So the carnival came and went and was a success.
Anne Denny ran the thing, and signed me up for the hockey booth. Very appropriate for a girl from the Detroit area. I got to work on my slapshot all night. It was fun, the only sport I could actually help the kids with, so it worked out very well. It was really neat because I got to meet some of the kids from the neighborhood who don't go to Immanuel Mission School, and some who may be my students next year!
The next day I went with some friends to a place called Canyon de Chelle (pronounced shay) or Rock Canyon. It has cliff dwelling ruins, including one called "White House", and we hiked down 1.5 miles and then back up to see them. I got a lot of amazing pictures that I will try and post, once I figure out how to upload them and all.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Mel
Friday, February 16, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Sometimes you feel like a ......
Nut! I almost always do!
That is not really the topice for today's blog, I just had that in my head.
So, I am down to 7 kids now in my class, and they are for the most part well behaved, for kindergarteners and we are starting to learn how each other work. I think I am beginning to get the hang of some things, but I still worry if I am teaching them what they need to know for first grade and is it sinking in! We are so behind in math, but then sometimes we aren't and I skip lessons 'cause they already know that! So, I can only really say that things are going. We are working on putting letter sounds to letters in a word, and writing a letter when they hear a sound. I have found some things that they like, and found that when I just let them play a little more, things in the lessons often go quicker! Go figure!!
One of my kids who had been a major discipline problem is doing so much better!! Praise the Lord!! He really is a sweet little guy and just gets over excited about thing and wants to hit alot, but he is really doing well now!! I know this is also the Lord granting me patience to get through to him, before I lose my cool!
Pray for me and my kids as we seem to be the sickies in the school. I have been sick at least once a month since September it seems, sometimes twice, and almost always have someone in my class staying inside for recess because they are sick! The germs abound and we have regular group hand sanitizer sessions! But, on the upside, no one got the chicken pox.
Here comes the carnival! Friday is the annual school carnival and I might be doing face painting! How did that happen? I don't know how that will work, but I will let you know
Spring Break is coming up in March and I am heading to Kansas and St. Louis with the Blooms. Hurray!
Hope every one is doing well and enjoyed this little update. See you later!
That is not really the topice for today's blog, I just had that in my head.
So, I am down to 7 kids now in my class, and they are for the most part well behaved, for kindergarteners and we are starting to learn how each other work. I think I am beginning to get the hang of some things, but I still worry if I am teaching them what they need to know for first grade and is it sinking in! We are so behind in math, but then sometimes we aren't and I skip lessons 'cause they already know that! So, I can only really say that things are going. We are working on putting letter sounds to letters in a word, and writing a letter when they hear a sound. I have found some things that they like, and found that when I just let them play a little more, things in the lessons often go quicker! Go figure!!
One of my kids who had been a major discipline problem is doing so much better!! Praise the Lord!! He really is a sweet little guy and just gets over excited about thing and wants to hit alot, but he is really doing well now!! I know this is also the Lord granting me patience to get through to him, before I lose my cool!
Pray for me and my kids as we seem to be the sickies in the school. I have been sick at least once a month since September it seems, sometimes twice, and almost always have someone in my class staying inside for recess because they are sick! The germs abound and we have regular group hand sanitizer sessions! But, on the upside, no one got the chicken pox.
Here comes the carnival! Friday is the annual school carnival and I might be doing face painting! How did that happen? I don't know how that will work, but I will let you know
Spring Break is coming up in March and I am heading to Kansas and St. Louis with the Blooms. Hurray!
Hope every one is doing well and enjoyed this little update. See you later!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Here I am, back again with my kids! Sounds like everyone had a great break, and they are getting back into the swing of things. I was a little worried that thy would have forgotten everything! But they seem to remember most things and some are even doing better in some areas!
Our classroom is rearranged and seems to work for the kids, so far at least. We have a group here from Cedarville University, and they are going to do Bible Club for the kids all week. They have been spending lots of time with the kids and are doing a great job. This afternoon they did a puppet show and songs and games.
This weeks memory verse is Romans 3:23, and I had my kids write it out. They did great. Some are still working at where on the page to put the letters and some you can barely read, but you can tell that they get the general idea. I do have one little guy that I can only get to trace things, so please pray that I might be able to figure out away to help him.
Hope everyone had a great holiday and have a Happy New Year.
Mel
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Merry Christmas from the Mission!!!
As Thanksgiving came rushing at me, I found so many things to be thankful for! The time has truly flown by and it is hard to believe the school year is almost half over. In the past five months, I have seen so much of the Lord: His comfort and kindness, His generosity and provision in every need, His love for every person. As dry as the land may be here, the Lord will not leave His people thirsty for His love!
As the school days have passed, I have seen the kids in my class begin to grasp the things I have tried to teach them. They are beginning to understand what letters make what sounds, which numbers are which, and what that thing with four corners is. They are beginning to enjoy each other and understand how they can interact with one another. They are starting to love reading! Although this is my first year and I know that perhaps we have not gotten as far along as the average Kindergarten class, the Lord is showing me how to teach them and letting me know in little ways that they are learning! That is so exciting to me. They are also beginning to understand about the Lord. Some still answer "Jesus" when I ask who was lead through the Red Sea, but they are beginning to understand some things about the gospel. One of my students, Shane told me the other day " Jesus died for us, huh teacher?" I see the most understanding in students like Shane, whose parents are believers, so I am reminded that I am not the only one the Lord is using to bring these kids to know Him. I am only a small part in His plan.
Please pray that most of all I will be able to show them His love and tell them of Him on a level that they can understand. I am learning what a huge responsibility it is to teach children. I can only pray the Lord gives me the strength and wisdom to do it well. I am very slowly getting to know some of the people in the area, especially the believers, but have had contact with non believers also. Some come to use the phone and sell their hand goods, and I can get to know them better. I had my first family to dinner the other day. They came to use the phone and I was making dinner so I invited them to stay. This family is rather special to me. One of the boys was originally in my class, but Sam was really not ready for Kindergarten. We knew at the beginning he might be too young, and had to decide if maybe he should wait. What a big one for someone so new! I was fearful that they would resent me and that the relationship might be damaged as I had been able to spend time with his mother, Annie. I hope I made the decision that best benefits all concerned. And it seems they have not hardened toward me, so I am hopeful that I will still get to minister to this family. As we approach the holidays, many of the staff are truly looking forward to the break. The staff has been stretched thin this year, with few teachers and bus drivers, and no maintenance man; they are feeling the strain. Everyone has been doing an excellent job, taking different or additional classes, but most would dearly love having more teachers come. Please pray that the Lord will send more workers in His time. We have heard from many for next year and are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will provide. One thing I am learning slowly is what the Lord requires of me. The Lord has graciously supplied my needs, both financially, emotionally, spiritually, and my needs as a teacher, showing me what to do. But I have to give much more than I realized. I was aware of the physical things I would need to give up to come here, the family and friends that I wouldn't see. I was not aware of how much of myself I would need to give and how much I needed to grow in my dependence on Him. It was an easy thing to say I believe, that I know He supplies every need and that I will rely on Him and serve Him with my whole heart. I am learning how much it takes to actually put this into practice. I am learning that He wants all of me, and how hard that is to give. But as the Lord shows me, I am reminded of how faithful He is! He never lets me down. He is truly a good God, who has sent all of the workers out here because He loves these people, because He sent His Son for their sakes as much as for ours! Please continue to pray that we would be a light here, so that they might see that love for themselves and truly believe on Him. In the school, many will say they believe, but not live it. Please pray that we might be able to disciple the people here, that they might grow to know Him as their Lord, as well as their Savior. I thank all of you for your continued prayers and support! I am looking forward to spending a few days with my family in Michigan for the holidays. I hope that you also will enjoy the Christmas season and that you will remember with joy and thanksgiving the gift that God gave by sending His only begotten Son to be our Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
In His Name,
Mel
As the school days have passed, I have seen the kids in my class begin to grasp the things I have tried to teach them. They are beginning to understand what letters make what sounds, which numbers are which, and what that thing with four corners is. They are beginning to enjoy each other and understand how they can interact with one another. They are starting to love reading! Although this is my first year and I know that perhaps we have not gotten as far along as the average Kindergarten class, the Lord is showing me how to teach them and letting me know in little ways that they are learning! That is so exciting to me. They are also beginning to understand about the Lord. Some still answer "Jesus" when I ask who was lead through the Red Sea, but they are beginning to understand some things about the gospel. One of my students, Shane told me the other day " Jesus died for us, huh teacher?" I see the most understanding in students like Shane, whose parents are believers, so I am reminded that I am not the only one the Lord is using to bring these kids to know Him. I am only a small part in His plan.
Please pray that most of all I will be able to show them His love and tell them of Him on a level that they can understand. I am learning what a huge responsibility it is to teach children. I can only pray the Lord gives me the strength and wisdom to do it well. I am very slowly getting to know some of the people in the area, especially the believers, but have had contact with non believers also. Some come to use the phone and sell their hand goods, and I can get to know them better. I had my first family to dinner the other day. They came to use the phone and I was making dinner so I invited them to stay. This family is rather special to me. One of the boys was originally in my class, but Sam was really not ready for Kindergarten. We knew at the beginning he might be too young, and had to decide if maybe he should wait. What a big one for someone so new! I was fearful that they would resent me and that the relationship might be damaged as I had been able to spend time with his mother, Annie. I hope I made the decision that best benefits all concerned. And it seems they have not hardened toward me, so I am hopeful that I will still get to minister to this family. As we approach the holidays, many of the staff are truly looking forward to the break. The staff has been stretched thin this year, with few teachers and bus drivers, and no maintenance man; they are feeling the strain. Everyone has been doing an excellent job, taking different or additional classes, but most would dearly love having more teachers come. Please pray that the Lord will send more workers in His time. We have heard from many for next year and are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will provide. One thing I am learning slowly is what the Lord requires of me. The Lord has graciously supplied my needs, both financially, emotionally, spiritually, and my needs as a teacher, showing me what to do. But I have to give much more than I realized. I was aware of the physical things I would need to give up to come here, the family and friends that I wouldn't see. I was not aware of how much of myself I would need to give and how much I needed to grow in my dependence on Him. It was an easy thing to say I believe, that I know He supplies every need and that I will rely on Him and serve Him with my whole heart. I am learning how much it takes to actually put this into practice. I am learning that He wants all of me, and how hard that is to give. But as the Lord shows me, I am reminded of how faithful He is! He never lets me down. He is truly a good God, who has sent all of the workers out here because He loves these people, because He sent His Son for their sakes as much as for ours! Please continue to pray that we would be a light here, so that they might see that love for themselves and truly believe on Him. In the school, many will say they believe, but not live it. Please pray that we might be able to disciple the people here, that they might grow to know Him as their Lord, as well as their Savior. I thank all of you for your continued prayers and support! I am looking forward to spending a few days with my family in Michigan for the holidays. I hope that you also will enjoy the Christmas season and that you will remember with joy and thanksgiving the gift that God gave by sending His only begotten Son to be our Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
In His Name,
Mel
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