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Week One and a Confession

It’s been 8 days since we arrived in Turkey. We attended new teacher orientation this past week in the mornings. Our afternoons have been filled with settling into our apartments, preparing our classrooms for the school year, and shopping for supplies.

 

David in front of the school

 

Most days have been “çok iyi” (choke-eeyee) – very good. It’s been wonderful to learn more about the school and our host country at orientation. The returning teachers have been arriving back to the school and they are warm and welcoming. We’re learning more Turkish phrases to help us at the grocery store and restaurants. We met a friendly neighbor. The apartment is slowly coming together and becoming more of a home.

There was also one day that was “çok iyi değil” (choke-eeyee-dee-eel) – not very good. This particular day’s emotions was an accumulation of several things. Though we didn’t suffer greatly from jet lag, I was fatigued, became more irritable, and was not kind to my husband. Things selfishly became all about me and my inabilities. I felt worried about and unequipped to do the job I was hired to do. We went to the grocery store and instead of grabbing the toilet paper we needed (at a great price!), I got an 8-pack of paper towels. I started a load of laundry – the typical, easy task of laundry – and I broke the door handle off of our washing machine. The day ended with me sobbing in David’s arms. I so undeservingly have a kind and forgiving husband. We both needed forgiveness that night, and vocalized that the frustrations we had with adjusting to our new surroundings should not be aimed at each other. We are on the same team.

 

These two verses will be very important to me as I continue to adjust:

  • Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20–21 {emphasis added}
  • He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30

 

[box] PRAYER REQUESTS

  1. Safe travel for the rest of the teachers: Some of the teachers will be traveling this weekend from the states to Turkey.
  2. Prayers for our roles as teachers: We have a lot to prepare before the school year starts!
  3. Our adjustment period: There is still a lot to learn – public transportation routes, language, more about the school, paying bills,  etc. Please pray we will have patience and an open heart and mind.

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3 Comments

  • Reply DiMy

    Captain and I are following your adventure with great anticipation and interest. It is going to be absolutely amazing, Leah. One thing I had to keep telling myself when we moved to Greece was that this was a drastic change; drastic change causes extreme stretching; extreme stretching causes a lot of pain but brings about incredible rewards. So go, stretch, feel the pain and the joy. We love you.

    August 17, 2012 at 4:56 pm
    • Reply Leah

      Thank you for the encouragement, DiMy!

      August 18, 2012 at 9:48 am
  • Reply Karen wells

    Always takes a humble person to admit faults. Glad to hear it is becoming more of a home! Your post on the hospitality was very good too. Everyone being so friendly has to make the transition easier!

    August 26, 2012 at 7:48 pm
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