We went Vegan!

Happy Monday friends!

 I hope you had a lovely day full of excitement! I don't know what you did, but I went Vegan tonight. Now this is not going to be a life change, sorry to disappoint those of you who are Vegan. But, in a desperate need for brownies, with no eggs in the house, we had to get creative and trust google. My roommate and I stumbled across a recipe for eggless brownies and went for it! We just happened to only have the things to make them Vegan. They are not like the trustworthy pillsbury brand, but when you need chocolate, you NEED chocolate! And this recipe did the trick!

I have also discovered that I love Mondays! I know I might be a little crazy, and possibly the only one in the world who likes them, but there is just something about Mondays that I love. It could be the wonderful feeling of standing at school welcoming in my 10 year old friends, who are just as excited about the new week as I am. It could also be the idea of the new week that lies ahead, the week that could go in any direction with many adventures to be had. It could have something to do with the fact that I am rested and rejuvenated from the weekend break. Whatever it may be, I have come to love Mondays.

This particular Monday was quite pleasant. Nothing extraordinary happened, in fact a lot of things were very strange today. I had to talk with my students about the possibility of not having school because of the strikes, most were disappointed which made me feel swell. The electricity went out at the end of the day, but in Bolivia you keep on teaching, even if it is a little darker then usual. Even though the lack of internet took my lesson in a new direction, and the kids were a little weirded out by the electricity going on and off, I was able to see so much joy in today.

As I was reading aloud, I asked my students to retell what had happened in the story last week. One student (who is never really paying attention) raised his hand and told me word for word what happened. I was stunned, and so were the other students. This little boy knew the answer, and better yet  he understood how to apply the strategy we had been working on for the last week. I later pulled him aside and asked him about it. I asked him what was different today, because at this point he had participated in every activity. His answer was "I don't know Miss".Grr. I then asked him if he was going to keep it up all week and he responded by saying" I will think about it". Really. I am praying that he keeps it up, but only time will tell. I know it is not a huge accomplishment, and tomorrow he many very well turn back into the same space cadet he has been all year, but on this Monday I felt as though I was accomplishing what I am here to do.

I learned today to let go a little bit more. I have been holding onto this idea that everything has to get done when I want it too. Today I was working with a small group and we were talking about making predictions. One thing led to another and we were soon pretending to read each-others minds. At one point they were standing above me pointing their fingers and pretending to pull the thoughts out of my head. Don't ask me how I got here, I couldn't tell you. In the moment though I thought, wow, these kids look like they have to poop when they make that face. I did not just think it, but I said it. Oops. About three seconds after the words escaped my mouth, there was an uproar of laughter. Pure, genuine giggling from their bellies, coming from my 4th graders because I made a joke about pooping. It was silly, and ridiculous, but I was reminded of how much fun I can have with my students and how much joy they have inside of them. It was a wonderful afternoon.

As I was reflecting on the day I was reminded about how restful this weekend was. On Sunday I was able to listen to a sermon on Galatians. We are studying this letter in our Bible study, but I always find enjoyment hearing others perspectives. I was reminded and convicted of something crucial about the Christian faith. In the first few verses Paul is addressing those who were changing the gospel. When I first read this passage last week I assumed it meant that they were changing facts, and turning it into a different religion. However, as I listened to the sermon, and re-read the passages, it was pointed out this was not what the Galatians were doing at all. They were not denying that Christ came, died, and was resurrected for us. They were denying the simpleness of the gospels truth. This is not something that just happened then, but something that is still a struggle in the church today. "Christians" try so hard to be these "perfect" people that we loose the point. I have been struggling so much with who I am supposed to be, especially in my role as a missionary, that I lost sight of my faith. The true raw faith that brings me to my knees searching for who God really is. We add so much to the Bible, when God specifically says not to. We make rules about how to speak, how to dress, what to eat or drink, who to be friends with, who to judge, and we transform into these people that we think are ideal. In reality this pushes more people away from the truth, doing exactly the opposite of the gospel's intention. I have not been able to understand a lot about my faith, but I am starting to realize that it is not the gospel that I am questioning, it is the people who are acting it out and putting rules that do not exist. I am certainly not an expert, and by no means except from this behavior, but I want to challenge you the way I was challenged. Do not look at the person next to you, but look to the truth. Are we acting as we should be, or are we just like the Galatians who are changing the gospel to satisfy are own needs? We are desired by God, that is the truth that should label us and those around us.

May your Monday be blessed,

Sara