I'll be home for Christmas

Well, I only have one more week until I am back with my fam and dear
friends. I am so, I guess the word would be, nuts. :) I can't wait
to see everyone, hug and kiss my niece, and hear my sister say,
"Whatcha' doin" When you live so far away, you realize that what you
miss most are the little everyday moments. So, I hope they are a ton
of little moments interspersed with celebrating the birth of our
Savior. Has anyone seen the move "The Nativity Story" - it looks very
interesting. Write me or call!

So Nervous . . .

Well, this is it folks. The last time I do Uncle Phil's Diner. I was up until 2 this morning watching a horrible movie, and I promised myself I would sleep until 10, so that I would be well rested for today and able to strike everything tonight, clean the church, and not leave the school looking like a disaster area for Monday. Needless to say, I was awake at 8 and already feeling nervous.

I don't know why - we had an incredible night on Thursday. The cast was on fire - never perfect, but no show ever is. They had fun, which was the important thing and the audience loved it, which is the other important thing. In both areas, God was in control and blessing. I pray He does the same thing tonight.

I really will try and take pictures tonight :) I'd like to get a camera that takes a little nicer pictures, mine are all coming out blurry for some reason. There is probably something I could be doing better, too. :(

Anyway, hasta luego!

Uncle Phil's Diner

Well, the show is up and running! Opening night was last night and I am exhausted today. We didn't have school, today, which turns out to be a bigger blessing than I could have imagined. We perform again on saturday and then will spend most of the evening (from 9:00 on) tearing down the set and giving Trinity Union Church back its building. Sorry I don't have pictures. I took my camera yesterday, but I had so many people yelling for Miss Barlow, that I didn't have time to take more than a couple shots of kids getting ready. Anyway, this show is crazy and very interactive :) And I was enjoying every minute of watching it!

I wish you could be here to see it. These guys are excellent. Thanks for all your prayers - God has been incredibly good to us.

Better Late than Never?

OK, so I just realized it has been two months since my last post. :) I really don't feel like I have anything exciting to report. The dinner theater, "Uncle Phil's Diner" has less than a week before it opens. I'll try and get some pics this next week. I just want to hire a photographer to follow me around - Mel, are you interested? Just kidding, I know you are too busy to take on a charity case like me. :)
Anyway, I just finished a week of meetings with fellow WGMers and a ginormous Thanksgiving feast. We had between 80 and 90 people together. I ended up reading "Dreadful" by Shel Silverstein, which was a big hit. People couldn't believe I actually burped into a mike. :P Hooray for shock factor. After the meal I ended up heading to Mike Bank's house and chilling until about 11 with some other younguns.
So now it is 9:30 on Friday morning and I don't even want to get out of bed. I have a mountain of grading to do and lesson plans, but my motivation is on the negative scale. Along with a photographer, I would also like to hire a professional grader . . . Any takers? That is the only part of teaching that really bogs me down.
Hmm, so what's some positive news in my life? This seems like kinda a downer entry. Serves me right for not writing when I am hyper but waiting until I am too tired to do anything else :) OK, big happy news - I am going back to the US in 4 weeks! Hooray for Christmas with the fam! I positively cannot wait to be with everyone. It's gonna be incredible! Possibly weird too, as I see my home culture with new eyes. Some of my friends are coming in to see me - HOORAY DEBO AND JEN! And I plan on New Year's with Nick too. It has been almost a year and a half since I have been with everyone. It's amazing how much I love being here and yet miss those closest to me, almost simultaneously.
Well, I honestly cannot think of what to write. Please call or e-mail if you want to know specifics about anything. Sorry it's been forever since yuo heard from me!

I love my Seniors!

OK, so this past week the Seniors threw me a surprise one year anniversary of being in Bolivia party. It was awesome! They also are prepared to let me try about anything with them in the classroom. We are reciting ballads on Monday :) Also, all but two of the girls were able to come over last night. So we watched High School Musical (very entertaining) and had sopa de mani. Since we are all staying home today we wanted to make sure they could get home safely and easily. It wasn't a late night, but it sure was fun! One of the funniest parts was how much some of the guys wanted to come over for Girls Night In. :) They are nuts.

Sarah Park mentioned last night that we need a name. Jokingly I said, "How about AYWAGOH (A young woman after God's own heart), not to be confused with A Leggo?" To which Jeni replied, "yeah, when you stack us on top of each other we don't stick." Of course we all died laughing and I think the name might stick. Sometimes it is just fun to be stupid. I am still waiting for Cathlene to get back so we can get our books, but all the girls seem excited about the group. It's such a blessing to see them hanging out and laughing together. Playing jokes on each other - I think a running one will be standing outside my bathroom door and screaming at whoever comes out. That happened about three times last night. :)

Maybe sometime this next week we are going to see Lady In The Water, but it just depends on how life goes. We have Senior Retreat next weekend, which means I have lots of school planning to do before then. The weekend after that I have a retreat for WGM new lady missionaries (it's called Damas). THEN the next weekend I have mini-staff for all WGM missionaries. Talk about busy. But I know time will fly!

Hasta luego!

First Day

Well, I survived! Actually, this day was probably the easiest one I will ever have. We don't have electives yet, plus first period was only orientation. So, all in all, I had TWO classes today. But I am still exhausted :) I think it's just all the nervous energy built up. The two classes that I taught today went well, I think. I hope. My Seniors are excited to be Seniors and my Juniors are like Juniors everywhere. Tired and unmotivated. So pray for them if you think about it.

It was wonderful to get to school and have hugs and "hi miss barlow" when I saw kids for the first time in 3 months. Students signed up for electives today. I explained the Theatre program and the tech theatre class. We are getting a pretty good class list. I'm excited but nervous too. They are awesome kids. For those of you that stay up to date on students I just need to mention that Esteban, Jeff, Haram, and Ever all signed up for theatre. I just don't know what to think. Thankfully Steve is going to talk to them and make sure that they want the class and don't just think it's an easy out. I don't want them in my class if they don't want to be there and don't want to work. Pray that they will be honest with Steve and I (and with themselves).

Well, I don't know what else to right about. It's the first day of school. That's about all I can say. :) Oh one more thing, I'm having some of my kids over tomorrow night along with two new teachers to watch Hoodwinked. I hope they enjoy it!

Call me if you want more specifics about today. I just don't know what to tell when I write here.

Happy Birthday Matt!

Today's my brother's birthday! So, if you see him anytime soon, give him a hug from me and remind him how much I love him. Thanks!

Happy Birthday, Mel!

Today is my sister-in-laws birthday! If you happen to know Mel Barlow, give her a hug for me, k? Mel, even if nobody gives you my hug, I am still thinking of you today. I hope it's an awesome birthday for you.

Happy Birthday to you!
That's happy birthday to you in webdings!

Last Week

Well, I had a blast with mom and dad being here, but we wore ourselves out! I just wanted to share a few pics with you before I left for retreat.
Las lomas de arena - The Sand Dunes (about an hour away from Santa Cruz)

Before mom can teach me how to knit, we have to unravel all the yarn - it was a challenge

Pastor Percy, his wife Debbie and their three children Hosanna, Shekinah, and Joash (plus my fam)

They're almost here!

Mom and Dad leave Indy at 2:30 today! I am really excited about them coming down - so excited in fact, that I can't buckle down and do anything! Well, that and the fact that my house feels freezing. :) I'm curled under my blankets right now wondering what on earth I can accomplish today.

Anyway, a couple of quick prayer requests -
For Dad as he travels - the altitude, his allergies & asthma, earaches from flying
For Mom as she travels - relief from altitude headaches
Safety for both as well as an easy transition through customs
But MOST importantly, that no matter what may happen the grace and love of Jesus will flow through them, making them ambassadors of His peace and joy to whomever God sends their way.

Thanks for praying! I'll write more later

Juniors and Seniors

Last days of classes for each - anyone notice that both classes chose the same pose?

Saying Good-bye, Senior style

Thursday was my last day with the Seniors. I wanted it to be special for all of us. My class was the only one that had all the Seniors in it, so I decided we needed some closure. I had planned for the two hours of class to be full of memories, thanks, and good-bye. Each classmate would sit in the middle of the circle and one-by-one the classmates sitting around them would say something they loved about the student in the center. Well, time was against us! Presentations didn't get finished because of borthday fun the day before. So, we took the first 20 minutes to finish those. Then by the beginning of second period we were less than halfway through. It just was too hard to be concise. I didn't want to change the atmosphere or squelch what God was doing, but I didn't have much time left. Finally I had to make the decision that only 2 students would say something about the classmate in the center. It still was beautiful. Many kids took the time to say thank you, or to tell how the appreciated someone's walk with God and how it had strengthened their own. Some kids, who had not talked hardly at all because of an earlier falling out, were able to affirm each other and reconcile.

When each student was in the circle, I would give them their present, verse, and a prayer. It was such a joy and priviledge to be a part of this time together. Even with our time modifications, we didn't finish until the end of third period!! Then, the student asked me to get in the center, and each one said something to me. I cried the whole way through it I am sure. The things they said are treasures in my life. God showed me how much He is able to accomplish through me, and I was overwhelmed. Once each student had talked to me, they all stood on their desks and said, "Oh captain, my captain." Then I really started crying! The kids jumped down, and group hugged me, while Vero prayed for all of us.

Words just don't do this event justice. I wish you all could have been there, but I think it might have spoiled the effect. :) Just believe me it was incredible!

Birthday in Review

So, I just realized I have NO pictures from my birthday. I am going to beg, steal, or borrow them from anyone I know :) So, for now, I thought I would just let you know the basics of what happened that day.

First, I talked to mom and dad that morning as I opened my presents. I am so thankful for technology and the ways we can stay in touch. After that I went to school and was with the teachers for Wed. devotions. When I got to my classroom door, Tony came out and said, "umm, I forgot an index card for my presentation today. Can I have another one?" I told him sure he could, let me get one out of my desk. Once I said that, Tony got the FUNNIEST look on his face. So I said, "Maybe it would be better if I got it from the office instead?" He got a huge smile on his face and said that would be much better. Turns out the hunt for an index card gave Tony and Obie time to put a sign on my door and a huge message on my whiteboard. "HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY MISS BARLOW!" It was sweet. Then during devotions, the seniors swarmed me with cards, a piece of cake, and four of the boys sang a rendition of Happy Birthday to the tune of B-I-N-G-O. Needless to say, we didn't get through all the presentations, but more on that in another message.

In American Lit, my Juniors also swarmed me with cards, Keilah had made no bake cookies, and the best present was that the Juniors worked hard all period long. Next came chapel, were the entire Junior High and High School sang (shouted) the Happy Birthday song to me. Also, three of my theatre students presented in Chapel and did a great job.

Next period was English 9 - and this was a (almost) complete surprise. One of my freshman was at the snack bar and I yelled to him, "get to class Jeff, you've already had your snack!" He jumped a mile, turned around and I saw he was hiding a bottle of Coke. So, I knew the freshman were plotting something :) When I came in they all screamed Happy Birthday and showed me their spoils. None of my classes have ever brought in that much food - it was great. They were so proud of themselves, and I felt very loved.

All through the day students and adults wished me a Happy birthday, even students that aren't in my classes. I read to the first graders, and even they told me Happy Birthday! It was incredible.

After school we had prayer meeting, where I encountered another birthday cake and singing. :) Then we went to Fridolin's for some real food!

It was wonderful! Thanks to everyone who made the day incredible - God totally blessed my socks off!

Forever and a day

I know, I know - I haven't updated this in weeks and a ton has happened. I just wanted all of you to know that I know and plan on writing more soon. really. I can't right now, because I am getting ready for a wedding. Love you and thanks for being patient. Call me if you are desperate to get caught up :)

I'm almost 25!

This has been a wonderful birthday week! It started on Sunday with Ann treating me to lunch at Don Miguel's. It is such a blessing that God has given me a friend who understands how special birthdays are to me. Then TODAY, I received a gorgeous flower arrangement from the ladies in my fam. It was such a delightful treat, and I loved seeing how much I am loved.

Another birthday blessing was my package from home. All of us were praying that it would come in before Wednesday. Well, I was so thankful when I came home tonight and saw the box between my doors. God is so good to us :)





Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support.

Happy Birthday, Adia!

Hooray! My niece is two today! Happy Birthday sweetie - Auntie Em loves you :)

Misionary Stress Relief

just kidding - this huge gourd actually appeared on Kelly's doorstep one evening. Turns out it was a practical joke from Ann!

April - I love to read month!

The Juniors and Seniors took some time the first week of April to read to some elementary classes. It was wonderful to see my kids reach out to the younger years. You could tell the elementary kids thought they were cool stuff. Check out my homepage to see more pics!

Hay tormentas en todo lugar

Well, you have heard me talk about the massive rain we had a few weeks ago. I was not kidding! The school would start to drain and then another storm would come in. WHY didn't I bring galoshes!!!!

Pretty, Pretty Princesses

Most of us grew up with prom, but what happens when the school doesn't promote dancing? Well, we have a Jr./Sr Banquet as a way to look beautiful and celebrate the Seniors at the same time. The Junior class is responsible for everything with this night, except for the Senior Wills. Seniors bequeath a personality traits or characteristic to a Junior. They were hilarious, mostly because I know both the bequeathers and the heirs :) Anyway, I hope you take the chance to look at the pics on my homepage. Sadly, they don't do justice to how beautiful everyone looked. At least it will give you a small glimpse. For anybody who is interested, Elsa and I are in the picture. She is one of my Juniors and a personality PLUS!

Papers are Done!

Thanks to all for praying - the papers are officially done. Two students are getting a rewrite opportunity to make up some points. Other than that, people get what they paid for :) I am so thankful that God brought me through this. I started out taking almost an hour on one paper. By the time I was finished, I was moving much faster. I'm ready to go back to college and figure out how to teach again. I used to think I had all the answers, but I must have forgotten everything. Anyway, just wanted you to know it has been in the 50s and all of us are LOVING it! It's like tornado weather without the tornado. Lots of wind! All the Bolivians are in sweaters and hats and we are walking around in light spring jackets.
Well, I am ready for bed and praying for a good day tomorrow!

Itchy legs and no motivation

It is 6:40 Tuesday morning and I DO NOT want to go to school today. :) I have 35 bug bites on my legs from a Saturday picnic and hike, and they itch like crazy. With only 6 more weeks to go, my motivation to teach and to learn is definitely at a low point. My students ask for prayer because they are having trouble concentrating in class, and I just want to say that I feel their pain as well.
Well, I just wanted everyone to know that I am not dead - just unmotivated. I have lots of busy things going on with my life and I don't really want to do any of them. Thank goodness that not every day is like this :)
TTFN

Come, Lord Jesus

I love the lyrics to this Andrew Peterson song. Today has been one of those days where it is very easy to point fingers as if I had no sin at all. Thank God for His forgiveness and love!
Lyrics And Songs : Lyrics - COME, LORD JESUS by ANDREW PETERSON from album CARRIED ALONG (Free Words of the song):

"Tonight in the line of the merchandise store
While they were packing up my bags
I saw the pictures of the prophets of the picket signs
Screaming, 'God hates fags'

And it feels like the church isn't anything more
Then the second coming of the Pharisees
Scrubbing each other 'til their tombs are white
They chisel epitaphs of piety

Oh, there's a burning down inside of me
'Cause the battle seems so lost
And it's raging on so silently
We forget it's being fought

So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come Lord Jesus
Amen

It's taken me years in the race just to get this far
Still there is no end in sight,
There's no end in sight
'Cause I've carried my cross into dens of the wicked
And you know I blended in just fine

Well, I'm weak and I'm weary of breaking His heart
With they cycle of my sin, of my sin
Still He turns His face to me and I kiss it
Just to betray Him once again

Well, I've got oceans down inside of me
I can feel the billows roll
With the mercy that comes thundering
O'er the waters of my soul

So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen

Tonight in the light of the gathering rain
I could hear creation groan
And a sigh rose up from the streets of the city
To the foot of Heaven's throne

Oh, and the people hear the sound of a sweet refrain
An absolution in the fray, in the fry
It tells of the death of the one for the lives of the many
More than any picket sign could say

So, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen
Oh, Amen
Come, Lord Jesus
Amen"

Did you know . . .

I just discovered what the e-mail setting accomplishes - wow, that took awhile to sink in ;) Anyway, I went to my first concert last night - it was a folk group called Salvia Andina. They are a group of five guys who went to school together and have been together for 30 years. They have performed all over the world, including a concert in Moscow, and a private concert at the White House with President Nixon. It was very cool - but also exhausting. The concert was about 2 hours long and the music was beautiful. They played some songs from other cultures - a few songs from Fiddler on the Roof, and Ave Maria. They also played a lot of South American songs in general. The last half of the concert was all Bolivian Folk Songs and that was awesome. The guy behind us (aside from talking to his wife the whole time) was STOMPING his feet and the floor rattled all around us. During one of the folk dances the ladies in the audience pulled out hankies and started waving their hands in different patterns. Ann said that is part of the dance (it reminded me of hula dancing, and how the hand motions have meaning). Then they sang the Bolivian anthem and we all clapped to the beat. I love their rhythmic clapping though. It isn't on the first and third (or second and fourth), it's on the half and the whole. Those of you that have listened to Spanish or Latin music understand what I am talking about. Anyway, it is very fun!
Another crazy thing about the concert was getting into the theatre. We all had assigned seats, but EVERYONE was pushing forward and cramming around you. Nobody budged either. I lost Ann for a little bit, but finally I made it through. We had a good laugh as we found our seats. She said that's the way it used to be on Bolivian airlines too. Only they didn't assign seats, so you had to fight for wherever you wanted to sit. Can you imagine? I guess old habits die hard.

Well, anyway - I just wanted to share my evening with you. One of the other teachers, Liz Huanquiri taped a little of the concert, so maybe I will see if there is some way to put a clip of it on here. It really
was incredible.

Chaperone Emily

Well, I don't kow who had more fun at last Friday's costume party. Everybody knows how much I love to dress up. My only major distress was that all my costumes (especially my Elizabethan one) are still in the States. In all honesty, it would have been way too hot for all that fabric though. :) So, I went as a shooting star. Katie Wells made two styrofoam stars, and I borrowed a water gun. Anytime one of the kids asked me what I was, I shot them with water. It was great!!

We also played some normal high school games, like Honey If You Love Me, and the Winking Game. It was a little weird, in a very funny way, to wink at my students. All the guys had these funny little grins on their faces, as if it say, "Is Miss Barlow going to wink at ME?!" It was hilarious. I spent more time laughing than I have in a long time. It was a great time with my students just to relax and have fun. Make sure you check my home page to look at more pics of the evening.




Senior High Camp starts next Monday - be praying for me as I spend two hours every day with the eight students who have chosen not to attend. Camp is definitely optional, but staying in school for a week is not meant to be the easy way out. So I have to find lots of work to occupy them! :) But I also want it to be a time where God can move in our lives. Just because they chose not to go to camp doesn't mean they can't hear from Him, right?

On a side note, it has been awesome to talk to everyone who has called my new phone. I LOVE it! At the same time, God has been very good about giving me things to do here so I am not tempted to talk on the phone all the time :) That was a prayer request, by the way. :)

Ciao

Chastisement & A New Phone Number

Well, the holidays have passed and I am once again in school. I won't spare time talking about my break, most of you talk to me or e-mail me, and have already heard how things went. Instead, I'll give you a run-down on the first week of school, and a wonderful time with God this morning. This first week back has been difficult emotionally and spiritually. I am not completely sure why, but for some reason, I have had a reluctance every morning to get out of bed - a dread that somehow this day will not be worth getting into the shower. I have laid in bed, praying sometimes for 10 or 15 minutes, just for the strength to face my day and whatever it would hold. There is no emergency, no blatant cause for my troubles, but I have felt like I don't have the strength or resources to do what I am being asked to do. And because of that, I didn't even want to try. John Mann and some others have been prayer warriors for me all week. Along with praying, they have been constantly reminding me that they are praying, God is in control, and I will make it through this. God has given me strength and blessing each day, but it has been a struggle. I believe it will be one for some time, but this morning in my devotions, I was reminded that God cares about me - not just loves me, but is concerned for me.

When Peter stated that he would never desert his Lord, and Jesus tells him that indeed he will - Jesus tells him that Satan is going to sift them, but Jesus also says, but I have prayerd for you. He prayed also for all his followers when He was in the garden. Now, I know all of these facts, but the concern of God has never been more obvious to me than today. Why do we pray for things - because they are important to us, because we care about them. It was almost as if I could hear God saying to me, "I know you are going to make it, but I am concerned that you don't know this." I can see his forehead crinkle and his eyes soften as He hears my complaints and fears. And his desire to give me a spirit of courage and victory is not because He is sick of me being defeated, it's because His heart hurts when I hurt. He wants me to be victorious for my sake.
Like I said, all of this has been in my head and heart many times before. But something about hurting today and this past week, made God's affection very evident to me.

Now, on to happier matters. I have a new phone number - So call me people! It is 317 498 3935. I have already had some wonderful conversations, and I hope there will be many more to come. Another happy note - last night I was with the youth at Mike Bank's house until around 9:30, then I went to Crystal's until about 10, then I came home and, after talking to Kimber and Colb, I went to bed. I did not wake up until 11 this morning. It felt wonderful, and I guess I needed the rest.