On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days
So that we won't take anything for granted."Ecclesiastes 7:14, The Message
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| From Maya's grade 1 class at the afternoon elementary christmas concert |
Well, that about sums things up! The good out here is so very, very good. The bad days, well, we all have them I know. Here it just seems multiplied and for very good reason.
The good...
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| From Lesley in here element. Running the elementary christmas concert |
The Elementary Christmas Concert went very well this past Wed. evening. Kids were very excited and once again, we packed the gym. With our larger facility this year, things were not so squishy and the breeze that flowed through the more open space of our new gym, was a blessing. Kids did great, the Christmas message was clear, and the candy canes at the end of the show were a hit! Some picts to follow soon.
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| Principal Dean giving introductory talk at the elementary christmas concert and showcasing the new stage |
The most exciting part of this Christmas Production Season for me so far, is Logos' acquisition of a new and multi functioning stage! Up until now, we have used some small wooden risers for a lift, or rented stages for a fairly expensive price. Well, the time had come, with plans to run a large musical at the end of this year, to invest in a decent stage for Logos, which was large, could be disassembled, stored, set up in various styles, could hang lights, etc. The admin looked seriously into all this, and did all the grunt work, finding out what our arts department wanted and needed, then got quotes from various builders around town. The final product is unbelievably gorgeous (you will see in pictures) and is so multi funtioning--even each stage flooring can double as a large table if needed! ) So, having our Christmas concert on this brand new, really nice stage was half the enjoyment for me! Logos now has this forever, and it is money well spent! Thanks for all the donations to the jog-a-thon, cuz that's what did this for us!
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| From Maya singing her heart out at the evening christmas concert in the gym |
COming up still, is the middle school concert (next weekend) for Lesley, and Julia has a drama production next thursday. She's Winnie the Pooh (much to her chagrin) in a middle school play, so this should be fun to watch! Steph, poor kid, has 7 exams coming up at the end of next week, and the week after, to end this first term. This is her first foray into exams, being her first hear in high school, so although it is stressful for all kids, she is doing ok, and is a very independent studyier and enjoys academics. So, at least she has that going for her. She will do well, but still has to endure the studying.
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| From Les giving directions during the evening elementary christmas concert |
You can all pray for Dean over the next few months, as he will be "flying solo" so to speak, running the ship at Logos. Dan Hein and his pregnant wife Jess leave this sunday to go have thier second baby in America, with a Christmas stop in Canada first. That means Dean will be the only administrator around until March. Now while Dan is always available through skype and e-mail and will be there for communication, he still really needs this break, and Dean does not need to run to him with every little thing. So, it's going to be an interesting (and busy)few months. A job that regularily takes 2, is now going to be handled by one. All the best on that one, Dean!
Christmas parties--the staff party was just held last night, we hung out with friends and decorated cookies the weekend before. Our tree is up and lights are on every morning and evening. We sure have to make our own Christmas excitement to feel in the spirit out here, but it really has been fun to gather as family over these alst few occasions. A bit of Christmas shopping as best we can out here, and everyone gets excited!
And there is more good. We finally were able to book some rooms for Christmas in Thailand, with friends of ours, so we now know for sure that we will be able to get away for the break. This is a huge sigh of releif and thanksgiving as we get to travel with friends for about 6 days, and we know we will have a bit of a holiday as well afterwards, taking the bus from the ocean in to Bangkok. We are so looking forward to it. THe kids still say their first choice for a Christmas destination spot is Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada! But, we say that this will probably be their last tropical Christmas in a very long time, so it is best they enjoy it. So funny--how many of you in those cold climates wouldn't give a right leg to be on a Thai beach in December?? And our kids want snow! haha.
The bad these last few weeks, more for me, (Lesley) has been the culture stress. Not even the stress of school or concerts, but since the accidents, many things have still been difficult. By accidents, I refer to our traffic incidents and also the greater tragedy of the stampede on the bridge. All these things together cause what is referred to as "culture stress" and you would think after having been here for 2 1/2 years, I would be used to things already. Although for people out here this is considered a normal struggle to deal with at one time or another, but the stresses come in waves.
After our evening car accident, I simply struggle to even try and drive at night in our vehicle. It is hard to see, lighting is bad on the streets in general, it is just too much for me right now. So either I don't go out, or I take a moto a short distance. The result of this is feeling very much trapped at home, feeling like you are not safe to journey out after 6 pm when it gets dark. These feelings get very old and tiring when they last for so long. It's frustrating.
Plus, now with the post traumatic stress I am dealing with, I feel like many Cambodian's look at me with distrust or wish I would leave their country. This is not true, but it is definitely some of my thoughts as I am driving around. I don't see their outward friendly smiles, I see them as someone not to trust. OR I find I am more frustrated and angry that things are done a certain Cambodian way. For example, things in traffic that used to make us laugh, or we could take lightly seem to excite more negative emotion rather than laughter. (I speak for myself- Dean seems fine.)
This is all post traumatic stress. I know this. Many of these thoughts are not true, either, and I have to take them captive. I know this. Doing all this and putting emotional and mental health into action is harder. Especially when you're particularily busy at work, or at least can make excuses of that.
This is why the words at Eccelsiastes are so important. God allows us all these kinds of times and situations, so that we won't take anything for granted and trust him. And, be thankful.
I hope this Christmas Season is not finding you so ridiculously busy or stressed out, that you can't enjoy things. More Ecclesiastes on that:
18-20" After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live. "-the Message
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| elementary christmas concert see all 113 pics here |
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