I always feel just like the kids do at the end of the year… I want to stamp my feet and shout, “I want out too!” But then, when the end does finally come, it’s always bittersweet. Many, many good-byes.
…traveling to the States soon. I’m excited. 
May the Lord bless you and keep you, Amy
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24
As the school year wraps up, you can find various post-it notes and scraps of paper around my desk. If I were to put them together in some organized, comprehensible way, they would make up quite a to-do list; but I can’t ever actually seem to get them all together. This time of year is haphazard under the very best of conditions, and my philosophy is just to take a deep breath and ride it in… Of course, I might try to combine the items onto one complete list in a pinch–you know, as a way to procrastinate actually doing any of the items on it.
It has been a difficult year for me, but, even with all that’s happened, I wouldn’t call it a bad one. I want to finish well, and I want to leave everything in order for next year… I have decided to return for next year, a decision that I made just before Christmas as some of you probably recall, and I have felt peace about my choice. And that is saying something considering how many things have happened and how many people have tried to influence my decision differently, but I know that I am still where God wants me to be. He is performing a work in me and, hopefully, one through me as well at the Rio International School. I am committed to my students and to the school’s mission, and that’s official until June 2010 when everything will be up in the air again–keep praying please!
I am sad that so many of my colleagues who I have come to love and respect will be returning to the states this summer. Even though, I knew the transient nature of the job when I signed on, I still feel unprepared for these good-byes… I am used to being the person who leaves, not the person who is left behind. And I will miss my friends. One prayer that God answered definitively when I came to Brazil was for a strong network of Christian friends. I was blessed beyond measure and beyond expectation–I have been thankful for them this year and will continue to be thankful for them (I hope) in the years to come. So, thank you Megan, Nicole, Mel, Kelli, Tim, Lorraine, and Elaine for your friendship and best wishes in the weeks/months/years ahead.
I have a rough summer itinerary. Please note that it may still be changed, but such as it is is here posted.
June 18 – 20 Graham, TX
Jun 21 – Jul 3 Southaven, MS
Jul 4 – Jul 9 Virginia Beach,VA
Jul 10 – 12 Chicago, IL
Jul 13 – 17 Minneapolis, MN
Jul 18 – 20 Belen, NM
Jul 21 – 23 Graham, TX
Jul 24 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I will be driving my father’s car and sleeping on friend’s couches along the way. Please pray that I will have safe travels. And, if you are in or around one of these destinations and you want to get together, email me and let me know… As a side note, I am a little bummed that with my current globe-trekking schedule I get two summers and no winters (not even a Rio winter which isn’t really that comparable to a “real” winter). I realize that some of you envy this, but, like I said, I’m bummed.
Hope that you are all well. And I do hope to see a lot of you very soon!
With love and prayers, Amy
PS–I did finally get my Vonage phone set up and working. My number is 77E-7EE-O85O. Just replace the Es with 3s and the Os with zeroes, and we’re in business. Of course, it will stay in Rio while I travel in the states this summer. I’ll get a to-go phone as soon as I get to Texas and will share that number ASAP.
PPS–Every time I try to post on here, I have technical problems of some sort. It’s my internet connection’s fault, I know, and completely beyond my control, but it is so annoying!
God’s blessings!!!
Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. Habakkuk 1: 5
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