Year TWO in Turkey

Last year's 8th grade class

Wow, I am officially the worst blogger ever! I would promise I am going to get better, but even I doubt my own promise based off my track record.  All I can say is I will try to be better, not out of guilt mind you , but because I really do feel I have been blessed this last year during this crazy thing called life. So, of course I want to share it with you all! Here are three of the big one; more to follow (hopefully!)

Some of my 10th grade girls- Amazing students!!! 

Homeroom class last year- LOVE THEM! 

  1.     My students this past school year at OIS were truly amazing. Where else would I get to meet and be part of students’ lives from literally all over the world? Honestly students are great anywhere- especially ones in there middle school, early high school years! I say this in all seriousness- these kids are truly remarkable. And my job is to teach them - what a blessing!  They have taught me so much. When I have doubts about anything and everything else in this world, my students remind me what is important.  I know this next school year- which starts very soon!- the same students that are coming back to  our school in addition to my new students will continue to remind me that my purpose is to encourage and support them in seeking and following their own purposes. To me it is such a humbling honor that brings me an indescribable joy on good and bad days.

Friend's birthday at a Turkish restuarant

Picnic with gracious Turkish hosts

2.     2.  I am so blessed by the Turkish people and their hospitality. It is a true gift the Turkish culture embraces which I am amazed by and looking forward to embracing once again in this next year of teaching in Ankara. Whether it is the stranger at the gas station who drops everything he is doing to drives us to our hotel when we are lost, the family who invites us to picnic with them when we are hiking by and feeds us until we are about to burst, or the man at restaurant who goes to the bakery next door and brings back a cake when he overhears us talking about it being our friend’s birthday- no agenda or schedule is more important than people are in this culture.   I know my American independent self  still has a lot to learn about this gift and how to graciously extend it as it has been extended to me, and I look forward to the opportunities to do exactly that this next year.

Beautiful friends on a beautiful hike

Hiking in Idaho!!!

Palisades 

Huckleberries I picked with my dad. Yum!!

Kayaking the Snake with Fawn and Sara

Pocatello sunset

Mountain meadow on our hike

3.      3.  Lastly, I have been blessed by these weeks back in the states surrounded by friends, family, mountains, rivers, lakes, Mexican food, and Costco (There is nothing like buying in bulk) !J  My cup is filled and overflowing.

Year number TWO in Turkey is going to be great, stressful, fulfilling, frustrating, joyful, lonely, and every other emotion I can imagine, but I know in every situation I am never alone, and it is exactly where I am supposed to be! Blessings to you all!