Pumpkins and Spice

Between making pumpkin pie and carving pumpkins we are feeling the fall spirit! The Sonntag family and I had fun carving pumpkins the other night. It was fun to see all the different faces on each one. My pumpkin (happy jack) is pictured above. :)

Colorado Beauty

I am truly living in one of the most beautiful states in the US right now! After pulling an all nighter and packing till 2:30am (with some help from a friend), I said goodbye to home and started off on a new adventure! My bag ended up weighing 49lbs. - not including my 20lbs carryon and laptop. It was hard leaving when your dad is getting all tearie-eyed before you leave. The flight was good, even though I looked like an Eskimo wearing all my winter gear around the airport. That was only because those were my heaviest items and didn't fit in my luggage bag - but were necessary. My aunt, Carol, and three cousins picked me up at the Denver airport. It was a two hour drive and on the way back we drove through the rugged desert, snowy mountains, and rainy hills. The elevation in Eagle, CO, (which is where I am living), is 6600 feet. There is nothing like waking up and seeing the sunrise over the mountains. I feel so blessed right now. Not sure if I'll move back to MN. Right now I am living with my aunt and uncle with their three kids as the adopted older sister. This is a new adventure and I am super excited! I'm also looking forward to when all my dear MN friends come and visit. I love and miss you all!

Twin Cities Marathon

This was my second and last marathon this year. I woke up at 6am after a night of no sleep at my sisters loud dorm room. My adrenaline was already rushing and I got ready, put some mascara on (because I wanted to look pretty if I died), and headed off in the cold. I didn't eat anything, which was probably stupid. There were over 11,500 people at the starting line. Suddenly we were off running through the streets of downtown Minneapolis next to the dome. My mom was running it as well, but we both have different paces and thus I lost her at mile 1. While I was running I listened to some amazing music on my ipod. However, there was also many bands that played along the run. There were so many people cheering on the runners along the race. A friend of mine was able to take my long t-shirt from later when I finally warmed up. The whole time running I was thinking: "Why the heck am I running this again?!?!" I laughed at the person holding the sign saying "YOU'RE ALL CRAZY!!!"
I kept chanting, "I hate running, I hate running, etc..." I hit the wall at mile 18 and looked down at my shoes and nearly blacked out - my right foot had blood soaking through the shoe! Okay, well I guess that's why my foot hurt a lot. Just keep running I told myself. I was ready to quit at mile 23 and no longer cared about beating my last time. Suddenly I see my good friend Lizzy, who encouraged and ran with me the last 2 miles. It was a glorious sight when the capitol was in view!
After sprinting the last hundred yards, I completed my goal and finished at 4 hours and 30 mins. My mom wasn't too far behind and finished at 4 hours and 47 mins. I was dead afterwards and hungry! People asked me, "So why did you run 26.2 miles again?" Well, because I could! You also have to be a little crazy. One of the things that keeps me running is having a passion, (not for running), but something that keeps a person running till there feet bleed.
No one ever tells you about the pain after the race. My feet were shot. I wrapped them in horse vetrap and then my mom soaked them in salt water, coconut oil, and iodine. Yeah, I admit it might have been easier to just chop off the foot. (It sounded like that anyways.) After limping around like a 70yr old for several days, I think I'll survive. NEVER AGAIN! This was my second and last marathon!

Leaving on a Jetplane

Be not dismayed whate'er betide,

 God will take care of you; 
 beneath his wings of love abide, 
 God will take care of you.

 God will take care of you, 
 through every day, o'er all the way; 
 he will take care of you, 
 God will take care of you.

I have had many farewells to my many new friends. However, it didn't hit me that I was leaving till I said goodbye to the kids at CSC. Yup, broke down crying. I will never forget them singing "God Will Take Care of You" or running to give me a group hug!
Although I have packed up my life in Cebu, a part of my heart is still there... This was truly the best summer of my life. God works in mighty ways. I was never for missions, especially overseas, but the power of Love is far greater than my self will. Looking over the past year, I am grateful for God showing me how precious life is. I will continue to live me life to it's fullest and not look back! He has brought me so far this last year.
The college girls at ETCP also had a farewell party and sang "Friends are Friends Forever." I have many notes that I am looking forward to reading on my long flight back to the USA. I will miss all the children calling out: "Teacher Stephanie!" :)
I will miss all my new friends! Teacher Michelle and Teacher Tammy - you gals are awesome! So many good memories!

"Goodbyes are not forever,
Goodbyes are not the end,
The simply mean I'll miss you,
Until we meet again..."

Don't Let Me Go...

The time has flown by way too fast! It has been a busy last couple of days! Some of the first year college students invited me for an outing at a resort.
Singing some karaoke "Leaving on a Jetplane." I can check this off my list to do this summer.
Also some practice shooting. This would fall under the category: Missionary Training.
Then we went swimming and ate a whole bunch of filipino food;which included rice, fish and pig fat.
This was the wrestling match with Uncle Paul and the 3 midgets. It was the CSC kids reward for reading a certain amount of books.
The girls at bible club celebrated my 21st birthday with some chocolate cake! :D
I have had many farewell parties with many dear friends who I am going to miss tons!
These are all the teachers at ETCP. They had a farewell party for me. It is truely amazing on how God used me in these 2 months. I hate to leave, but I plan on returning. :)

Finishing up Teaching

It has been quite the experience teaching in Cebu. Not only am I a new teacher, but this is a totally different culture. This is my grade 3 class for music theory. We have worked mainly on rhythm and counting, along with notes, time signatures and ostinato.
This is chapel hour for the kindergarden class. We have been going over the wordless book and the story of salvation.
The children love to do group hugs! (until you almost lose your balance. )
This is my amazing cebuano language teacher Anita Panita. I would have private lessons with her once a week. My cebuano has improved a lot and I was told I have an accent.
Some of my piano students from Naga village. I've had them as students since week one!
The girls dorm at ETCP college. I was invited to lead devotions and then spend the night. However, I did not realize they woke up at 4:30am. ha. It was a good experience though, and I brought American candy too (jellybellys). They loved them!
My grade 4 music theory class. For some of the classes we would work on just listening to the rhythm (and teacher). By the end they usually could clap rhythms in 2/4, 3/4 , and 4/4 time signature.

Counting the Days...

This is my last week teaching, my 2 months are almost up. Please pray for me as I get prepared to go back home. I am really torn about leaving - part of my heart will always be here. I fell in love with Cebu. Already planning my next trip out here.