Friday, December 12, 2008
Today was another good day at Red Sands Christian School. Mr. Bill has settled in to teaching the third, fifth and sixth grades. All of the classes are preparing their parts for the Christmas program next Thursday. Mr. Bill’s class is responsible for building the sets and props. Mr. Diehl’s class is reading the scripture for the program. Miss Springer’s class is acting out the manger scene. It will be a lovely program for the parents and a wonderful witness about the real reason for the Christmas season.
The school children had been collecting non-perishable food items for donation. After lunch today, we loaded up the donation items and the children into the school buses and drove to Jackrabbit. (Yes, there is a place called jackrabbit, along with Two Guns and Twin Arrows etc). We surprised the staff at the Shelter with a very good donation of food. The shelter provides a home for children who are not with their parents for various reasons. It was a nicely built place with a large play ground area. It reminded me of a college campus in some ways. There were buildings that served at dormitories or cabins. Another building seemed to be the recreation and food area. It was nice for the children to see where their donation of food was going.
After our delivery, Miss Springer told the children that we had a surprise for them. They were all excited and were guessing what the surprise could be. Some thought it might be “Hot Cheetos” (one of their favorite snacks) or Pizza. We took the kids to McDonald’s and bought them all ice cream cones. Then, they all got to play on McDonald’s play land. The kids had a great time and they were all really well behaved.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
We decided to drive to Flagstaff, Arizona today to do our Christmas shopping. We knew that the weather forecast called for some heavy wind today, so it was no surprise to hear the wind blowing when we woke up. We had a lazy morning involving pancakes and sausage for breakfast. We left for Flagstaff about 10AM. I was driving and I could immediately feel the pull of the wind. The wind gusts were forecast to be up around 45 miles per hour. On the way to Flagstaff, it was kind of fun. I would compare it to the game “Frogger” for those of you who are familiar with old Atari games. I would drive down Interstate 40 and try to avoid the tumbleweeds crossing the interstate. First, slow down and a big one glides by right in front. Next, speed up so that one doesn’t get across the median before we pass it. We got to watch other cars and trucks plow right into the tumbleweeds and splinter then into debris. We even saw a semi truck driving with a very large tumbleweed stuck to the front of his grill. We did our shopping and by the time we were done, it was snowing in Flagstaff! It was really beginning to feel like Christmas.
The ride home was not so joyful. Almost immediately, we saw an overturned Hummer H2 attached to a travel trailer. The Hummer was heavily damaged. The wind shield was busted and the travel trailer was on its side in the middle of Interstate 40. The wind had caused a terrible accident. Next, we saw a truck pulling a trailer with a car in it. It looked like one of those trailers that the racing cars are carried inside. The trailer was blown over on its side beside the Interstate. Thankfully, the truck looked okay. We could see the dust storm in the distance right away. We drove into the dust storm when we got to the Meteor City exit. The dust enveloped our vehicle. Jerry wondered aloud if this would be called a “red” out. The dust was as thick as dense fog in some spots, drastically lowering our visibility. The dust cloud lasted all the way to Winslow.
When we returned to the mission a little later, we drove in the dust the entire way. When we pulled into the driveway, Jerry noticed that the wind had broken out one of the windows in the church. He hopped out and surveyed the damage. Then, he drove us down to the trailer and returned to make the needed repairs. There was broken glass and sand all over the sanctuary floor. He single-handedly nailed a sheet of plywood over the window (pushing against the 40 mile per hour wind gusts in the process). Ironically, the plywood he used was part of the set for the Christmas program. Then, he swept up the glass and sand. I am glad that we found the problem tonight and not Sunday morning!
The wind from this storm blew from about 6AM on Saturday morning until 2AM on Sunday morning. It ended with some sleet and freezing rain that left a sheet of ice on the vehicles. Praise the Lord! The roof on the new staff house remained intact. The roofing was being pushed upward by the wind, but it held in place. It was funny this morning to see the shingles on the roof sticking up in the air. The shingles had been lifted by the fierce wind gusts and quick frozen by the sleet up in the air.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
I did not attend church today. Kelcy was up last night for six hours with another stomach virus. About two hours after Kelcy started, Abby started as well. Jerry said that everything went well without me. I missed being there, but it was better for the girls to be at home so they could recuperate and not make anyone else sick.
The girls were well recovered by the afternoon, so we drove to Dilkon Christian Church for their Sunday evening service and monthly pot-luck dinner. Dilkon actually had snow on the ground still. Mr. Bill does a really great job with the service. We sang about eight Christmas carols and then he had a short devotion about celebrating Christmas every day, not just in the month of December. The Navajo ladies had prepared mutton stew with dumplings, a lovely vegetable salad, tortillas, vegetable medley and a green pistachio-lime-pineapple salad. Miss Springer brought cake and chocolate fudge, Mr. Bill prepared Ham and baked beans, and we brought mashed potatoes. I counted sixteen in attendance at the pot-luck. I enjoyed the chance to get out and socialize. However, by the time we left, it was nineteen degrees outside! Time to get home and warm up!
As I am typing this blog update, the girls are asleep already and Jerry is working on his lesson plans for when he returns in January. This week is riddled with forecasts for winter storms. Along with the weather, I saw there is a strike that is going on at Southwest Airlines in the Phoenix airport. Please pray that the Lord’s will is done in this situation. Our tickets for Friday’s flight home are with Southwest…
Next week: Staff Christmas dinner, Christmas program and Christmas school party!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Snow on the mountain!
Week of December 1 through December 5
This week was a week of adjustments. Mr. Bill began teaching the third, fifth and sixth grade classes at the school. Jerry & Miss Dawn began taking on extra chores to maintain the school. Some transitions went well, others didn’t go quite so smoothly. I really don’t feel the need to say anything other than we all had a week of adjustments. We all came through it and I think it has drawn us all closer together as a team, as difficult times often do.
Friday, December 5th
We said farewell to our friends Anne and Jim today. They are “snow birding” down to Phoenix for the winter. They stopped by at lunch time today and Ms. Anne took one more opportunity to provide us with her wonderful cookies! Thank you Ms. Anne and Mr. Jim, we will miss you all this winter! Oh, and speaking of winter, I have to tell the reason for the title. Anyone who has visited here probably remembers the view of the mountain peaks at Flagstaff. It is beautiful, especially set against the western sunset. Now, it is snow-covered! If possible, it looks even more majestic.
Saturday, December 6th
This Saturday dawned bright and early! Miss Dawn had organized and scheduled a “Craft Fair” at the church for today from 9AM to noon. All the parents and school children were invited, along with people from the church. We had several kids from school attend! It was so much fun! I cannot stress how much I enjoyed the crafts and the children. We all made Christmas Tree ornaments and Christmas decorations. There were ten craft projects to choose from and I know several children were able to complete them all. We had Christmas tree shaped ornaments, snow flake shaped ornaments, Christmas wreath shaped decorations, three different kinds of candy cane decorations to make. We served cookies and hot chocolate for a snack. Jerry hooked up some Christmas music to play in the background. One of the music selections was “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley, played in honor of both Miss Springer and Nana (Jerry’s Mom, Norma). They are both really like Elvis!
Kelcy’s favorite craft was making the candy canes out of red and white pom-poms. She made four of these, because she loved it so much. I think she enjoyed it so much because she could do it all by herself. Abby’s favorite craft was the “Snow” picture she made with a snow man and a penguin. She completed two of these projects.
While we were making crafts, Jerry and Mr. Bill were filling bags with Christmas goodies for the church folks. Miss Springer had acquired the supplies and the boys began filling the bags with oranges, apples, nuts and hard candy. Miss Springer says that that is the traditional Navajo stocking stuffers.
Sunday, December 7th
The service at Red Sands Christian Church went very well today! I had eight kids in my Sunday School class. We read about Christ’s birth in Luke. Next, we discussed what Paul says about why Jesus had to be born and to come to earth. It went well. Next, Mr. Bill brought a great lesson about “the indescribable gift” from 2nd Corinthians 9:15. The message was delivered beautifully and to a crowd of thirty people.
After the service, we had our potluck meal. Mr. Bill had provided ham for everyone. I made hashed brown casserole and a pineapple cake. Miss Springer made desserts and corn and vegetable casserole. The Navajo ladies brought fry bread, tossed salad, potato salad and some dessert. As far as I could tell, everyone stayed for the meal and we all ate hearty! There were also plenty of leftovers. It was so good, Abby and Kelcy didn’t even eat their dessert!
Monday, December 8th
After last week, I think we were all a little nervous today, but all went well. Today, all the kids had to eat in their classrooms, because we had an event scheduled at the church during the lunch period. I spent a lot of time at the school cleaning and straightening.
The school has been collecting Campbell’s soup labels for several years and this year the teachers got to purchase supplies using the points. We have begun receiving the supplies and it has been like Christmas every day! We open the boxes, not sure of what is inside. There are lots of supplies for recess games and P.E. games. There are aquariums and basketballs and science kits. Thank you to all who have collected soup labels, it has really paid off for the school kids!
Today, the church was on loan to another minister who performed a funeral service there. Afterward, the families had a fellowship meal there.
Tuesday, December 9th
And for those of you who don’t think it gets cold in the desert, I am here to tell you, it does. All day Monday, a cold wind blew. This morning, we woke up to snow on the ground! It was very pretty and the girls were very excited. We wondered if there would be school, but alas it was not canceled. Most of the snow was gone by 10AM. It was nice while it lasted! It REALLY does snow in the desert. Who knew?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
We had such a great day today! There is a place called AICM (American Indian Christian Missions) in Show Low, Arizona. There is Christian boarding school located there for the children from the Apache reservation. Today, three of their classes came to visit us here and brought gifts for the school children here. It was so much fun! It was great to meet the four lady missionaries who came with the group. They were a mixed group geographically. One was from North Carolina, one from Massachusetts, one was from Indiana and one from this area. The kids from Show Low got here about 10:30AM and stayed until 1:30PM. The Red Sands School provided a pizza lunch for the children and adults alike. After lunch, the kids played “tug ‘o war” (thanks to the new supplies from Campbell’s soup labels) and I confess that the Show Low team won! And they won soundly! I think Jerry will have to have the kids here do double the work in P.E. After the games they all came inside and the children from Show Low handed out gifts to the kids at Red Sands. All of the children were very well behaved and it went very well. All too soon, the Apache kids were on their way back home and the Red Sands kids were back to class work.
Next week: potluck at Dilkon, staff Christmas dinner, school Christmas program!
This week was a week of adjustments. Mr. Bill began teaching the third, fifth and sixth grade classes at the school. Jerry & Miss Dawn began taking on extra chores to maintain the school. Some transitions went well, others didn’t go quite so smoothly. I really don’t feel the need to say anything other than we all had a week of adjustments. We all came through it and I think it has drawn us all closer together as a team, as difficult times often do.
Friday, December 5th
We said farewell to our friends Anne and Jim today. They are “snow birding” down to Phoenix for the winter. They stopped by at lunch time today and Ms. Anne took one more opportunity to provide us with her wonderful cookies! Thank you Ms. Anne and Mr. Jim, we will miss you all this winter! Oh, and speaking of winter, I have to tell the reason for the title. Anyone who has visited here probably remembers the view of the mountain peaks at Flagstaff. It is beautiful, especially set against the western sunset. Now, it is snow-covered! If possible, it looks even more majestic.
Saturday, December 6th
This Saturday dawned bright and early! Miss Dawn had organized and scheduled a “Craft Fair” at the church for today from 9AM to noon. All the parents and school children were invited, along with people from the church. We had several kids from school attend! It was so much fun! I cannot stress how much I enjoyed the crafts and the children. We all made Christmas Tree ornaments and Christmas decorations. There were ten craft projects to choose from and I know several children were able to complete them all. We had Christmas tree shaped ornaments, snow flake shaped ornaments, Christmas wreath shaped decorations, three different kinds of candy cane decorations to make. We served cookies and hot chocolate for a snack. Jerry hooked up some Christmas music to play in the background. One of the music selections was “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley, played in honor of both Miss Springer and Nana (Jerry’s Mom, Norma). They are both really like Elvis!
Kelcy’s favorite craft was making the candy canes out of red and white pom-poms. She made four of these, because she loved it so much. I think she enjoyed it so much because she could do it all by herself. Abby’s favorite craft was the “Snow” picture she made with a snow man and a penguin. She completed two of these projects.
While we were making crafts, Jerry and Mr. Bill were filling bags with Christmas goodies for the church folks. Miss Springer had acquired the supplies and the boys began filling the bags with oranges, apples, nuts and hard candy. Miss Springer says that that is the traditional Navajo stocking stuffers.
Sunday, December 7th
The service at Red Sands Christian Church went very well today! I had eight kids in my Sunday School class. We read about Christ’s birth in Luke. Next, we discussed what Paul says about why Jesus had to be born and to come to earth. It went well. Next, Mr. Bill brought a great lesson about “the indescribable gift” from 2nd Corinthians 9:15. The message was delivered beautifully and to a crowd of thirty people.
After the service, we had our potluck meal. Mr. Bill had provided ham for everyone. I made hashed brown casserole and a pineapple cake. Miss Springer made desserts and corn and vegetable casserole. The Navajo ladies brought fry bread, tossed salad, potato salad and some dessert. As far as I could tell, everyone stayed for the meal and we all ate hearty! There were also plenty of leftovers. It was so good, Abby and Kelcy didn’t even eat their dessert!
Monday, December 8th
After last week, I think we were all a little nervous today, but all went well. Today, all the kids had to eat in their classrooms, because we had an event scheduled at the church during the lunch period. I spent a lot of time at the school cleaning and straightening.
The school has been collecting Campbell’s soup labels for several years and this year the teachers got to purchase supplies using the points. We have begun receiving the supplies and it has been like Christmas every day! We open the boxes, not sure of what is inside. There are lots of supplies for recess games and P.E. games. There are aquariums and basketballs and science kits. Thank you to all who have collected soup labels, it has really paid off for the school kids!
Today, the church was on loan to another minister who performed a funeral service there. Afterward, the families had a fellowship meal there.
Tuesday, December 9th
And for those of you who don’t think it gets cold in the desert, I am here to tell you, it does. All day Monday, a cold wind blew. This morning, we woke up to snow on the ground! It was very pretty and the girls were very excited. We wondered if there would be school, but alas it was not canceled. Most of the snow was gone by 10AM. It was nice while it lasted! It REALLY does snow in the desert. Who knew?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
We had such a great day today! There is a place called AICM (American Indian Christian Missions) in Show Low, Arizona. There is Christian boarding school located there for the children from the Apache reservation. Today, three of their classes came to visit us here and brought gifts for the school children here. It was so much fun! It was great to meet the four lady missionaries who came with the group. They were a mixed group geographically. One was from North Carolina, one from Massachusetts, one was from Indiana and one from this area. The kids from Show Low got here about 10:30AM and stayed until 1:30PM. The Red Sands School provided a pizza lunch for the children and adults alike. After lunch, the kids played “tug ‘o war” (thanks to the new supplies from Campbell’s soup labels) and I confess that the Show Low team won! And they won soundly! I think Jerry will have to have the kids here do double the work in P.E. After the games they all came inside and the children from Show Low handed out gifts to the kids at Red Sands. All of the children were very well behaved and it went very well. All too soon, the Apache kids were on their way back home and the Red Sands kids were back to class work.
Next week: potluck at Dilkon, staff Christmas dinner, school Christmas program!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Where the buffalo roam...
I must first apologize to all of you who are anxiously awaiting news from Red Sands. I have failed to enter any new info for two weeks now and I apologize. I know it can be frustrating to check in and see no updates for so long, so please bear with me.
Friday, November 21
Tonight Miss Springer, along with the school children, presented their fall program. It was a mix of scripture memorization and songs. The program ended with Mr. Bill giving a devotion about the first Thanksgiving. The kids all looked lovely and they were so excited to be there and performing. We had a great turn out with the parents and families. Afterward, the parents and teachers had provided refreshments. Most everyone stayed around to chat and get to know each other. It was so much fun.
Saturday, November 22
Today is the Winslow city Christmas parade. We drove up to town and parked out at the Warren Avenue Christian Church. We walked around before the parade started. It was a very big event! We saw vendors with Navajo Tacos, Tamales, Navajo blankets, Turquoise jewelry, and all kinds of foods. It was centered on the "corner" in Winslow. We found a nice spot and watched the parade. Kelcy called it a "hurrah'd". Pronounced like parade, only with an "h". It was her first parade to my recollection. She really enjoyed it. We got to see some of the school kids there walking around. In the parade there were Hopi dancers and marching bands from as far away as Payson. They even had the Shriners with the small cars. Some of the floats threw out candy, to the delight of my children. Kelcy REALLY enjoyed this part of the parade. The parade ended with a fire truck that had Santa and his sleigh riding on top. It was a fun day.
Sunday, November 23
We had quite a few people at church today. I had 11 in my Sunday school class alone. Mr. Bill gave a wonderful and encouraging message about being grateful.
Tuesday, November 25th
Today, we saw the buffalo. They were right behind the school, lying down in the grass. I drove Kelcy down after lunch to look at them, but they were farther away then. It is very neat to see the buffalo roaming here. We believe that they belong to someone around here, they are not wild.
Wednesday, November 26th
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch with the children today! We all pitched in to bring the various items and had a great lunch! We had Turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls and pumpkin pies prepared by Miss Springer's Kindergarten through second grade class. We had a great turn-out again with the parents and friends of the school. School was over after lunch and all the kids went home with their hunger fully satisfied.
And today it rained! I forgot to mention it, but God had provided someone to put the roof on the new staff house. The old roof was half removed by the fifteen hour dust storm back in October. If it had rained without a roof on the house, it oculd well have damaged the dry wall inside. Well, the gentleman who replaced the roof was finished on Tuesday and then we got rain on Wednesday! Isn't that a wonderful miracle? The Lord provided once again! And just in time!
Thursday-Thanksgiving Day!
We stayed home today and had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving day. I was up at 7AM starting the turkey and had lunch on the table before noon. We had turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and green beans and rolls and pumpkin cake. By this time, I was little tired of pumpkin pie, so I made a pumpkin cake that turned out well. We all just played and read books and rested.
Saturday, November 29th
The Roberts family left today. The Robert's family, both of them were teachers, have decided that this is not the place for them at this time and they have left the mission. We wish them well in whatever the future holds.
Today, we went to the Winslow public library again and had a great time. The girls love the library! We read books and played and found some books to borrow. We borrowed about 10 books for the girls to read/be read to. The library is such a wonderful place. I love books and I think that the girls also love books!
Sunday, November 30th
We had quite a few people at church again today! I had 9 in Sunday school class today. I didn't get to hear Mr. Bill's sermon today, but I am sure it a great one. During the evening service, we drove to Dilkon Christian Church to hear Mr. Bill teach. His lesson there was on Romans. We all enjoyed the lesson and getting to see the Navajo members over at Dilkon again.
Friday, November 21
Tonight Miss Springer, along with the school children, presented their fall program. It was a mix of scripture memorization and songs. The program ended with Mr. Bill giving a devotion about the first Thanksgiving. The kids all looked lovely and they were so excited to be there and performing. We had a great turn out with the parents and families. Afterward, the parents and teachers had provided refreshments. Most everyone stayed around to chat and get to know each other. It was so much fun.
Saturday, November 22
Today is the Winslow city Christmas parade. We drove up to town and parked out at the Warren Avenue Christian Church. We walked around before the parade started. It was a very big event! We saw vendors with Navajo Tacos, Tamales, Navajo blankets, Turquoise jewelry, and all kinds of foods. It was centered on the "corner" in Winslow. We found a nice spot and watched the parade. Kelcy called it a "hurrah'd". Pronounced like parade, only with an "h". It was her first parade to my recollection. She really enjoyed it. We got to see some of the school kids there walking around. In the parade there were Hopi dancers and marching bands from as far away as Payson. They even had the Shriners with the small cars. Some of the floats threw out candy, to the delight of my children. Kelcy REALLY enjoyed this part of the parade. The parade ended with a fire truck that had Santa and his sleigh riding on top. It was a fun day.
Sunday, November 23
We had quite a few people at church today. I had 11 in my Sunday school class alone. Mr. Bill gave a wonderful and encouraging message about being grateful.
Tuesday, November 25th
Today, we saw the buffalo. They were right behind the school, lying down in the grass. I drove Kelcy down after lunch to look at them, but they were farther away then. It is very neat to see the buffalo roaming here. We believe that they belong to someone around here, they are not wild.
Wednesday, November 26th
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch with the children today! We all pitched in to bring the various items and had a great lunch! We had Turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, rolls and pumpkin pies prepared by Miss Springer's Kindergarten through second grade class. We had a great turn-out again with the parents and friends of the school. School was over after lunch and all the kids went home with their hunger fully satisfied.
And today it rained! I forgot to mention it, but God had provided someone to put the roof on the new staff house. The old roof was half removed by the fifteen hour dust storm back in October. If it had rained without a roof on the house, it oculd well have damaged the dry wall inside. Well, the gentleman who replaced the roof was finished on Tuesday and then we got rain on Wednesday! Isn't that a wonderful miracle? The Lord provided once again! And just in time!
Thursday-Thanksgiving Day!
We stayed home today and had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving day. I was up at 7AM starting the turkey and had lunch on the table before noon. We had turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and green beans and rolls and pumpkin cake. By this time, I was little tired of pumpkin pie, so I made a pumpkin cake that turned out well. We all just played and read books and rested.
Saturday, November 29th
The Roberts family left today. The Robert's family, both of them were teachers, have decided that this is not the place for them at this time and they have left the mission. We wish them well in whatever the future holds.
Today, we went to the Winslow public library again and had a great time. The girls love the library! We read books and played and found some books to borrow. We borrowed about 10 books for the girls to read/be read to. The library is such a wonderful place. I love books and I think that the girls also love books!
Sunday, November 30th
We had quite a few people at church again today! I had 9 in Sunday school class today. I didn't get to hear Mr. Bill's sermon today, but I am sure it a great one. During the evening service, we drove to Dilkon Christian Church to hear Mr. Bill teach. His lesson there was on Romans. We all enjoyed the lesson and getting to see the Navajo members over at Dilkon again.
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