Biology 2

Since I'm in posting mode, I thought I would post something funny that one of my kids said today. Today was the 75th day of school, so I was talking to my first graders about fractions and how we were a quarter of the way to 100. Anyway, one of my students raised her hand and said, "Oh! We learned about that in Biology 2!" Hmm! I was a bit stumped - I barely get to science for teaching them how to read and do math...I'm pretty sure I'm not offering Biology 2 on the side. So I inquired as to where she was taking Biology 2. She told me they were taking it with Ms. Morris, with whom they have a math & computer time. "Ahha, I see," said I, chuckling all the while at the idea of a first grader taking Biology 2.

A West Virginia Thanksgiving

Well, seeing as how it's the last day of November, I thought I should squeak in at least one post besides my silly chocolate one. Last weekend was American Thanksgiving - Time for Family and Feasting. I drove to West Virginia but stopped in Greensboro for a brief visit with my friends the Cetons and the Jacksons. I got to meet the newest member of their family who was absolutely precious! Baby Lydia Ethni Jackson - I love the middle name meaning "for the nations."Then I continued on to West Virginia, where I met up with my Mom and Dad and my brother, Kent. We stayed in one of my mom's cousin's family home on "the mountain." It's kind of funny because when we stay there we always refer to it as "on the mountain" as though that distinguishes it from every other mountain around the place. Anyway, I really enjoyed reconnecting with people that have known us for many years.

It was also quite interesting to be immersed in the "hunting culture." One evening a 15 year old girl came and visited with us and it surprised me how into it she was. Thinking back to my high school days, I can't imagine one of my peers being excited about hunting. She really knew her stuff, though, and had all kinds of interesting stories to tell.

Two different days, the whole family hopped in my brothers truck and drove the hills, stopping at different places to visit with people or reminisce about things my mom remembered from growing up. We stopped at Dove's, this little country store, that we used to go to when we were little. I remember buying Three Musketeers there when I was little. We chatted a while and then bought a little cheese and double dipped peanuts for old time sakes. One night Mom and Kent and I took a walk in the moonlight. It was cold but the moon was so bright as we walked down the road. Kent had his flashlight out looking for deer. We didn't see any but Mom pointed out this incredible hill. When she was young they would go sledding down the hill. Wow! Looked like it would be a lot of fun.

Sunday, I got to share in the Sunday School of one of the churches that have supported our family over the years. It was a real encouragement to be able to give a testimony of how God has been working in my heart calling me to work with Third Culture Kids and to thank them for the part that they have had in praying for us over the years. I realize that this is one of the huge benefits of being a missionary kid and I am so grateful for all the people who prayed for me as I was growing up.

I had to "share" and "run" because of the long drive back to Atlanta. Traffic was a killer. Bumper to bumper in some parts! But I made it home and I'm thankful for another great week with my kids.

An Important Post

"Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate on it!"

After being silent for so long, I thought I should post about something really important. I saw this comment at the end of a mass e-mail and I have to say I'm in total agreement. :)

Tybee Island

Last weekend, my friend Jen and her family invited me to go to Tybee Island, off the coast of Georgia, with them. It was exactly what I needed after a really rough week at school. The weather was gorgeous and sitting by the beach so relaxing. We walked down to the lighthouse and visited the Crab Shack where I ate chicken because I'm weird like that! Sunday, we took another walk where we found a real live sand dollar which was really cool. You aren't supposed to remove them from the beach so we put it back. I wanted to watch it dig itself back into the ground but everyone else thought it would take just a little too long so they buried it in the sand.

Jen & I on the beach at Tybee

Flexibility & Funnies

Teaching requires a great deal of flexibility! Case in point, one of the second grade teachers moved to first grade to cover the vacancy left by one of our departing first grade teachers. Tuesday was her first day on her own, taking charge of the class. Guess what happened to her? First thing that morning, before she had begun to teach classroom routines or anything, the assistant principal walked into her room and sat down to observe her for her annual evaluation. In what other job do you receive your annual evaluation on your first day at work? That's FLEXIBILITY!

Teaching has it's funny moments though. Two weeks ago, one of my boys was so excited when we visited the library. "Miss Botheras," he said, "I'm checking out The Little Mermaid." Last week while preparing for our return to the library, I held up the books in our library box one at a time and the children claimed theirs. When I held up The Little Mermaid he was embarassed to claim it and so he very loudly declared, "Oh, I am never checking out that book again." I could not even stop myself from laughing out loud and I'm still getting a good chuckle out of it. Now, that was FUNNY!

Goggle Girl

This weekend I went to visit my friend Tannie and her family in North Carolina. Just before I left, I almost threw in my camera but decided against it. I am now totally regretting that because Tannie's 3 and a half year old did something totally hilarious and I would totally love to have a visual but I guess I'll just have to stick with the word picture. Holly was working on a Bob the Builder book with a little screw that she could twist in with a screwdriver. It broke and so she was attempting to fix it. She went to her drawer and pulled out her swim goggles and put them on and came back to continue fixing the book. I'm guessing she must have watched her grandpa or dad weld. Right about then we had to leave for a birthday party so Holly took her goggles with her. When we got to the Fun Factory, we piled out of the car and Holly came out with her goggles on. Tannie was such a cool mom at this point. She never said anything to her ... just acted like it might be the most normal thing in the world to wear your goggles into a public place, fully dressed and without a pool in sight. I couldn't keep a smile off my face. I mean, imagine confidently strutting into the equivalent of Chuckie Cheeses wearing your goggles! In a world where we are so influenced by others opinions it was just so cool to see a three & a half year old totally oblivious and being herself. What was even better was watching Tannie, let her have the opportunity to be creative in her own little way and never once giving her the idea that it might not be accepted. So hey, don't let anyone stop you from getting out there and wearing your goggles if you feel like it! :)

Showers of Blessing

At the church I attended when I was little, George Beacham, a missionary, led the singing. It was pretty obvious he loved to sing and one of the choruses he would always lead with great gusto was "Showers of Blessing." Now I'm sure you can imagine missionaries who came from rain starved locations loving this song...

"Showers, showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need.

Mercy drops round us are falling

But for the showers we plead."

Anyway, as I think about the things that have happened in the last couple of months, I feel like standing up and singing this one with great gusto because I do feel like the blessings have been raining down.

Here's one huge reason. Last year was an incredibly difficult year in the classroom for me. I had a group of kids that were extremely challenging. There were days I wondered if I had gone wrong somewhere in the process of setting up my expectations for them because every single day there was something to deal with! This year God has blessed me with an incredible class. They work together. They are kind to one another. They listen when I teach. But they've still got that spark to them that keeps the classroom interesting. It's a joy to get up and go to school every day!

Yesterday, I received another blessing. My church informed me that they will be taking on a significant chunk of my support when I return to Sahel Academy. It is such an incredible encouragement to me to know that they desire to have a part in praying for me and sending me to Niger! At this moment about 27% of the monthly support I need to go has been promised.
Wow! Wow! Wow!

What a faithful God I serve!