New Opportunities!

The last 9 days have been, wonderful very FAST and memorable, As well as, trying, uncomfortable ( at first) and a bit tiring. :)

For starters, I was asked if I would tuitor a little boy who was in my Pre-k class last semester, as It has come out that he has ADHD and some struggles with classroom behavior, focusing in class, all of which are heightning by the lack of English he understands. SO, for an hour 2 days a week my goal is to try and help this energetic, unaware of the concept of space and how to use it appropriately, always to me...an enduring little boy. When in my classe I always had other subs tell me they didn't know how I got him to listen to me, ( said with disheveled hair and the look of exhaustion as their exiting my room :)) to which I would always think, " Man Lord, thank you for making something in this little man respond to me because I do not feel like I am doing anything at all!" Who knew that the Lord would place him in my care once again, and put the responsibility on my shoulders to offer him a chance to remain at SCA, and be able to have the chance to move up to 1st grade! Huge. Really Lord?! The girl who herself needed tutoring all through her life...even through Collage?! Your using me to now tuitor...it just doesn't make sense?!"
Today we started, and every 5-7 minutes or so I would see "that look" that I remember myself...all too well, the look of " Im now thinking of butterflies and castles though i'm looking right at you teacher". And when I saw the glazed look I would stop whatever we were working on, get up and start jumping around with him, singing songs like "If your happy and you know it" and do what I had wished some of my Humanities and Biology teachers had done in Collage. :) It woke him back up, wore the daydreaming out of him and I would have his full attention, we would sit down and he would work deligently for another 5-7 minutes! :) Bless his heart.
 Please pray for guidance on my part to know how to correctly teach and help him for only 2 hours a week, for I am really praying for a miricle in this little boys life. He has had so many testings recently, been sent to numerous doctors, finally diagnosed, and on top of that, is in a school where I KNOW how he feels all the time, " Uhh..my teacher is looking at me and talking...but what is she saying!???!"

Another ministry opportunity I had was to be able to sing with my ministry team from church ( By God's grace..in Spanish)) at a missions conference here in Santiago! What a special moment that was for me...another one of those " This is all you Lord" moments for sure.
The songs we sang were Holy Holy Holy and Imortal Invisible God -Laura Story's version. My pastor introduced me to the Conference speaker...and when he had heard of my father, it was again one of those ' Its a small world' moments as well as reminder of what gratitude I should ALWAYS haveto the Lord for the parent's who lovingly chose to give me.
After the conference a bunch of the young people from church...rode the metro back to our homes, in one big group, which always lends itself to adventures and just sweet time of fellowship with my sweet Chilean friends.

I was asked by a missionary who is heading up our ABWE Thanksgiving Retreat, if I would help lead the worship along with a few other people for that weekend get-a-way, and that made me excited!!!...Its finally worshipping in ENGLISH!!!! :)

I've learned that sometimes people just need an ear to listen to them, no opinions or side comments needed, just listening. That was something I realize needed work in my life, and man is the Lord working on me. I told my mom recently that I love skyping with her because I can just talk...and talk...and talk because I miss having someone here who I feel I can truly talk...talk..and just talk to, and who will continue to love me the same after the conversation. My mom, I realize has been that ear to me...my whole life. And I only wish I had of been that ear for her, that instead I chose to put in a comment, correct or brush off. Yikes, I hate even admiting that. But having had those reactions be what I have encountered the most, I appreciate the ear my mother offers so freely, the sensitivity to  feelings and willingness to just ..listen.
I want my room to be the room that someone knows they can walk into and have someone who cares about their life..who asks how they are doing... and sincerely mean it. Not hoping for the question to be asked in return. I am praying for Ears that listen, more.

The weeks are flying by so quickly, and I am thankful for each and every opportunity I have to spend in worship to my King, with my church family, or with my 5 ( now 6) little faces that greet me with " Goodmorning ms. Candace" every single day. The days are going to quickly, but somehow we are keeping up with the ciriculum, going through the Alphabet and at the letter "I i" and their faces are continually reflecting the light bulbs that are continually going off.

How I have been ministered to....is through the Bible stories I have been teaching my children this Semester. Stories we all "Have heard" but here recently, have been felt in the inner most part of my spirit and soul, in ways that is new, and different. David having courage to approach the giant, Ruth leaving her comfort zone in loyalty to someone she loved, and faith in God's plan, Daniel choosing obedience when He knew the consequence, Joseph...wow....choosing to deny His flesh..the strength of Character He posessed, and the favor of God that followed him through his life...because of that, as well as His willingness to forgive and choose to love in instead.
The Lord has been speaking through these stories and through the paintings we painted, the puppets we've made, or the play-dough figures that have been created, the stories seemed to just come more alive, Bible time ( may or may not) be taking up more time than it should if I stick to the "schedual". Who needs scheduals though right?! :)

On Thursday I will be cooking a couple dinner dishes for my Pastor's family as my pastor's wife fell and broke her knee.Please be praying for 2 things...

The Dinner dishes turn out edible
That Naldy recovers quickly

For now I will part by saying....Gracias De Dios.

Where would I be...But for the

Grace of God, and some good tuitors! :)

I am reminded I am not a Chilean.....

1. When I play soccer for 1/2 of the time the other young people do, AND YET...Still am awakened 2 nights in a row by the intense pain.....that was triggered by my merely rolling over!

2. When I am the only person who I have ever heard say " Man, I am so tired" at the end of a long day of Church where I know my friends were up even earlier than me, and will stay up way past the time I will gladly hit the sack! I mean truly, I cannot remember ONE TIME in 8 months I have heard ANY Chilean friend of mine utter those words...or yawn. "Do Chileans yawn?!" Is the big question...

3. When I am the only one who turns red every time I see couples EVERYWHERE who are  EXTREMELY ...shall I say...affectionate...passionate?! If you have ever said " Get a room" in the States...you would be telling those people who you thought needed a room "thank you" for at least leaving SOME things...to the room. Trust me! The other day a friend and fellow teacher, took a picture to PROVE just how much their "needing a room" is on a wholeeeee nother level! They are unashamedly everywhere too, right beside you on the metro, in front of you in line at the store, up in trees, eating, walking, driving, riding a bike,a scooter, and roller blades too ( Ok no bike and roller blades...that i've seen!) :)


4. When you realize its not the sanitation of how a food is cooked but rather, the outcome. If the chicken looks good, they eat it. Who cares that it was grilled over a grocery cart. = Things I never knew existed.

5. When I can not keep up with women twice my age at the Zumba exercise class. Really!? :) = Rhythm Deficiency

6.When My friends refuse to let me take the metro alone at night, and will go 20 minutes out of their way to ensure I arrive at my metro stop safely.

7. When I get a laugh and hear, " Candace, You look like a Gringo". ( Gringo= Foreigner) whenever I begin to think,because I feel more comfortable, I will look less conspicuous. " What if I die my hair really dark???" Nope, that didn't work either.

8. When I realised I would have to get use to the comments about my eyes....

9. Because even I myself have commented to someone who had pretty blue eyes by saying, " Ah Que Linda Ohos!" ( What pretty Eyes!)

10.When I still find myself saying " Wow you made/cooked/created that yourself??" You mean this is your first time using a Waffle maker!? ( On A side note, my parents bought my Pastor and his wife a Waffle maker because he had mentioned LOVING waffles. Yesterday We made them...and seeing my Pastors sheer delight as he ( all by himself) make the mix, poured the mix into the little crevices and then opened the lid to find fluffy, perfectly golden brown waffles, was just a joy to watch.) Something that He never would of otherwise bought or used.

11. When I still go in the bathroom stalls without grabbing toilet paper...and yes, It still makes me say " What! Their out of paper". Until I remember its quite supplied....but at the front, near the sink.

12. When As Summer is approaching I am being made more aware that their "sun burn" will look a whole better than my sunburn ever will.

13. When every time I have worship practice with the two different ministry teams the Lord has graciously allowed me to be a part of. Yea every time I try learning the songs in Spanish, that is a good....4 hours each week I will be fully aware and reminded. :)

14.When I am asked if I am way older than I am because I have short hair.  Short hair=Old

15. When every church building I see is a beautiful, well maintained, very empty... Catholic church. Definitely not in the Bible Belt here.

16. When I am scared outta my mind, drink spilling all over my shirt from jumping, at what!? Oh just people cheering in the restaurant when their Futbol team has scored. Normal.

17. When I am beginning to get antsy after sitting in the Church service listening to the sermon for over an hour and half...but everyone else seems perfectly content. = Convicted.

18. When I hear "desert" I think Chocolate, they think Fruit. = Healthy

19. When I say I would not put Coca Cola in my babies bottle...and I do not find it as vital as water.

20. When I admit I am not a huge fan of mayonnaise.

A Chilean Hot Dog!

21. When I see a Crosswalk I still find it necessary to "Look both ways".

22. When I am searching the chip isle looking for a chip that isnt a meat flavor.

There are so many wonderful differences that I am finding the longer I am here in the very make up of our cultures. From the foods we eat, to the way our bodies are made ( Rhythm ect) to the values and morals we have as a country. I am so grateful for this time to really experience a culture so very different than my own... and it is my hope  that I can take with me bits and pieces of the differences, that will better me for serving Christ, and those around me.

What a fun ride!

I read a blog the other day and wanted to share it with you friends, mainly because of how it is exactly what I had wanted to write about this week but thought this would be sufficient! :)

“True Love Waits.” Waits.
What’s it “waiting” for, anyway?
*****
There are a lot of girls out there who don’t know who God is anymore – the God of their youth group years just isn’t working out. Back then, that God said to wait for sex until they are married, until He brings the right man along for a husband. They signed a card and put it on the altar and pledged to wait.
And wait they did.
*****
And waited and waited and waited.
Some of them have prayed their whole lives for a husband, and he hasn’t shown up. They’ve heard the advice to “be the woman God made you to be, focus on that, and then the husband will come.” They’ve read “Lady in Waiting,” gotten super involved in church and honed their domestic skills.
And still they wait.
More than a decade ago, a youth leader handed them a photocopied poem in Sunday School written to them from “God” that said, “The reason you don’t have anyone yet is because you’re not fully satisfied in Me. You have to be satisfied with Me and then when you least expect it, I’ll bring you the person I meant for you.”
And the girls see it posted on their bulletin boards from time to time.
“You’re right, God,” they say. “We’re not satisfied in you yet. We will put you first and then you can bring us a husband in your timing.”
But many of them – if they’re honest – will tell you that time has passed, and it’s wrecking their view of God.
If this is who God’s supposed to be, then He’s tragically late.
So some decide to chuck “Lady in Waiting” out the window … and possibly their virginity with it. Church goes next. God might go next, too. If He doesn’t answer these prayers after they’ve held up their end of the bargain, why would He answer any others?
Whether it was the fault of the leaders, the fault of us girls, or both, a tragedy happened back then.
A lot of girls were sold on a deal and not on a Savior.
*****.
When Jesus was here on the earth, the crowds would follow Him because they saw He gave good things. But that’s not what He wanted. He wanted their hearts for Himself. So He would turn to them and say things like, “If you don’t love Me so much that every other relationship in your life looks like hate by comparison, you can’t follow Me.” (Matthew 10:34-39, paraphrase)
Christ is the source of everything we need and the giver of all good gifts … but in telling people about Him, it’s possible we’ve sold them on a solution for life’s problems and not life itself.
What if we as girls had learned early on that having Him was everything, not a means to the life we think He would want us to have.
If we had learned we don’t abstain from sex because we’re “waiting.” We abstain because we love Him.
If I’d had on my bulletin board, “Fall in love with Jesus.” That’s it. Bottom line. That’s everything you need to know, to work toward, to put your hope in.
If I’d learned who He is, what He wants, how to give Him everything, not “wait” so that one day I could give my everything to someone else.
If I’d learned that it’s not bad to pray for a husband, but that my greater prayer should be for Him to spend my life as He chooses for His glory.
If we as believers make that our message, things could be drastically different for a lot of girls wondering why the God they think they learned to follow doesn’t compute. It doesn’t necessarily stop the desire for a husband or end all feelings of loneliness, but it does show a God who provides, loves and gives infinite purpose even to our singleness rather than a God who categorically denies some who pray for husbands while seemingly giving freely to others.
It shows that while marriage is good, He is the greater goal.
*****
I lived like I was waiting for something.
I just didn’t want to wait anymore – didn’t want to live like I was waiting on anyone to get here.
I already have Him … and He is everything."

“Follow Christ for His own sake, if you follow Him at all.” – J.C. Ryle

I read this recently and it was as if the writer had stepped inside my heart, seen the thoughts in my mind and written it all out for me. I look at the purity ring on my finger for 12 years now, and see it as a continual reminder of my fathers love to me...as it always brings back memories on a special night when I went with the only man in life...to pick out a beautiful ring, and with it feeling so loved, cherished and protected. Rather, It was some other points she had made that spoke to my heart because... I also have recently been pondering a lot about why I have done the things I have done, motives, whom have I been trying to please ( myself, The Lord or the future husband) and what is my true purpose for being on this earth. I've had to analyze why I have for SO long summed up the Lord's will for my future with definite words like, " When, Will." Its as if I have been deciding for my Soverign God what I believe His best Will for me would be. I refuse not to look at my life and choose to not see His blessings and obvious protection. Christ owes me nothing and I am saddened when I think of all the ways I have approached Him...with the air of feeling like i've earned anything.
 I am choosing to live walking in the path that my God has graciously seen fit to place me on, and to obstain from sin because of Him, not because I am trying to obtain a state of godliness for the purpose of catching a great guy, but in striving to honor a Good God.

Yes though Even even here people have continued to be "Surprised" at my singlness and have felt compelled to remind me " He is surely coming or I really don't see you being single."

Realizations that have made me have some real heart to hearts with my Savior have been coming to the surface recently when hearing those sweet comments...and for that I am thankful. I have had to evaluate why in my own mind I have convinced myself that ..."Yes! Of course He is coming!" Ive come to realize that it is just a natural expectancy that tends to add natural pressures that create un bibilcal expectation. When it is seen as marriage being the ultimate gift of God or achievement as a woman, its shaken me up to meet so many God honoring, and God fearing women who prayed for a husband, but had the Lords loving answere be "No." Were they less favored? Less loved by the Lord? Not walking with Him enough?

I feel so passionately about wanting to change my own mindset and am thankful for this time here and for the Lord revealing these expectations and wrong motives of obtaining from Sin and seeking to do the right thing. I had placed on Him in reguards to what I thought I needed to be truly happy expectations that were centered on Me, and not Christ.
 I heard a quoet that says

" Single and lonely is better than married and miserable. Don't date to fill insecurities, date to find a spouse on the same mission as you."

Well the state of being miserable begins when you are single, it is the absence of taking the trials and cares of life to Christ and harboring them all on your own. It is the not choosing to praise but choosing to pout. These habits that make for a miserable marriage are habits Im choosing to face in my own attitude NOW ( its no fun!!). While in the meantime, I am rejoiceing as well as humbledin this new understanding of...I am not waiting for anything, for I have been given it all already. Life eternal, forgiveness, redemption, and adeventures I never dreamed Christ my true Love would take me through...step by step, hand in hand with  His ever Faithful ever Patient self.

September in Chile.

At church they made me stand at the front of the stage and chant Vi VI VI Le Le Le Viva Chile!! They seemed to get a real kick out of it!

This is me after they dragged me to the center of the Circle.....What have I gotten myself into?! haha!

How Do I even begin to explain an experience that is completely different than any other I have ever had, I find it to be difficult to say the least. How do I describe the sites and smells enough to give a mental picture of the images that now graced my memory and filled up my heart, enough for you grasp just a little of what September will always remind me of. Some of the thoughts that have gone through my mind as I sat amongst my church family in the circle of chairs on the church yard for 3 hours of singing, dancing and games, or in a stadium of thousands of chilean flags being waved as the anthem is being sung, thoughts like " Soak this all in Candace" "Remember this one Candace" or "I am so undeserving of this opportunity." I just feel truly enriched at being given a chance to open my eyes and experience the pride and customs of this such a vastly different country and people. It has broadened my awe of my Heavenly Father who loves all of these people too, these amazingly beautiful, amazingly different people.  As I see the differences in the cultures from the food ( Bread, Sausage, Empanadas ( which is bread with meat or cheese, onions, egg, ect on the inside) and Coke a Cola) the bright costumes with the puffy skirts and sombreros, beautiful ponchos and boots with the biggest spurs i've ever seen, down to the spanish guitars and very lively rythems. September is the Month of celebration for Chile's Independence, and by month...I mean, quite litterely...month. You could start feeling the excitement the first week of September. Their Patriotism is something more passionate and exciting than ive ever experienced but imagine it is what our grandparents remember our Country being like when they think of their youth. You know back when people would buy war bonds in support of the military, speak loyally about our country, and have leaders that respected our national anthem as its being sung. I feel that I've been able to step back in time to that time period in America, by being here in Chile during their Month of Independence. Completely Loyalty and Pride.

Just to give you an idea.... It is MANDATORY that every household or building hang a Chilean Flag
In most of the schools ( Our English One included) the students begin at Pre-K to learn the different historic and native dances of their country. In total Our students performed 8. They represent all the regions, the North the South and the Middle ( Santiago). They have totally different costumes, the music sounds different, but they have the one thing in common, they represent the history and people of Chile. Every dance performed whether at the school performance or at the stadium, is recieved with cheering, whistles and loud singing.
One thing I have heard over and over again is "Vi Vi Vi Le Le Le Viva Chile!!" And ill never forget feeling the bleachers rumble with the strength and the force of all those voices united singing to their country.
Many of the schools have the entire week of the 18th off, and many Jobs got a couple days off as well. I have enjoyed the time spent with friends I have made here, and felt the excitement personally right along with them, a sense of Pride in what a great country Chile has to my ignorant surprise turned out to be.

Oh just random dancing that you see as you walk through the streets.

This was inside a Mall...

The day of our Schools Chilean Fiesta!

Our outfits Represent the North of Chile! This is my little Ming-Zhe who did SO WELL in the dance!

My sweet little ones. Cutest thing I heard this past week was while teaching them about Jonah. On monday I asked them who had heard of Jonah, and what I heard was " I have ms Candace!! ( His eyes grow huge as he inhales and exhales deeply) God put him in a fish!!" Haha...I made sure and told them that God had not put anyone in a fish since!

Singing one of the Chilean Anthems!

Pre-k was combined with Kindergarten!! Ahh there they go!! :)

I had a mom pull me aside after the performance and tell me " I really appreciate that you have really wanted to be a part of this culture while you are here and experience and enjoy the different customs." I think that was said because I walked around for hours searching for one of the costumes to wear...and ended up buying an entire outfit for less than 20$! It was a great find! And I wouldn't of wanted it any other way. Just liked I wear Red White and Blue on the forth, here they dress up, so it was a given!

The second day of celebration we went to the "Park" which ended up being a lot like a State Fair!! And we went with the family who has become my second family here in Chile. They are so dear to my heart and it warmed my heart to hear cody say as we are waving the Chile flag and (trying) to dance the Cueca " Im glad God had you come here so that I could meet you." He got saved coming to church with us a couple months ago and continues to come to a bible study here at the Hagertys with Seba ( the brother on the right) .

The only had about 2 rides for adults and it didn't look impressive...but IT WAS!!! Mostly because there was no safety belt and the entire time it is spinning around you are not only feeling the lunch you just ate, but you are seeing your life flash before your eyes!!

Ready for the Horse Show to begin!!

Coffee anyone?!?!

This particular Group represented the Native Indians of Chile. They were encredible.

This was when everyone crowded the floor and began to chant Viva Chile and dance the Cueca!! I think I had goosebumps for about 30 minutes straight!

Friends for Life

Awesome Firework show!!

The whole gang!

This was what they rescued the cole miners with! Very neat to be able to see this!

Dinner and A Show!

I had never seen horses do what they were able to do at this show. Here he is dancing with the lady!!

More dancing with the horses!

I (almost) learned how to do the native dance of Santiago...the Cueca, because I quickly realized it is very respectful to the people to try and take part in it, even if you are litterely tripping over your feet! After being forced to do it in front of my entire church haha, I had numerous people approach me, slap my back and tell me how happy they were I had tried!

After the Big Horse show they opened up the entire stadium to Cueca dancing and lit up the dirt ground with lights and struck up the band. It was amazing how quickly that floor about the size of  a football field filled up with teenagers on up to white haired couples ready dance the historical and patriotic dance of Chile.

Today I've been invited with some  missionaries to a cookout ( which is a cool similarity to the States during July) and I am looking forward to the fellowship.

As I was writing this blog I was again struck with an overwhelming sense of Gratitude to not only the Lord but to the ones who are supporting me to be here. Thank you for your friendships, your prayers, and your support along the way that have led me up to this point. The Lord knows His plans for me, and they continue to humble me, break me, build me back up, and change me. To God be the glory, and to Him I commit this beautiful country and pray for a revival to take place. The Catholic Church was present also at the Horse show as a statue of "The Virgin" was walked out on a wooden plank as a very somber song bellowed out of the speakers...of which I only picked up "Maria" numerous times. It was walked by 5 men to the middle of the stadium and then taken to sit at the head of the stadium throughout the whole show. It was so heartbreaking yet also predictable. These people need the truth, they need hope, and they need Jesus Christ. Please pray with me for the Pastor's and the church's here who are trying to be a light amongst people who much, truly believe they already are Christians!