Decisions, Decisions...

I reckon a few months have passed since my previous blog update. I can only apologise because the delay in posting stemmed from my frustratingly incompetent ability to remember passwords for accounts... I tried for weeks to renew my blog account password and I repeatedly got replies stating that they could not verify that it was my account. Reluctantly, I started up another blog but then it wouldn't accept my details either... This is when I was browsing through my old phone, deleting all the content in order to sell it, that I came across my old account, associated with an email address that I had long forgotten, and that fixed everything!! But only after a few days of technical trying and failing on my part... So anyway, back to my wonderful life in Nepal! PS. I wrote the first half about three months ago, so a lot has changed since...

In November 2017, we had an Activity Week in school, during which, I was teaching every day from 8.10 to 11.30 and then I had planning time while the kids went off in all directions around the school learning about how God created them and they are built for a purpose! It was such a great week as God was there in the midst of it, transforming young lives.

The weeks following that were a hard graft, as I was learning lots more professionally once again... Once I get settled into a routine, the topics seem to change, or the planning needs revamped and it feels like there is never a time to rest... Welcome to the life of a teacher I suppose! Consistent apprehension took over as I had to command my class and plan for their academic futures and it definitely sounds easier than it is, trust me! Some teachers at KISC make it look easy, but I know I'm finding my feet and even though I don't enjoy being stretched and challenged in all directions, I know it's going to be worth it when I come out the other side knowing a lot more about teaching, teamwork, administration and my attitude towards work and life in general.

I really need God. Without God, I might've given up (although that's not likely because I always like to finish a job I start), but He has been my source of encouragement ever since I set foot on this continent and His leading hand is still guiding me. I've had a hard time over the last few weeks tackling my first parent/student/teacher conference as a graduated professional but it is something I had no experience of prior to this job. There were a few tears, but I've came through and have a better focus now of why I'm here and what I'm doing for these kids... it helps me immensely to know that people back home and here are praying for me at all different times, constantly.

The title of this blog leads me to this: I have a decision to make. But I've heard that approximately 15,000 educational decisions are made very day inside the mind of a teacher - that's more than four a minute. It's no wonder then, that I find this upcoming decision daunting and overwhelming. I graduated with a degree in Primary Education with a Specialism in Art and Design, so naturally, I aimed to become a Primary School Teacher. This was my goal in life and this is why I'm now here in Nepal with my own class. God brought me here and I believe He does want me to teach this class this year as each child has been a mighty blessing to me and I pray that statement will be true vice versa! But the decision I have to make now is with regards to the next academic year. There is a position open to become the school art teacher at KISC and I feel that a passion strongly lies there for me! I'm getting excited at the thought of teaching youngsters to grasp onto every creative vein flowing through them and to be positive about what they can do through art. I have came across far too many people saying 'I can't draw' and it breaks my heart to see such discouragement, because I truly appreciate everyone's individual artwork and I feel like God is calling me into this role for next year, after I finish teaching Year 2 this year. I would appreciate prayer as I plan for the next step in my career, as I will only do it if God is willing and I want to be in the center of His will. I really can't believe I've achieved what I have since graduating and all thanks and glory goes to God for his marvelous plans working together for our good!

The pastor of the local international church in Kathmandu once said 'we can't see beyond the next decision we make', but I'm so often caught up in the bigger picture and I want to see further and further ahead! I have therefore decided, it is best to take it one step at a time and fully trust God for my future, as He has a plan to prosper me and not to harm me.

Oh, and some news - our school has finally moved sites! It was a very busy process to get everything from the small site all the way to the new site, 7km away, but we succeeded and God has blessed our school abundantly! I can't wait until everything is up and running because working without a projector requires a lot of adaptation!

Now that my blog is up and running again, I will keep you all updated about life in Asia, but for now, know that I will be enjoying my Easter break and finishing the final term teaching in Year 2 before flying home at the start of July and prayerfully returning here to Nepal in early August!

Thank you for reading! Here are some pictures from the past few months...
God bless,
Nikita xo

This was the view from a pit-stop on the way to Pokhara (on our Christmas break), an idyllic lake side town with a view of the Annapurna mountain range. It was a 9hour bus journey so I was glad to get out for a stretch!

The view from the FewaTal (the lake in Pokhara)

I couldn't resist an early morning paragliding session with this landscape to indulge in!

Over Christmas, we all got wrapped up and had some laughs!


The Primary school staff have mini competitions (see who can use their letter in the most words), so it's a great team to be a part of!



The kiddies at work... This was a 'Mixing' investigation in Science!

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