Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
How to be...
Emily was telling me something that were going on in her classroom and in that convo she said that one of her children asked "Why is your sister always sick. You always add her to the prayer list?" And it got me thinking...
...I AM always sick, and I always will be sick. Until the day I die have a disease. How am I going to be sick? I know it is a slightly odd question. One most of us never have to really ponder *thankfully*...
I TRY not to ever let my children know how much pain I am in, even last year when I was using the wheel chair outside of school there was only ONCE that I used it within the school in front of kids. I don't want the kids to have to deal with the ugliness of chronic pain, they should not have to even think about such things. But how am I sick around my coworkers...I do NOT want to be that person who is always a downer, I HATE people who suck the air out of a room when they enter. How do I retain a cheery dispostion and reamin true when they ask "How are you?" Most of the time I say "eh." or "Mas o menos" or "Same as usual" DO I lie to my coworkers to not be a downer? I work in a Christian school with wonderful people and I KNOW that they prayer for me, I feel like a broken record to keep repeating that I am having a lot of pain today and need prayer that God gives me strengtha nd energy to get thru the day, but at the same time if I don't ask I am missing out on a huge source of prayer...
...How to be a pleasent perosn while still being truthful. That is a hard one. When I figure it out I will let ya all know. In the mean time I will try my best not to be Daisy Downer.
...I AM always sick, and I always will be sick. Until the day I die have a disease. How am I going to be sick? I know it is a slightly odd question. One most of us never have to really ponder *thankfully*...
I TRY not to ever let my children know how much pain I am in, even last year when I was using the wheel chair outside of school there was only ONCE that I used it within the school in front of kids. I don't want the kids to have to deal with the ugliness of chronic pain, they should not have to even think about such things. But how am I sick around my coworkers...I do NOT want to be that person who is always a downer, I HATE people who suck the air out of a room when they enter. How do I retain a cheery dispostion and reamin true when they ask "How are you?" Most of the time I say "eh." or "Mas o menos" or "Same as usual" DO I lie to my coworkers to not be a downer? I work in a Christian school with wonderful people and I KNOW that they prayer for me, I feel like a broken record to keep repeating that I am having a lot of pain today and need prayer that God gives me strengtha nd energy to get thru the day, but at the same time if I don't ask I am missing out on a huge source of prayer...
...How to be a pleasent perosn while still being truthful. That is a hard one. When I figure it out I will let ya all know. In the mean time I will try my best not to be Daisy Downer.
Monday, September 21, 2009
What is true?
It is easy to say that "yes I trust in the Lord" but it is a whole different ball of wax when that is put to the test.
Today I had a doctor's appt with my rhuematologist. It did not go well. I have been told the medication that I am currently taking is not working and that it has become necessary to move to the next step. The next step is the bological class of drugs which are very very expensive and totally out of my reach.
So I came home bummed. This news was slowly eating away at my brain. Truly like a worm turning ever so slowly eating away at my peace of mind and ability to see hope for the future. But it doesn't matter...none of it...Because
I was made to love You
I was find You
I was made just for You
Made to adore You
I was made to love
and be loved by You
You were here before me
You were wating on me
and You said You'd keep me
never would you leave me
I was made to love You
and be loved by You
The dreams alive with my eyes open wide
Back in the ring
You've got me swinging for the grand prize
I feel the haters spitting vapor on my dreams
but I still believe
I'm reaching out reaching up reaching over
I feel a breeze cover me called Jehovah
and when did I forget
I was made to love You
I was find You
I was made just for You
Made to adore You
I was made to love
and be loved by You
You were here before me
you were wating on me
and You said You'd keep me
never would you leave me
I was made to love You
and be loved by You
I am ever humbled by the way in which God uses everything around us to speak to us. A word from a friend, a randon Bible verse, a song. The song above is by a man named TobyMac. I really respect this man he has spent 20 years in the Christian music industry. We was formerly part of DC Talk and they were HUGE in the 90's and had many forces telling them to tone down the Christian aspect and go mainstream. They refused. Not only did they refuse but all three of the members have managed to continue to live Godly lives in the Spotlight. Anyway I was sitting at the computer listening to some secular music that matched my mood, (rolling stones-Paint it Black, Green Day- Time of your life...etc...) Then I kicked myself in the butt and told myself that sitting here moping was getting me no where, PUT one music to help yourself not hinder...so I opened up iTunes and hit shuffle and "I was Made" was what came up... Yup God is pretty darn awesome. So still don't have a way to get my medicine that will prevent major bone deformity in my body but I WAS MADE TO LOVE HIM! Have you forgotten why you were made????
That's all I got ot say bout that!
Today I had a doctor's appt with my rhuematologist. It did not go well. I have been told the medication that I am currently taking is not working and that it has become necessary to move to the next step. The next step is the bological class of drugs which are very very expensive and totally out of my reach.
So I came home bummed. This news was slowly eating away at my brain. Truly like a worm turning ever so slowly eating away at my peace of mind and ability to see hope for the future. But it doesn't matter...none of it...Because
I was made to love You
I was find You
I was made just for You
Made to adore You
I was made to love
and be loved by You
You were here before me
You were wating on me
and You said You'd keep me
never would you leave me
I was made to love You
and be loved by You
The dreams alive with my eyes open wide
Back in the ring
You've got me swinging for the grand prize
I feel the haters spitting vapor on my dreams
but I still believe
I'm reaching out reaching up reaching over
I feel a breeze cover me called Jehovah
and when did I forget
I was made to love You
I was find You
I was made just for You
Made to adore You
I was made to love
and be loved by You
You were here before me
you were wating on me
and You said You'd keep me
never would you leave me
I was made to love You
and be loved by You
I am ever humbled by the way in which God uses everything around us to speak to us. A word from a friend, a randon Bible verse, a song. The song above is by a man named TobyMac. I really respect this man he has spent 20 years in the Christian music industry. We was formerly part of DC Talk and they were HUGE in the 90's and had many forces telling them to tone down the Christian aspect and go mainstream. They refused. Not only did they refuse but all three of the members have managed to continue to live Godly lives in the Spotlight. Anyway I was sitting at the computer listening to some secular music that matched my mood, (rolling stones-Paint it Black, Green Day- Time of your life...etc...) Then I kicked myself in the butt and told myself that sitting here moping was getting me no where, PUT one music to help yourself not hinder...so I opened up iTunes and hit shuffle and "I was Made" was what came up... Yup God is pretty darn awesome. So still don't have a way to get my medicine that will prevent major bone deformity in my body but I WAS MADE TO LOVE HIM! Have you forgotten why you were made????
That's all I got ot say bout that!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
UPDATE
Please see our Peru blog for updated pictures...both of the Farm field trip and of Emily's Third Graders.
Thanks,
Cindy
Thanks,
Cindy
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Happy Field Trip
We had a great field trip on Friday. The kids did a great job with their behaviour and they had a GREAT time. The farm staff was incredible and really knew how to keep the kids attention and interest. I had three mothers come with us and they were awesome, they had fun without being overbearing, overall I enjoyed myself and had a good experience.
I will work on posting a few pictures of our time at the farm...until then I hope you all are having a good day.
I will work on posting a few pictures of our time at the farm...until then I hope you all are having a good day.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesdays
Tuesdays are hard...
Monday you have things to talk about with your coworkers, ya know what happened over the weekend etc...
Wednesday you know you are half way through the week....
but Tuesdays....pero martes...
martes es mal.
Tuesdays are bad.
There is no redeeming quality to Tuesday, it seems just to be a day of "UHG" all this to say that today was a very good Tuesday...not at all like Tuesday's usually feel to me.
I had fun with my kids and they are understanding more and more everyday. We played the "In and Out" game. It is a simple game. Here in Peru we have large circles painted on the concrete on the conchas, they are safe zones in case of earthquakes...anyway we all get IN the circle (pause while everyone actually listens and obeys...) now let's all get OUT of the circle! (pause again for action) Now IN....OUT....IN....OUT....over to this other circle and get IN....now OUT...
They love it and I make them repeat the words as we all jump IN and OUT of the circles.
Yup that was the highlight of my Tuesday...now that I am writing it down it sounds pretty pathetic...but oh well! :)
It was hard to start the year with a new group of kids when I had worked so hard to get last years kids to where they were...but I am starting to see progress in the classroom. They actually know the songs and will sing them even without me (this is a MAJOR step to truly knowing a song) it can get to be a problem when they start singing songs at times that it should not be sung but hey we are working all the wrinkles out...they are just 4 after all...sigh...I have to remind myself of that a lot...
This Friday is our FIRST Field Trip!!!! I am not sure how this is going to go but I hope for the best and am prepared for the worst so it is all good.
Enough of my rambling hope you all had a good Tuesday.
Cindy
Monday you have things to talk about with your coworkers, ya know what happened over the weekend etc...
Wednesday you know you are half way through the week....
but Tuesdays....pero martes...
martes es mal.
Tuesdays are bad.
There is no redeeming quality to Tuesday, it seems just to be a day of "UHG" all this to say that today was a very good Tuesday...not at all like Tuesday's usually feel to me.
I had fun with my kids and they are understanding more and more everyday. We played the "In and Out" game. It is a simple game. Here in Peru we have large circles painted on the concrete on the conchas, they are safe zones in case of earthquakes...anyway we all get IN the circle (pause while everyone actually listens and obeys...) now let's all get OUT of the circle! (pause again for action) Now IN....OUT....IN....OUT....over to this other circle and get IN....now OUT...
They love it and I make them repeat the words as we all jump IN and OUT of the circles.
Yup that was the highlight of my Tuesday...now that I am writing it down it sounds pretty pathetic...but oh well! :)
It was hard to start the year with a new group of kids when I had worked so hard to get last years kids to where they were...but I am starting to see progress in the classroom. They actually know the songs and will sing them even without me (this is a MAJOR step to truly knowing a song) it can get to be a problem when they start singing songs at times that it should not be sung but hey we are working all the wrinkles out...they are just 4 after all...sigh...I have to remind myself of that a lot...
This Friday is our FIRST Field Trip!!!! I am not sure how this is going to go but I hope for the best and am prepared for the worst so it is all good.
Enough of my rambling hope you all had a good Tuesday.
Cindy
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Will wonders never cease...
I am posting for the second time in a week.
We have started our four day weekend. It has come in the nick of time. My brain needs some time away from the children. I am so haapy not to have to be responsible for any small kids for FOUR whole days...sighs happily!
Things really have gone well.
The first month is always the hardest for P-4. It is very stressful for them to be immersed into English and they can be very cranky/sleepy/crying little brat---I mean they can have a hard time adjusting. :)
We are throught the adjusting period. I have gotten to know them and they have gotten to know me and we both have gotten the hang of how things are going to work this year.
We have completed Deedee deer this week and will be ready for Ellie Elephant when we start school on Monday. We use a system called Zoo-Phonics and it it wonderful. It assigns an animal character to every letter sound. It is a great way to help kids learn English and even begin to read.
I enjoy teaching this age level because I still enjoying doing the same things they do...example: for Bubba Bear week we "painted with Bubbles" we got a tub of water with dish soap in it, got straws and blew bubbles then Miss Leinbach dropped some liquid paint (red, blue, and yellow) onto the bubbles then we carefully placed a paper on the bubble being careful not to press too hard and get it in the water (well most of us anyway) It was so much fun watching the kids faces as we pulled the paper up and we all saw what design was on the other side. Ah, good times.
Okay well now that I have given y'all a brief snapshot of P-4 I am going to go now. It is 3:55 am and I am feeling like I can go back to bed now.
We have started our four day weekend. It has come in the nick of time. My brain needs some time away from the children. I am so haapy not to have to be responsible for any small kids for FOUR whole days...sighs happily!
Things really have gone well.
The first month is always the hardest for P-4. It is very stressful for them to be immersed into English and they can be very cranky/sleepy/crying little brat---I mean they can have a hard time adjusting. :)
We are throught the adjusting period. I have gotten to know them and they have gotten to know me and we both have gotten the hang of how things are going to work this year.
We have completed Deedee deer this week and will be ready for Ellie Elephant when we start school on Monday. We use a system called Zoo-Phonics and it it wonderful. It assigns an animal character to every letter sound. It is a great way to help kids learn English and even begin to read.
I enjoy teaching this age level because I still enjoying doing the same things they do...example: for Bubba Bear week we "painted with Bubbles" we got a tub of water with dish soap in it, got straws and blew bubbles then Miss Leinbach dropped some liquid paint (red, blue, and yellow) onto the bubbles then we carefully placed a paper on the bubble being careful not to press too hard and get it in the water (well most of us anyway) It was so much fun watching the kids faces as we pulled the paper up and we all saw what design was on the other side. Ah, good times.
Okay well now that I have given y'all a brief snapshot of P-4 I am going to go now. It is 3:55 am and I am feeling like I can go back to bed now.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
PICTURES!!!!!!!
Here are some pictures from the first month of P-4.
We have had fun and learned a lot...or at least I think they have learned a lot. They are starting to ask in English to go to the bathroom, wash their hands, and put things in their cubby holes so life is good.
Enjoy the pictures.
May you all have a blessed Easter Week.
Cindy
We have had fun and learned a lot...or at least I think they have learned a lot. They are starting to ask in English to go to the bathroom, wash their hands, and put things in their cubby holes so life is good.
Enjoy the pictures.
May you all have a blessed Easter Week.
Cindy
 |
| P-4 2009 March snaps |
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Back home in Peru
We arrived safely on Feb. 24 and have been on the go ever since. We are currently in the middle of the second week of school and are already exhausted. It will get better it was just kinda stressful to come and have Friday and Monday to get everything ready and lesson plans prepared for class.
I am frustrated and excited about my class. I had reached a really nice point with my class last year...they understood almost everything I said and could tell me what they needed to, it was nice. Now I am back to wonderful little munchkins who don't have any idea what I am saying or asking them to do...it is frustrating...and they can't tell me what they want ot cause I don't understand Spanish....sigh...
I know it will get better I saw it happen last year I just forgot how hard it is.
On a happy note I also forgot how amazing it is to hear a child who knew no English come up to you with no prompting and ask "May I go to the bathroom please." It is great, and yesterday I had a little one come up at lunch and hand me a package of crackers saying "Miss Leinbach, open please." They really do listen to what we say and they remember it!
They have an amazing ability to learn and retain a second lanuage...EVERYONE should learn a second language at age 4!!!!
Okay I need to get going and continue to lesson plan for next week..I think we are going ot have a pool party next Friday!
Love ya all
Me
I am frustrated and excited about my class. I had reached a really nice point with my class last year...they understood almost everything I said and could tell me what they needed to, it was nice. Now I am back to wonderful little munchkins who don't have any idea what I am saying or asking them to do...it is frustrating...and they can't tell me what they want ot cause I don't understand Spanish....sigh...
I know it will get better I saw it happen last year I just forgot how hard it is.
On a happy note I also forgot how amazing it is to hear a child who knew no English come up to you with no prompting and ask "May I go to the bathroom please." It is great, and yesterday I had a little one come up at lunch and hand me a package of crackers saying "Miss Leinbach, open please." They really do listen to what we say and they remember it!
They have an amazing ability to learn and retain a second lanuage...EVERYONE should learn a second language at age 4!!!!
Okay I need to get going and continue to lesson plan for next week..I think we are going ot have a pool party next Friday!
Love ya all
Me
Monday, February 16, 2009
Getting ready to go....
So I suck at updating. I admit it.
So here is waht is happening....
We are going back to Peru for a second year!!!!!
We still need around $3,000.00 but we have been AMAZED by the generosity of so many in difficult times! You are amazing! Thanks you thank you thank you!
(Warning shameless plug ahead!)
If you haven't yet donated it isn't too late!!! No not at all, we are accepting donations until December of 2009! Isn't that nice of us? *grin*
Anyway we are very happy and excited to be able to go back at the same a little stressed about packing and traveling...the normal stress of packing for eleven months...
We are going to the Educational Teachers store today and are very excited to be able to get supplies in English for our classrooms!
We WILL have a working computer, and we DO have a Vonage phone that will work to talk with our wonderful friends and family.
Okay I have to go get ready to go.
So here is waht is happening....
We are going back to Peru for a second year!!!!!
We still need around $3,000.00 but we have been AMAZED by the generosity of so many in difficult times! You are amazing! Thanks you thank you thank you!
(Warning shameless plug ahead!)
If you haven't yet donated it isn't too late!!! No not at all, we are accepting donations until December of 2009! Isn't that nice of us? *grin*
Anyway we are very happy and excited to be able to go back at the same a little stressed about packing and traveling...the normal stress of packing for eleven months...
We are going to the Educational Teachers store today and are very excited to be able to get supplies in English for our classrooms!
We WILL have a working computer, and we DO have a Vonage phone that will work to talk with our wonderful friends and family.
Okay I have to go get ready to go.
Friday, January 30, 2009
So I have been silent since Thanksgiving...sorry. Christmas was good. THe end of school and the Christmas program were completely crazy...then rushed to pack up ALL our belongings and board a plane home. Then the crazy homecoming and seeing eveyone and having fun reconnecting...it is all exhausting! :) Then we found out we had to raise all our support if we wanted to go back (See our Peru blog for what our current support level is and what more we need) and the rush to create and send out support letters and cards...now we are in a holding pattern waiting for see the work God will do through our friends and family. It is amazing and stressful. We have done all we can do and now we just have to wait...I don't do waiting very well...so I have started crocheting again to keep my mind occupied. It is a win lose thing...my hands hurt the day after I crochet a lot but then the next day I can start up again. ANyway I just wanted to let you all know I am alive and ever so thankful to all of you who have pledged to help send us back...you can't imagine how humbling it is to have you respond to God's call on our behalf.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)