I'm writing from the space-station-like airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates! I'm traveling back to the Desh from Christmas break in the States. It's definitely a bitter sweet travel to make (not just because it takes me 44 hours). Dad, Karl, Ev, and Nick saw me off in Denver yesterday morning. It was suck suck sucky and included three rounds of "last hugs". At the same time, I'm excited by the thought of getting back to teaching in Dhaka, at Grace, with my class. My lovely little class of 19 is now 18 because one of my students moved to Zambia as her family is missional. I have the strong feeling that I'll be gaining one or two more this semester!
The Scoop
Speaking of family, the Schroeders (+ 1 Clendenen) got to have an awesome time together over break. We went hiking... and eating... we pretty much just cooked and ate around the table a bunch. I visited Greeley friends in Littleton (over much-needed Mexican food- yum yum!) and stayed with one of my best friends, Alex, at her parents' house. She was visiting from her new big-girl life in Tempe, Arizona. The catching up was much needed as we just graduated together and landed dream jobs together in two totally different places. I visited my cooperating teacher from student teaching (again, over food- Qdoba this time -again, yum yum!) and we finally set up our classes as pen pals. Wonderfully, I also visited my little friends from Greeley who I used to tutor-Angie and Mia. For those of you who know them, they are doing well and might be moving to California for a fresh start. We spent Christmas at my Mom's and then at my Dad's and we got to be with Jeannie's son, and his wife and kids who live in Seattle. Kyle's being shipped off to Afganistan soon. Uncle Chris came to eat, eat ,eat (seeing a theme in my Americano visit?) at Mom's. It was our first test-run of her newly-remodeled kitchen. Food prep mostly consisted of all of us not knowing how to help because everything lived in a new spot in the new cabinets. We all felt the lack of Boppy's presence as well... and his famously delicious gravy. Awesomely, I got to pick Nick up on Christmas day night from the airport! Our time together was part of the most valuable aspect of being home for these three weeks. He swore into the Air Force days before Christmas and plans to accept a job in communications or business. Once that happens, he's off to basic training and tech school and off somewhere after that! He and I had an awesome New Year's in Denver, celebrating with St. Mary's friends at a charity event party in some warehouse in the art district. We also had a secret Denver date night: got to see my first Nuggets game (killed the Trailblazers P.S.) and went bar-hopping a little with friends. Dad and the boys joined us the next day to go to the Denver Art Museum to see the King Tut exhibit. I got some sweet schwag for my students there :) Shout out- "Chief status!"
The Scoop about Next Year
Last Sunday, the preacher man's sermon was exactly what I needed to hear. Not only did he repeatedly quote from, "What if God was one of us...? Just a slob like one of us...? Just a stranger on a bus...?" (thank you very much for THAT) but he said exactly what I needed to hear. Nick and I had to really think about the next year for us over break. I received great thoughts and advice from my family.... and everyone else's votes... about whether I should stay a second school year in Bangladesh. Anyway, the preacher said,
"It's not about you."
I'm not 110% sure yet, but I think I'm staying in Bangy for a second year. My prayer is that God sustains me and provides spiritual food for my loved ones. It's just not about you.
