Hello again. We just finished a two week Easter break from school which was really great. We went to York, gardened, cleaned some, did some kids clubs and went to London, and to Bradford Diocesan Day.
Our trip to London was really great. Re-connecting with Mennonites again was so wonderful. While I've enjoyed my time in Bradford in Anglican and Methodist circles, I discovered that I'm a Mennonite. It just felt right when I reconnected with other Mennonites. It was comfortable, like a favorite pair of jeans that never really wears out, or a favorite food, that you could never tire of eating. Sure I love my other jeans and I love many types of food and I love being in diversity of culture and religion. But there's that one pair of jeans that always fits right, that one food that always tastes delicious no matter the time or place, and that one interpretation of Christianity that just fits right. I've thought about going back home and being completely comfortable with my family and in Mennonite circles and getting this feeling that I'm just running for cover in order to feel in my element like all my needs are met, and just staying there sheltered the rest of my life. My answer is no, I don't want to do that, I can't do that actually. Maybe when I'm 65 I'll come back to Nebraska or Kansas and settle comfortably in a Mennonite congregation, because really, that would be very nice. Maybe I'll do it when I'm 40, but not yet. I want to go back to the Mennonite church in the U.S. right now, maybe for a couple of years. Then I want to uproot and replant myself somewhere else again, somewhere where there's loads to learn, where I don't fit the mold of my surroundings. It might be in a Mennonite church it might not. It might be in the states, it might not be, but not both comfortable things at the same time. I must always be learning changing growing, never setting down long enough to let cobwebs appear, at least not yet.
This past Saturday, Tiana, Rachel and I went to Diocesan Day 2010, basically a conference or convention of the Bradford Diocese. It was held at Bradford Grammar School, a distinguished private secondary school. The day started and ended with worship sessions and was filled with workshops and refreshment breaks in the middle. It really was a great day to engage in faith-based discussions. It was a great atmosphere, with great speakers and workshops. It was interesting learning about the Anglican church this way-from the inside, not as an informed member, but not an outsider. I've been affiliated with the Anglican church for long enough to feel included, but I've not been in it long enough to be learned. Also with the knowledge that I won't be with the Anglican church or in England for much longer makes it feel like a passing learning experience, like I'm an onlooker, even though I'm in it. It's an unparalleled feeling.
In other news, today being the first day back in school, spelling tests were rubbish. If you're in school, or can think back to being in school, a break always makes it more difficult to progress. Even more-so from the teaching/helping side of the spectrum, it seems that learning has been forgotten over the break, the longer the worse. So if I could ask you to please pray for students and teacher, as they try to get back into the swing of conventional learning. Also, there are many teachers and students stuck abroad right now. Due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, all flights are being held off in and out of the UK right now. The earliest I've heard of people coming back is Wednesday, that is if the cloud(s) of ash settle. The latest I've heard, is of people being stuck in Beijing until May 5th. Please pray for those stranded away from there homes as they may struggle with unexpected money or family issues. Also pray for businesses and organizations, especially schools as they deal with smaller than expected staff for a time. Finally, as I look forward to seeing the farm that I was raised on in about a month and-a-half when I go home briefly for a wedding, I no longer look forward to seeing my dog again. I received my dog, Blackie, a border collie as an early Christmas present in November 1997. About a week ago she saw her last days. Yes she was only a dog, but one of my best companions and favorite things about going home. She is greatly missed.
Thank you always for reading and praying,
Rebecca
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
during Lent
Hello again,
I'm sure you're wondering what my reflections are now that Lent is through and I'm no longer closely monitoring my Internet usage. Not being pulled to check for updates or email replies was refreshing. It did give me time to really thoroughly enjoy my immersion experience, especially in school. But it's also great to have the freedom to check my email when I need to.
During Lent I dove headfirst into working in school, especially with SEN children, and I love it. There are times that I want to scream at those children, as does every other adult working with them, but on the whole, I love them. The light of realization on their faces when they finally understand something makes all those frustrating moments completely worth it. But I'm not sure fasting from Internet for Lent made this possible. It was a very opportune time for me to fast from Internet, but I think I would be enjoying school just as much if I hadn't fasted.
During Lent I thought about my future, and if I really want to do what I am setting out to do come fall. I was being immersed in children with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, don't speak English all to well, don't listen to lessons or to discipline, and I think I've determined I really love the education scene. I want to help these children, here and now, and in my own classroom, in another school someday, where my payment is more than free greasy meals. I've thought back on the psychology degree that I was going to pursue, and I ask myself if I miss it. Do I still like psychology? Yeah, my new favorite author writes society from a psychological perspective. For a moment I felt less smart, for pursuing a degree that doesn't require a masters to work. But no, I'm fine, I'd much rather work with children in a school than in an office with clients.
During Lent I experienced weekly services and Holy Week activities through an Anglican tradition, and some Methodist. It was different, not what I was expecting. For earlier weeks in Lent, we went to a stations of the cross service on Wednesday evenings and walked around the church to different plaques depicting scenes or people from the story of Jesus' suffering. At Great Horton, a candle was extinguished from ring similar to that at advent every Sunday of Lent, until no candles were to be left burning on Good Friday. Palm Sunday at the Methodist church took me out of my shell a bit. Every able-bodied person gathered at the back of the sanctuary at the start of the the service and with olive branches and hymn books in hand waved and sang for the processional into church. During Holy Week itself there was a service every evening at St. Wilfrid's with communion. Good Friday morning was a family morning at which we attempted to do crafty activities with children and their families that came. We succeeded to some extent in helping the children create life-size drawings of themselves to hang up around the church. We also made a poster upon which everyone whose shadow darkened the church doorway that morning traced their hand in wax crayon. There was also a large banner that read, "Alleluia! He is Risen!" that was hung at the front of the church for Sunday morning. At noon on Good Friday once we were all crafted-out we trooped over to the church hall for soup and bread. It was a great day of family and fellowship. Easter morning, I played violin at St. Wilfrids so that the liturgy could be sung, and there was a definite tune to follow for the hymns. I was really nervous at the start of the service, but it was alright, and everyone was really appreciative to have some music in the service. The liturgy used to always be sung, but then they lost their organ player, and it's been spoken ever since. We were invited to the Bilton's for Easter dinner in the evening, and it was wonderful. There was more food than one could imagine and it was delicious. Most of their children were home, and also Alex, the priest. There was feasting and drinking and laughing and it was glorious. I felt completely comfortable, it was a scene of merriment, friendship, family and laughter that I don't want to leave.
So here I am, it's after Lent, and I'm out of school for a bit, and back online. And what have I learned. During Lent I think I learned how much I love my family and friends. During Lent I learned that I love working with children in a school, and that I am indeed looking forward to going back to school in fall. During Lent I learned how much I love and appreciate the people that have become a family for me here, that I don't want to leave.
Blessings,
Becca
I'm sure you're wondering what my reflections are now that Lent is through and I'm no longer closely monitoring my Internet usage. Not being pulled to check for updates or email replies was refreshing. It did give me time to really thoroughly enjoy my immersion experience, especially in school. But it's also great to have the freedom to check my email when I need to.
During Lent I dove headfirst into working in school, especially with SEN children, and I love it. There are times that I want to scream at those children, as does every other adult working with them, but on the whole, I love them. The light of realization on their faces when they finally understand something makes all those frustrating moments completely worth it. But I'm not sure fasting from Internet for Lent made this possible. It was a very opportune time for me to fast from Internet, but I think I would be enjoying school just as much if I hadn't fasted.
During Lent I thought about my future, and if I really want to do what I am setting out to do come fall. I was being immersed in children with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, don't speak English all to well, don't listen to lessons or to discipline, and I think I've determined I really love the education scene. I want to help these children, here and now, and in my own classroom, in another school someday, where my payment is more than free greasy meals. I've thought back on the psychology degree that I was going to pursue, and I ask myself if I miss it. Do I still like psychology? Yeah, my new favorite author writes society from a psychological perspective. For a moment I felt less smart, for pursuing a degree that doesn't require a masters to work. But no, I'm fine, I'd much rather work with children in a school than in an office with clients.
During Lent I experienced weekly services and Holy Week activities through an Anglican tradition, and some Methodist. It was different, not what I was expecting. For earlier weeks in Lent, we went to a stations of the cross service on Wednesday evenings and walked around the church to different plaques depicting scenes or people from the story of Jesus' suffering. At Great Horton, a candle was extinguished from ring similar to that at advent every Sunday of Lent, until no candles were to be left burning on Good Friday. Palm Sunday at the Methodist church took me out of my shell a bit. Every able-bodied person gathered at the back of the sanctuary at the start of the the service and with olive branches and hymn books in hand waved and sang for the processional into church. During Holy Week itself there was a service every evening at St. Wilfrid's with communion. Good Friday morning was a family morning at which we attempted to do crafty activities with children and their families that came. We succeeded to some extent in helping the children create life-size drawings of themselves to hang up around the church. We also made a poster upon which everyone whose shadow darkened the church doorway that morning traced their hand in wax crayon. There was also a large banner that read, "Alleluia! He is Risen!" that was hung at the front of the church for Sunday morning. At noon on Good Friday once we were all crafted-out we trooped over to the church hall for soup and bread. It was a great day of family and fellowship. Easter morning, I played violin at St. Wilfrids so that the liturgy could be sung, and there was a definite tune to follow for the hymns. I was really nervous at the start of the service, but it was alright, and everyone was really appreciative to have some music in the service. The liturgy used to always be sung, but then they lost their organ player, and it's been spoken ever since. We were invited to the Bilton's for Easter dinner in the evening, and it was wonderful. There was more food than one could imagine and it was delicious. Most of their children were home, and also Alex, the priest. There was feasting and drinking and laughing and it was glorious. I felt completely comfortable, it was a scene of merriment, friendship, family and laughter that I don't want to leave.
So here I am, it's after Lent, and I'm out of school for a bit, and back online. And what have I learned. During Lent I think I learned how much I love my family and friends. During Lent I learned that I love working with children in a school, and that I am indeed looking forward to going back to school in fall. During Lent I learned how much I love and appreciate the people that have become a family for me here, that I don't want to leave.
Blessings,
Becca
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