You know that awkward feeling when you haven't called or spoken to a friend in a long time, and by the time you think, 'Hey! I should call so-and-so!' it feels like it's been too long so you put it off even more? That's how I feel about my blog updates. So let's just push through this initial awkwardness and get on with our lives for a bit! :)
This has been a California Summer for sure. I've been to the beach a lot, and it's very cool because the Father has shown me, I can bring glory to His name aaaand enjoy Him and His creation at the same time! Funny thing when you realize that God isn't just about worshiping and praying and talking to other religious people once a week, but that your whole life is an act of worship and that your whole life reflects God in some way. I feel I've been learning a lot about this concept this summer as well as about what sanctification really means. I'm not sure I have it all down yet, but at least I've learned that there is nothing I can do or not do to be more holy and that is SO freeing. I wish I could eloquently explain everything I've been learning, but I'm sure as the Father teaches you these things, He will be much more prolific.
Anyway, some big news before we get into three months worth of pictures! Naturally, against all my initial wishes and plans, I decided to quit the great job I got in February. I was offered a full time teaching position at a local private high school and I decided that it would be wise and that God was leading me to take it. I will be primarily teaching 10th grade. English and Bible, as well as ESL students in all grade levels. In addition to teaching, I will be continuing to work on the Arab World section of the book our team has been collectively writing. The majority of the work is done, but there is a lot of editing and cutting and confirming of facts to do. I will need to be lifted up for sure to manage my time well enough to do both things with integrity and competency. Thank you for all your support and care over the years, especially as I begin yet another journey! :)
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Some of my amazing ESL students and our 80s Party! It has been a great 6 months teaching these brilliant people!
A birthday party for one of our newest little fellowship members. I'm so thankful to have such a diverse and loving Family here!
One of my favorite ESL lessons where I got to explain the very popular film, Twilight. I thought it was a pretty accurate description! :)
California has some of the best graffiti!
My two ladies that I teach in the evenings. They have come so far and have even brought friends to our little class!
I love LA! This was the day we went to watch a movie in the park! (Sadly, the projector broke right before the film, but we had a lovely picnic and got to explore Little Tokyo at night!)
Like I said, I went to the beach A LOT!
A celebration for our ESL students as they completed their Spring Session!
This awesome chick had a layover in LA this summer! We got to get some excellent Mexican food before she had to go back home!
I'm still a Cardinals Fan even in LA! You can take the girl out of the Midwest, but you can't take the Midwest out of the girl!
We had an Iftar party at the home of one of my students! (Iftar is when Muslims can eat in the evening after fasting all day during the Month of Ramadan!)
4th of July Parade at Huntington Beach! It definitely brought me back home to watch the marching bands and floats drive by.
Self portraits done by my lovely students.... (They're all 18+ by the way)
Another Iftar party I attended. This one was in the home of a friend of a friend. They invited about 60-70 people and they all prayed together in the back yard before breaking their fast. There were also about 40 women in the back part of the yard.
One sweet little boy! I visit his family regularly and this week I had attended their Mosque to break the fast and eat with them.
"You call me out upon the waters; The great unknown, where feet may fail; There I find you in the mystery; In oceans deep, my faith will stand"
This guy has the BEST T-shirts! He always put a smile on my face when I'd walk into class. I couldn't resist taking a pic of this one!
Yes, I'm officially a Cali-girl! I went to the US open and watched some surfing! (I also tried surfing for the first time this summer! I got up to my knees, but next time I think I can stand up!)
In case anyone would like to rent a beach house and has an extra 14 grand every month! :) Or if' you'd like to donate to the "Kallie wants to live on the beach" Fund :DDD
SO! Very cool news! I decided to challenge myself this summer and I signed up for a 2 mile ocean swim. I swam from Hermosa Beach Pier to Manhattan Pier on August 3 this year. It was a great experience and I definitely want to do it again. I did it in a little over an hour!
Beach again!
Getting introduced to Korean Chicken and Pizza! I've eaten Southern Fried Chicken and I think they must have stolen the idea from the Koreans... it's incredible!! Love my students!
Playing scrabble with ESL students...
I made watermelon aguas frescas (basically lemonade, but with watermelon!)
If you're still reading at this point, thank you! It was a great summer in which I learned a lot about grace, sanctification, and that life is basically about Loving God most and loving people around you. I'm eager to enter this new school year full of these lessons and in expectation that God will do even greater things in this place.
