The last weekend with everyone

Preparing for the last week of school is exciting and sad all at the same time. Being in Ghana and the people here have impacted my life and to think that the people who have been my family this past year are now leaving is a joyful sad occasion. I never knew how hard it would be to say goodbye to the people I live with. It is kind of being like in college again. Each day this weekend was a little bit different. On Friday I went with the girls downstairs to La Gallete. It was so good and it was awesome to spend the last Friday night for some of them with them. Then all day on Saturday I helped clean downstairs and picked up some of the things they didn't want for next year. Then tonight we had our last care group where we just worshipped and listen to the people that were leaving talking about what they learned. After hearing all those testimonies and hearing how faithful God is to His promises, you just come away inspired.

This past week I have really noticed how God has been talking to me about not worrying about the things I can't change and the negatives and focus on the positives. This week in Bible we have been talking about Jesus' miracles and how He walked on water and Peter joined Him, and as soon as Peter started focusing on the bad things and the waves and took his focus away from Jesus he sank. This week I have been reminded more than once to focus on God and His faithfulness in every situation. For instance I taught it on Tuesday and on Tuesday it seemed like I was hungry all day so I randomly said "I am hungry" in class and one of my students Winy raised her hand and said "Miss Meitzler you should focus on the positive things and not the negative things just like Peter and Jesus." How precious is that little reminder she gave me. Then also on Tuesday I found out that my friends flight was cancelled and it is two days before mine so I started stressing about that and again I was reminded of turning my focus to the positive things instead of the negative . I am so worried over something that God already has his hand in.

I Peter 5.7

Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you!

Prayer Request

Flight I find out on Tuesday wether it is canceled or not.

Adjusting back into America

The ladies in my group for PFO (Pre Field Orientation)

8 days until I home worshiping with you !

Faith

video

Today my class in Bible was learning Proverbs 4.20-27 and so they paraphrase the verses and put actions to it and I took a video and thought it would be fun if you guys could see it.

I hope you enjoy it. This video shows a lot of the personalities of my students.

2 week notice

This past week and weekend has been very busy. We have had a lot of things to do with school this week. Then this weekend it has been full of good eating. On Sunday three of Lebanese families had us over to dinner. There was so much food. It was so good. Then this morning we got to go to breakfast at the golden tulip which is a really nice hotel with really good food. I got to have bacon, potatoes, and other good food. We had no school today so it was nice to just go to breakfast. Then I just went to school and worked for 4 and a half hours. It was a really sad occasion looking back at all the memories that I had setting up my classroom and now I am starting to take down my classroom. God has been faithful to me this year and I am so excited about the year to finish and for next year.

Prayer Request:

I have been getting really bad migraines because of sinus pressure and it was getting to the point where I could not do anything because my head hurt so bad.

My flight home and that BA would stop striking so I can get to London and then fly out.

My class is going on a field trip next Monday pray that everything goes smoothly.

I hope to be home soon with you.

Prayer Request for traveling home.

So I have been a little worried about the strike going on with BA we found out that the high courts said that they could not go on strike. HOwever the union appealed and the courts now say that they can go on strike. Which means my flight could be cancelled. Just pray that even if they do go on strike they will run my flight from Accra to London. Also pray that the volcano stops erupting so that I can fly to London also.

Things I have learned about myself this week.

This weekend was great and stressful. THis weekend we had a huge jumbo sale at school. It was a blast there was a whole bunch of people there and it was fun walking around with Amanda and trying on clothes. HOwever, I learned a lot this weekend.

1. One is that sometimes being around the same people day after day can wear on you. I am to the point where I need a change of people.

2. I need an outlet other than the people I work with and live with. Last night being in the house by myself was nice I just got to think and something that really hit me was this past year I have learned a lot but I have focused to much on the people I live with and the people I work with and that is not why I am here.

3. I shouldn't need an outlet from them because I should focus on them. My focus should be on who Christ is and sharing him with my students and nothing else matters. So many times I just want to be alone and people in my house take is as being angry with them and I am to the point where I am over it because they are not my focus.

4. I realize that relationships need to be here but if they are hindering who you are and your attitude that you don't need them. I have learned that while I just get frustrated with certain people because of how they come off I just need to be by myself and spend time with God and get my focus back to who He is.

5. I learned that being who I am and not changing for people is important. Making a stand for what I believe and my responsibilities is important and I need to do it more often.

There is a song by casting crowns that has really just reminded me this past month of who I should be focused on. It is called I know your'e there.

If all I had was one last breath
I'd spend it just to sing Your praise
Just to say Your name
If all I had was one last prayer
I'd pray it 'cause I know You're always listening
If I could live a thousand lives, bind the hands of time
I would spend every moment by Your side

'cause I, I know You're there, I know You see me
You're the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You're there, I know You hear me
I can find You anywhere

Lastly I learned that my outlet is not people My outlet should be GOd and so many times I have failed at making Him my ultimate outlet but He remains faithful.

3 weeks and I will be home with you!

Donkey Tales

the music program went really well everything worked and we got everything set up. I love seeing my students parents.
THese are two little kindergartners after the program

four of my third graders already for the program

one of my third graders before the program began

Carly and Charley our business managers kids.

A bunch of the kindergartners before the program

three of the kindergartners playing before the program.

After the program Christy came home and we made dinner and we got to hang out with Daniel. We made him dinner and He got to have his first taste of Chocolate milk and and Oreo.

Ms. Meitzler you sound like a donkey....

This is what one of my students told me today in class when I had the hiccups. My students have their music program tomorrow and its all about a donkey ranch. So all of my students have donkeys on their minds. THis week has been full of ups and downs. My kids have been driving me crazy, they have not been listening and their minds are already on summer break. One thing I have noticed and learned about myself is I get frustrated more easily with my kids because they are not doing things that we have done everyday since the beginning of the year. Another reason is I expect a lot out of them for this time of the year maybe a little to much.

This week my heart has just been set on what is my life sharing with these kids and the neighborhood. Is my life showing Christ or is my life here sharing the values of the world. I would say that sometimes yes sometimes when I am frustrated with my class or my roommates not so much. Today I really focused on being patient and not get frustrated with misbehavior and be calm. I think I did a pretty good job at it today however it is something I strive to be better at.

Prayer request:

The spring musical which is more of just the spring music program is tomorrow pray that we have electricity and that some of the parents will see who Christ is through it. We have a lot of teaching jobs open so just pray that those can get filled they are putting some stress on our director. Pray God will bring the right teachers to the job. Continue to pray for all the attitudes of the teachers as we finish school up. We only have 18 more days so pray the teachers and students finish up strong. Pray that the volcano in Iceland doesn't hinder me getting home because I fly through London and I am traveling by myself. Pray that students sign up for our mentoring program we only have one right now.

I think that is it however if I think of something else I will post it later.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

waiting patiently with God's love

31 days till I am back in the states with you all

18 days of school left

"If all I had was one last breath I'd spend it just to sing Your praise just to say Your name!"

- casting crowns I know Your'e THere

Faith

I have a renewed spirit this week. God has been answering prayers. I am excited about the rest of this year but more excited about next year and what God is going to be doing at AIS. This week on Friday we had our first annual Poetry Slam which I helped put together. My job was to welcome everyone to the poetry slam and pray for the poetry slam. If you know me however you know I hate being in front of people, but it went well I did not pass out which is always a good thing.

Continue to pray for our mentoring program next year. As of right now we have only person signed up. Pray that the students will come and sign up. Also pray that teachers will be willing to help out with it.

Also continue to pray that all our positions get filled at school. Pray that we get some guy teachers also. The boy students at are school are hurting and they need some good mentors for these boys.

We are also going under construction again this summer so pray that that goes well and we can start school on time.

Waiting patiently with God and hoping to see you soon.