I had a great Lenten Season leading up to Easter. This time of year always is a great opportunity for me to think introspectively and contemplate where I am in my life and to make sure I'm on the right track. Growing up, we were always told that giving up something for Lent (be it candy, television, or video games) helped us to build discipline...but more so than that, I was also taught that "doing more" during the Lenten season not only helps build discipline and character, but also just makes you feel..."good", all while helping out others!
Thanks to a little light nudging from my Uncle, I volunteered to do something that I've never done before...but something that everyone here thinks I'm a natural at -- teaching English. Now I don't mind correcting someones English during a casual conversation but actually teaching conversational and written English is certainly not my forte. Especially due to the fact I can't even remember how to properly diagram a sentence...I'm lucky just to know the differences between adverbs and adjectives--sorry Mrs. D:(
Does anyone remember this stuff?...
At any rate, the decision to teach English has turned out to be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. All of my students are female and their ages range from late teens to early 80's! Now before your mind starts thinking crazy thoughts (how dare you:)...let me tell you that I'm teaching in a convent, more specifically at the Poor Clares Monastery, a Franciscan Order,...it's about a 20 minute walk from my house.
The Sisters are "contemplatives" which means that the whole purpose of their monastic life is to pray, that is their primary function. They will stay at this one particular monastery their entire life. It is an enclosed community which means that the nuns seldom are allowed to leave the monastery grounds and only have occasional visitors (i.e., priests, other religious persons, and family). They live off the land and have gardens full of greens and tropical fruit. I get a serving of fresh fruit for every class...yhumm!
I feel honored and truly blessed to be able to interact with them on a weekly basis. I teach for about 3 hours every Sunday afternoon. They are a very fun and enthusiastic group to be around. Their main reasons for learning English are to be able to entertain and interact with missionaries and priests from around the world that come to visit them. Our conversations are always lively because it's one of the rare times during the week that they are able to interact with anyone. Even during the week they spend most of their time secluded in meditation and prayer.
I now find myself spending more time online (in between following the Buckeyes and updating my Facebook profile) looking for interesting English-language studying techniques. I am now also tutoring my cousins and their friend in English as well. We meet weekdays after I get home from work. I try to change things up a bit in class so for one of our classes I asked my cousins if they wanted to learn lyrics to any song. They chose "How Deep is Your Love" by the Bee Gees..hahaha! That was certainly a fun class. I don't think this will be part of my lesson plan for the Sisters! At least not the song anyways;-)
Sorry that this post lacks any pictures to show. First, my digital camera's LCD screen has seen its last days (PayPal donations will be accepted!:) and secondly I'll need to ask the Sisters for permission to take a photo of our class next time.
That's about all for now....I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes by Robert Flatt that is applicable for the Easter Season: "The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances."
God Bless!
