Staff Retreat

And retreat we did. The ICSB staff retreated to Lake Balaton, which is about 2 hours away from Diosd, the home of our school. We left right after school on Thursday and stayed through Saturday afternoon. (The students had no school Friday!!)

Last year, the staff spent much of the retreat working...working to get accreditation from Association of Christian Schools International. From what I heard, it wasn't much of a retreat last year. This year, in retaliation, relaxation was the theme. Due to some confusion, our retreat got moved from the annual location of dorms at a college to a spa/resort type place. This last minute change was a blessing!

Kehida Thermal Baths has many different indoor and outdoor pools, some heated, some not. The staff all took advantage of the naturally heated pools and the fun slide! When we weren't swimming, we enjoyed worshipping together. My heart was so blessed and refreshed to be sharing in the Lord's presence with my fellow co-workers. It is so nice to not just be "working" with these people, but to be living in faith with them. They are my family. We sung in English, and Hungarian to include all members of ICSB staff.

Also, we got to hear messages from a local church pastor. He spoke about Redemptive Ministry. Specifically, we looked at Joseph's story in Genesis 27-45. He packed a lot in! One of the main things I took away was in regards to those times when we are struggling. He suggested that where we are struggling and feeling down spiritually, that is the most opportune time to be sharing God's love with others. I am challenging myself to really reach out to my students even when I might not feel like it. I don't want their faiths to hurt just because mine might be. The pastor also focused on the fact that it took 13 years for Joseph's identity to be revealed to his father. He asked us, "How long will you give God?"

The retreat was a great time of fellowship with each other and God. Now, it is back to school!!

School has started to settle into a routine. I have my regular classes which are fun, but bring challenges. I have been specifically challenged with two middle school boys who speak practically no English. I am searching for ways to communicate with them without either of us getting too frustrated. Luckily, there is a great ELL program to help me. I have enjoyed spending time with an independent study studeent. This 6th grader is very special to me. Also, I have started giving private art lessons to a high school girl after school who could not fit art into her schedule. This opportunity is very important to me, as I hope to use this time not just to learn how to draw, but to learn to draw on God. Outside of my art room, I am going to be helping in the library, subbing for classes, and helping paint sets for the middle school musical. I am also looking into getting Hungarian tutoring lessons.

It sounds like I am busy, and I am, but really each day at the school seems like a retreat to me. I have been challenged yet refreshed by my new friends at ICSB.