In The States

I am in the states!! So far, I haven't done as much as I'd want to. Time is going by far too quickly. I didn't realize how short the summer really is. I am lucky, at least I have a summer vacation! But, this raising support business makes it short and intense.

My biggest prayer request right now is financial support. I'm in the process of making contacts and visiting with people. I'll be in Birmingham this weekend to reconnect with a church there. I'll then be in Minneapolis for a few days training with ReachGlobal, my sending agency.

I'll be back in Tallahassee on the 21st of July. I'd love to chat if you have a few free minutes!

My contact info:
sara.terry@efca.org or
smterry@samford.edu
I'm not really willing to put my cell phone number on the web- but I check my email everyday.

Final Exams- Finished

It was recently brought to my attention that it's been a few days since I last updated- my apologies!

I just finished grading my last set of final exams! Unbelievable really. Overall- I think that the scores of the semester and of the exam are relatively equal, thus I feel no great remorse over the ease or complexity of my tests.
The greatest hardship of ending the year is keeping the students motivated. It's hard enough keeping myself motivated- how in the world am I supposed to motivate them as well?

I have to be at school tomorrow- it's our teacher work day. I'll finish cleaning up my room, pack everything up, and say goodbye to Room 212. I think I'll be moving upstairs for next year. No conmplaint here- I get an even better view of Disod!

My classes are not set in stone for next year- but many praises for what I do know I'll be teaching- 11th Grade English (only 1 section), 9th Grade English, and a Communications class for seniors. I'm very excited about this communications class because it enables me to continue teaching the junior class from this year who I love dearly.

Prayers for wrapping up the year-
1. After graduation tonight- there are a few students I'll probably never see again. Closure and saying good bye are hard- pray that I, along with all the other people here, will say good bye well.
2. Leaving for the summer- pray that I'll get everything ready for the start of next year and that I won't be stressed.
3. Support Raising, Support Raising, Support Raising- biggest prayer request right now.
4. I'm traveling to Switzerland for 3 days to relax and take advantage of freedom. Pray for safety- but praise God for this opportunity- for the wonderful friends he's given me- and for the freedom to explore his creation- I'm so excited to get away and rest.

I can't wait to see you (hopefully) while I'm home. I'll arrive on the 16th of June and be in the Florida, Alabama, Georgia area until the beginning of August. Can't wait to be home!!!

Memorial Day

I think I've said this before, but I'll say it again. I love teaching at an international school! We get Monday off for Memorial Day. Now, I recognize that just about every other school has let out for the summer already, but we're quickly finding an end ourselves. Exams finish June 8th. Teachers are done June 9th. I have one more week to teach. This both excites me and scares me. I can't believe I'm about to pass all these children off to the next grade level...are they prepared? Will the teachers after me find me to be incompetent of all teaching? Am I going to miss my students? Good news on one level- I am going to be teaching Communications next year which will allow me to teach my 11th graders as seniors next year. That makes me quite happy.

Prayer:
1.) I have to write a 6-page paper for ACSI certification. This adds another 10 lbs to my already heavy load.
2.) That I receive my residence permit- I've submitted all my paper work.
3.) That my last week of material will be well presented- accurate- and passionate.
4.) My best friend is coming to visit next Thursday- safety for her travels, fun times of touring Budapest, and just a good reunion
5.) Preparation to return home - that I'll be ready, that culture shock won't be too overwhelming- and that I'll be in a support raising mindset when I hit the ground in the states.

Thanks for all your prayers- they have been answered in innumerable ways.

Family Field Day

Family Field Day

This day of outside fun requires attendance from all students! The four teams green, red, black and blue compete in events from Kickball to Tug-Of-War to Trash Pick-Up. I had a great time cheering on the black team as one of their leaders. I did not anticipate having as much fun as I did. It was a relief not to have class, and it was a blessing to just have fun with my students. Of course, there was a water balloon fight, a football game, and many parents watching on the sidelines. I seriously wish we had field days once a month.

The Madness of May

So much has happened since the last time I updated you. I lost a student and gained one. I've taught a novel successfully (amazing). I've started the process to return next year. I've received a tentative schedule for next year. And, I've become completely overwhelmed with all that is before me.

School is moving along quickly. Daily, I'm amazed as I write the date on the board...May 11th already? There just doesn't seem to be enough time to get everything done. But, we keep moving, we don't rush too much, and we learn what we can while we can. And I say "we learn" because I think I'm learning more than the students.

In the midst of all the school stuff going on, I've also recently been bombarded with what needs to be done with my mission to return for the next school year. So, I've tried to wrap my mind around that to start moving forward.

Here's how you can pray for me as I finish this year (strong):

1.) That even though school is busy, that I won't get caught up in the information. I want to continue to love my students and to pursue relationships with them. I'm trying, and God hasn't let me down thus far, but I want to keep a positive attitude about it all as the end of the year approaches- There's so much to do!

2.) Class assignments for next year. So far, they're looking good- but sparce. Pray that electives and everything will get worked out for a full and fun schedule.

3.) I'm in the process of applying for a residence permit. The actual part of the process I'm currently in is the "gathering paperwork" stage. There are more components to this process than just me. Please pray that I'm patient with others, that I stay diligent to what I must complete, and that the Hungarian gov't will be pleased with what I present to them.

4.) I've recently received my projected budget for next year. It's still being manipulated, but it will require a considerable amount of support raising in the 1.5 months I'm home this summer. Please pray that the connections I'm beginning to make now will be directed by God. Pray that I follow his guidance in this time where I need great guidance. Pray that I will not ever be discouraged but will be sustained by the provision of God that has brought me thus far.

Thanks for your prayers. I can't tell you how much I love knowing that there are advocates for me, for my ministry, and for my students 5000 miles away!

What's going on???

Is it already the end of April? Am I really nearing the end of my first year of teaching? Is time allowed to move this quickly?

Spring has come- clear skies, a cool breeze, and sunny days. It's joyous to look out my window upon Diosd and know that I live in a sweet town in the middle of Hungary. This is home- I am so thankful for it. It's hard to comprehend that so much change is just around the corner- class changes, roomate changes, gaining and losing students. But, I'm determined to enjoy the rest of this year. We're in school until June 8th- so I actually have a little over a month left. But, when we take out holidays- surprisingly we have a few days off in May- weekends, and exams- the days remaining of class are limited. I feel the pressure to wrap things up in class, but I'm not ready to wrap up the wonderful relationships I've built with my students. I'm really going to miss my 9th and 11th graders as they move on. I think I'm realizing how much I appreciate them as I begin to accept the fact that I won't spend every day with them next year. But, the relationships that God has allowed me to build have been wonderful- and I plan on continuing them. I'm challenged to keep class intriguing. I long to ground them in the word and truths of Christ so that, as they move on, they aren't tied to me or this school- but to Christ. It's a big goal I know- but it's the desire of my heart.

Thank you for praying for me...it means so very much. I'll keep you updated on the last weeks of school. It's going to be crazy- but it's going to be good.

Spring Break: Educational and Fun

Spring Break 07- Germany and Italy

This Spring Break was probably the most exciting of my life. That's not an overstatement. I was blessed with the opportunity to attend ICEC, a conference for teachers at international Christian schools from around Europe. What an awesome experience to be with so many other people who share my love of education and are serving on the mission field. The greater experience was being with people from so many backgrounds, denominations, and countries. Truly a multi-cultural experience. The conference was held in Kandern, Germany at Black Forest Academy. The school was fabulous, the surrounding area was beautiful, and the knowledge I gained from experienced educators was well worth the 17 hr bus ride. I walked away really understanding Biblical Integration- for that I am thankful!

The second half of my spring break was spent in Italy. Even though we had a rough start with transportation, everything worked out to be a fantastic trip. We were able to see Venice, Cinque Terre, and Milan. The Italian people were so kind, the scenery was brilliant, and the history was more than I could possibly understand. I had a great time with Laura, Emily and Allison as we bonded over road maps, hundreds of stairs, and huge cathedrals. Please check out the pictures that correspond with this trip. God has truly created a world of great diversity and beauty. It may sound cliche, and it may be cliche, but being able to see more of the world has really challenged me to broaden my perspectives on life and especially on God.