Yesterday I had a student who was struggling with love. She kept repeating, "Nobody loves me." Through our conversation I listed people who love her: her dad, her sister, me, her teacher, other staff members... In which she responds, "Yeah, I know the staff loves me... but nobody loves me!" I wanted to ask her why she didn't just go eat worms, but realized it wasn't a good time for a joke.
I quietly prayed for this child and asked for help in how to help her understand she is loved. Then God reminded me of a book I read a long time ago: The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I then explained to her how there are 5 Love Languages and although she doesn't understand the love that is being spoken from certain people they do love her and she just needs to learn their Love Language.
She was quite worked up in her tantrum and wasn't willing to participate in the conversation, but I kept talking. I held up my fist with my thumb sticking out and did my best to remember the 5 Love Languages. I began, "First, there is the Love Language of Quality Time." I explained how the time can be simple things like sitting next to one another or can be a walk or doing errands. Then I held up my pointer finger, "Next, there is Physical Touch." I explained these are good touches and not meant to hurt one another. I pointed out how there is a specific staff member, Mr. A, who will tickle, tap, pull their hair, etc. as he passes by during mealtimes. I explained he doesn't do this to hurt them or bother them, but to say he loves them. I continued by holding up my third and middle finger, "Then, we have Gifts." I explained that gifts can cost money or they can be a gift from the heart. I explained how the little pictures the girls draw for me is speaking the Love Language of Gifts. I held up my ring finger, "Now, we have the Love Language of Words of Affirmation." and explained these are kind words we share to let someone know we love them. They can come in the form of letters and notes to one another or just noticing something nice about them and telling them with our words. Holding up all five fingers, "Last, we have Acts of Service." These are the things we do, I explain: helping do chores, letting others play with our toys, doing favors, etc.
She wasn't responding, but soaking it all in. I asked her what her Love Language was and she didn't respond. I asked if she wanted to hear my Love Language and she nods her head "yes." I tell her I have two Love Languages; Quality Time and Gifts are my two Love Languages. I gave her an assignment this go home weekend to watch her family and to figure out which Love Language they speak. I then made a poster where I listed the Love Languages, gave a definition and some examples and then gave room for her to write in her Love Language as well as the Love Language of others.
This morning during devotions I told them it was Friday, February 13th and asked if they knew what tomorrow was. They responded Saturday, February 14th?!? I asked why February 14th was a special day and they yell, "IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY!!!" Yep, the day of love. The girls then tell me they know about love because it's in the Bible and turn to 1 Corinthians 13 and start reading. I then thought, "Hum, I gave one girl an assignment this weekend. I should give them all an assignment." I ask the girl from yesterday's story to bring her poster to the living room. When she returns we go over each Love Language. Although I asked them if they knew of anyone with that Love Language in which they thought and thought, but didn't respond until I got to Physical Touch. The girl from yesterday responds with, "I know, Mr. A!" The other girls enthusiastically respond, "YEAH HE DOES LOVE US BECAUSE HE PUNCHES US!!!" I then explained that a punch is not always a Love Language, but in the case of Mr. A he doesn't punch them to hurt them. They one says, "Yeah, sometimes he pulls my hair."
During breakfast I tell Mr. A what was said during devotions and he became defensive until other female staff members chime in and say, "No, it's okay, that's your Love Language."
While going through the breakfast line one of the dorm moms was pouring syrup for the kids, a job she doesn't have to do, and I point out how Miss L is showing love by Acts of Service and pouring syrup. My girls then spent the rest of the morning pointing out Love Languages and how others are showing love.
As I'm sharing this story I'm hoping that they will learn to understand Love Languages because their relationships will be so much better off the sooner they can learn love comes in many languages.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Monday, February 2, 2015
Go Fund Me
The following is directly from the Go Fund Me account I've set up:
My name is Alice Anson and I'm serving God in northern Arizona as a dorm parent at a boarding school. I live on a bumpy, dirt road and after being here for over a year and a half my car has felt the effects of this bumpy, dirt road. In addition to the road conditions my 2000 Volkswagon Beetle is also 15 years old.
As you can imagine my car has had some issues - some more serious than others. I've done my best to take care of my car, but as a missonary money is tight. I'm a typical girl when it comes to cars and I don't remember all the correct terms, but I can describe what happened...
When my car started shaking a few weeks ago I prayed and asked God what to do (I have since learned when my car shakes I should have it looked at sooner). When the shaking got worse and was too much to handle and felt as though my car was going to fall apart I pulled into the nearest mechanic (9 miles from the boarding school). When the mechanic took it out for a test drive he immediately brought it back to the shop, jacked the car up and pointed out how the "arm" was ready to break loose and my tire would turn sideways! He told me my car was unsafe to drive. I told him I didn't have the $300 to fix my car and I'd have to bring it back another day. He insisted I didn't drive my car the 9 miles back to campus as the tire was sure to break. I called my family and scrounged the $300 together so I could at least drive my car back to campus.
A few hours later the "arm" was fixed and my car was safe to drive again... until it was driven to ensure it was fixed. The shaking was just as bad and the mechanic took a closer look to see there was another part that would be $700 to fix (unfortuantely at this point I was so overwhelmed I didn't hear the part, but it started with a "p" - I tell ya, I'm a girl when it comes to mechanics). He said my car wasn't completely fixed, but safe enough to drive back to campus. He asked I come back the next day so he could further inspect my car and find the root problem. He explained the $700 part could be the only issue or there could be a half a dozen other issues that were causing the $700 issue. I explained my situation and he said he could lower the price to $500, but couldn't go any lower than that. I thanked him for his generosity, but still explained I didn't have the money.
When I returned the next day so the mechanic could inspect my car. I continued to pray and ask God for help with my car. I can't afford a new car, car payment or even the repairs for this car. I started thinking about not having a car and then realized for my sanity I need to be able to get off campus and go for a drive to clear my mind - let alone the fact it's a lot cheaper to drive than travel by train or fly when I return to California during the summer and Christmas break. I thought about hitching a ride with other staff members, but with opposite schedules as most of the campus getting off campus would be tricky.
When I went back to the mechanic to check on the status of my car (thanks to friends who were available to give me a ride) I noticed my car was being worked on. I began to panic and freak out a bit because I didn't authorize any service - let alone I don't have the money for the repair. The mechanic told me not to worry and showed me another cause to the shaking. He was replacing the upper strut mounts on both sides and when I questioned what it would cost he told me he understands my situation and wasn't going to charge me. He said it wasn't going to fix the problem completely because the $500, orginally $700, part still needed to be replaced, but it wasn't in the dire condition he orginally thought upon the quick inspection the previous day. In other words, the $500 part could wait, but would eventually need to be replaced. He just asked I bring my car in to him to have the other part fixed.
Praise God for answering prayers!
So, long story short I'm here on GoFundMe to raise some money. Here's the idea: I need to raise at least $500 for the repair of the part that is still cauing my car to shake. However, if I'm able to raise enough, through your generosity, for a new-to-me car (I'm guessing a car about 5 years old would be at least $10,000-$15,000 - I haven't done the research because it's so out there at this point, but who knows what God's plan is and what will happen.) I will trade this car in and get a new-to-me car. If I'm unable to raise enough for a new-to-me car, but have more than the cost of the $500 repair the plan is to put the "extra" money in a special savings account so when there is another repair to be done to my current car I'd have the money.
Thank you for your support and being an answer to prayer!
My name is Alice Anson and I'm serving God in northern Arizona as a dorm parent at a boarding school. I live on a bumpy, dirt road and after being here for over a year and a half my car has felt the effects of this bumpy, dirt road. In addition to the road conditions my 2000 Volkswagon Beetle is also 15 years old.
As you can imagine my car has had some issues - some more serious than others. I've done my best to take care of my car, but as a missonary money is tight. I'm a typical girl when it comes to cars and I don't remember all the correct terms, but I can describe what happened...
When my car started shaking a few weeks ago I prayed and asked God what to do (I have since learned when my car shakes I should have it looked at sooner). When the shaking got worse and was too much to handle and felt as though my car was going to fall apart I pulled into the nearest mechanic (9 miles from the boarding school). When the mechanic took it out for a test drive he immediately brought it back to the shop, jacked the car up and pointed out how the "arm" was ready to break loose and my tire would turn sideways! He told me my car was unsafe to drive. I told him I didn't have the $300 to fix my car and I'd have to bring it back another day. He insisted I didn't drive my car the 9 miles back to campus as the tire was sure to break. I called my family and scrounged the $300 together so I could at least drive my car back to campus.
A few hours later the "arm" was fixed and my car was safe to drive again... until it was driven to ensure it was fixed. The shaking was just as bad and the mechanic took a closer look to see there was another part that would be $700 to fix (unfortuantely at this point I was so overwhelmed I didn't hear the part, but it started with a "p" - I tell ya, I'm a girl when it comes to mechanics). He said my car wasn't completely fixed, but safe enough to drive back to campus. He asked I come back the next day so he could further inspect my car and find the root problem. He explained the $700 part could be the only issue or there could be a half a dozen other issues that were causing the $700 issue. I explained my situation and he said he could lower the price to $500, but couldn't go any lower than that. I thanked him for his generosity, but still explained I didn't have the money.
When I returned the next day so the mechanic could inspect my car. I continued to pray and ask God for help with my car. I can't afford a new car, car payment or even the repairs for this car. I started thinking about not having a car and then realized for my sanity I need to be able to get off campus and go for a drive to clear my mind - let alone the fact it's a lot cheaper to drive than travel by train or fly when I return to California during the summer and Christmas break. I thought about hitching a ride with other staff members, but with opposite schedules as most of the campus getting off campus would be tricky.
When I went back to the mechanic to check on the status of my car (thanks to friends who were available to give me a ride) I noticed my car was being worked on. I began to panic and freak out a bit because I didn't authorize any service - let alone I don't have the money for the repair. The mechanic told me not to worry and showed me another cause to the shaking. He was replacing the upper strut mounts on both sides and when I questioned what it would cost he told me he understands my situation and wasn't going to charge me. He said it wasn't going to fix the problem completely because the $500, orginally $700, part still needed to be replaced, but it wasn't in the dire condition he orginally thought upon the quick inspection the previous day. In other words, the $500 part could wait, but would eventually need to be replaced. He just asked I bring my car in to him to have the other part fixed.
Praise God for answering prayers!
So, long story short I'm here on GoFundMe to raise some money. Here's the idea: I need to raise at least $500 for the repair of the part that is still cauing my car to shake. However, if I'm able to raise enough, through your generosity, for a new-to-me car (I'm guessing a car about 5 years old would be at least $10,000-$15,000 - I haven't done the research because it's so out there at this point, but who knows what God's plan is and what will happen.) I will trade this car in and get a new-to-me car. If I'm unable to raise enough for a new-to-me car, but have more than the cost of the $500 repair the plan is to put the "extra" money in a special savings account so when there is another repair to be done to my current car I'd have the money.
Thank you for your support and being an answer to prayer!
You can visit the Go Fund Me site by clicking here.
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