Hey, Everyone

Now, this was something I CHOSE TO DO because 1)I was single 2)I was bilingual with Spanish (not a necessity) 3)I took it on as a “personal ministry”. In 1997 I was teaching ESL, and where I was attending church at the time had a Hispanic outreach program, and it had a Spanish-speaking preacher. The preacher moved, and they needed someone to preach while they looked for a full-time replacement. I volunteered to preach, but I also acted as a youth minister. I invited my students (my student population was 100% Hispanic) from my classroom to come to church services and to participate in after church activities on Sundays.  It was a lot of time and effort, but I really enjoyed it. At the end of that school year, the church found a full-time preacher, and I relinquished my position. That was a very fulfilling time for me.

Not every teacher can spend as much free time as I did with my students, and you SHOULD NOT FEEL OBLIGATED to; however, if the situation (church, community projects, sports) presents itself, give it a try. I enjoyed my students’ “out of the classroom” lives, and grew close to many of their parents. It was a time I truly cherish and have preserved for eternity in my heart.

Is a patient person lucky?

I believe there is a combination to luck: Patience, a keen eye, and God’s hand. I never found a 4 leaf clover until I was 23! I had friends who could find handfuls of 4 leaf clovers, and I was envious.  My final year of undergraduate college was 1988-1989. I had been praying for a teaching job all that year, but I really “turned up the volume” about January. By the end of June, there was still NOTHING in sight. I didn’t even have a part-time job! I felt awful! I know it was a coincidence and all happened in God’s time, but about the last week of June I found a 5 LEAF CLOVER in our yard. I picked it and it put it in a scrapbook. The next day, where I had applied for a part-time job called to offer me work, and a day later, a personnel director called to set up an interview for me a teaching position. A principal had been looking for someone with my qualifications for 5 months, and he went to the personnel director “one more time” to look for someone like me. I interviewed and got the job!

I always add a prayer when I find a 4 leaf clover. To me it is like faith and works. The clover is a symbol/an outward appearance of faith which is our trust in God, and our trust in Him develops our patience. Ammon, Carter, and I found 3 four leaf clovers the other day. It took patience and a keen eye, and we added prayers to God that He would grant us the wishes we made. Friends and family, be patient in your life today, keep a keen eye on what is going on around you, and make your wants and desires be known to God.

…what in April? Doesn’t that start in July? Well, here in this family it’s EVERY DAY! LOL. Allow me to expand.

So far in life, I have had two favorite breeds of dogs: German Shepherds and hound dogs (Coonhounds and Dachshunds particularly). Before a life with babies, I spent a lot of time in the woods (day and night) with my coonhounds.  I have been wanting a picture with Carter and Ammon leading the Coonhounds, but, unfortunately only two of our four made this photo shoot. Sissy was hiding, and Ferd was back up on the mountain behind our house getting exercise.

Several things on my mind to share. 1)I do not know life without dogs, and I do not wish to know life without dogs. I love the heart, soul, and loyalty of a dog. Some of my first snap shots when I was a few days old are of our hound dog, Droop, checking me out in my baby-carry-a-long.  2)Today (April 13) is Ferd, Sissy, and Caleb ‘s coonhound birthday. They are 8 years old today. Their mother, Katie, had them under my bed. At the time, I was told by several dog-loving friends that I should feel honored because Katie wanted to have them near someone she loved and trusted. 3)I am so glad Ammon and Carter love dogs like me. I never encouraged them to lead dogs. It was something they chose to do on their own without me. I am thrilled and nostalgic because I know how much my father loved dogs, my Nanny Caylor loved dogs, and my Nanny Alexander loved dogs, so we’ve started on a 5^th generation of dog lovers (F.Y. I…that’s almost 130 years of dog loving in this family!). Hope your Wednesday is a blessed one!

No Olvides las llaves (Don’t forget the keys!)

In the near future, I plant to devote some blogs to our travels. This past February, we had the pleasure to sail around the tip of South America. We started in Valparaiso, Chile, and we finished in Sao Paulo, Brazil. One stop was in Montevideo, Uruguay. Uruguay is South American famous for its leather goods. Because I have spent 30 years looking for keys especially car keys in my house, we bought this leather, perpetual calendar/key holder for me! It is working great, and it’s beautiful. I am reconditioning myself to keep the keys in this one location, and at the same time, I am reminded of beautiful Uruguayan leather craftsmanship, and our great time in Montevideo.

Non-Conventional PTA/PTO meetings Part I

Hey, Everyone. Making contact with the parents of ESL students sometimes never takes place. Most of these parents work non-conventional hours (2^nd or 3^rd shift) and sleep during the day.  Something I found to be very effective with parent contact was having a Parent-Teacher day on a Saturday. What a Saturday???? Yep! Most parents were home on Saturdays, and believe it or not, MANY came and will come for you. I know Saturdays are precious to us teachers, but if you really want to meet those parents and establish a relationship with them, you will do it.

Start planning your meeting immediately during your summer pre-planning session. If communicating in a different language is a barrier start investigating someone your friends or colleagues may know that can interpret for you. Be sure you offer refreshments too. You would be surprised what stores and/or restaurants in your community might donate food. I will publish a part II next week.

Sandal Time!

I’ve always liked and enjoyed wearing sandals, and now with Carter and Ammon I like them even more. They come in such cute styles for children, and for all you parents out there they have the advantage of (are you guessing with my flow here?…..) dum, dum, dum, NO LACES! Yiiiiipeeee! Grab a baby, grab a pair of sandals, fasten those suckers up, and you’re ready to go. Happy Spring time, Happy Saturday, and Happy Sandal Time folks!