One mini Collage from the Circuit Assembly... My cellphone died before taking a family picture, but here I am with my "sister" and with my brother Ziv. This was on Sunday at the Escondido Assembly Hall.
11.04.2013
Fall Winds
It is November!
I'm glad the weather is changing. I'm looking forward to using sweaters and boots. I don't think the congregation I am currently in has telephone witnessing, but I will ask, since I think it would be a great option for the rainy days to come.
The weekend that just passed was important since we had the Circuit Assembly in the newly remodeled Escondido Assembly Hall. It was the first time my family went, although my mother had gone when she was a child, several years ago. It has been remodeled into a very modern building and looks beautiful. I noticed it is also smaller in comparison to the Norco and Mira Loma Assembly Halls. The theme of the Circuit Assembly this service year is "God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching". I appreciated the powerful and straightforward talks that brother Melendez, the District Overseer, presented. The symposiums were also encouraging and gave us tips on how to teach and how to imitate Jehovah's qualities. My mom and I both helped with the ATM machines during 45 minutes each day. But, on Sunday, I was able to help out again after the session was over. It was a first for both of us, and at first seemed daunting, but we realized it was actually a pretty simple task. Ziv and my dad were assigned in the Parking Department, which Jeremy Cash was supervising. I think it was something special to see all of my family helping out in one way or another.
I felt different during this Assembly. Last year, during the Circuit Assembly in Ecuador, I felt similarly. I tried to assimilate why I was feeling strange, and I came to a conclusion. Both assemblies were the first times I attended a Circuit Assembly for that particular circuit. Since I still haven't been able to know a large number of brothers or sisters in the circuit, I don't have many to talk to. I also have come to realize that not all youth think like I do, and take an initiative in getting to know me. The time this happened in Ecuador I felt worse but this past weekend was easier. I made an effort to talk to those sitting around me. I also spoke during lunch time to an older sister named Esmeralda who has been in Escondido for years and years. She didn't mention how many years, but she did say she began when there were only 45 publishers. Talking with her about her service experience and the journey she's had all these years made me feel great. She told me that she was able to conduct several studies while being illiterate and that now she can read and write somewhat. She encouraged me to give Jehovah my youth and also quoted Ecclesiastes 12:1. Since I have had to make some changes in my service to Jehovah temporarily, I thought that talking with her was very refreshing and encouraging. Just what I needed. On Sunday, I also spoke to other families who are in the San Diego area. One family I spoke with was from Quito and they were beyond friendly, inviting us to their house, to their meetings, to their house in Quito and to service. I also spoke to another family, the Marquez' from the Alturas congregation. The brother had come to give a talk in our congregation several weeks ago and when they saw us they also invited us to their home. This is something my family and I love. We find it to be a great exchange of encouragement to talk to others about our time in Ecuador and Mexico. I miss sharing that with others.
Now, a week ago my mom, brother and I went to visit my grandparents and aunt and uncle in Pomona. I hadn't seen them in over 2 months, and being the only other JW's in our family, they are very loved. But, the reason why we went this last week was also because my grandfather was hospitalized. He had severe pneumonia and was receiving medication, plus getting breathing exercises. About three days later my grandmother felt terribly sick and was in bed for one day. She felt severe cramping and sharp pains in her abdomen. She went to the doctor the next morning and it was all due to her intestines. She has two different disorders that are now in their chronic stages. It is a very painful sickness and if she doesn't get better using natural remedies, she will need surgery. I feel so sad about that. My dads mom is also ill, and this past week she received news that her heart is sick. She also needs to undergo an operation, but is feeling very negative about it all. I feel worse for her because she doesn't know about Jehovah so she is more desperate and less hopeful.
My family was also able to finally get a car. Now my dad can drive to work without having to borrow a vehicle. We were able to ride to the Assembly with it! I am really glad that we have friends who have shared so much with us. They have been very generous and patient. With this goal achieved, having a car, we can now move on to another family goal. We have to go to Mexico and live there, so my dad can just cross the border to work, and we can start saving. I also wouldn't mind having my own room and being able to get around on my own. If we are in Playas or in Rosarito, I can use the bus, ride a bike or taxi to get out in service. I would also like to work and that can be a possibility there, online or I can cross the border with my dad.
I am doing very well with my TESOL course. I am almost done with my first certification program. Im excited to finish and be able to work online. I still have two more courses to go through. TESOL for Business and Advanced TESOL. I pray to Jehovah to help me be patient with my life, my family and my goals. Things take time.
Well, I need to go out in service. I miss my routine and active schedule. I miss service!!!
Have a good month!
I'm glad the weather is changing. I'm looking forward to using sweaters and boots. I don't think the congregation I am currently in has telephone witnessing, but I will ask, since I think it would be a great option for the rainy days to come.
The weekend that just passed was important since we had the Circuit Assembly in the newly remodeled Escondido Assembly Hall. It was the first time my family went, although my mother had gone when she was a child, several years ago. It has been remodeled into a very modern building and looks beautiful. I noticed it is also smaller in comparison to the Norco and Mira Loma Assembly Halls. The theme of the Circuit Assembly this service year is "God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching". I appreciated the powerful and straightforward talks that brother Melendez, the District Overseer, presented. The symposiums were also encouraging and gave us tips on how to teach and how to imitate Jehovah's qualities. My mom and I both helped with the ATM machines during 45 minutes each day. But, on Sunday, I was able to help out again after the session was over. It was a first for both of us, and at first seemed daunting, but we realized it was actually a pretty simple task. Ziv and my dad were assigned in the Parking Department, which Jeremy Cash was supervising. I think it was something special to see all of my family helping out in one way or another.
I felt different during this Assembly. Last year, during the Circuit Assembly in Ecuador, I felt similarly. I tried to assimilate why I was feeling strange, and I came to a conclusion. Both assemblies were the first times I attended a Circuit Assembly for that particular circuit. Since I still haven't been able to know a large number of brothers or sisters in the circuit, I don't have many to talk to. I also have come to realize that not all youth think like I do, and take an initiative in getting to know me. The time this happened in Ecuador I felt worse but this past weekend was easier. I made an effort to talk to those sitting around me. I also spoke during lunch time to an older sister named Esmeralda who has been in Escondido for years and years. She didn't mention how many years, but she did say she began when there were only 45 publishers. Talking with her about her service experience and the journey she's had all these years made me feel great. She told me that she was able to conduct several studies while being illiterate and that now she can read and write somewhat. She encouraged me to give Jehovah my youth and also quoted Ecclesiastes 12:1. Since I have had to make some changes in my service to Jehovah temporarily, I thought that talking with her was very refreshing and encouraging. Just what I needed. On Sunday, I also spoke to other families who are in the San Diego area. One family I spoke with was from Quito and they were beyond friendly, inviting us to their house, to their meetings, to their house in Quito and to service. I also spoke to another family, the Marquez' from the Alturas congregation. The brother had come to give a talk in our congregation several weeks ago and when they saw us they also invited us to their home. This is something my family and I love. We find it to be a great exchange of encouragement to talk to others about our time in Ecuador and Mexico. I miss sharing that with others.
Now, a week ago my mom, brother and I went to visit my grandparents and aunt and uncle in Pomona. I hadn't seen them in over 2 months, and being the only other JW's in our family, they are very loved. But, the reason why we went this last week was also because my grandfather was hospitalized. He had severe pneumonia and was receiving medication, plus getting breathing exercises. About three days later my grandmother felt terribly sick and was in bed for one day. She felt severe cramping and sharp pains in her abdomen. She went to the doctor the next morning and it was all due to her intestines. She has two different disorders that are now in their chronic stages. It is a very painful sickness and if she doesn't get better using natural remedies, she will need surgery. I feel so sad about that. My dads mom is also ill, and this past week she received news that her heart is sick. She also needs to undergo an operation, but is feeling very negative about it all. I feel worse for her because she doesn't know about Jehovah so she is more desperate and less hopeful.
My family was also able to finally get a car. Now my dad can drive to work without having to borrow a vehicle. We were able to ride to the Assembly with it! I am really glad that we have friends who have shared so much with us. They have been very generous and patient. With this goal achieved, having a car, we can now move on to another family goal. We have to go to Mexico and live there, so my dad can just cross the border to work, and we can start saving. I also wouldn't mind having my own room and being able to get around on my own. If we are in Playas or in Rosarito, I can use the bus, ride a bike or taxi to get out in service. I would also like to work and that can be a possibility there, online or I can cross the border with my dad.
I am doing very well with my TESOL course. I am almost done with my first certification program. Im excited to finish and be able to work online. I still have two more courses to go through. TESOL for Business and Advanced TESOL. I pray to Jehovah to help me be patient with my life, my family and my goals. Things take time.
Well, I need to go out in service. I miss my routine and active schedule. I miss service!!!
Have a good month!
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