August - September
Mid August
School starts. I love my children/students. We have a good time.
September
Roommates move in! :) Happy day. Holly and Alicia are two fellow JCS teachers; between the 3 of us we teach preschool, elementary, & middle/high school.
4th- I planned a surprise party with Holly’s mom via e-mail. We enjoyed pizza, cake, Wii and the essential DR power outage. It was a good time.
5th- The first waterfall trip of the year: a pick-up truck, mountains, a short hike, and the beauty of God’s creation…amazing!
12th –The first trip to the beach for the JCS staff: Sosua, sun and La Sierna (the mermaid – it’s a grocery story with AMERICAN foods like cream cheese, cereals, bagels, pizza, etc…) and super Saturday of fun!
18th – RUNNING WATER!!!! We had been without running water for nearly 2 weeks; an experience that tested my patience. But we thankfully had a water supply close for dishes and extremely understanding co-workers who let us come and shower at their houses.
Those are just some of the big highlights of the year so far. I am definitely learning to enjoy life a little bit more this year and don’t always put school first! I am beginning to cooking here and so far am pleased with what has turned out.
Overall I am definitely loving my new house and it’s amazing views and private back porch.
Prayer Requests:
- Continued joy.
- Patience with a few of my students.
- Continued desire to learn Spanish ( I have tutoring every Monday)
19 September 2009
04 August 2009
Prayer
Many may have received the prayer alert that was sent out last night. Please continue to be in prayer for the staff, administration and board of my shcool.
01 August 2009
Time to hit the road via a plane...
It's that time again for me to board a plane and fly south to the Dominican Republic. It's only been 5 weeks since I left but I'm so ready to be back and see my friends and students.
These five weeks have flown by between work, writing curriculum, and just living in a house that is on the market life has been exhausting.
I leave tomorrow possibly having said goodbye to Crystal Lake for who knows how long. Mixed emotions on leaving behind my home of the last 11 years (despite only residing full time here for 6 of them).
Please pray for safe flights, complete baggage on the other side and a ride...still not 100% sure who's getting me but that's sometimes to be expected. I'm very excited to go and move into my new house and get settled.
These five weeks have flown by between work, writing curriculum, and just living in a house that is on the market life has been exhausting.
I leave tomorrow possibly having said goodbye to Crystal Lake for who knows how long. Mixed emotions on leaving behind my home of the last 11 years (despite only residing full time here for 6 of them).
Please pray for safe flights, complete baggage on the other side and a ride...still not 100% sure who's getting me but that's sometimes to be expected. I'm very excited to go and move into my new house and get settled.
06 July 2009
Busy Weekend, Busy Life
This past weekend I drove with my parents to Minnesota to see friends and family.
On Friday night we stayed with some friends of my parents who have experience in having a daughter overseas. It was good to hear about their daughters ministry in Japan and to receive much needed tutoring on raising support effectively. Thus the delay in letter mailing. I am so excited to rewrite my letter so that it can be consice and clear. I hope the result of this fine tuning helps you understand my ministry more effectively.
Saturday was spent with aunts, uncles, cousin, & grandma. It was good to see most of my family which I haven't seen since last June!
Saturday evening was spent with the Johnsons and then Sunday we turned around and drove home.
My life has been super busy since I landed at home 2 weeks ago. I have found myself working full time, writing curriculum, and planning the first and second grade reading calendar! YIKES!!! and then I am busy writing my support letter.
I hope that you will check back for more frequent updates as the time gets closer for me to go back. I plan to fly back AUGUST 2nd.
On Friday night we stayed with some friends of my parents who have experience in having a daughter overseas. It was good to hear about their daughters ministry in Japan and to receive much needed tutoring on raising support effectively. Thus the delay in letter mailing. I am so excited to rewrite my letter so that it can be consice and clear. I hope the result of this fine tuning helps you understand my ministry more effectively.
Saturday was spent with aunts, uncles, cousin, & grandma. It was good to see most of my family which I haven't seen since last June!
Saturday evening was spent with the Johnsons and then Sunday we turned around and drove home.
My life has been super busy since I landed at home 2 weeks ago. I have found myself working full time, writing curriculum, and planning the first and second grade reading calendar! YIKES!!! and then I am busy writing my support letter.
I hope that you will check back for more frequent updates as the time gets closer for me to go back. I plan to fly back AUGUST 2nd.
22 June 2009
HOME
I have been home for the last 48+ hours.
I returned home late Friday/early Saturday. I encounter many delays during travel; however, did not miss a single flight!
In the DR our plane was late arriving which meant that I landed at MIA - Miami with just under and hour to clear customs and hightail it to my gate. Thankfully my flight was also delayed in Miami due to lightening strikes. So I made it to the plane and boarded 2 hours later than planned.
Since being home I have been extremely busy studying Spanish, reading ESL curriculum books, planning for camp and readjusting to a life of "luxury" compared to my DR habitat. It has been weird to drive and go to stores, but thankfully any culture shock has happened someplace out of the "public" eye.
Anyways, I am busy working for NISRA and SEDOM this summer like that previous 6 summers...that's a long time to be at the same summer job, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I returned home late Friday/early Saturday. I encounter many delays during travel; however, did not miss a single flight!
In the DR our plane was late arriving which meant that I landed at MIA - Miami with just under and hour to clear customs and hightail it to my gate. Thankfully my flight was also delayed in Miami due to lightening strikes. So I made it to the plane and boarded 2 hours later than planned.
Since being home I have been extremely busy studying Spanish, reading ESL curriculum books, planning for camp and readjusting to a life of "luxury" compared to my DR habitat. It has been weird to drive and go to stores, but thankfully any culture shock has happened someplace out of the "public" eye.
Anyways, I am busy working for NISRA and SEDOM this summer like that previous 6 summers...that's a long time to be at the same summer job, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
15 June 2009
4 days
home in 4 short days.
there is still so much to do packing wise, but that's not what i've been doing.
this morning i sat down and worked on correspondence. woo...what a way to spend my morning. i currently have written roughly 3 rough drafts this morning of very important letters. 2 of which many of you will be seeing in your mailboxes soon (hopefully next week!)
please pray for the JCS staff as many of us are flying home or have already flown home. mainly prayer for re-adjusting to life in the united states. and for the staff staying here...who will be missing their co-workers and friends.
for me - i land on friday and start work on monday. pray that God grants me enough rest this week and week-end to be prepared for work. i am thankful to even be working since i missed all the training for both jobs. God is good and faithful.
anyways. now that the writing is done...it's time to focus on the packing part of life. which is semi-difficult since i still need to live the next few days....so for now it's sorting through piles that have accumulated on my arch-nemis ---flat surfaces.
there is still so much to do packing wise, but that's not what i've been doing.
this morning i sat down and worked on correspondence. woo...what a way to spend my morning. i currently have written roughly 3 rough drafts this morning of very important letters. 2 of which many of you will be seeing in your mailboxes soon (hopefully next week!)
please pray for the JCS staff as many of us are flying home or have already flown home. mainly prayer for re-adjusting to life in the united states. and for the staff staying here...who will be missing their co-workers and friends.
for me - i land on friday and start work on monday. pray that God grants me enough rest this week and week-end to be prepared for work. i am thankful to even be working since i missed all the training for both jobs. God is good and faithful.
anyways. now that the writing is done...it's time to focus on the packing part of life. which is semi-difficult since i still need to live the next few days....so for now it's sorting through piles that have accumulated on my arch-nemis ---flat surfaces.
07 June 2009
Letting Go of the Sword of Self-Sufficiency
Please excuse any grammatical, spelling, or time lapse mistakes as this entry endured a power outage and a short-circuiting keyboard.
Today was probably one of the most convicting church services I have ever been too. Popin (Po-peen) my pastor talked about Moses and the Burning Bush; when Moses was in the desert because of his own self-sufficiency. He took a sword to seek justice and fled. God took 40 years while Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep to bring Moses to the burning bush. At that time God chose to use Moses with a staff instead of a sword to free an entire country!
Moses held on stubbornly to the sword of self-sufficiency and justice, just as we do. We my not tend sheep in the desert, but we all experience our own deserts of loneliness. God meets us in these deserts and asks for our swords and gives us staves. It’s up to us at this point to lean on the support of God or throw down the staff and go our own ways again. But God does not give up because He still wants to use us; sinners!
God wants to be our “business” partners in the journey to transform the world into His likeness even though He doesn’t need us. He wants to work with us because we can show the transformation of a life lived in Him. God chooses us for 3 reasons:
1) HE loves us!
2 HE knows our potential.
3 Someone has to tell the world about God’s glory.
While we may feel useless, God provides answers at the perfect times. He is the I AM. – He is unchangeable, the Alpha and Omega, the God who was, who is, and who is to come, He is absolute, He is with out cause, He is essential. The knowledge of this God doesn’t transform us or those around us – we can only be transformed by a personal revelation!
We can’t truly be revealed to God’s glory until we give up that sword of self-sufficiency that we hold. Only then will God reveal His true glory to us, just as he did to Moses with the burning bush. By giving this up we are giving up the right to say “I CAN” - can you do that? I know that I can’t… I struggle every day. My life can not be based on I CAN and Maybes.
God calls us to prayer…a life of surrender. A life in the desert allows us fall to our knees and listen to the voice of God that is always there, just BEGGING to be heard.
LET GO – Let go, Let go – let go of whatever you are holding onto and hold God’s outstretched waiting hand. He will lead us were we need to go.
At the beginning of the year I wrote a list of what I wanted God to do while I was here or what I hoped God would do. That’s ridiculous…God isn’t told what to do. He tells us what to do. God has done most of the things on my list. He has just done them in ways not so conventional. I am happy that He has answered my strange requests.
I recently finished a study on Hebrews called Hoping for Something Better. I highly recommend this study for anyone who struggles with emotions dealing with depression or an overwhelming sense of short-comings. God is good and has planned a life full of hope based on trials that lead us to him…just as God led Moses to the burning bush with a rod in his hands that later went on to free an entire country.
Now I am doing a study/reading a book called Come Closer based on 15 invitations from Jesus to come and be near him. I am always convicted and touched as I read each chapter…identifying with the crowd that Jesus was talking to. I have come to desire the friendship and companionship of our Savior more deeply than the salvation that originally drew me into the fold. I have come to the place where Jesus is truly beginning to take a human form.
As I end the school year I am looking forward to the next year and how I can be the example of Jesus to my students. I can simply do that by loving them…staying for one more year…showing them that love…for some of the incoming second graders next year will be the first year they have had a certified teacher for more than 4 months. I want to show them Christ’s love. I want to put down my sword so I can love them not on my own but love them with God’s guidance…will you join me by praying for my student’s next year? Will you venture out of your desert place and let God lead you by the hand to what He has planned for you?
I hope that you will.
Today was probably one of the most convicting church services I have ever been too. Popin (Po-peen) my pastor talked about Moses and the Burning Bush; when Moses was in the desert because of his own self-sufficiency. He took a sword to seek justice and fled. God took 40 years while Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep to bring Moses to the burning bush. At that time God chose to use Moses with a staff instead of a sword to free an entire country!
Moses held on stubbornly to the sword of self-sufficiency and justice, just as we do. We my not tend sheep in the desert, but we all experience our own deserts of loneliness. God meets us in these deserts and asks for our swords and gives us staves. It’s up to us at this point to lean on the support of God or throw down the staff and go our own ways again. But God does not give up because He still wants to use us; sinners!
God wants to be our “business” partners in the journey to transform the world into His likeness even though He doesn’t need us. He wants to work with us because we can show the transformation of a life lived in Him. God chooses us for 3 reasons:
1) HE loves us!
2 HE knows our potential.
3 Someone has to tell the world about God’s glory.
While we may feel useless, God provides answers at the perfect times. He is the I AM. – He is unchangeable, the Alpha and Omega, the God who was, who is, and who is to come, He is absolute, He is with out cause, He is essential. The knowledge of this God doesn’t transform us or those around us – we can only be transformed by a personal revelation!
We can’t truly be revealed to God’s glory until we give up that sword of self-sufficiency that we hold. Only then will God reveal His true glory to us, just as he did to Moses with the burning bush. By giving this up we are giving up the right to say “I CAN” - can you do that? I know that I can’t… I struggle every day. My life can not be based on I CAN and Maybes.
God calls us to prayer…a life of surrender. A life in the desert allows us fall to our knees and listen to the voice of God that is always there, just BEGGING to be heard.
LET GO – Let go, Let go – let go of whatever you are holding onto and hold God’s outstretched waiting hand. He will lead us were we need to go.
At the beginning of the year I wrote a list of what I wanted God to do while I was here or what I hoped God would do. That’s ridiculous…God isn’t told what to do. He tells us what to do. God has done most of the things on my list. He has just done them in ways not so conventional. I am happy that He has answered my strange requests.
I recently finished a study on Hebrews called Hoping for Something Better. I highly recommend this study for anyone who struggles with emotions dealing with depression or an overwhelming sense of short-comings. God is good and has planned a life full of hope based on trials that lead us to him…just as God led Moses to the burning bush with a rod in his hands that later went on to free an entire country.
Now I am doing a study/reading a book called Come Closer based on 15 invitations from Jesus to come and be near him. I am always convicted and touched as I read each chapter…identifying with the crowd that Jesus was talking to. I have come to desire the friendship and companionship of our Savior more deeply than the salvation that originally drew me into the fold. I have come to the place where Jesus is truly beginning to take a human form.
As I end the school year I am looking forward to the next year and how I can be the example of Jesus to my students. I can simply do that by loving them…staying for one more year…showing them that love…for some of the incoming second graders next year will be the first year they have had a certified teacher for more than 4 months. I want to show them Christ’s love. I want to put down my sword so I can love them not on my own but love them with God’s guidance…will you join me by praying for my student’s next year? Will you venture out of your desert place and let God lead you by the hand to what He has planned for you?
I hope that you will.
04 June 2009
Winding Down
As the school year winds down I am overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have! Yikes...3 suitcases a few MFIs and many hand-me-downs sure does add up!
AND then I think of all the stuff I need for next your to become a good second grade teacher. God will provide he always does. I may have to wait for the new things but it will be worth the wait.
URGENT prayer...sort of silly/selfish/actually legit...my computer has been malfunctioning for the better part of the last few months. I will need to purchase a new one this summer most likely. Please pray for a computer to be provided as money is very tight OR a quality used one will be found by Ash who has been so helpful to me but also to my friends here. He's sort of a celeb among all of us who he has helped...without him we would have waited months to get any sort of help. so a big thank you!!!
i need to go before my keyboard completely makes everything disappear. :(
AND then I think of all the stuff I need for next your to become a good second grade teacher. God will provide he always does. I may have to wait for the new things but it will be worth the wait.
URGENT prayer...sort of silly/selfish/actually legit...my computer has been malfunctioning for the better part of the last few months. I will need to purchase a new one this summer most likely. Please pray for a computer to be provided as money is very tight OR a quality used one will be found by Ash who has been so helpful to me but also to my friends here. He's sort of a celeb among all of us who he has helped...without him we would have waited months to get any sort of help. so a big thank you!!!
i need to go before my keyboard completely makes everything disappear. :(
01 June 2009
MAYO en la Republica Dominicana
Sorry for the lengthy absence...they do say that absence makes the heart grow fonder...so without delay let me fill you in on my life while I've been away from the blogging world.
May 1st - 3rd grade field trip to Santo Domingo. I know I went on long adventures in elementary school. BUT I never realized the dedication and patience it took on the part of the teachers.
Needless to say there were rewards too. Like the aquarium/McDonald's and lots of singing on the bus.
Here are some snap shots of that day.
May 5th - Cinco de Mayo - first one in a Spanish country but sadly it means nothing here
May 28/29th - Volcano Days
May 30/31 - La Playa
09 May 2009
Brief Hello
Greetings from the Dominican Republic where it is nice and balmy.
This entry comes after a long last few days. This week was our last short week before school is done on June 10th. Today much like the last day or so I spent in my room with a migrane. Thankfully this migrane was not accompanied by virus bug that I had Thursday night into early Friday morning. It has been a long few hours since solid food. Thankfully I have wonderful friends who bring me Gatorade and sub for me at school on short notice.
Home in just about 40 days.
This entry comes after a long last few days. This week was our last short week before school is done on June 10th. Today much like the last day or so I spent in my room with a migrane. Thankfully this migrane was not accompanied by virus bug that I had Thursday night into early Friday morning. It has been a long few hours since solid food. Thankfully I have wonderful friends who bring me Gatorade and sub for me at school on short notice.
Home in just about 40 days.
07 May 2009
Blessings
Just received word from Amazon that 2 of my items on her wish list have been purchased! PTL! Thank you to the person/people who did that. I am so excited to start DLR and DMR with my students next year. :)
The weather here has not gotten utterly unbearable yet...relishing that while I can.
The weather here has not gotten utterly unbearable yet...relishing that while I can.
05 May 2009
Tastes of Home
Today has been a good day with lots of tastes of home:
1) 24 hour power! Today was the first day that we have had power all day in about 2 weeks. HAPPY DAY
2) Hot shower! a full 8 minutes of hot water...rare.
3) America Water Pressure
4) THUNDER - it normally doesn't thunder here but tonight it did and it was glorious! I miss Indiana thunderstorms.
5) Bubbles. I got to watch my kids chase bubbles today with no reserves as too who was watching. so cute.
1) 24 hour power! Today was the first day that we have had power all day in about 2 weeks. HAPPY DAY
2) Hot shower! a full 8 minutes of hot water...rare.
3) America Water Pressure
4) THUNDER - it normally doesn't thunder here but tonight it did and it was glorious! I miss Indiana thunderstorms.
5) Bubbles. I got to watch my kids chase bubbles today with no reserves as too who was watching. so cute.
28 April 2009
T- 2 months
In only a mere 8 weeks I will be setting foot in the United States for only 6 weeks.
Before I can come back there are some very important things that must be done here.
1) Finish writing the 2nd grade spelling curriculum...yes, I, am writing - more like modifying the A Beka first and second grade curriculums into 1 along with the East Lansing School Corp. Sitton Spelling program. I am not a huge fan of the current curriculum so I'm supplementing it and using the best parts. AND making it ESL friendly.
WHY undertake such a huge task...well it's easy save money on one part to get more money for another part. WOOT. all this in hopes to have a decent Reading curriculum or at least a better Math.
2) Grades...always and forever on the minds of every teacher.
3) Packing up my life, but I'm getting ahead of myself with that one.
But back to the curriculum. I have created an Amazon.com wishlist of several curriculum supplements I would like to use next year. The beauty of Amazon is you can buy used. :) below is the link to my wish list. The items are ranked in order of my highest priority...once you see them you'll notice most of them are high.
You can see Brooke Anne Jantzen's entire Wish List at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/PW5BXWCQLNY7
More later. That's it for now.
Before I can come back there are some very important things that must be done here.
1) Finish writing the 2nd grade spelling curriculum...yes, I, am writing - more like modifying the A Beka first and second grade curriculums into 1 along with the East Lansing School Corp. Sitton Spelling program. I am not a huge fan of the current curriculum so I'm supplementing it and using the best parts. AND making it ESL friendly.
WHY undertake such a huge task...well it's easy save money on one part to get more money for another part. WOOT. all this in hopes to have a decent Reading curriculum or at least a better Math.
2) Grades...always and forever on the minds of every teacher.
3) Packing up my life, but I'm getting ahead of myself with that one.
But back to the curriculum. I have created an Amazon.com wishlist of several curriculum supplements I would like to use next year. The beauty of Amazon is you can buy used. :) below is the link to my wish list. The items are ranked in order of my highest priority...once you see them you'll notice most of them are high.
You can see Brooke Anne Jantzen's entire Wish List at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/
More later. That's it for now.
21 April 2009
Remember when...
...I first posted about my beautiful new stairs to my roof?
Sadly they will soon lead to another house. That's right our landlord is building a second floor! :(
Today when I got back from town I saw
one GIANT cement truck with powder and cinder blocks.
about 15 Dominican men only 3 of which were the workers.
and one very happy and busy Guido.
Goodbye to the sweet view of our surroundings.
Goodbye peace and quiet.
Goodbye carport for drying clothes.
To see some pictures of our lovely pile of blocks/wall/fortress we now live in visit Natalie's blog.
*** do not believe everything you read--refering to the last portion of her blog...i did not talk to any of them except our landlord Guido.
12 April 2009
Solo en Cristo
HE IS RISEN!
Today that is what I hold on to. Today I am sad and very homesick. But regardless of my homesickness, Christ still rose again on the 3rd day so that I might have life.
Three years ago I stood on top of one of the mountains here in Jarabacoa and had sunrise service with 25 amazing people. Just a week ago I stood on top of the same mountain again and saw my town; not just a town where I had spent 9 days, but a town that has become my home.
Celebrating my third Easter here has been a challenge. I haven't had the comforts of 25 smiling faces or a home cooked meal to look forward to. Instead I get to be blessed by my friends here in the DR who I only have known for 8 months. It has been a hard day full of tears and heartache for the opportunity to celebrate just one more Easter TU style.
This afternoon I will go to church and be blessed once more by the smiling faces of my church home here. It will be good to go and sing, clap, possibly dance and praise Jesus because He is risen.
I do not want this to be sad because as my student said "Jesus came to kill all the sadness". He came so that we could live with sadness, but have hope for our future home.
IN CHRIST ALONE
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Today that is what I hold on to. Today I am sad and very homesick. But regardless of my homesickness, Christ still rose again on the 3rd day so that I might have life.
Three years ago I stood on top of one of the mountains here in Jarabacoa and had sunrise service with 25 amazing people. Just a week ago I stood on top of the same mountain again and saw my town; not just a town where I had spent 9 days, but a town that has become my home.
Celebrating my third Easter here has been a challenge. I haven't had the comforts of 25 smiling faces or a home cooked meal to look forward to. Instead I get to be blessed by my friends here in the DR who I only have known for 8 months. It has been a hard day full of tears and heartache for the opportunity to celebrate just one more Easter TU style.
This afternoon I will go to church and be blessed once more by the smiling faces of my church home here. It will be good to go and sing, clap, possibly dance and praise Jesus because He is risen.
I do not want this to be sad because as my student said "Jesus came to kill all the sadness". He came so that we could live with sadness, but have hope for our future home.
IN CHRIST ALONE
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
10 April 2009
It Was Time For Something New
Welcome to the remodeled blog of me, Brooke.
I decided that since I am going to stay for one more year I better make my page a bit more user friendly. I am going to be slowly adding rearranging things on the site for the next few months. but the background and the header are here to stay I think. I like them.
On the right you will find everything to know about why I'm here, mailing address, past posts, and how you can help. I hope to be working up some charts for everyone to see where their support is going.
I am very excited to be staying another year because that allows me to continue the bonds I have made with students and some families here. Also the school is in transition as we will be saying goodbye to several teachers at the end of the school year. AGAIN if you need a job or knows someone who needs a job please e-mail me!
This past week has been spring break aka Semanta Santa (Holy Week). Holy Week pays homage to the Catholic society that dominates the DR like many Latin American countries. Unfortunately it isn't used to celebrate Christ's resurrection instead it becomes a week long party to drink and be crazy. This weekend will mark my 3rd Easter in the DR. It is so crazy to think that two years ago I was just setting foot on this island for the first time. God has been so faithful in those two years and continues to show His hand in many situations.
I headed off to the beach earlier this week with 5 girls. Thankfully there was no RAIN this trip! We set off on Monday morning armed with lots of bags and eagerness. We made it to San Fransico our first stop of the trip to head ot the grocery store; exciting I know. But here where our grocery options are limited it's nice to just browse the seemingless never-ending aisle of goods.
Then it was off to Nagua for some ocean-side basketball; none of us were amazing, but we had an amazing time soaking up the sun and playing with on of the little boys who stopped to watch. When we left 30 minutes later we had quite the crowd gathered to watch.
Then it was the final push towards Las Terranas. Sadly I have no pictures of our incredible adventure as again another camera has seemingly bit the dust. My "new" (6 month old) camera now only produces pictures in purple with black lines through it. I have not dropped it or gotten it wet so I am very frustrated. It's very discouraging to buy something when money is tight and then have it not work. Please pray that Kodak will help fix it or replace it.
Once we arrived in Las Terranas we unpacked into one of our apartments for the few days we were there and split up. Some of us going shopping for food and others going to the pool. It was nice to be away from Jarabacoa and unwind. Monday night involved a beautiful sunset (I promise to steal other people's pictures to share) and wonderful spaghetti dinner made in our tiny kitchen. Then it was off to bed in our nice big beds after wonderful hot showers.
Tuesday involved one thing...sunshine! I spent as much time outside as possible doing devotions on the beach, reading, snorkeling (first time) and then some wonderful pool time later on. I wish I could say that snorkeling was a success, but not prepping myself for the experience mentally was a poor choice. Perhaps some other time now that I can know what to expect.
Then Wednesday it was back home after one more moring on the beach. After our drive home we were all ready to crash and sleep.
The rest of the week has been pretty low key lots of reading and relaxing and avoiding the sun now that my back is nice and red. I spent this morning at school lesson planning for the week to come. I'm hoping that I can jump back into teaching with few problems.
I will do my best to get pictures to show you what a great time I had so stay tuned for more. Also, please be patient with site rearranging; it will probably take some time.
I decided that since I am going to stay for one more year I better make my page a bit more user friendly. I am going to be slowly adding rearranging things on the site for the next few months. but the background and the header are here to stay I think. I like them.
On the right you will find everything to know about why I'm here, mailing address, past posts, and how you can help. I hope to be working up some charts for everyone to see where their support is going.
I am very excited to be staying another year because that allows me to continue the bonds I have made with students and some families here. Also the school is in transition as we will be saying goodbye to several teachers at the end of the school year. AGAIN if you need a job or knows someone who needs a job please e-mail me!
This past week has been spring break aka Semanta Santa (Holy Week). Holy Week pays homage to the Catholic society that dominates the DR like many Latin American countries. Unfortunately it isn't used to celebrate Christ's resurrection instead it becomes a week long party to drink and be crazy. This weekend will mark my 3rd Easter in the DR. It is so crazy to think that two years ago I was just setting foot on this island for the first time. God has been so faithful in those two years and continues to show His hand in many situations.
I headed off to the beach earlier this week with 5 girls. Thankfully there was no RAIN this trip! We set off on Monday morning armed with lots of bags and eagerness. We made it to San Fransico our first stop of the trip to head ot the grocery store; exciting I know. But here where our grocery options are limited it's nice to just browse the seemingless never-ending aisle of goods.
Then it was off to Nagua for some ocean-side basketball; none of us were amazing, but we had an amazing time soaking up the sun and playing with on of the little boys who stopped to watch. When we left 30 minutes later we had quite the crowd gathered to watch.
Then it was the final push towards Las Terranas. Sadly I have no pictures of our incredible adventure as again another camera has seemingly bit the dust. My "new" (6 month old) camera now only produces pictures in purple with black lines through it. I have not dropped it or gotten it wet so I am very frustrated. It's very discouraging to buy something when money is tight and then have it not work. Please pray that Kodak will help fix it or replace it.
Once we arrived in Las Terranas we unpacked into one of our apartments for the few days we were there and split up. Some of us going shopping for food and others going to the pool. It was nice to be away from Jarabacoa and unwind. Monday night involved a beautiful sunset (I promise to steal other people's pictures to share) and wonderful spaghetti dinner made in our tiny kitchen. Then it was off to bed in our nice big beds after wonderful hot showers.
Tuesday involved one thing...sunshine! I spent as much time outside as possible doing devotions on the beach, reading, snorkeling (first time) and then some wonderful pool time later on. I wish I could say that snorkeling was a success, but not prepping myself for the experience mentally was a poor choice. Perhaps some other time now that I can know what to expect.
Then Wednesday it was back home after one more moring on the beach. After our drive home we were all ready to crash and sleep.
The rest of the week has been pretty low key lots of reading and relaxing and avoiding the sun now that my back is nice and red. I spent this morning at school lesson planning for the week to come. I'm hoping that I can jump back into teaching with few problems.
I will do my best to get pictures to show you what a great time I had so stay tuned for more. Also, please be patient with site rearranging; it will probably take some time.
03 April 2009
Frustration
Currently I sit in our administration building typing away at the updates of my life. Biggest update and frustration would be the lack of internet at my house. We have now been without internet for one week. I hate the dependency that I have on it here because it's my only connection to the outside world.
Next is SPRING BREAK is only 4 hours away!!! WOOT! 9 days of relaxing and sun. I'm headed on another 5 hour car ride to the northeast coast with 5 other girls. I'm super excited! Pray for our safety. I will leave Monday 6th and return Wednesday the 8th.
Next is SPRING BREAK is only 4 hours away!!! WOOT! 9 days of relaxing and sun. I'm headed on another 5 hour car ride to the northeast coast with 5 other girls. I'm super excited! Pray for our safety. I will leave Monday 6th and return Wednesday the 8th.
30 March 2009
Easter and Reflections by 3rd Graders
Reflective Writing Assignment on Easter
Just a few quick responses of what’s been going on in my classroom during our study of Easter. I have tried to leave the responses as unedited as possible but explanations are included. Many of my children know the right things to say when they are prompted…this writing only included what you see below; the question.
Question: What Does Easter Mean to You?
Student #1
Easter means to me like playing in the yard with my cousins and sister the best sister of the world. I like spring and easter in spring. At Easter I play for Jesus Christ and bow my head and my eyes. I will be happy he arrived again from the dead and he is the Holy Spirit. I love Him with my heart and he loves all the people. He pertects us with his hole life and he kills the sadness. He uses his good powers to pertect the world and all the person’s should love him. He lays down his life for his sheep (our Bible verse from two weeks ago; John 10:11). He does not come to destroy our lovely world and that’s all you need to know about Easter.
Student #2
It means to me that is when Jesus Christ came to die. It was not fair to Jesus because He is very powerful and he died on the cross to help his people. He came be the bread and water of life (chapel lesson).
Student #3
It means love, he wanted us not to sin, he died for our sins, without him we would be ded (dead). God sent Jesus to die for use, Jesus got risen from the ded, he got hurt out of kindness and love for us.
Student #4
He died for our sins.
He died for others.
Student #5
Easter means to me that he died for us. He died because he is mighty to save (another Bible verse (Zephaniah 3:17). His our father and he is mighty.
Student #6
Jesus died for our sins that means it hurt. We learned that he died and that he came out of death! He rose! God is Jesus’ dad, he sent him to use to help us and die for our sins. That’s why we learn and celebrate Easter because Jesus came out of death! Jesus is the King.
I challenge you to think about what EASTER means to you…think about everything that is Easter in our lives. I would love to share some “adult” perspectives on Easter with my kiddos. If you want to respond you can do so in the comment box or by sending my an email at miss.jantzen.jcs@gmail.com (the e-mail I check at school during school hours).
Meanwhile, the rest of my life is going as well as could be expected. There are always the moments when you think you can’t take it anymore. God has been faithful with everything and will continue to be faithful as long as we approach him. We can’t do this on our own.
God has sent pint sized love my way in the form of the first graders. There smiles and hugs and sometimes kisses make my heart happy and confirm that I am meant to teach. I am able to show them love without even opening my mouth by giving a high five, a smile, a hug, or running around making a fool of myself with a bubble wand! (BUBBLE WANDS would be a great donation item! HINT HINT! They are available at your local Wal-mart for only a dollar! SEASONAL or TOY aisle)
As we go into the Easter season I am drawn to many songs that have influenced my understanding of the significance of the Jesus and His resurrection. A true appreciation that has formed recently would like to share the titles below and the verses that have had the most impact on me. God is so good!
Our spring break is coming up in a mere 4 days now! HOORAY!!! 9 days of nothing but relaxing and spending quality time with people. I will trekking the 7 long hours to Las Terranas for a few days outside of Jarabacoa and perhaps then visiting Santiago to do some end of the school year shopping for storage items.
Mighty to Save – Hillsong
Jesus rose and CONQUERED the grave.
We’re singing for the glory of the RISEN KING! How awesome is it that we don’t serve a dead GOD!!!
In Christ Alone
Pretty much the whole song is powerful!
Here in the death of Christ I LIVE.
To Know Your Name- Hillsong
The precious blood of Jesus Christ redeems, forgiven I’m alive set FREE!
Please pray for JCS as we are going to need to recruit lots more teachers! Please pray that people will respond to our need. And if you need a job…come work for us! It’s not perfect, but what is?
Just a few quick responses of what’s been going on in my classroom during our study of Easter. I have tried to leave the responses as unedited as possible but explanations are included. Many of my children know the right things to say when they are prompted…this writing only included what you see below; the question.
Question: What Does Easter Mean to You?
Student #1
Easter means to me like playing in the yard with my cousins and sister the best sister of the world. I like spring and easter in spring. At Easter I play for Jesus Christ and bow my head and my eyes. I will be happy he arrived again from the dead and he is the Holy Spirit. I love Him with my heart and he loves all the people. He pertects us with his hole life and he kills the sadness. He uses his good powers to pertect the world and all the person’s should love him. He lays down his life for his sheep (our Bible verse from two weeks ago; John 10:11). He does not come to destroy our lovely world and that’s all you need to know about Easter.
Student #2
It means to me that is when Jesus Christ came to die. It was not fair to Jesus because He is very powerful and he died on the cross to help his people. He came be the bread and water of life (chapel lesson).
Student #3
It means love, he wanted us not to sin, he died for our sins, without him we would be ded (dead). God sent Jesus to die for use, Jesus got risen from the ded, he got hurt out of kindness and love for us.
Student #4
He died for our sins.
He died for others.
Student #5
Easter means to me that he died for us. He died because he is mighty to save (another Bible verse (Zephaniah 3:17). His our father and he is mighty.
Student #6
Jesus died for our sins that means it hurt. We learned that he died and that he came out of death! He rose! God is Jesus’ dad, he sent him to use to help us and die for our sins. That’s why we learn and celebrate Easter because Jesus came out of death! Jesus is the King.
I challenge you to think about what EASTER means to you…think about everything that is Easter in our lives. I would love to share some “adult” perspectives on Easter with my kiddos. If you want to respond you can do so in the comment box or by sending my an email at miss.jantzen.jcs@gmail.com (the e-mail I check at school during school hours).
Meanwhile, the rest of my life is going as well as could be expected. There are always the moments when you think you can’t take it anymore. God has been faithful with everything and will continue to be faithful as long as we approach him. We can’t do this on our own.
God has sent pint sized love my way in the form of the first graders. There smiles and hugs and sometimes kisses make my heart happy and confirm that I am meant to teach. I am able to show them love without even opening my mouth by giving a high five, a smile, a hug, or running around making a fool of myself with a bubble wand! (BUBBLE WANDS would be a great donation item! HINT HINT! They are available at your local Wal-mart for only a dollar! SEASONAL or TOY aisle)
As we go into the Easter season I am drawn to many songs that have influenced my understanding of the significance of the Jesus and His resurrection. A true appreciation that has formed recently would like to share the titles below and the verses that have had the most impact on me. God is so good!
Our spring break is coming up in a mere 4 days now! HOORAY!!! 9 days of nothing but relaxing and spending quality time with people. I will trekking the 7 long hours to Las Terranas for a few days outside of Jarabacoa and perhaps then visiting Santiago to do some end of the school year shopping for storage items.
Mighty to Save – Hillsong
Jesus rose and CONQUERED the grave.
We’re singing for the glory of the RISEN KING! How awesome is it that we don’t serve a dead GOD!!!
In Christ Alone
Pretty much the whole song is powerful!
Here in the death of Christ I LIVE.
To Know Your Name- Hillsong
The precious blood of Jesus Christ redeems, forgiven I’m alive set FREE!
Please pray for JCS as we are going to need to recruit lots more teachers! Please pray that people will respond to our need. And if you need a job…come work for us! It’s not perfect, but what is?
22 March 2009
2009-2010
I would like to apologize for my absence from my blog and from life in general. I am a poor communicator and that is something I will be working on for the next year and 6 months. You all should be hearing from me a lot more frequently as I am planning to stay in Jarabacoa for one more year.
I will be teaching second grade next year and will be raising support again. I am currently working on a support proposal that many of you should be receiving within the first week of the official summer according to the calendar.
Currently I am going to fill you in on life here for about the past month.
Last I blogged about my weekend in the capitol...so much fun! Since then I have house sat for a family from school with a few of the other teachers, had my parents come to visit, and seen one of my professors from Taylor here in JARABACOA... busy month.
In finishing out this school year I ask that you pray for my students everyday. I have a very difficult class that hasn't responded well to many forms of discipline. I often want to cry at the end of the day...which is not healthy.
Pray that God will become the center of my thoughts as I have so much to do and learn before next year.
We have spring break in 2 weeks so pray that all the teachers will have enough strength to make it through.
Check back for updates on how the transition and planning of next year is going to go.
I will be teaching second grade next year and will be raising support again. I am currently working on a support proposal that many of you should be receiving within the first week of the official summer according to the calendar.
Currently I am going to fill you in on life here for about the past month.
Last I blogged about my weekend in the capitol...so much fun! Since then I have house sat for a family from school with a few of the other teachers, had my parents come to visit, and seen one of my professors from Taylor here in JARABACOA... busy month.
In finishing out this school year I ask that you pray for my students everyday. I have a very difficult class that hasn't responded well to many forms of discipline. I often want to cry at the end of the day...which is not healthy.
Pray that God will become the center of my thoughts as I have so much to do and learn before next year.
We have spring break in 2 weeks so pray that all the teachers will have enough strength to make it through.
Check back for updates on how the transition and planning of next year is going to go.
18 February 2009
el capital
last weekend i was off to the capital for a whirlwind trip of 24 hours of sun, city life, and a concert at possibly the largest venue i've been too.
we headed down by bus on saturday at 10:00. the bus ride was nerve racking because i wasn't sure how i'd react. i only got motion sickness when we were about an hour away, but that hour was pretty long.
then from there is was off to job's father's house for our afternoon or relaxation and errands. the house where we stayed was job's house growing up but is now open to missionary's for relaxation. the house is beautiful (3 floors), a pool, and an outside patio that is amazing. the outside gardens/patio area look like the come straight from a home and garden magazine. i have posted a few pictures below.
the beautiful patio, pool, garden area
then back to reality on monday. monday turned into a very stressful day as i had the last straw broken with one of my students. he has been suspended since, pending a served detention after school. please pray for him has he is not remorseful at all for his actions towards myself or the other staff.
praise! the book fair is in town! currently we have raised $600 towards new books for the school. however that seems so small considering my junior methods class at 32 people bought more than $700 in one order alone. small steps are good.
my parents are coming in less than a month. please pray for them as the are getting ready to travel. we have some big things to discuss when they come so pray that we are praying about what we will say.
we headed down by bus on saturday at 10:00. the bus ride was nerve racking because i wasn't sure how i'd react. i only got motion sickness when we were about an hour away, but that hour was pretty long.
then from there is was off to job's father's house for our afternoon or relaxation and errands. the house where we stayed was job's house growing up but is now open to missionary's for relaxation. the house is beautiful (3 floors), a pool, and an outside patio that is amazing. the outside gardens/patio area look like the come straight from a home and garden magazine. i have posted a few pictures below.
the beautiful patio, pool, garden areaafter a relaxing afternoon it was off to see juan luis guerra - one of the most famous dominican artists ever. the concert was packed, we left our original spots because we didn't feel 100% safe where we were and we wanted to enjoy our time. see the pictures below for a look into a dominican concert...lots of drinking, smoking and dancing. it was hard not to partake in the dancing because everyone was dancing and latin music requires movement. :)
the stadium well at least one half & juan luis on the big screen
the stadium well at least one half & juan luis on the big screenthen back to reality on monday. monday turned into a very stressful day as i had the last straw broken with one of my students. he has been suspended since, pending a served detention after school. please pray for him has he is not remorseful at all for his actions towards myself or the other staff.
praise! the book fair is in town! currently we have raised $600 towards new books for the school. however that seems so small considering my junior methods class at 32 people bought more than $700 in one order alone. small steps are good.
my parents are coming in less than a month. please pray for them as the are getting ready to travel. we have some big things to discuss when they come so pray that we are praying about what we will say.
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