I must be adjusted to Palau weather. Krista is sitting on the floor, sweating and complaining about the heat, and I feel pretty comfortable. We went to potluck today so Krista could experience taro (something like a very starchy potato). “It tastes like nothing, but it tastes like something, and it’s not necessarily good.” A very accurate description.
It has been fun having Krista here already. She flew in Thursday night from Guam, along with Tanner’s (another SM) mom. We are enjoying showing off the sights of Palau, and we have lots more sightseeing planned for next week. Krista slept in Friday morning and came into school around 10:30. I had told my kids she was coming, and you should’ve seen their faces when she walked in! Big eyes, open mouths, gasps, and “Wow, you’re pretty!” I am greeted every morning with, “Ahhhhhhh!” like I’m Godzilla or something. Some things in life just aren’t fair. ; )
To back up a bit, our chapel went fairly well. We did a skit on the story of Elijah, and overall I was very impressed with the kid’s performance. It was far from perfect, and some of the kids just would not listen, but overall it went well. I was so dead after chapel – I put a lot of energy into it, and I was so relieved it was over!
Friday we practiced for the Christmas play, and that was draining as well. The Christmas play itself went smoothly on Sunday, but you wouldn’t have known it by practice on Friday. The kids were everywhere! I finally took them back to the classroom, and instead of walking nicely like they’ve been taught, they ran and screamed through the gym, interrupting the actors on stage. I love em, but sometimes they drive me crazy.
My aunt sent a mechanical pet hamster for my class, and the kids love it. It has a wheel that they love watching it run in, and they also love carrying it around and petting it. We named it on Thursday, and they chose Jackson (as in Michael Jackson – go figure).
The last week of school crawled by at a snail’s pace. Counting the days only made them last longer. It felt like it took forever, and now that I’m finally done I hardly believe it.
We've learned that we'll be losing two SMs, Erinn and Daniel Snyder, in February. We are all sad that they have to leave - the devil has been working really hard to keep them from teaching. Erinn has been having a lot of random health problems, and on top of this recent news i know it's Satan. A call has been put out for two more SMs, and we are praying that God will lead the right ones here. Please keep us in your prayers, and also the missionaries in Saipan. There has been a lot of issues there, and most of the SMs have had to return home. It has been a hard year for the Micronesian missionaries, but I know that God must be coming soon.
Thursday we had a staff Christmas party. We had a big dinner and then did a ‘white elephant’ gift exchange. I got a lot of good gifts – iPod speakers, pin drive, chocolates – and then got them all stolen. I ended up with a phone card, which was useful though not as exciting.
The kids all said, “Merry Christmas” as they left on Friday, and it really feels nothing like Christmas. Krista commented on that, too, that at home it felt like Christmas but here it doesn’t at all. I don’t really mind though. I complain a little (ok, a lot), but my heart isn’t in it. I love being here, and although I miss everyone at home, I am enjoying this time. Happy Holidays to everyone from Palau. May you have a white Christmas - I'll be thinking of you while I'm on the beach in the Palauan sun.
P.S. Photos will be posted soon.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
My cup(board) overflows
My life suddenly got very busy in these past couple of weeks. Since my last blog, a lot has happened (as you can tell, blogging was not one of them).
The first big thing that happened many of you probably know about already. On Nov. 18, Kirsten Wolcott, an SM in Yap, was murdered while jogging before school. When she didn’t show up for worship, they sent people out to look for her and found her body. Pastor called us all over to his house that afternoon, and we knew something had happened. We were all saddened by the news and have been praying for the SMs in Yap as well as Kirsten’s family and friends. Some of the SMs in Yap have returned to the States, and others are coming to take their place. The man who did it was found and caught, but that it about the extent of my knowledge. Gordon Bietz, President of Southern, and the Biggers from Walla Walla have both stopped by en route to Yap. Since the news, we have been much more careful about going out in groups and not taking chances. The guys have also become more protective (although they still leave us when we’re having trouble with the Maggot. We’re working on that ;) ). We spent a lot of time as a group, and Kirsten’s death has knit our group closer together.
The week before Thanksgiving Pastor left to go home for the holidays. Since the Martins are gone, there has been a temporary change in leadership until they get back. There have been a few bumps, as there usually are with a change in leadership, and although things are going fine we will all be happy when things return to normal.
We had the day off for Thanksgiving, and what a Thanksgiving it was! The SMs all gathered at PMA to cook up a traditional American Thanksgiving feast. We had everything except the turkey – mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner roast, special k loaf, ketchup loaf, enchiladas (for the Mexican SMs), salad, yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, home-made rolls, you name it. The day was even more complete for me after we played a game or two of Round Robin ping-pong – an Au Sable tradition for the Tait-Doering clan. It wasn’t the same as a home Thanksgiving – for one thing, there was no football. But it was cool (for Palau) - in the high 70s and drizzly. And a sense of family was there too, as the other SMs have become like family. We went around and said what we were thankful for, and I know we were all thankful for God’s protection. The day was spent enjoying each other’s company and watching a football movie since we couldn’t watch a game. We left full and tired, but relaxed.
Unfortunately, there was school on Friday. I had a movie and snacks planned for the last bit of school since they had reached that reward in the bean bank. You’d think kids would love that, but trust my class to be bored! It was hard because I played it on my laptop and it was hard to hear. But at least it was easier than doing class work, and my kids enjoyed the ice cream and cookies (I brought carrots, pretzels, and granola bars too in an attempt to balance out the unhealthiness. The kids were a little wary of the carrots, so I ate those while they ate everything else).
I got to talk to the Tait side of the family on Saturday morning, and that was really special to see everyone. It was bittersweet, since I’m not there enjoying Thanksgiving with them, but it was good to see and talk with them nonetheless.
A few weeks ago I had decided to live in the present and enjoy my time in Palau. Just recently I realized how well I had succeeded. It hit me one day after school – I actually love my kids. I want to go home, yes, but I also want to stay here and finish my job, and I know that it will be hard to leave at the end of the year. I don’t dread going to school each morning, and some mornings I even get excited to teach. My kids are still a handful, but I love them. Each and every one.
I have received more packages the last few weeks, and my shelves (I had to expand) are full of goodies. The girls laugh and say I have a store, and it is almost true! Thank you everyone for the goodies and the notes. They have been cheering me and the rest of the girls (I’ve been sharing since I physically cannot eat everything).
We passed the mid-quarter mark this Monday. Time just keeps flying. I have fallen into a rhythm and don’t notice the passage of time. Which is why I accidentally procrastinated on planning chapel for next week. I pulled a few late nights writing a script (and worrying), and have been working hard with my kids this week. I was getting really nervous, tense, and frustrated after two days of practice. My kids, being themselves, were not cooperating, and I, being myself, was getting really worried and generally freaking out. I felt God telling me to trust Him, and I kind of tried, but there was just too much to worry about. And once again, God stepped in to teach me a lesson through staff worship. Thursday morning the worship was taken from something in Ellen White, and it was like God was speaking directly to me. It talked about discouragement and worry (Do you feel like your load is too hard to bear? Look to Jesus.), and reminded me to stop focusing on my problems and start trusting God to take care of it. I was thoroughly chastened, and I finally caved and stopped worrying on Thursday night. Friday morning I had staff worship, and I talked about 1 Corinthians 13 and about real love. As I went into class and thought about what to do for worship, I decided to do something other than the worship book that I normally use. So I talked about love, real love, with my kids. And I told them how glad I am to be here, teaching them. Then I apologized for getting upset with them, but told them why I was, and basically said I really need you to start cooperating or there will be serious consequences. And surprise of all surprises, they were almost perfect for me all day. The only punishments I had to give out were to two of my kids who were supposed to be lying on the floor, dead, but were rolling around and kicking people. God showed me again how much better His ways are then mine, and how sweet it really is to trust in Jesus.
Our chapel is on Wednesday, and there is still a lot to pull together for that. The Christmas play is also coming up soon, and we had our first full run-through on Friday. Each grade is doing a different song, and Mr. Alwyn and the kids did an incredible job. I hope to get a video posted up on Facebook of the actual play, which will take place on the 13th.
It is so weird to see Christmas decorations here! The temperatures are still hot and humid, but red and green garland and Christmas lights are everywhere. WCTC and Surangels, two of the big supermarkets here, have nativity scenes and flashing lights on their storefronts and Christmas music playing in the stores (it’s a sad but true fact – I was sitting in Surangel’s waiting for the other SMs to finish grocery shopping, and something about Christmas music and the ‘ching’ of cash registers reminded me of home). I handled a warm Thanksgiving fine, but I don’t think Christmas will really be Christmas without snow. I just learned that my sister will be coming out for part of Christmas break, and I am really excited about that. The majority of the SMs are staying here, and we have all kinds of fun stuff planned.
I had the opportunity to visit PPR, Palau Pacific Resort, this week with Kaitlynn and Jolene. The dad of one of Kaitlynn’s kids works there, and they invited her and a few friends to attend a Christmas tree lighting. We drove to what I would call the “tourist section” of Palau, where all the resorts are, and it was like entering a different world. Everything at PPR reminded me of a resort in the States, and it was gorgeous along the beach. I felt very out of place and underdressed, and I realized that I will have to get used to dressing up again when I come home. It was a fun night, and Kaitlynn’s student was a talkative and energetic tour guide.
I’ve also been going swimming this past week at a pool almost literally in the ocean. It is a freshwater open-air pool, and it is actually quite nice. Memberships are pretty cheap, so some of us girls are hoping to start going regularly.
We have two weeks left of classes, and I am counting down the days. I still have to work on my Independent Studies over break, but I am excited to only be in charge of myself for a few weeks.
Random Things: *Our band performance was well received (we decided it was because they don’t hear band music often and don’t know what it should sound like) and we are playing again next Sabbath. We are trying to bring glory to God, even if we aren’t very good. *I am now up to 24 cockroaches. *The door on the Maggot (our van) will no longer open, so we have to jump in through the windows or climb over the front seat. First gear and reverse have been sketchy and are getting worse, so going anywhere is always a bit of an adventure. *You can get a huge plate of fried rice at a nearby bakery for $3.50, and when the SMs go we all order fried rice since it is so cheap. *You can buy real Christmas trees, although they cost a lot. Interestingly, Palau has some species of pine tree that naturally grows here. *I decorated my class for Christmas on Sunday, and when the kids came in on Monday they were all freaking out. One of my girls told me she loved me “because you decorated the classroom”. I guess I should decorate more often! I love second grade logic. *My kids also love to rub the “sprinkles” (sparkles) off the snowflakes and put them on their faces. The boys haven’t learned that sparkles aren’t cool yet. : )
The first big thing that happened many of you probably know about already. On Nov. 18, Kirsten Wolcott, an SM in Yap, was murdered while jogging before school. When she didn’t show up for worship, they sent people out to look for her and found her body. Pastor called us all over to his house that afternoon, and we knew something had happened. We were all saddened by the news and have been praying for the SMs in Yap as well as Kirsten’s family and friends. Some of the SMs in Yap have returned to the States, and others are coming to take their place. The man who did it was found and caught, but that it about the extent of my knowledge. Gordon Bietz, President of Southern, and the Biggers from Walla Walla have both stopped by en route to Yap. Since the news, we have been much more careful about going out in groups and not taking chances. The guys have also become more protective (although they still leave us when we’re having trouble with the Maggot. We’re working on that ;) ). We spent a lot of time as a group, and Kirsten’s death has knit our group closer together.
The week before Thanksgiving Pastor left to go home for the holidays. Since the Martins are gone, there has been a temporary change in leadership until they get back. There have been a few bumps, as there usually are with a change in leadership, and although things are going fine we will all be happy when things return to normal.
We had the day off for Thanksgiving, and what a Thanksgiving it was! The SMs all gathered at PMA to cook up a traditional American Thanksgiving feast. We had everything except the turkey – mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner roast, special k loaf, ketchup loaf, enchiladas (for the Mexican SMs), salad, yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, home-made rolls, you name it. The day was even more complete for me after we played a game or two of Round Robin ping-pong – an Au Sable tradition for the Tait-Doering clan. It wasn’t the same as a home Thanksgiving – for one thing, there was no football. But it was cool (for Palau) - in the high 70s and drizzly. And a sense of family was there too, as the other SMs have become like family. We went around and said what we were thankful for, and I know we were all thankful for God’s protection. The day was spent enjoying each other’s company and watching a football movie since we couldn’t watch a game. We left full and tired, but relaxed.
Unfortunately, there was school on Friday. I had a movie and snacks planned for the last bit of school since they had reached that reward in the bean bank. You’d think kids would love that, but trust my class to be bored! It was hard because I played it on my laptop and it was hard to hear. But at least it was easier than doing class work, and my kids enjoyed the ice cream and cookies (I brought carrots, pretzels, and granola bars too in an attempt to balance out the unhealthiness. The kids were a little wary of the carrots, so I ate those while they ate everything else).
I got to talk to the Tait side of the family on Saturday morning, and that was really special to see everyone. It was bittersweet, since I’m not there enjoying Thanksgiving with them, but it was good to see and talk with them nonetheless.
A few weeks ago I had decided to live in the present and enjoy my time in Palau. Just recently I realized how well I had succeeded. It hit me one day after school – I actually love my kids. I want to go home, yes, but I also want to stay here and finish my job, and I know that it will be hard to leave at the end of the year. I don’t dread going to school each morning, and some mornings I even get excited to teach. My kids are still a handful, but I love them. Each and every one.
I have received more packages the last few weeks, and my shelves (I had to expand) are full of goodies. The girls laugh and say I have a store, and it is almost true! Thank you everyone for the goodies and the notes. They have been cheering me and the rest of the girls (I’ve been sharing since I physically cannot eat everything).
We passed the mid-quarter mark this Monday. Time just keeps flying. I have fallen into a rhythm and don’t notice the passage of time. Which is why I accidentally procrastinated on planning chapel for next week. I pulled a few late nights writing a script (and worrying), and have been working hard with my kids this week. I was getting really nervous, tense, and frustrated after two days of practice. My kids, being themselves, were not cooperating, and I, being myself, was getting really worried and generally freaking out. I felt God telling me to trust Him, and I kind of tried, but there was just too much to worry about. And once again, God stepped in to teach me a lesson through staff worship. Thursday morning the worship was taken from something in Ellen White, and it was like God was speaking directly to me. It talked about discouragement and worry (Do you feel like your load is too hard to bear? Look to Jesus.), and reminded me to stop focusing on my problems and start trusting God to take care of it. I was thoroughly chastened, and I finally caved and stopped worrying on Thursday night. Friday morning I had staff worship, and I talked about 1 Corinthians 13 and about real love. As I went into class and thought about what to do for worship, I decided to do something other than the worship book that I normally use. So I talked about love, real love, with my kids. And I told them how glad I am to be here, teaching them. Then I apologized for getting upset with them, but told them why I was, and basically said I really need you to start cooperating or there will be serious consequences. And surprise of all surprises, they were almost perfect for me all day. The only punishments I had to give out were to two of my kids who were supposed to be lying on the floor, dead, but were rolling around and kicking people. God showed me again how much better His ways are then mine, and how sweet it really is to trust in Jesus.
Our chapel is on Wednesday, and there is still a lot to pull together for that. The Christmas play is also coming up soon, and we had our first full run-through on Friday. Each grade is doing a different song, and Mr. Alwyn and the kids did an incredible job. I hope to get a video posted up on Facebook of the actual play, which will take place on the 13th.
It is so weird to see Christmas decorations here! The temperatures are still hot and humid, but red and green garland and Christmas lights are everywhere. WCTC and Surangels, two of the big supermarkets here, have nativity scenes and flashing lights on their storefronts and Christmas music playing in the stores (it’s a sad but true fact – I was sitting in Surangel’s waiting for the other SMs to finish grocery shopping, and something about Christmas music and the ‘ching’ of cash registers reminded me of home). I handled a warm Thanksgiving fine, but I don’t think Christmas will really be Christmas without snow. I just learned that my sister will be coming out for part of Christmas break, and I am really excited about that. The majority of the SMs are staying here, and we have all kinds of fun stuff planned.
I had the opportunity to visit PPR, Palau Pacific Resort, this week with Kaitlynn and Jolene. The dad of one of Kaitlynn’s kids works there, and they invited her and a few friends to attend a Christmas tree lighting. We drove to what I would call the “tourist section” of Palau, where all the resorts are, and it was like entering a different world. Everything at PPR reminded me of a resort in the States, and it was gorgeous along the beach. I felt very out of place and underdressed, and I realized that I will have to get used to dressing up again when I come home. It was a fun night, and Kaitlynn’s student was a talkative and energetic tour guide.
I’ve also been going swimming this past week at a pool almost literally in the ocean. It is a freshwater open-air pool, and it is actually quite nice. Memberships are pretty cheap, so some of us girls are hoping to start going regularly.
We have two weeks left of classes, and I am counting down the days. I still have to work on my Independent Studies over break, but I am excited to only be in charge of myself for a few weeks.
Random Things: *Our band performance was well received (we decided it was because they don’t hear band music often and don’t know what it should sound like) and we are playing again next Sabbath. We are trying to bring glory to God, even if we aren’t very good. *I am now up to 24 cockroaches. *The door on the Maggot (our van) will no longer open, so we have to jump in through the windows or climb over the front seat. First gear and reverse have been sketchy and are getting worse, so going anywhere is always a bit of an adventure. *You can get a huge plate of fried rice at a nearby bakery for $3.50, and when the SMs go we all order fried rice since it is so cheap. *You can buy real Christmas trees, although they cost a lot. Interestingly, Palau has some species of pine tree that naturally grows here. *I decorated my class for Christmas on Sunday, and when the kids came in on Monday they were all freaking out. One of my girls told me she loved me “because you decorated the classroom”. I guess I should decorate more often! I love second grade logic. *My kids also love to rub the “sprinkles” (sparkles) off the snowflakes and put them on their faces. The boys haven’t learned that sparkles aren’t cool yet. : )
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