Things Are Different Out West!

To compliment my sister's blog posts on cultural differences, I am including a small anecdote of my own. No, we don't have all-night canning parties or harmonicas as "special" music in church. However, we do have some charm of our own.

Today in class, all of the 1st grade boys got in trouble for talking in line. While two of the three were obviously bothered by the problem, one was still crying several minutes after the confrontation. So, I took him out into the hall and asked him what was the matter. He answered, "I don't get to go steer-riding any more!" Apparently, if he got in trouble at school, that was his punishment at home. No more steer-riding! We definitely live in the West!

Comedy Relief!

Many of you have probably seen this video, but it is so funny. I laugh out loud every time I see it. The lady's laugh at the end is hilarious!

Up until now, my posts have generally been mostly pictures with a bit of commentary. Now that my sister has moved away from home with her husband and things are getting very busy here, I'm going to try updating on here with more than just pictures.

So we have finished our first week of school. Even though it wasn't even a full week, the three and one-half days were very challenging! High-energy children and hours of studying are sure to bring your mind back into focus. The "lazy days of summer" are over!

I don't think my patience has been tested this much in quite a while! Teaching 1st-3rd grades in the afternoons is not a light task. There are quite a few very funny moments, though. The 1st graders were learning, for the first time, how to fit all of their books and supplies in their desks neatly. That was interesting! After about ten minutes, Mrs. Mallinak said, "Oh, now I see the problem. If you have rocks, or sticks, or snakes, or spiders, don't keep them in your desk. They belong in your backpack!" (You might have guessed that we have a class with mostly boys. ;-)

Seriously, though, I don't think my patience has been challenged this much in a long time. I've taken to going on lo-o-ong walks in the evenings to clear my mind! And, while my patience is definitely put to the test, I have also been challenged in my love for the Lord and His ministry/people. The true blessing comes when you pray and pray for that troublesome child, and God gives you the strength (and long-suffering heart) to be an instrument of His blessing, not just a frustrated teacher!

On the other end of the spectrum, I've been teaching 7th grade English, Science, and Algebra in the mornings. Thankfully, there is an 11th grade class...Classical History...thrown in there, too. Who would have ever thought that I'd be teaching the definition of "Providential History" to students in my own history class? Thanks to Mr. Rinehart - the greatest history teacher on earth! (I know many of you agree, too. ;-) The real question is...do you remember the definition of "Providential History?"

One Last Fling!

On Saturday, we had a College/Career Activity. Of course, we had to schedule it soon as most of our group is gearing up for school...either college or teaching. Can you believe our school starts on Wednesday of THIS WEEK!!! That definitely calls for a final celebration!

Our trip took us just up the canyon to Anderson Cove. What a beautiful place! It is a popular recreation area for many campers, boaters, swimmers, etc. Our group had a cookout, played volleyball and frisbee, skipped rocks in the water, and generally had a good, relaxing time!

GrillMaster...

Sand Castles @ the Beach

Old Pictures

Here's some old pictures.

Thanks to Aunt Margie for digging these up.

Enjoy!

The one everyone remembers. Sharon under the dryer...with that classic haircut!

And, the kids with Grandaddy James! He's so cute!

VBS, continued

This is a brief follow-up to the post about our Vacation Bible School. Praise the Lord for two boys being baptized tonight as a result of decisions that were made at VBS! Basil was already saved and made the decision to be baptized. Austin was saved during VBS and, of course, baptized tonight. Both families attended the evening service to see their sons baptized. Also, Basil's parents have been attending Sunday morning services since VBS. What a blessing to see the Lord work in the lives of these young people, and also their parents!

Vacation Bible School

This was a first for me, so everything was new and exciting! Our bus push was held a couple of weeks before and one Sunday after the VBS. Actual VBS days were held Monday through Friday of last week. It was such a blessing to see a good number of kids come to church and have a good time, but also to hear several very clear presentations of the Gospel each day. There were quite a few professions of faith, and other spiritual decisions made. We are praising the Lord for the work that He did in our community this last week, and prayerfully following up on the progress that was made.

We held a carnival after church on Sunday to celebrate a great week of VBS.