easy-way-outs, no room for average. It blows my mind to watch it all, and it demands that we put our very best effort into this, which is good - no excellent!
As you can see from the picture, I have new glasses. It has been a few years since I've gotten new glasses, so I didn't really know what to expect when Micah and I walked into the eye clinic. I'm not sure what my vision is now, but it must have been considerably worse because I had to watch my step! Everything seemed like it was zooming at me! It took me several days just to adjust to them, but now I can see much better. It's a funny thing, not seeing clearly, because you don't realize how blind you were until you have a new set of lenses - then the difference is overwhelming! Reminds me of when I was first saved; I just didn't know how blind I was until Jesus came along and showed me how things should really look, and this, too, is overwhelming!
We love you all, sorry we haven't written much this past week; I sort of suspected that we wouldn't always be able to write everyday, but I was hoping to keep it up for at least a little bit longer! I'm sure it'll just depend on the week. Thank you for your continued prayer and support. Each comment that is made is so valuable to us! I wish we could reply to every comment! Love to all! ~Sarah