Two weeks and Two Abbys!

February 15th thru March 4th, 2009

I can’t believe it has been over two weeks since I updated this. Time really is flying here! Monday, February 16th school was closed in honor of President’s Day. If any kids are reading this, even the Winslow public schools were closed in honor of President’s Day. It was nice to see such a patriotic stance. The Post Office and Library were also closed. Our family drove into Flagstaff this day to do some shopping. Flag (as it is known here) had about 2 feet of snow on the ground? There were kids riding sleds all over the place. Jerry went to one of the teacher supply stores in Flag and purchased supplies for some science experiments that his classes will be doing. I went into the “Michael’s” store and purchased art supplies! Thank you, Ms. Alford, for the gift card from “Michael’s”! I purchased charcoal pencils and erasers, some canvas board, some watercolor paper and pastel chalk. I was very excited for my classes to begin using the new art supplies!

Upon our return from Flag, Mr. Bill was waiting for Jerry. They were planning to remove the furnace from the library building, as it was no longer functioning. They accomplished this goal very quickly! On February 21st Mr. Bill and Jerry installed the new furnace in the library and it works great! Thanks guys, it was a little cold in there during story hour!

After school on Friday, February 20th , we loaded up and drove over to a relatively local state park called “Homolovi Ruins State Park”. Jerry had heard that because of low funds this was one of eight state parks in Arizona that may be closing very soon, so we thought we would go to see it just in case.

We drove past Winslow and took the exit toward Second Mesa, then turned left. A short distance from the highway was the sign for the park, so we turned in. We drove past the camp grounds and to the “Homolovi Ruins I” site. We were all very excited. We went hiking up the trail, showing the girls how to follow the colored ribbons to stay on the path. The path was designed to allow visitors to walk among the ruins, but not ON them. These ruins were not very exciting at first glance, but when we got to the top of the hill and saw the view that the ancestors of the Hopis saw, we were impressed. The ruins is located at a bend in the Little Colorado river. The river bank is white and sandy and beautiful, it resembled a beautiful beach. I could see why these people had chosen to live in this area—availability of water, higher ground for scouting game and a beautiful view. Of course, there is a sign warning visitors not to walk on the river bank because of quicksand. Quicksand! I didn’t know we had that in the United States.

Next we went to the visitor’s center and met the ranger assigned to this park. He was very nice, even though it was quickly approaching closing time. The visitor’s center had a lot of Hopi art, including pottery and blankets. Next we drove back into the “Homolovi II” ruins. We all walked up a hill and enjoyed looking at the remaining signs of occupation. It was a beautiful area and one of the highest points in the area. Even though we were there for only two hours, it felt like we were on vacation!

Thursday, February 26th the Winslow Health Center was here and measured the Body Mass Index (BMI) for each of the school children. Abby was on the low side of normal and Kelcy was under-weight. The kids each got a sheet detailing the results of their BMI and a pamphlet promoting healthy eating and exercise. We really appreciate all the work that the Winslow Health Center does!

Today, my art class started using the pastel chalk. We were drawing a still life of fruit and then they were to color or finish it by using the pastel chalk. They were excited to use the chalk and they did a great job!

Monday, March 2nd

We found out that four of our students (one family) were transferring to another school. This was a hard day. Everyone, including the school kids, were disappointed to see them go. Two of the children were in Abby’s class and she has really been stressed about this situation. I think the way the children keep leaving really creates in her a sense of instability. I can’t imagine what it is like for the children who will be starting at different school for the third time this school year.

Tonight we had our staff meeting for March. We had a lot to talk about. There will be an art show at the end of March, complete with ribbons! We are also looking forward to our first visitors of this year. We have two groups set to arrive in March. Then at the end of March is Spring Break.

Tuesday, March 3rd Winslow Dental came out to the school with their rolling dentist’s office and cleaned and sealed all of the school kids teeth. It is so great to see this kind of service provided for the school! Thank you, Winslow Dental!

Most of you probably wonder about the weather here. We had the snow day a few weeks ago, but since then we have had abundant sunshine and warm weather, sometimes as high as 85 degrees already. However, the wind stays with us constantly. We have already had two sand storms this year and the Flint Boys are starting their mischief. Navajo legend says that the Blue Flint Boys are responsible for the Dust Devils. Today, March 4, I can feel the floor move in my office as the wind gusts outside. We are encircled by a sand storm, but the dust here is not blowing too badly. The sky to the east of us is red with the sand floating in the air. I guess March is coming in like a Lion.

Abby & Kelcy and I have been going into town on Saturdays to visit a local playground. The girls have made lots of new friends since we started going, but one in particular stands out. We were visiting the park and two young ladies came into the playground area. The older looked to be eight or nine years old and the younger looked about three or four years old. Abby practically ran over to the younger sister and, using her manners, asked the young ladies name. The young lady replied that her name was “Abby”. After that, they were inseparable. The look Abby’s face was so sweet! Kelcy came to tell me that there were two “Abbys” and that the new Abby was her friend. They played well together for quite a while. The time came for us to leave. As we told the new Abby that we had to go, she shared that her mother and father were both in jail. I told her that I was very sorry about that. We promised that we would try to return the next Saturday, if weather permitted. On the way home, the girls asked questions about why the girls parents would be in jail and I told them that it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that she is your friend. On the way home, Kelcy also said, "I wish there was two Abbys AND two Kelcys at the park today." We did return to the park the next Saturday, but found no sign of the new Abby or her sister. I hope you will all say a prayer for these two girls.

Church continues to do well. March 1st was the pot luck here at Red Sands and we had twenty-three in attendance, I think. Mr. Bill brought hams, Miss Springer brought rolls and banana bread and scalloped potatoes and I brought baked beans and salad. Some of the Navajo people brought fry bread, chips and salsa, drinks and cookies to share. I had a Sunday school class of six children today. They were a little rambunctious, but some of them were really paying attention to the lesson!

The pot luck at Dilkon has been moved this month, from the second Sunday to the third Sunday of the month. I look forward to traveling over there, as always! I also look forward to the return of our friends, Jim and Anne. They should arrive back here around March 15th.

I apologize for the rambling nature of this update, but I completed it very quickly, with no editing.