O the Thinks You Can Think!

Caleb & Naomi setting the stage for things to come.

"O the thinks you can think" was the opening number of Seussical the Musical--the production we just put on for the last time this weekend. As I sat and watched them perform, I mouthed the words along with them and started to think.  I remember when we first were making the proposal to do this musical.  Emily was wide-eyed and excited, and I shared in her excitement with a little reservation--feeling that my skills as a musical director would not live up to Barlow-standards.  As the semester rolled on, we all got overwhelmed as things didn't go the way we planned, but God worked it all out and made it worth it.  I'm so glad we did it, and even more blessed to have been a part of it.

Putting on Seussical the Musical was extremely tiring and trying.  It isn't the first time I have been part of a major production, but it is the first time I have been a director of a major production. Wow...that brings a whole different type of exhaustion.  I'm so glad to have worked alongside of Emily Barlow, and I'm continually in awe of how graceful she is when she directs these shows.  She is an inspiration in so many ways.

My favorite shot Horton (Tayo) talking to the Who's on the dust speck

If I could say one thing, among many, that I learned throughout this production it would be that "no think is too small for God."  I can definitely say that Emily and I were worried--there were so many things that were not in our control as we persevered through the entire show.  There was just so much going on.  The kids were doing an excellent job and working super hard, but we were stressed out pretty much the entire time.

Going into opening night, though, everything just gelled into place in a way that only God could do.  Everyone performed at their absolute best, and the kids did one simple thing: they had fun.  I couldn't tell you how many moments I sat there watching them with tears in my eyes and the widest and cheesiest smile on my face.  They did it.  God did it.  He took their very best and made it even better, for His glory.  I'm so proud of them and everything they worked so hard to achieve.

Amazing Mayzie & the bird girls singing to Gertrude

As I stumbled through a tear-filled prayer on Saturday night, I admitted to myself that Seussical was the bittersweet beginning to the end of an unforgettable and incredible year here at SCCLC.  There has been blood, sweat, and tears that have all mushed together to make this one of the most life-changing experiences I have ever had, and I would do it again if I could.

The end of the musical marks the beginning of my transition out of SCCLC and back to the States.  I will be leaving on June 14th, and I won't be returning to the SCCLC.  God is clearly ending this chapter of my life, and I will be returning to the States to find a teaching job in inner-city Philadelphia.  Though I am at peace with this decision--a decision made a long time ago, it is extremely hard to say goodbyes without knowing when I will see these kids, teachers, and friends again.

The Wickershams "Monkey-ing Around"

Please be praying for me and the ones I love here as I transition out of Bolivia.  I have been in denial of it being a difficult one, but I know that a part of my heart is going to be left here--and its going to be hard to let go.  But--as I said before "no think is too small for God" and I cannot wait to see what he has in store for me in the coming years.

Thanks for your constant prayers & love,

Rachel

Here a few more photos from the weekend:

The show-stoppers during their shining moments :)

Emily & myself after it was all over!

The Full Cast & Crew :)

I'm so proud of my kids & blessed by them daily.  I'm not sure what to do with myself now that its all over! :)

Parables of the Unexpected

Today was a day full of the unexpected.  One by one, things happened that were simply not what I planned for, both good, and bad, and all of them taught me something...it was a day of parables. So I guess I'll tell them like that :)

Unwholesome Talk?
I had time to attend Elementary chapel today.  Now that I'm teaching the elementary kids, I have been trying to invest in and spend more time with them.  My schedule hasn't permitted it because I have been teaching K-8 classes, but God gave me some extra time to spend with them in their chapel.  They were talking about Ephesians 4:29, and not letting unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.  This was a good reminder for me today, and God actually convicted me to remember to apply this to my classroom.  Sometimes sarcasm with my students can get the best of me, and I needed to be reminded that I should control my tongue.  You never expect to be convicted in an Elementary school chapel, but God was good to me by showing me that I needed to hear what I heard.

Learning how to teach from a 12th Grader
I was BLESSED with an AWESOME (and unexpected) conversation with one of the 12th grade girls today, as well.  She was having a bad day and needed to talk, so I sat down with her and listened to her heart, struggles, and frustrations from the year.  I taught her last year when I was student teaching, and it was unbelievably encouraging to hear her talking to me about her walk with the Lord.  She showed me so much about her heart and helped me see things from a student's perspective rather than just from a teacher's perspective.

Fist Fights & Failures
I broke up my first fist fight today in one of my music classes today.  Though I was shaky and felt like crying, God gave me strength to take it and gain control over my students.  God taught me, also, that I need to start getting to know the ins and outs of upper elementary students.  I haven't figured out what to expect out of them, because I have been learning what to expect out of junior high and high school.  4th, 5th, and 6th graders are a whole different monster, and I just don't know what to do with them.  I'm praying and hoping that these students will be convicted and remorseful for their actions toward eachother, but the whole situation just made me sad.
God also taught me that I need to stop blaming myself for other people's bad choices.  Those boys chose to fight, but I was trying to figure out what it was that I did wrong in order for this to happen.  I felt like I failed as a teacher because it happened during class time.  I had a lengthy conversation with the Elementary school principal about the incident, and she spoke the truth: I cannot control the choices and decisions of others.  Fist fights are fist fights.  They'll happen whether I am there or not.  I'm thankful that God had this happen, because I think these boys will be on their way to mending their relationships, and I am now on my way towards classroom management that prevents the opportunities for these things to happen in my class.

The Perfect Prayer Partner
During prayer meeting God brought me to pray with the PERFECT person.  Ally (another single teacher) and I had both been struggling with similar issues over the past week, and I was able to pray with her about them in a real, open and safe environment.  I am so thankful for her and her heart here in Bolivia, and I can't wait to continue to develop our friendship over this next year.  God showed me through this that I am not alone--not only do I have Him, but I have friends that can come alongside me and pray me through my struggles, and bare my burdens too!

Dog Poo
I stepped on dog poop on my way to the car after prayer meeting.  I felt something on the bottom of my foot, so I put my hand down there to investigate, and got a huge chunk of poo on my hand.  I ran to the bathroom and puked after using a gallon of soap to wash my hand and shoe.  God taught me never to touch the bottom of my shoe. Ever.

Thanks for reading the parables of my day!  Also thanks for your prayers & support!

PLEASE be praying every day this week AND next week for SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS WEEK and HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT.  There is a HUGE amount of spiritual warfare going on on the SCCLC campus, and we NEED your prayers to knock down the enemy.

Thanks again!

--Rachel :)