Hi everyone!
I apologize to those of you who have been wondering whether I fell off the face of the earth or not. I guess I don't have any real excuse except to say that I've just been busy with grades and lacking in extra energy to type long emails. BUT, here goes.
Tomorrow marks the end of our first quarter here at school. I can't believe it! Three more to go... Sounds so crazy. Things have been going pretty well with my kids. This week I've been rather tired, so it gets irritating when they jump out of their seats to just wander about the room, or talk to their neighbor, or "forget" to do or even hand in an assignment. Last week was wonderful though, and I know that's just how it's going to be--up and down, up and down. I really did enjoy them especially last week though. Seems like we were all in a fun-loving mood, I had some good activities for them to do, and wasn't so strict with my lesson plans when something came up. They actually roped me into story hour one afternoon at the end of the day when we were supposed to be doing our Reading. They just love to hear stories, and the funnier or juicier the better. So I got all sorts of questions about my childhood, which I could handle, but then they started asking about first dates and first kisses and such and I didn't quite know what to say about that! But wow were they riled up. So we had a good time, and I did finally squeeze their quiz in that they were supposed to have, and just left it at that. I also had them decorate the classroom and such, which they thoroughly enjoyed. I put a couple of "fall" type pictures up in the room, so I'd have some memories of the real weather back home. Mom and Dad have been telling me about the 60's weather in TN and I was intensely jealous as I walked back to my apartment this evening after a sweltering day in the classroom and the sun scorching my back. I immediately washed my face and made a nice cold smoothie. Felt much better after that. It's amazing what a good cold drink can do! I live off of them. We buy little juice packs and stuff them in the freezer to eat after school or in the evening. They're amazing.
Church offices have been delegated as of last weekend. I signed up for special music coordinator and song leader, and I guess I was volunteered to help with the youth sabbath school as well. I swear I don't know what these people do without us here. I've heard that the church here in Kolonia is pretty much nonfunctional in the summer between the coming and going of SM's. That's sad. I like to go over to the Kitti Church whenever possible as well, though it's a little bit of a drive to get there. It's a friendlier environment I think, and it's cooler in there too! Last week we went and ate at a church member's house afterwards, and this week we've been invited by another church member, so I want to go again and visit with them.
Tomorrow we're having a class party, and I'm pretty excited, because that means a nice break for me. It's our 9 weeks/October birthdays party. They have a Math and Spelling test to do first, but after that they're going to eat eat eat and watch a movie. I have to make a cake tonight, and I'm bringing them the popcorn too. Plus I have to get grades out, so it's going to be a long night of grading backwork and baking. Andrew and I are going to start visiting our student's families and going to houses. I'm excited, but nervous too. I just don't really know what to expect! We've had a couple of parents already excited to have us and wanting to arrange a time. But when I announced it to the students some were NOT so excited to have us come visit. I'm not sure if it's just that they don't want us to come (because we're the teachers) or because they don't want us to see their house... Either way, we're going to get there sometime if we can help it.
This last weekend was pretty uneventful, but restful, as all weekends are. We went to a waterfall Sabbath afternoon--it was a pretty long way away, but it was nice to ride in the truck with the wind and then swim in the nice cold water. We almost had a major accident on the way in though. We were sliding down the side of this hill (and I do mean sliding) to get to the waterfall, when someone up above me accidentally kicked a rather large stone loose that came tumbling down the side of the hill. It hit Albert in the side and gashed it open a little bit, even through his shirt, and then I looked up just as it came flying at me. Luckily it only hit me in the side of my leg, then bounced off a root and off the path--just missing Kristen's head. It scraped my leg up pretty good, though it didn't really hurt when it happened. It's healing now, and hopefully it won't get infected. That's always the biggest worry with cuts and scrapes of any kind here. It seems like they get infected a lot easier than they do in the states. I haven't been sick as of lately, but being around so many kids makes it harder to stay healthy I think! I'm hoping to be sickness free atleast until Thanksgiving or Christmas! Maybe I'll get lucky and it will be longer. Not counting on it though. Sunday morning a bunch of us piled into the little beat up white truck and drove out to The Village (a wonderful restaurant/hotel place) to eat brunch. It was delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Getting to drink a glass of orange juice and eat french toast or pancakes with fruit is a savored and infrequent occasion here. I wish I could get there more often! I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't come here to eat just American food all the time again, but to expand my horizens and try new things, so we only go on occasion.
I think the bugs have hit their season here lately, because I've all of the sudden become their buffet. I can't remember the last time I've had so many bug bites on my legs! Last night I sprayed insect repellant around my bed and the walls to ward off any further bites while I was sleeping. :O) Not sure if it worked, but it made me feel better nonetheless!
All of us have been trying to plan our Christmas travels lately. Many people were planning on going to Bali, but I guess that is not going to be an option anymore with the terrorist attacks and shootings and bombings. I had decided to save my money and stay in Guam, and I'm glad for that now. Hopefully I'll get to take a scuba class while I'm there and then be able to scuba dive on the islands we stop at on the way home, if not here as well. Can't believe we're that close to Christmas though! Halfway through October--almost November! Thanksgiving, then Christmas! Wow. Next week we are giving out report cards on thursday and friday and meeting with the parents. So we will have a nice break with those two days off from school, and then we get to go camping. Can't wait! Though I'm not sure where we are going yet.
We are still going to the village of Kapinga on Wednesday nights to sing with the kids and sit for the Bible study with the adults. We pass out vitamins and patch up the kids after the meeting, which I enjoy doing. And by the way, all of you who contributed to the medical supplies I recieved here THANK YOU! I have entirely too much now I think. But we'll find a good use for it I am certain. We've got a long way to go. Those kids will be in top shape when we get done. :O) Last time I went I cleaned up a little girl's leg which had something that looked like a boil on it. I put hydrogen peroxide on it with a Q-tip and managed to clean it up pretty good before putting some antibiotic cream on it and a band-aid over top. Those kids are pretty good and sit quietly, even though I'm sure the hyrogen peroxide stings a bit. I just wonder how long the band-aid will last and how much dirt they'll manage to get in it before we see them again. But I am glad they come, and listening to their little voices singing "Only A Boy Named David" and "Jesus Loves Me" is definitely a blessing.
Well I hope this letter finds all of you doing well and enjoying your nice autumn weather!! Just remember that I am lacking in coolness of any kind, so send some this way if you don't want it! :O) My grade book is calling, so I have to head out. Take care and God bless!
In His Service,
Lindsey
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