ngeremlengui, olympics, sickness, and relief

Well, the last two weeks have been quite surprising. My kids have been consistently good. There is a good reason for this phenomenon, however - my biggest troublemakers have all been sick. I did not pray that God would keep them sick, but I must admit that I wasn't too disappointed when they didn't show up to school (as you can tell, I'm still working on getting that God-like love).

Molly and Bronson reviewing for a Science Test

This Friday was a really fun day. We barely did any normal schoolwork. After two quizzes and a worksheet, we visited Ecuador (everyone made it this time). We colored our manila envelope suitcases and put our first flag on the outside. I impressed my kids with my limited Spanish skills. I basically said, "hello", "my name is", and "how are you?" and the kids were so surprised. "You speak Spanish?" I thought about it, smiled, and said, "Yes, yes I do." What they don't know won't hurt them.
After Ecuador, we visited 2B for a joint spelling bee. Then came the highlight of the day: the 2A Olympics. The kids reached the next reward mark in the bean bank on Tuesday, 125 beans= games. I let them choose between four games, and they chose Olympics. We had two teams, purple and orange, and four events: relay race, fishing for marbles with your toes, three-legged race, and an obstacle course.

I am used to most fun things I try to do as a counselor or peer flopping - I guess I am not charismatic enough. But the kids loved the games! Admittedly, they were getting out of class, but fun was had by all. After the Olympics ended with a 3-1 victory by the orange team, we had snacks and a mini party to send off Momoka. She is moving to the Philippines, and Friday was her last day. She was a sweet girl and a good student, and I am sad to see her go. So I am down to 12, as the student from first grade chose to remain there after all.

Ready for the relay race


Fishing for marbles

three-legged race - orange team won



Obstacle Course


Momoka and I

The past two weekends have been a lot of fun. Last Saturday five of us SMs went to Ngaremlengui for church service. The room that they use is small but functional, and it was nice to have such a small, relaxed service (there were about 10 people there). Afterwards we drove to Ngardau for lunch. Pastor Martin's son Jeff was housesitting for Francis, the man with cancer, so we were able to have a relaxed Sabbath lunch in his house. The house was very cute, and the view was amazing. It sits on a tall hill (the drive up the rutted driveway is a little nerve wracking. Apparently Francis has a truck somewhere in the jungle because it slid over the edge.) with a commanding view of the coast and surrounding hills. This Sabbath, we went to the house again for Sabbath lunch. Evette, David, and Aldo made Mexican and Peruvian food, and it was amazing. I contributed dessert (thanks mom!). After lunch, we went out to a pier and took pictures. We also went impromptu swimming in our clothes since no Palauans were around. Hooray spontaneity!

Halloween was this Saturday, and all of the teachers have been discussing it with our classes. The opinions of the teachers vary, but the issue is one that the kids are curious about, especially the 7th and 8th graders. Please pray for them. They are seeking God, but they are also involved in a lot of bad stuff and need prayer. I had a discussion with my class, and it was very interesting.
I am working on two Independent Study classes from Andrews, and while I am enjoying them, they make it hard to have much fun on the weekends. I am trying to finish up before Christmas. I'm also brushing up on some musical skills. This Sabbath I am scheduled to play in a brass band with a bunch of the other SMs. Most of us haven't picked up our instrument since high school, so we're going to need a lot of practice. I am playing the sax, or at least trying to. We practiced on Monday, and let's just say we need a lot of work.

Wednesday was the end of the first quarter, and it feels good to have it behind me. I have grown a lot in the past three months, but I have a long way to go. I have been feeling very close to God lately, and it is a good feeling knowing that I am right where God wants me.