School is out! You may all be wondering "Hey, what are they gonna do with all their free time now?" Well, let me tell you, we are staying busy!
Well, actually the first week of break the girls and I took a break. Jerry cleaned out his classroom, as the summer plans are to paint and refinish the floor in the classrooms. He moved most of the furniture of the classroom that he used and took down the white board and all wall hangings in preparation for the refurbishment.
On Wednesday, Jerry and I took the opportunity to drive Miss Springer to the airport in Phoenix. It was so nice to be able to spend some "quality" time with her in the car and to get to see her safely off to visit her family for a few weeks. We had planned to make a mini vacation. Phoenix is about 3 1/2 hours from the mission. We booked a hotel and spent the next three days swimming in the pool, reading by the pool and relaxing with Abby & Kelcy. It was very nice. We actually stayed in the same hotel as last time, so each night we got to spend time in the hammock and view the ducks and hummingbirds and rabbits that inhabited this area. It was great!
Now that we are back, I am working in the office generally between the hours of 9AM-11:30AM. Jerry is working all around, working in the church, the school and everywhere and also helping out our friend Jim at his house. Jim spends countless hours at the mission doing all kinds of maintenance and repair work! So, we are continuing to work and serve during the summer days!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Graduation & the Last Day of 2008-09 School Year!
The school kids began to finish subjects and books during this period. They were working hard, but also having a little more free time.
Monday, May 18th
The Hope in Transit teachers, Dave & Lisa Sprinkles came and brought Pizza for lunch. We all enjoyed the pizza and the fellowship. Afterward, they brought in a lot of instruments for the kids to try out during the afternoon session. I can not even tell you how many instruments the Sprinkles brought. There was a banjo, two violins, a flute, drums, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, a dulcimer, and a lot of exotic instruments for which I can not even remember the names. The school kids all had a great time trying them out. I think the favorite was the violin. Gracie from Murray Christian Fellowship played the violin while she was here and I think that inspired a lot of the ladies to try it out! At the end of the class session, the group gave away some instruments to the children so that they could continue to learn on their own throughout the summer. The Sprinkles also brought groceries for the kids to take home to their families. They provided a loaf of bread, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, and fruit to each child. I'm probably forgetting something that was included in the food package. This was a wonderful gift to all the families, including ours!
The Sprinkles also plan to offer a new opportunity to the kids next fall. The Sprinkles will be providing the music classes that they now provide, which are already great. They also plan to provide individual lessons to any school student wishing to pursue a better knowledge of music and musical instruments! Dave & Lisa do an awesome job loving and teaching the children. The Navajo children are extremely drawn to the music. This ministry helps to provide the children with a source of pride in themselves and feelings of accomplishment that can combat the negative peer pressure, worthlessness and hopelessness that often pervades their environments. I can't say enough about how important this ministry is to the Navajo children. Thank you Dave & Lisa for your service to the Lord and Thank you to all the supporters of Hope in Transit that have brought this amazing opportunity to the children of the Navajo people.
The work group from Tyro Christian School in Tyro Kansas arrived late on Saturday, May 23rd. The Tyro group was our largest group since I've been here, at 25 people (I think). This group had amazing organization. They got their supplies, the ladies provided amazing home-cooked meals for the group almost every meal. I am told they had homemade biscuits and gravy one morning. I saw them making home made pizza crust for the pizza they served at lunch. The ladies were just awesome! We were invited to dine with the group at every meal! I got a chance to talk to some of the ladies and I really enjoyed getting to know them.
The Tyro group worked hard! They really achieved a lot of things in their time at the mission. They painted and painted everything that wasn't moving. They mudded walls and painted walls and painted the exterior of one entire house! The house was transformed from a rustic cabin look to a lovely sea-side villa look under their skilled labor.
They also managed to minister to the local children on top of all of their other duties! The group went out on Sunday afternoon and passed out fliers in Leupp about a Soccer camp that they were going to host the next two nights. On Monday night, Mr. Bill drove the bus out to the reservation and picked up fifteen kids for the camp! The weather was rather inclement (it was REALLY cold for the desert) that first night! The Tyro group opened with some Christian singing led by the Tyro youth! This group also has a wonderful God-given musical talent that they shared with us and with the Navajo children. Next, they allowed the kids to create a craft project. Next was the exercise and soccer part of the evening. I know that the Navajo kids really enjoyed the opportunity, many of them continuing to play soccer in sleeveless shirts in spite of the cold, cold wind. Tuesday evening the Tyro workers presented another Soccer Camp/VBS to the kids. They added basketball to the Tuesday night program instead of Soccer. The Navajo kids (and my kids) all had a great time and went home tired from all the fun and exercise!
Oh, many of you know that the mission was searching for a new vehicle. The Lord provided one to us! Miss Springer received an email from a local gentleman who had just purchased a 12 passenger van at an auction and wanted to know if any church group local to Winslow would be interested in purchasing it. Mr. Bill and I went to check it out and purchased the van. While it is not new by any means (1995) it is in great shape and has very low miles. We should get five or six years out of it and that will give us time to save in our van fund for a new van. The man from Winslow only asked us to pay him back what he had paid for it at auction, which had to be a fraction of the cost. Thank you, Lord!
Thursday, May 28th
Tonight is the Kindergarten and Eight Grade graduations, as well as the Schools 2008-09 closing program. We are so excited! The kids are ready! The school purchased Bibles for each of the graduates. Kindergarten graduates: Abby & Jessica. Eighth Grade graduate: Merritza. The kids all did great. Miss Springer started the program as we start each school day, with the pledges to the American Flag, the Christian Flag and the Bible. The parents and visitors were asked to join us. Next, we all joined in singing two Christian Worship songs: "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "Here I am to Worship." Next the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades made a vacation pledge to remember all that they have learned while they are on summer break. Nate recited a Bible memory verse. We joined together and sang "God of Wonders". Merritza recited a Bible memory verse. The Kindergarten class read a story. We recognized the Hope in Transit and Dave & Lisa Sprinkles and brought them a rose bush for appreciation of all they have done this year and so that they remember us! Mr. Bill provided the devotional message. Next were the graduations! Miss Springer said a few words about each of her students and Jerry said some words about Merritza. He mentioned how "You've heard of the show "Smarter than a fifth grader? Well, I had to be smarter than an eighth grader this year and it wasn't easy!"
After the graduations Mr. Bill had a surprise. He and Mr. Larson presented Miss Springer with a Certificate recognizing her 17 years of service here at Red Sands! Yes, seventeen years! Isn't that wonderful! She does an amazing job at all that she does (and boy does she do A LOT!). Afterward, we all shared in refreshments and fellowship together! It was a wonderful night!
Friday morning, the group from Tyro Christian School took their leave. They said goodbye and were gone by early to the Grand Canyon, then headed back for Kansas. It was sad to see them go and we are so appreciative of all that they accomplished! Thank you all for your service for the mission and the Lord!
Friday was the LAST DAY of SCHOOL for 2008-09!
All the kids got to school excited. Today they cleaned out (and up) their desks! We are having a water fight and cook-out! Mr. Bill cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch, then the fight was on! I have to say that Odin surprised me the most. He soaked me to the bone and was still following me around with the squirt gun! I had a whole lot of fun! I got to squirt the kids and Jerry with the water guns I had purchased for just this occasion. (I'm afraid that Miss Springer did all of the cleaning up from lunch while I was playing. Sorry about that!) Of course, Jerry always won the fights because he had the water hose! He was in charge of refilling the water guns during the fight. Next, Jerry had filled up a bag of water balloons that we got to throw at each other! We were almost all soaked through. It was really sad to see the kids go that day!
Monday, May 18th
The Hope in Transit teachers, Dave & Lisa Sprinkles came and brought Pizza for lunch. We all enjoyed the pizza and the fellowship. Afterward, they brought in a lot of instruments for the kids to try out during the afternoon session. I can not even tell you how many instruments the Sprinkles brought. There was a banjo, two violins, a flute, drums, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, a dulcimer, and a lot of exotic instruments for which I can not even remember the names. The school kids all had a great time trying them out. I think the favorite was the violin. Gracie from Murray Christian Fellowship played the violin while she was here and I think that inspired a lot of the ladies to try it out! At the end of the class session, the group gave away some instruments to the children so that they could continue to learn on their own throughout the summer. The Sprinkles also brought groceries for the kids to take home to their families. They provided a loaf of bread, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, and fruit to each child. I'm probably forgetting something that was included in the food package. This was a wonderful gift to all the families, including ours!
The Sprinkles also plan to offer a new opportunity to the kids next fall. The Sprinkles will be providing the music classes that they now provide, which are already great. They also plan to provide individual lessons to any school student wishing to pursue a better knowledge of music and musical instruments! Dave & Lisa do an awesome job loving and teaching the children. The Navajo children are extremely drawn to the music. This ministry helps to provide the children with a source of pride in themselves and feelings of accomplishment that can combat the negative peer pressure, worthlessness and hopelessness that often pervades their environments. I can't say enough about how important this ministry is to the Navajo children. Thank you Dave & Lisa for your service to the Lord and Thank you to all the supporters of Hope in Transit that have brought this amazing opportunity to the children of the Navajo people.
The work group from Tyro Christian School in Tyro Kansas arrived late on Saturday, May 23rd. The Tyro group was our largest group since I've been here, at 25 people (I think). This group had amazing organization. They got their supplies, the ladies provided amazing home-cooked meals for the group almost every meal. I am told they had homemade biscuits and gravy one morning. I saw them making home made pizza crust for the pizza they served at lunch. The ladies were just awesome! We were invited to dine with the group at every meal! I got a chance to talk to some of the ladies and I really enjoyed getting to know them.
The Tyro group worked hard! They really achieved a lot of things in their time at the mission. They painted and painted everything that wasn't moving. They mudded walls and painted walls and painted the exterior of one entire house! The house was transformed from a rustic cabin look to a lovely sea-side villa look under their skilled labor.
They also managed to minister to the local children on top of all of their other duties! The group went out on Sunday afternoon and passed out fliers in Leupp about a Soccer camp that they were going to host the next two nights. On Monday night, Mr. Bill drove the bus out to the reservation and picked up fifteen kids for the camp! The weather was rather inclement (it was REALLY cold for the desert) that first night! The Tyro group opened with some Christian singing led by the Tyro youth! This group also has a wonderful God-given musical talent that they shared with us and with the Navajo children. Next, they allowed the kids to create a craft project. Next was the exercise and soccer part of the evening. I know that the Navajo kids really enjoyed the opportunity, many of them continuing to play soccer in sleeveless shirts in spite of the cold, cold wind. Tuesday evening the Tyro workers presented another Soccer Camp/VBS to the kids. They added basketball to the Tuesday night program instead of Soccer. The Navajo kids (and my kids) all had a great time and went home tired from all the fun and exercise!
Oh, many of you know that the mission was searching for a new vehicle. The Lord provided one to us! Miss Springer received an email from a local gentleman who had just purchased a 12 passenger van at an auction and wanted to know if any church group local to Winslow would be interested in purchasing it. Mr. Bill and I went to check it out and purchased the van. While it is not new by any means (1995) it is in great shape and has very low miles. We should get five or six years out of it and that will give us time to save in our van fund for a new van. The man from Winslow only asked us to pay him back what he had paid for it at auction, which had to be a fraction of the cost. Thank you, Lord!
Thursday, May 28th
Tonight is the Kindergarten and Eight Grade graduations, as well as the Schools 2008-09 closing program. We are so excited! The kids are ready! The school purchased Bibles for each of the graduates. Kindergarten graduates: Abby & Jessica. Eighth Grade graduate: Merritza. The kids all did great. Miss Springer started the program as we start each school day, with the pledges to the American Flag, the Christian Flag and the Bible. The parents and visitors were asked to join us. Next, we all joined in singing two Christian Worship songs: "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "Here I am to Worship." Next the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades made a vacation pledge to remember all that they have learned while they are on summer break. Nate recited a Bible memory verse. We joined together and sang "God of Wonders". Merritza recited a Bible memory verse. The Kindergarten class read a story. We recognized the Hope in Transit and Dave & Lisa Sprinkles and brought them a rose bush for appreciation of all they have done this year and so that they remember us! Mr. Bill provided the devotional message. Next were the graduations! Miss Springer said a few words about each of her students and Jerry said some words about Merritza. He mentioned how "You've heard of the show "Smarter than a fifth grader? Well, I had to be smarter than an eighth grader this year and it wasn't easy!"
After the graduations Mr. Bill had a surprise. He and Mr. Larson presented Miss Springer with a Certificate recognizing her 17 years of service here at Red Sands! Yes, seventeen years! Isn't that wonderful! She does an amazing job at all that she does (and boy does she do A LOT!). Afterward, we all shared in refreshments and fellowship together! It was a wonderful night!
Friday morning, the group from Tyro Christian School took their leave. They said goodbye and were gone by early to the Grand Canyon, then headed back for Kansas. It was sad to see them go and we are so appreciative of all that they accomplished! Thank you all for your service for the mission and the Lord!
Friday was the LAST DAY of SCHOOL for 2008-09!
All the kids got to school excited. Today they cleaned out (and up) their desks! We are having a water fight and cook-out! Mr. Bill cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch, then the fight was on! I have to say that Odin surprised me the most. He soaked me to the bone and was still following me around with the squirt gun! I had a whole lot of fun! I got to squirt the kids and Jerry with the water guns I had purchased for just this occasion. (I'm afraid that Miss Springer did all of the cleaning up from lunch while I was playing. Sorry about that!) Of course, Jerry always won the fights because he had the water hose! He was in charge of refilling the water guns during the fight. Next, Jerry had filled up a bag of water balloons that we got to throw at each other! We were almost all soaked through. It was really sad to see the kids go that day!
The Mission Update April 22 through May 18th
April 22 through May 18th
Miss Springer, Mr. Bill, Mr. Diehl and the school kids planted a tree in the playground for Earth Day, April 22nd. The school celebrated the National Day of Prayer by having a prayer circle after the morning opening exercises, May 1st. The girls and I were sick the week of April 27th, pretty much all week. Saturday May 2nd was my birthday! I spent the morning and afternoon in Flagstaff with Ms. Stephanie, a friend I have made here. We did some errands and some shopping and then had lunch. It was a nice time to get to know Stephanie better!
The month of May just flew by! Murray Christian Fellowship, who is due to arrive this month with a work group, has also sent a wonderful surprise. In partnership with a local book distributor (local to Murray), they have assembled almost 1,000 books to donate to the school library! Some of the books arrived by freight carrier! It was like Christmas here. We got to check out the new books and see what a wonderful gift the Lord had provided! The school kids, especially the older ones, immediately began checking out the new books. I love books and it was very exciting to see so many books, most of which I had never read!
On May 12th, the work group from Murray Christian Fellowship arrived. They were a great group that worked hard! Some of the group built shelving in the library to hold all the new books and the books we already had in our library! By the time the group left, the shelves were built, the books were organized and re-shelved in the proper places! I have to say, it was very exciting for me to see the finished product. I sometimes just go over there to admire the new library room! Other members of the work group painted the exterior trim of the church building and the library building, scraped the trim on the school building to prepare it for painting, and did various other jobs throughout the mission that needed to be accomplished! The Murray group invited us to go with them to the Grand Canyon on Saturday, May 16th. We had a wonderful time! Abby & Kelcy clung to Andrea & Stephanie like they were new family members. We all finally got to see the Grand Canyon. I hope that everyone else enjoyed it, in spite of the fact that I was constantly reminding my two girls to stay away from the EDGE! Abby, Kelcy and I all managed to conquer our fear of heights (mine and Abby's) to get to the top of the Watch Tower at the canyon. I didn't stay very long, but I did make it up there and look out for a second!
On Sunday morning, Gracie rode with Jerry out to the reservation to pick up the church goers. She made fast friends with the kids in my class. Gracie stayed in class with us and spent some more time with the kids and I was very grateful. I could tell that meeting Gracie had really made a difference in their day and probably their life! Next, the group from Murray led the worship services at Red Sands Christian Church. They did an excellent job. The church building rocking and the people inside were enjoying the modern style worship songs and the instruments! The group had such a wonderful, God-given musical talent. It was very enjoyable. After the worship, the Murray group leader, Mike, delivered the sermon to the congregation. He did a great job and we really appreciated his willingness to share the Lord's message with us!
The Murray group traveled to Dilkon Christian Church that Sunday night. They took part in the worship service and did a great attempt at following the Navajo singing, even without having Navajo hymnals! A few of the Navajo ladies had prepared Mexican food for the pot luck that night. We had a feast of taco salad, enchiladas and chips and dip. We all enjoyed the fun and fellowship, and (as always) the spectacular scenery views that Dilkon provides.
The Murray group said their goodbyes on Monday morning and left for home. The school kids missed them, as did the staff! Thank you all for your work and your encouragement!
Miss Springer, Mr. Bill, Mr. Diehl and the school kids planted a tree in the playground for Earth Day, April 22nd. The school celebrated the National Day of Prayer by having a prayer circle after the morning opening exercises, May 1st. The girls and I were sick the week of April 27th, pretty much all week. Saturday May 2nd was my birthday! I spent the morning and afternoon in Flagstaff with Ms. Stephanie, a friend I have made here. We did some errands and some shopping and then had lunch. It was a nice time to get to know Stephanie better!
The month of May just flew by! Murray Christian Fellowship, who is due to arrive this month with a work group, has also sent a wonderful surprise. In partnership with a local book distributor (local to Murray), they have assembled almost 1,000 books to donate to the school library! Some of the books arrived by freight carrier! It was like Christmas here. We got to check out the new books and see what a wonderful gift the Lord had provided! The school kids, especially the older ones, immediately began checking out the new books. I love books and it was very exciting to see so many books, most of which I had never read!
On May 12th, the work group from Murray Christian Fellowship arrived. They were a great group that worked hard! Some of the group built shelving in the library to hold all the new books and the books we already had in our library! By the time the group left, the shelves were built, the books were organized and re-shelved in the proper places! I have to say, it was very exciting for me to see the finished product. I sometimes just go over there to admire the new library room! Other members of the work group painted the exterior trim of the church building and the library building, scraped the trim on the school building to prepare it for painting, and did various other jobs throughout the mission that needed to be accomplished! The Murray group invited us to go with them to the Grand Canyon on Saturday, May 16th. We had a wonderful time! Abby & Kelcy clung to Andrea & Stephanie like they were new family members. We all finally got to see the Grand Canyon. I hope that everyone else enjoyed it, in spite of the fact that I was constantly reminding my two girls to stay away from the EDGE! Abby, Kelcy and I all managed to conquer our fear of heights (mine and Abby's) to get to the top of the Watch Tower at the canyon. I didn't stay very long, but I did make it up there and look out for a second!
On Sunday morning, Gracie rode with Jerry out to the reservation to pick up the church goers. She made fast friends with the kids in my class. Gracie stayed in class with us and spent some more time with the kids and I was very grateful. I could tell that meeting Gracie had really made a difference in their day and probably their life! Next, the group from Murray led the worship services at Red Sands Christian Church. They did an excellent job. The church building rocking and the people inside were enjoying the modern style worship songs and the instruments! The group had such a wonderful, God-given musical talent. It was very enjoyable. After the worship, the Murray group leader, Mike, delivered the sermon to the congregation. He did a great job and we really appreciated his willingness to share the Lord's message with us!
The Murray group traveled to Dilkon Christian Church that Sunday night. They took part in the worship service and did a great attempt at following the Navajo singing, even without having Navajo hymnals! A few of the Navajo ladies had prepared Mexican food for the pot luck that night. We had a feast of taco salad, enchiladas and chips and dip. We all enjoyed the fun and fellowship, and (as always) the spectacular scenery views that Dilkon provides.
The Murray group said their goodbyes on Monday morning and left for home. The school kids missed them, as did the staff! Thank you all for your work and your encouragement!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Mission Update
April 19th through May 26th
The school went on a field trip to Tuba City on the Rez and visited the Navajo Cultural Museum and then went to see the fossilized Dinosaur footprints located just outside of Tuba City. I didn't go with them, so I don't have a lot of details about the trip. The museum appeared to be an interactive one, where the kids got to small models of hogans out of sticks and to use a weaving loom and different cultural activities. There was an exhibit about the Navajo creation story. It is a very interesting story if you want to read it. Jerry and I borrowed it from the library here. It is called "Dine bahane". Apparently there was a dust storm while they were viewing the dinosaur tracks. They made a quick tour of it outside and then headed back to the buses.
While the school was on the field trip, I went to Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation and the seat of the government. It was a very nice drive. I traveled there to attend an orientation for the Navajo Tribal Clothing program. Each year, the Navajo Government provides articles of clothing for every child who has a Navajo census number and is enrolled in school. This year, the clothes provided were a coat, jeans and a pair of sneakers. This is a wonderful program and a blessing to the Navajo families that are eligible to received the clothing. The orientation was very informative! I have to say, it was one of the only times I have felt conspicuous because of my ethnicity. I was not the only Caucasian person at the meeting, but I was one of three that I could see.
The school went on a field trip to Tuba City on the Rez and visited the Navajo Cultural Museum and then went to see the fossilized Dinosaur footprints located just outside of Tuba City. I didn't go with them, so I don't have a lot of details about the trip. The museum appeared to be an interactive one, where the kids got to small models of hogans out of sticks and to use a weaving loom and different cultural activities. There was an exhibit about the Navajo creation story. It is a very interesting story if you want to read it. Jerry and I borrowed it from the library here. It is called "Dine bahane". Apparently there was a dust storm while they were viewing the dinosaur tracks. They made a quick tour of it outside and then headed back to the buses.
While the school was on the field trip, I went to Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation and the seat of the government. It was a very nice drive. I traveled there to attend an orientation for the Navajo Tribal Clothing program. Each year, the Navajo Government provides articles of clothing for every child who has a Navajo census number and is enrolled in school. This year, the clothes provided were a coat, jeans and a pair of sneakers. This is a wonderful program and a blessing to the Navajo families that are eligible to received the clothing. The orientation was very informative! I have to say, it was one of the only times I have felt conspicuous because of my ethnicity. I was not the only Caucasian person at the meeting, but I was one of three that I could see.
Kelcy's Update
April 19th through May 27th
Kelcy had a rough couple of weeks during this time period. She had what turned out to be a really bad virus which lasted three weeks. She would get better and then worse again. She ended up at the doctor one day and then two days later in the ER getting IV fluids. She finally got better! She celebrated Abby's birthday and received some gifts of her own from our friends and family. Thank you all for remembering her! She really appreciated it! Kelcy was very brave at the ER and told Abby when she saw her that it hurt, but not too much. Miss Springer is teaching Kelcy to write her name pretty well and to write some other letters and number. Kelcy still goes to class one day a week and she loves it! She is so proud to show me her work when the day is over.
Kelcy enjoyed the work group from Murray Christian Fellowship as well. Stephanie and Andrea had another big fan! She loved all of the girls!
Kelcy is getting very sophisticated in her imaginary play, assuming all kinds of roles and writing in roles for me. It is so cute to hear the girls say that Barbie is going back to her hogan (instead of house). They have an all new vocabulary of "dust storms", "hogans" and the Navajo words that they have learned.
Kelcy loves to sing and she is getting really good at it. Some of her favorites are: "God of Wonders", "Above All", "Here I Am to Worship", and of course "Wheels on the Bus.". She learned to use Jerry's Ipod touch really quickly and picks out music using the menu (of course she can't read, so she uses the pictures).
Kelcy is so funny. Some of the things she says are just hilarious. She is just like her Daddy in a lot of ways. Miss Springer says that Abby looks like Jerry, but has my personality and that Kelcy looks like me but has Jerry's personality. She walks to the beat of her own drum. She seldom lets what other people say or do influence what she is doing. She told me the other day "It doesn't bother me when other kids don't want to play with me." This is because while Abby and Jessica were together, ocassionally one of the two would come to me and say "No one will play with me." Kelcy was looking at the situation and saying "What's the big deal? Go play by yourself". Big concept for a three year old!
I could also mention that Kelcy has begun to discover the power of words. She hears words that she knows that we don't approved of and likes to say them by saying "_______, that is not a nice word." Thankfully, they are not REALLY bad words yet. Just things like "fart" (as opposed to passing gas), "stupid-head" (thank you, Lilo and Stitch movie), and butt (instead of bottom, which I prefer).
Kelcy had a rough couple of weeks during this time period. She had what turned out to be a really bad virus which lasted three weeks. She would get better and then worse again. She ended up at the doctor one day and then two days later in the ER getting IV fluids. She finally got better! She celebrated Abby's birthday and received some gifts of her own from our friends and family. Thank you all for remembering her! She really appreciated it! Kelcy was very brave at the ER and told Abby when she saw her that it hurt, but not too much. Miss Springer is teaching Kelcy to write her name pretty well and to write some other letters and number. Kelcy still goes to class one day a week and she loves it! She is so proud to show me her work when the day is over.
Kelcy enjoyed the work group from Murray Christian Fellowship as well. Stephanie and Andrea had another big fan! She loved all of the girls!
Kelcy is getting very sophisticated in her imaginary play, assuming all kinds of roles and writing in roles for me. It is so cute to hear the girls say that Barbie is going back to her hogan (instead of house). They have an all new vocabulary of "dust storms", "hogans" and the Navajo words that they have learned.
Kelcy loves to sing and she is getting really good at it. Some of her favorites are: "God of Wonders", "Above All", "Here I Am to Worship", and of course "Wheels on the Bus.". She learned to use Jerry's Ipod touch really quickly and picks out music using the menu (of course she can't read, so she uses the pictures).
Kelcy is so funny. Some of the things she says are just hilarious. She is just like her Daddy in a lot of ways. Miss Springer says that Abby looks like Jerry, but has my personality and that Kelcy looks like me but has Jerry's personality. She walks to the beat of her own drum. She seldom lets what other people say or do influence what she is doing. She told me the other day "It doesn't bother me when other kids don't want to play with me." This is because while Abby and Jessica were together, ocassionally one of the two would come to me and say "No one will play with me." Kelcy was looking at the situation and saying "What's the big deal? Go play by yourself". Big concept for a three year old!
I could also mention that Kelcy has begun to discover the power of words. She hears words that she knows that we don't approved of and likes to say them by saying "_______, that is not a nice word." Thankfully, they are not REALLY bad words yet. Just things like "fart" (as opposed to passing gas), "stupid-head" (thank you, Lilo and Stitch movie), and butt (instead of bottom, which I prefer).
Abby's Update
April 19th through May 27th
Birthday!
Abby turned 5 years old! We celebrated with the cake she requested: pink cake (strawberry) with pink candles and Dora on top. She really enjoyed the idea of getting older this year. She also enjoyed all the cards and gifts that she received! Thank you all for remembering her! It really helps her to know that you all remember her!
Losing Teeth!!!!
All year long Abby has asked "When am I gonna lose teeth like Jessica?" Of course, Jessica is over a year older than Abby. I kept telling Abby that sometime after she turned 5 years old she would being to lose teeth. I didn't realize how quickly that would be! It less than a week after her birthday when I noticed one of her bottom teeth "wiggling". She was so excited! The tooth hung in there for about a week and a half. It kept tilting farther and farther forward. Finally, we realized that it was being pushed forward by the tooth coming in underneath, which we could already see! That little tooth was hanging on by a long root in the front of the tooth. So, Jerry decides it is time for the tooth to come out. He reaches for the first likely thing he can find, which is yarn. If you have never tried to use yarn to remove a tooth, I can tell you that it didn't work for us. It kept slipping off the tooth. Next, Jerry tried floss and it worked like a charm. Abby didn't even know her tooth was gone until we showed it to her. It bled just a little bit, but didn't hurt at all. Abby had learned from school (Miss Springer always tells them the truth, which I love!) that there is no tooth fairy, so we didn't have to have that conversation. However, she still wanted to put her tooth under her pillow. Instead of money under her pillow, she asked for a doughnut (Could she BE more like me?)
A work group from Murray Christian Fellowship came during the second week of May. Abby really became attached to two of the girls, Stephanie and Andrea. I guess I would call it "hero-worship". She really loved spending time with them and I appreciate how kind they were! I am sure that she really wore them out at times, but they insisted that she was fine.
Abby had her friends Jessica and Shyla spend the night at our house over the Memorial Day weekend. They had a great time and got along very well!
Abby has changed so much this year! She has grown taller and looks more like a young lady. She has learned to read and write very well! She has learned some games and their rules, like soccer and T-ball. She has lost her first tooth! She has learned to tie her shoes! It is so amazing. I think that this is her biggest year of accomplishments so far (not counting her first year of life, of course).
Abby is getting a little nervous about the end of the school year. She has never experienced this before and she always has a hard time with transitions at first.
Just the other day Abby said "I wish that we lived in the hogans". My thought is that she thinks it would be funner to live there, or that she would get to spend more time with the work group members while they are here. I asked her "Why do you want to live in the hogans?" Her response, "Because those people get to go home."
My heart was effectively broken.
Birthday!
Abby turned 5 years old! We celebrated with the cake she requested: pink cake (strawberry) with pink candles and Dora on top. She really enjoyed the idea of getting older this year. She also enjoyed all the cards and gifts that she received! Thank you all for remembering her! It really helps her to know that you all remember her!
Losing Teeth!!!!
All year long Abby has asked "When am I gonna lose teeth like Jessica?" Of course, Jessica is over a year older than Abby. I kept telling Abby that sometime after she turned 5 years old she would being to lose teeth. I didn't realize how quickly that would be! It less than a week after her birthday when I noticed one of her bottom teeth "wiggling". She was so excited! The tooth hung in there for about a week and a half. It kept tilting farther and farther forward. Finally, we realized that it was being pushed forward by the tooth coming in underneath, which we could already see! That little tooth was hanging on by a long root in the front of the tooth. So, Jerry decides it is time for the tooth to come out. He reaches for the first likely thing he can find, which is yarn. If you have never tried to use yarn to remove a tooth, I can tell you that it didn't work for us. It kept slipping off the tooth. Next, Jerry tried floss and it worked like a charm. Abby didn't even know her tooth was gone until we showed it to her. It bled just a little bit, but didn't hurt at all. Abby had learned from school (Miss Springer always tells them the truth, which I love!) that there is no tooth fairy, so we didn't have to have that conversation. However, she still wanted to put her tooth under her pillow. Instead of money under her pillow, she asked for a doughnut (Could she BE more like me?)
A work group from Murray Christian Fellowship came during the second week of May. Abby really became attached to two of the girls, Stephanie and Andrea. I guess I would call it "hero-worship". She really loved spending time with them and I appreciate how kind they were! I am sure that she really wore them out at times, but they insisted that she was fine.
Abby had her friends Jessica and Shyla spend the night at our house over the Memorial Day weekend. They had a great time and got along very well!
Abby has changed so much this year! She has grown taller and looks more like a young lady. She has learned to read and write very well! She has learned some games and their rules, like soccer and T-ball. She has lost her first tooth! She has learned to tie her shoes! It is so amazing. I think that this is her biggest year of accomplishments so far (not counting her first year of life, of course).
Abby is getting a little nervous about the end of the school year. She has never experienced this before and she always has a hard time with transitions at first.
Just the other day Abby said "I wish that we lived in the hogans". My thought is that she thinks it would be funner to live there, or that she would get to spend more time with the work group members while they are here. I asked her "Why do you want to live in the hogans?" Her response, "Because those people get to go home."
My heart was effectively broken.
Monday, May 4, 2009
April 6th - Apirl 18th
Who thought it would be a month since I last updated this blog? I guess all of you who are checking frequently for updates! Time seems to by flying by.
The highlights
Mr. Bill started a Tuesday night Bible Study at Red Sands Christian Church! Yea! We have had three sessions so far, and I am really enjoying being in an adult Bible Study class again. We have covered the “Beautitudes” in Matthew so far. We run no bus for this service. We have had eight at each night. Abby & Kelcy do not have a “class” of their own, so they usually play or watch a DVD while we have class. Of course, that now means that Mr. Bill is the Director of the Mission, is teaching the third grade during the week, and he is creating/teaching lessons on Sunday morning (twice: Dilkon & Red Sands), Sunday night (Dilkon), Tuesday night (Red Sands) and Wednesday night (Dilkon). Yes, he is a busy man.
Resurrection Sunday
We had a lovely Easter service at Red Sands Christian Church. We had a low turn out for Sunday School Class, but ended up with 25 people at church without running the buses (everyone came in their own vehicle). We had a potluck meal today, with one of the families providing the ham for the meal. It was one of their own pigs that they had had slaughtered. It was so kind of them to do that! Mr. Bill brought baked beans, Miss Springer brought scalloped potatoes and rolls, I brought vegetables and dip and some drinks. We also had large submarine sandwiches, chips and cake provided by other members of the congregation. After lunch, Mr. Bill got to hide the colored and plastic eggs for the kids. I think we had eleven kids to hunt eggs. They had a great time. Abby’s friend Jessica was there and her sisters and brother. It was a little windy, but I think they all had a great time!
Mission Board Meeting
The Navajo Trails Mission Board Meeting was the weekend after Resurrection Sunday. It was wonderful to see Mr. Doug and Mr. Keith and all of the board members. We had a great meeting Friday night at the local Mexican restaurant. We all got to know one another a little better and talked about what the future could hold for the mission. Everyone was full of ideas. We made notes of contacts people have that might help in the recruitment of additional staff members. Abby & Kelcy played in the floor of the restaurant with their Barbie dolls and colored in their coloring books. They behaved very well, I thought. On Saturday morning, Mr. Bill and some of the other board members made breakfast for everyone. The menu included: pancakes, sausage, bacon, toast, scrambled eggs, milk, orange juice or coffee. The men had also began the lunch preparations by starting the beef roast and vegetables cooking prior to the meeting.
We had a great meeting. There was a lot of information exchanged. Everyone was very positive and the board made a lot of unanimous decisions. After the meeting, the board members went down to the school to see the building and to see the new equipment purchased with the Labels for Education program. It is well worth the effort to clip those labels and send them in. The students have seen a great benefit from the program!
Sunday morning Mr. Keith preached at Dilkon and at Red Sands. Mr. Jack, one of the board members, was still here for the service. I had my “usual” four in Sunday School class. We have been doing a series on Elijah and Elisha. They are really remembering the Bible stories and are beginning to memorize scripture. I taught “Wee Worship” this Sunday, so I did not hear Mr. Keith’s preaching. The kids had a great lesson about helping others and how they can help people in their families. After church, Keith headed over to the Grand Canyon and we went home to rest until church at Dilkon that night. The pot luck meal at Dilkon was this Sunday night and Mr. Bill was making pork roast with vegetables. We headed out about 4:30 for the 6PM Dilkon service. I needed to stop at the store and pick-up some rolls for the meal, so we left about 15 minutes early. We enjoyed the message from Mr. Bill about what it means to be saved and how we are saved. Then we enjoyed a fellowship meal afterward.
The highlights
Mr. Bill started a Tuesday night Bible Study at Red Sands Christian Church! Yea! We have had three sessions so far, and I am really enjoying being in an adult Bible Study class again. We have covered the “Beautitudes” in Matthew so far. We run no bus for this service. We have had eight at each night. Abby & Kelcy do not have a “class” of their own, so they usually play or watch a DVD while we have class. Of course, that now means that Mr. Bill is the Director of the Mission, is teaching the third grade during the week, and he is creating/teaching lessons on Sunday morning (twice: Dilkon & Red Sands), Sunday night (Dilkon), Tuesday night (Red Sands) and Wednesday night (Dilkon). Yes, he is a busy man.
Resurrection Sunday
We had a lovely Easter service at Red Sands Christian Church. We had a low turn out for Sunday School Class, but ended up with 25 people at church without running the buses (everyone came in their own vehicle). We had a potluck meal today, with one of the families providing the ham for the meal. It was one of their own pigs that they had had slaughtered. It was so kind of them to do that! Mr. Bill brought baked beans, Miss Springer brought scalloped potatoes and rolls, I brought vegetables and dip and some drinks. We also had large submarine sandwiches, chips and cake provided by other members of the congregation. After lunch, Mr. Bill got to hide the colored and plastic eggs for the kids. I think we had eleven kids to hunt eggs. They had a great time. Abby’s friend Jessica was there and her sisters and brother. It was a little windy, but I think they all had a great time!
Mission Board Meeting
The Navajo Trails Mission Board Meeting was the weekend after Resurrection Sunday. It was wonderful to see Mr. Doug and Mr. Keith and all of the board members. We had a great meeting Friday night at the local Mexican restaurant. We all got to know one another a little better and talked about what the future could hold for the mission. Everyone was full of ideas. We made notes of contacts people have that might help in the recruitment of additional staff members. Abby & Kelcy played in the floor of the restaurant with their Barbie dolls and colored in their coloring books. They behaved very well, I thought. On Saturday morning, Mr. Bill and some of the other board members made breakfast for everyone. The menu included: pancakes, sausage, bacon, toast, scrambled eggs, milk, orange juice or coffee. The men had also began the lunch preparations by starting the beef roast and vegetables cooking prior to the meeting.
We had a great meeting. There was a lot of information exchanged. Everyone was very positive and the board made a lot of unanimous decisions. After the meeting, the board members went down to the school to see the building and to see the new equipment purchased with the Labels for Education program. It is well worth the effort to clip those labels and send them in. The students have seen a great benefit from the program!
Sunday morning Mr. Keith preached at Dilkon and at Red Sands. Mr. Jack, one of the board members, was still here for the service. I had my “usual” four in Sunday School class. We have been doing a series on Elijah and Elisha. They are really remembering the Bible stories and are beginning to memorize scripture. I taught “Wee Worship” this Sunday, so I did not hear Mr. Keith’s preaching. The kids had a great lesson about helping others and how they can help people in their families. After church, Keith headed over to the Grand Canyon and we went home to rest until church at Dilkon that night. The pot luck meal at Dilkon was this Sunday night and Mr. Bill was making pork roast with vegetables. We headed out about 4:30 for the 6PM Dilkon service. I needed to stop at the store and pick-up some rolls for the meal, so we left about 15 minutes early. We enjoyed the message from Mr. Bill about what it means to be saved and how we are saved. Then we enjoyed a fellowship meal afterward.
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