After a week and a half of teaching...

Much praise to the Lord Almighty. I love doing what I'm doing in Japan. I enjoy every aspect of teaching. Coming up with the materials is kinda fun on my part although a bit challenging at times when I take all my students' skill levels into consideration...it's hard to accomodate to everyone. But this helps stimulate my brain, so I love it. I love teaching my kids. Yes, MY kids. They're all so beautiful. Just watching them learn is such a wonderful thing. Struggling with them is my joy. Ha..for example...."Boys and girls, the letters "I" and "N" together makes the sound "IN." Now, what is P-I-N?" I get various answers..like PINE. Ha... or "PA-N"...or they would get the "P" sound and not be able to say "IN" after. It's just so cute. We take for granted that English-speaking kids are good at rhyming. As for my older students, the adults, I enjoy being with them just as much. It's easier to communicate for those who have some background in English because I wouldn't have to look up the dictionary for the Japanese translation of the English word. We converse. And it's really pleasant. A tad bit harder for the ones who don't know much English. Another challenge to stimulate my brain :D It's good though. There's something about teaching. Or maybe it's the interaction with people that I really love. Thankfully there is a program on Microsoft Word that helps me translate my English into Japanese, which makes sharing the Gospel a lot easier! At least if they don't understand me verbally, they can still read the Japanese translation...or else this whole sharing can be pointless if they do not understand me.

So yes, I got "lost" again last week. Well, I didn't really get lost. Lost is not knowing where I am...and not knowing how to get back. I made the right transfers but got on the wrong train. Not fully my fault this time. The trains are usually very prompt but somehow the 10:02am train that I was scheduled to get on came late...so when 10:02am came along, I hopped on the wrong train. Waited 40 minutes for the next train to bring me back...and another 12 minutes or so to get to my destination. Yup, I was an hour late for my class. But my students were very nice about it :D

The weather here is absolutely beautiful. Starting to get a bit chilly though. Today a lady at church did some baking and shared her baked goods with me. I was very touched. I crossed her mind today...and that means a lot. I am treated very well here. God has been sending all these angels to look after me, so I am in good hands. Plus, I know I have a lot of support back at home and that is helping me to deal with living on my own in a foreign place. It is such a major blessing to be here. The question is: What can I do while I am here? What can I do not to waste my life/time away while I am here--specifically in Nagoya, Japan?

On another note: Teacher's College applications are due Dec.1. They are all done; I just gotta submit it now. Although I love teaching, I am not sure if this is my calling. Well, please pray that if the doors to teaching do close on me, that another door will open and that I will be able to see it. But yeh, I know I will be fine whether I get in or not; especially if I do not get in.

:D Peace be with you.

Goal for this month: try some real Japanese curry!