tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40798275166545825832024-03-05T16:28:53.940-08:00work in progressI did it! I moved to AFRICA! Sometimes I am still not convinced that it's real... but here I am I honestly could not be more excited! I'll be doing my best to keep everyone updated on the events during my time here in Malawi. Happy reading!Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-64955954633349468102013-04-27T09:40:00.001-07:002013-04-27T09:40:20.648-07:00Thoughts about going home... And some pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">So in a little less than 2 months O and I will end out Malawian journey and head home to start new adventures. As you might imagine after spending two years here this place certainly holds a piece of my heart. Possibly a larger piece than I even realize now. As my time here grows shorter and shorter thoughts of home and people and what happens next become more and more present in my mind. Any time you talk with anyone they ask some form of question about something to do with all of that (confused? yeah me too). Here's the true answer.... I have ABSOLUTELY no idea what's next. Isn't that exciting? No? Yes!! Honesty I have no idea about that either. But I've accepted that. I know that God has plans for my life and He will reveal them to me in His own time. I was thinking the other day back to when we were just deciding to move to Malawi... That was scary, but God provided... God provides. It seems like it should be easier to go back than it was to leave, but in some respects it's a little harder. I have fallen in love with this place with these people. They have helped to learn and grow, they have challenged me in ways that only moving across the world and falling into a completely new culture can. It's been hard and messy and beautiful and one of the greatest experiences of my life. It's going to be tough to say good bye. But O and I were talking about all of the exciting opportunities we'll have when we get home. And about taking the things we have learned here and putting them to practice in the rest of our lives. Continuing to live a good story. Seeking out opportunities to serve and minister in our own communities. It seems like such a "duh" concept, but the temptation to go home and just be comfortable is HUGE! Even in the small things... In Malawi we are noticed everywhere we go. We're riding in the car and we here people shouting "AZUGU!!" Which basically means white person... And people staaaaare. It perfectly acceptable. The thought of being able to walk around the store and blend in is quite nice. Or knowing... or at least have a good idea of what to expect in a social situation. Will these people speak English? Probably. Will we be wearing the proper clothing? Probably. (Here the answer to this is generally.. Probably not.) But we were saying basically now that we have these experiences will we be satisfied with just being comfortable? I honestly don't think we will. At least not at first, but I'm human, a human who thoroughly enjoys her comfort, and generally unless pushed to do things I won't. But just because we don't live in Africa doesn't mean we can serve. Yes, we may have to look harder for opportunities. And yes they may actually require more of us than a lot of the things we do here, but isn't it worth it? Isn't going home at the end of the day spent for the glory of God worth all of the sacrifice? Of course it is! This is something I desperately hope to remember upon my return home. so no I have no idea what I'm going to do. I don't even know what I want to do, but I know what I hope my life will look like and I know that my God will provide for me and knowing that is perfect. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">Here are a few snap shots of my life recently....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IyX40L7gGlQqwcbfe677I_nsXWO6WfrPqF3UYSWSgIYuszW7gO7i-Ext2-7ufFtcPo3ibq3lvOiOHh_VFKbo29MASE6GTptRLyot9HCgNnpi8ECZfBhW_NNMPzbBft-U5_imisCKlUA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IyX40L7gGlQqwcbfe677I_nsXWO6WfrPqF3UYSWSgIYuszW7gO7i-Ext2-7ufFtcPo3ibq3lvOiOHh_VFKbo29MASE6GTptRLyot9HCgNnpi8ECZfBhW_NNMPzbBft-U5_imisCKlUA/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This crazy huge moth was outside my classroom one morning and every stopped to start at it for a long time.... my class was amused. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a reception- 1st grade pizza party to celebrate the end of Gospel Emphasis week and the beginning of Spring Break! Here is there lovely pizza box tower! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcQ3ShP8uzi9ZOwFVr4zJa19AU1V8z1Z7mPKHu4XzNWuJn1yA_atrAXoDjW3RrSKl9_iS0ZFstKi4Vj-BZgtt0dgTSgAe6nfZ7ICuuUT7WDdgLPlh4nA12Gm0RpDURmYC_xOqWfSf2Zw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcQ3ShP8uzi9ZOwFVr4zJa19AU1V8z1Z7mPKHu4XzNWuJn1yA_atrAXoDjW3RrSKl9_iS0ZFstKi4Vj-BZgtt0dgTSgAe6nfZ7ICuuUT7WDdgLPlh4nA12Gm0RpDURmYC_xOqWfSf2Zw/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tour of Malawi was EXCELLENT and BEAUTIFUL and only involved one flat tire. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zXAiZCdaY0/UXvjI1BoLCI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Z_9NMXJgnS8/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zXAiZCdaY0/UXvjI1BoLCI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Z_9NMXJgnS8/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone that passed us was intrigued by our tire changing adventure. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMjNLg0baDZ8q_feP7F3QwlY8Z7R5klJf1zTYDuR5cH_i8fYY7-FiUQ2Ci2OIiTVFlrYYqMGgESYA5CMm_qnHuWFL3ZtixQidEt-MeL1NKdke_6YTeHuatYNuKckboH8ZXoFWlDjw20c/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMjNLg0baDZ8q_feP7F3QwlY8Z7R5klJf1zTYDuR5cH_i8fYY7-FiUQ2Ci2OIiTVFlrYYqMGgESYA5CMm_qnHuWFL3ZtixQidEt-MeL1NKdke_6YTeHuatYNuKckboH8ZXoFWlDjw20c/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God's beautiful creation. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbET-wO9qDlmktgO3CoGzzTYGrjcO2RKrCrPq45wXtAXK1uvY3Wm9H8Xjm1D_7-33yUZCkayWtCd0dGi060OnLwgI7ssxhpBI0kMyYJLE9IYijl5g7ruJkC6jsXiOPqC7_FrbBdok4Oco/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbET-wO9qDlmktgO3CoGzzTYGrjcO2RKrCrPq45wXtAXK1uvY3Wm9H8Xjm1D_7-33yUZCkayWtCd0dGi060OnLwgI7ssxhpBI0kMyYJLE9IYijl5g7ruJkC6jsXiOPqC7_FrbBdok4Oco/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea and Scones at Dedza. Yeah, we're sophisticated. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCM80qYMiQylgu8tkuuEZmyGpG23BrYd-Qzj5PgXXTQlLt8yOFpjMMt_zyU2yYVDj9jRXjYQP93iBeDSgDvUuZSXaKOd9jX_HbyzpvlgtN_NgFwA8hFSg_kSR3ug2kA_6_HPmlRZlL2g/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCM80qYMiQylgu8tkuuEZmyGpG23BrYd-Qzj5PgXXTQlLt8yOFpjMMt_zyU2yYVDj9jRXjYQP93iBeDSgDvUuZSXaKOd9jX_HbyzpvlgtN_NgFwA8hFSg_kSR3ug2kA_6_HPmlRZlL2g/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing? on the mountain. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi982nGSzXHZo4DgbVIIlGNpxY1GQtROyfeYliuACHhtytHKfiKBG227KUfo9eehTv1XxYj2JLrlsqhuQSrJd1J6VgTnEiuT3VWjyuvs5tiGYaF8kzhQ96xNtt818mW9NxFZZAb2cRpDVM/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi982nGSzXHZo4DgbVIIlGNpxY1GQtROyfeYliuACHhtytHKfiKBG227KUfo9eehTv1XxYj2JLrlsqhuQSrJd1J6VgTnEiuT3VWjyuvs5tiGYaF8kzhQ96xNtt818mW9NxFZZAb2cRpDVM/s1600/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys were in charge of breakfast... clearly I was just in the way. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gCUxp7VbMwM/UXvkD4nK_xI/AAAAAAAAAk0/q-RhW3w6An4/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gCUxp7VbMwM/UXvkD4nK_xI/AAAAAAAAAk0/q-RhW3w6An4/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped to take lots of pictures in front of this waterfall. Malawi is a gorgeous country. We were so happy to have seen so much of it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII_kUco2psxpyz1d-JwCY7oY5Vv_QChf3CAo1h0MviTSbxQCue9u8ktV6WfvqR1vwUp7S87LWGsbXZ1_Nn6E8Li7u503bTFpURyUSKjWv2322zqOsqvm39GWJZQh4TBf3Pcr4sCeaey8/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII_kUco2psxpyz1d-JwCY7oY5Vv_QChf3CAo1h0MviTSbxQCue9u8ktV6WfvqR1vwUp7S87LWGsbXZ1_Nn6E8Li7u503bTFpURyUSKjWv2322zqOsqvm39GWJZQh4TBf3Pcr4sCeaey8/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't it Gorgeous! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFyxEDysdqo/UXvkNxung1I/AAAAAAAAAlA/ubKKP_vgODc/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFyxEDysdqo/UXvkNxung1I/AAAAAAAAAlA/ubKKP_vgODc/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pictures on the mountain! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWuLH6G8keWbubZetTGEw9xT-kdHB-0ho_9aDGLNNktabWmHk8pzYkSxh_tH80hwJCcddEJCDQDYL6nWzLa1wqEPY0aAwKzaHlzOCESmR_D-S7e2L7p8yOhTjrUqWQWbQPofLgS-hTJw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWuLH6G8keWbubZetTGEw9xT-kdHB-0ho_9aDGLNNktabWmHk8pzYkSxh_tH80hwJCcddEJCDQDYL6nWzLa1wqEPY0aAwKzaHlzOCESmR_D-S7e2L7p8yOhTjrUqWQWbQPofLgS-hTJw/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our tour we had some fun with Hair dye! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y6w_5mRKqaWuEiZyfTffjo48fAlbnmm-zLgYhDHplcrCVYGrThOWzSokVkBeSgMz8pskzBtb5rb3klEIPnyPPgc94hEgQNn3L7YiA8mA5kWBA-omY3idiQP09U5q21PSD_70nV2eNY4/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y6w_5mRKqaWuEiZyfTffjo48fAlbnmm-zLgYhDHplcrCVYGrThOWzSokVkBeSgMz8pskzBtb5rb3klEIPnyPPgc94hEgQNn3L7YiA8mA5kWBA-omY3idiQP09U5q21PSD_70nV2eNY4/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought O a cat!!! She is so happy, so no comments on that please. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVmISml6z4R_WRtfTOlEkg6Q77LTu2oZmxzC6Ajc4Twz5SJpd7Z6KjWqS7RMNTdeo6BeUBSCQ4bS6TQjGAF3CM6tgYpIhfBf4cGqyZM0ceB5craZDOsJpCFMoQvo4744OxbHjwkWfvw4/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVmISml6z4R_WRtfTOlEkg6Q77LTu2oZmxzC6Ajc4Twz5SJpd7Z6KjWqS7RMNTdeo6BeUBSCQ4bS6TQjGAF3CM6tgYpIhfBf4cGqyZM0ceB5craZDOsJpCFMoQvo4744OxbHjwkWfvw4/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This view....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfJSSTHnmYe4EHnuD1nh4s0Y31qdiEHFcgQC3XOOGOw9khwcLAEUbq_jGyTU5EZk_pi1f240zoCRaB4S2DtOeRMpPvmPa8XYB-kNfWHm01MfhmLx6Vyc8BhHznhKubuUgx3HG8Z_-sRY/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfJSSTHnmYe4EHnuD1nh4s0Y31qdiEHFcgQC3XOOGOw9khwcLAEUbq_jGyTU5EZk_pi1f240zoCRaB4S2DtOeRMpPvmPa8XYB-kNfWHm01MfhmLx6Vyc8BhHznhKubuUgx3HG8Z_-sRY/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ones for you Mom! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4HG4ktdMv6cuov3eB5on7zEcu8LI56Ag1s4l8t3BeVa5mMkpFApBdr5UiEau6Y3h9wIo8utvVQyMlbAAaEaK6ZBPFcQa1sL-ieUoW-xSA4TFFLvHsSe5oVMGTbGMYysW7QS1bhEfOp8/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4HG4ktdMv6cuov3eB5on7zEcu8LI56Ag1s4l8t3BeVa5mMkpFApBdr5UiEau6Y3h9wIo8utvVQyMlbAAaEaK6ZBPFcQa1sL-ieUoW-xSA4TFFLvHsSe5oVMGTbGMYysW7QS1bhEfOp8/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this girl so much! I'm so glad we got to experience this together, everything is better with friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUvMEeu_kclkd7vZAessQMF6PKLuuOeN-P4pIrvSx4TWMjRvg7p0pIkNrNDIYN8LEfVUH9VWxoju__b5u8Wwh2UfcNQYtLo2quP8RslgeFfRWTdvg_zAXpE-WGEFIaSgsYbumBSw2PU8/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUvMEeu_kclkd7vZAessQMF6PKLuuOeN-P4pIrvSx4TWMjRvg7p0pIkNrNDIYN8LEfVUH9VWxoju__b5u8Wwh2UfcNQYtLo2quP8RslgeFfRWTdvg_zAXpE-WGEFIaSgsYbumBSw2PU8/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday cards from the 1st graders at ABC. (sorry they're upside down)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2A_QqcXysMwTf_MC6azpwGw3nKPO98PhEQqFiT9bktP1cBwCygg5KQwibSMHQRR3tkPdJ-pafj22nJXjM-Zpk948NlzY8Ih1F7op4Gs6rYSP67pVA7Z0_cXhMOuT2aSYwx9dlh7M1Rw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2A_QqcXysMwTf_MC6azpwGw3nKPO98PhEQqFiT9bktP1cBwCygg5KQwibSMHQRR3tkPdJ-pafj22nJXjM-Zpk948NlzY8Ih1F7op4Gs6rYSP67pVA7Z0_cXhMOuT2aSYwx9dlh7M1Rw/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday cookies!!!!!!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4_yMzykjvWWQ4QBHNW36Kaqrdjyx47ZGrtr26RIXmXOvSQzwx4obrv5UUKZ9W5MXHODOx9KvHWfyNdwnDVM_JxkLYNZ76tiXTDq1enJnaps1ukcIysE3fCE9kL5XvtIQsO4KneCXIPU/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4_yMzykjvWWQ4QBHNW36Kaqrdjyx47ZGrtr26RIXmXOvSQzwx4obrv5UUKZ9W5MXHODOx9KvHWfyNdwnDVM_JxkLYNZ76tiXTDq1enJnaps1ukcIysE3fCE9kL5XvtIQsO4KneCXIPU/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UNO!!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjv_OY8LsRuLYXx-wa9br5nq1mGXJjCVdLfTLRNBYrz9gQOQXYaa9nTe80N-Kn_u-4xUJ6KwNRNmhwGCb-Ron85fsVY2jg9aG67seMD5ebtCMbXbwd82u20Tfl8xuQEBDfEtk2d2zx0I/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjv_OY8LsRuLYXx-wa9br5nq1mGXJjCVdLfTLRNBYrz9gQOQXYaa9nTe80N-Kn_u-4xUJ6KwNRNmhwGCb-Ron85fsVY2jg9aG67seMD5ebtCMbXbwd82u20Tfl8xuQEBDfEtk2d2zx0I/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When left alone for too long.... well I had fun at least. :D</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTI1Y-awhTEtFzP6BxtJJqax6e_1Vd4XxT8vgNdFASUg5Zws83HvDJ1JB8tAQaSP8f1OHHGHzG9x16dGVIYHr6OrJKOHKygwXsju7j-zZkFR_otekmzrngA5J4HmQ3MSRkRPJrE0vDjI/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTI1Y-awhTEtFzP6BxtJJqax6e_1Vd4XxT8vgNdFASUg5Zws83HvDJ1JB8tAQaSP8f1OHHGHzG9x16dGVIYHr6OrJKOHKygwXsju7j-zZkFR_otekmzrngA5J4HmQ3MSRkRPJrE0vDjI/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes kindergarten is just too much. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0FwzPlJANAZm0Z8_hodsAYdjfBSdUsCD0y0LVbuTxIlxFhh4j7aC_krGb6c81akUdSMd3qdqPudo584yIB6TKlDLhJuO6g8WCMgAeug1BNbQl3wN3HVjiLmrHujs8DyJLKQKFJyoaiM/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0FwzPlJANAZm0Z8_hodsAYdjfBSdUsCD0y0LVbuTxIlxFhh4j7aC_krGb6c81akUdSMd3qdqPudo584yIB6TKlDLhJuO6g8WCMgAeug1BNbQl3wN3HVjiLmrHujs8DyJLKQKFJyoaiM/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiph0X1f8NB_rg6hSdNcOXTZjjRxn29gkM1pI0cd4SG8y16xGJIsG35R0xFaB_gfQ9YlQHLM_71Dmy9vlbfyR2MU64s8w7PlsIashuDUqRUzhNgVP62TuDWlWlIRXpAx5KPNR9Ri2mWjaM/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiph0X1f8NB_rg6hSdNcOXTZjjRxn29gkM1pI0cd4SG8y16xGJIsG35R0xFaB_gfQ9YlQHLM_71Dmy9vlbfyR2MU64s8w7PlsIashuDUqRUzhNgVP62TuDWlWlIRXpAx5KPNR9Ri2mWjaM/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdFgYrQCaDs0mbhZnwgzGwamjGyOU_6XLCrRNg-ND8gPObPiH3HPDctl5AE_uwkZV7-a7UXCgxRhrmI4XdBQrlHICIqLfhfh3g-nMl7jo8jA_zzhgxVlHhvzacoNMjJ_YSB6mWZerT3A/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdFgYrQCaDs0mbhZnwgzGwamjGyOU_6XLCrRNg-ND8gPObPiH3HPDctl5AE_uwkZV7-a7UXCgxRhrmI4XdBQrlHICIqLfhfh3g-nMl7jo8jA_zzhgxVlHhvzacoNMjJ_YSB6mWZerT3A/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvqH0soIcbvsP0xYNnclCqWauQOTC83r-PyYXKei1rJHBqSRO9VfQkUVKFCLWIWg3z5PBGP9Vv9T2NhGB2CPODs2Ujss_ssG75_JrQjYzMceCxSWtH3N9qkUB9MbnIq-j8XxKEQKQgrM/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvqH0soIcbvsP0xYNnclCqWauQOTC83r-PyYXKei1rJHBqSRO9VfQkUVKFCLWIWg3z5PBGP9Vv9T2NhGB2CPODs2Ujss_ssG75_JrQjYzMceCxSWtH3N9qkUB9MbnIq-j8XxKEQKQgrM/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vpbdDDpUWpgXeiqYxKuCkDI8Up8IelJM8HOlWLbGwYjgajxZJeA8GrhXRaLSCVKnJu2BikLeATs4lvBN77OAB1DCWtlDo56QGcDFMeNBQ_xUp44zxpafM0w99bONZJE1OOaxOi-CCSw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vpbdDDpUWpgXeiqYxKuCkDI8Up8IelJM8HOlWLbGwYjgajxZJeA8GrhXRaLSCVKnJu2BikLeATs4lvBN77OAB1DCWtlDo56QGcDFMeNBQ_xUp44zxpafM0w99bONZJE1OOaxOi-CCSw/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBP4p-JEeZGcQS2PngRj5dolwlpF-ZkTjh_DilBQ1L3PT6ggGy0jeSrfHq2ThLdzZxwUIRPe3GxZkVYdhTK0K490orSn4V65hS7rMF0RRhSRGyhaPL3-p-E59Tb9hAd_v8EVptVfpIA4/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBP4p-JEeZGcQS2PngRj5dolwlpF-ZkTjh_DilBQ1L3PT6ggGy0jeSrfHq2ThLdzZxwUIRPe3GxZkVYdhTK0K490orSn4V65hS7rMF0RRhSRGyhaPL3-p-E59Tb9hAd_v8EVptVfpIA4/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the precious babies at the Crisis nursery in town. Its so much fun to go and love on them. I pray that we're a blessing to their nannies during the time we have to spend there. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JtWXe-J097SWLuMBagOdRhVSdVpzU0bEFsq6gArrr3UmTNOB95mLzHULUDDGjdfq7QSfGJNrLuv_kNVXnv_4NEGnzxu3l3YHUr1Tipw8HvzVaH9d2pInm8addgqojQH7NGHThdwDwPk/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JtWXe-J097SWLuMBagOdRhVSdVpzU0bEFsq6gArrr3UmTNOB95mLzHULUDDGjdfq7QSfGJNrLuv_kNVXnv_4NEGnzxu3l3YHUr1Tipw8HvzVaH9d2pInm8addgqojQH7NGHThdwDwPk/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EEETCHY CATAPILLA!!! That kinder speak for Itchy Caterpillar... these little guys are evil. If you touch them they give you a rash and make you... ITCHY! obviously kinder kids can't resist their fuzzy appearance...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96pJb_N6fvc50bkUA0e_bmUzxbUGEjgv7X-evYbxUT2EnRt2cnGuTu38xLmOWwpQXbO9Ztqxw-5KAlMZSFSneFbriLU5vzxd9AGOgZZDjAHFwy3n6yiWTQzQYJK-5tJXdg14dOAQf3NE/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96pJb_N6fvc50bkUA0e_bmUzxbUGEjgv7X-evYbxUT2EnRt2cnGuTu38xLmOWwpQXbO9Ztqxw-5KAlMZSFSneFbriLU5vzxd9AGOgZZDjAHFwy3n6yiWTQzQYJK-5tJXdg14dOAQf3NE/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just want it to be know that on this particular ice cream outing O was the one who asked for the ice cream </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT23X1zBS5axsISRcdAwpm4P_WmXk0VlJsi70RLpxQX6iVcgfA2tanHJbjSVZiOpM7Y1kmRIRGNJvB2xs3cylaZ2886znEknEgusxTs1jrji1GQOmQkdWcYDOwIE9mbq-DNwQksU_nIvw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT23X1zBS5axsISRcdAwpm4P_WmXk0VlJsi70RLpxQX6iVcgfA2tanHJbjSVZiOpM7Y1kmRIRGNJvB2xs3cylaZ2886znEknEgusxTs1jrji1GQOmQkdWcYDOwIE9mbq-DNwQksU_nIvw/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things we find in our resource room at school.... </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ3qE9GajRGPwaOWMlUgs4Sum6IOGjyYHYmuUP2hVtf2dLr8uAjcKcHHd-OBXuQ4xESCkKbVIet1UocCnBE-HJn8DLOq3nUFOHeVunZjp2N9SNoMA9xmAujQLPKGlEcjA7y0rwJwFtRI/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ3qE9GajRGPwaOWMlUgs4Sum6IOGjyYHYmuUP2hVtf2dLr8uAjcKcHHd-OBXuQ4xESCkKbVIet1UocCnBE-HJn8DLOq3nUFOHeVunZjp2N9SNoMA9xmAujQLPKGlEcjA7y0rwJwFtRI/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every time I looked at this little girl she would just stare at me with the biggest most beautiful smile! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXpzQqQjB_GD4BLaZI92ARhBwgivhWNaDWujo2_7lhhz1L0jRqbsxxMEKVYIATJ4ylb8Z2wGZKuU1y_rMPmlc0ty-IRf9eJBJ_qvCnrZ2XLmzr2vaFR_FKYo9ys9DLn0Rtluh56WFB80/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXpzQqQjB_GD4BLaZI92ARhBwgivhWNaDWujo2_7lhhz1L0jRqbsxxMEKVYIATJ4ylb8Z2wGZKuU1y_rMPmlc0ty-IRf9eJBJ_qvCnrZ2XLmzr2vaFR_FKYo9ys9DLn0Rtluh56WFB80/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working hard on some coloring pages... hoping to win a prize</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K8KpOP7y7T-yGruSAGrz05xVai_Y99uJyKiKePZa-6Nkf0_K4RU2UQAb32f9BaT290W1dmGBJw44B4BloaA0Wa_CprXD6eX3DLriAL_ZA6I8LYHNsX2TGkXwLHJrkUvfkeY4E9T8JaU/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K8KpOP7y7T-yGruSAGrz05xVai_Y99uJyKiKePZa-6Nkf0_K4RU2UQAb32f9BaT290W1dmGBJw44B4BloaA0Wa_CprXD6eX3DLriAL_ZA6I8LYHNsX2TGkXwLHJrkUvfkeY4E9T8JaU/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a lot of miscommunication I realized they wanted me to take their pictures. so we had fun!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj7nB8hwFsI-TZNnvOKYhFhDHLJytj6zUjubkacqCMKiI1bQQ3CLQoKfFnuQ1hSR98y9rbgsm4KVNxQ-s9owRhxL8IhcaA60zBGPceO34VftW7uXgMdMj4Gd3IpYYcEh9l_A5Xirhsfw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj7nB8hwFsI-TZNnvOKYhFhDHLJytj6zUjubkacqCMKiI1bQQ3CLQoKfFnuQ1hSR98y9rbgsm4KVNxQ-s9owRhxL8IhcaA60zBGPceO34VftW7uXgMdMj4Gd3IpYYcEh9l_A5Xirhsfw/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBYn0PS-Juwhv281xMrmMpfg2VinGutprcdEG1FgCn9D5w-LVZ47g8NGJei5MwWuBZShS6LQlyiDiFfIiuCooXoPtIgaOtjhk8AoyL-x4qds23r38AWo9nvKeEGvYIW6kmAqoqSPtuHQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBYn0PS-Juwhv281xMrmMpfg2VinGutprcdEG1FgCn9D5w-LVZ47g8NGJei5MwWuBZShS6LQlyiDiFfIiuCooXoPtIgaOtjhk8AoyL-x4qds23r38AWo9nvKeEGvYIW6kmAqoqSPtuHQ/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4GpWhonRd4/UXvojwOeeWI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Px_q7vhaFp8/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4GpWhonRd4/UXvojwOeeWI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Px_q7vhaFp8/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These kids have stolen my heart. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcDBhWw7qmsZl5ifjy0UUgz7chxaQe4NcwCdV8CNiKX39EANaLd-aFBwKYq8VgtqKZmh_J-mruOUIJgqdjohmmdT_piMnUWGVYaDFL8rNv-P1Sscam37ejVh8SY4rHCb-kdo0sn3HEag/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcDBhWw7qmsZl5ifjy0UUgz7chxaQe4NcwCdV8CNiKX39EANaLd-aFBwKYq8VgtqKZmh_J-mruOUIJgqdjohmmdT_piMnUWGVYaDFL8rNv-P1Sscam37ejVh8SY4rHCb-kdo0sn3HEag/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The baby wasn't quite sure what to think of me, but his sister REALLY wanted her picture taken. :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFj56bcOBpmc-BhQ6n4qhm5Mn-qs3ksoJ5wiRyYOsIZhKjK0DTtoH6jsTBfa51irMQ6ofZGVoK3hM12kqhTJP0wKHcVDM_vVyav8KQV-8eaSawnHPsMGFqOPgdwnNAoXxTp5Bi-WAQvU/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFj56bcOBpmc-BhQ6n4qhm5Mn-qs3ksoJ5wiRyYOsIZhKjK0DTtoH6jsTBfa51irMQ6ofZGVoK3hM12kqhTJP0wKHcVDM_vVyav8KQV-8eaSawnHPsMGFqOPgdwnNAoXxTp5Bi-WAQvU/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The laughter that these toys brought was absolutely beautiful</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6EWfw7FqZY/UXvpLr2mqnI/AAAAAAAAAo4/YBm88Ac5KDw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6EWfw7FqZY/UXvpLr2mqnI/AAAAAAAAAo4/YBm88Ac5KDw/s320/image.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure joy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TuKisTwj6KsAkViy_tieCX3EQzbI-gsYJ8uLsRqS4ppCMS10mWlMB4GRT3AZr4cw-l0i2g1BVnlO4XWdX8VUdLj0sBBLvt8GSE-YRMMi74O9fSpU65Fnx78Ywu-c8hxZNjKF8ZhDVEA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TuKisTwj6KsAkViy_tieCX3EQzbI-gsYJ8uLsRqS4ppCMS10mWlMB4GRT3AZr4cw-l0i2g1BVnlO4XWdX8VUdLj0sBBLvt8GSE-YRMMi74O9fSpU65Fnx78Ywu-c8hxZNjKF8ZhDVEA/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sweet baby actually laughed with me... I think his sister was just as excited as I was that he didn't cry. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT5wuMxVfSwKfeRaIf9mAhagYO0DB9l4ch-ni73W7dtYY9ixzurgrU0BpQYy09S0LGTg7jdUWf246RSigPwpPZmMVb6f7gsTVZB6bPJPBZSWkMt9faIeaRlQOSHTmJCDt-09sfAN-uos/s1600/DSC03559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT5wuMxVfSwKfeRaIf9mAhagYO0DB9l4ch-ni73W7dtYY9ixzurgrU0BpQYy09S0LGTg7jdUWf246RSigPwpPZmMVb6f7gsTVZB6bPJPBZSWkMt9faIeaRlQOSHTmJCDt-09sfAN-uos/s400/DSC03559.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">Until next time..... </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you FRIENDS, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another." John 15.12-17</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: MarkerFelt-Thin; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">WOW! </span></div>
Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-33999093959044710652013-02-03T00:02:00.003-08:002013-02-03T00:03:10.835-08:00I'M BACK! It's been a while... Things have been crazy! I'm honestly not even sure what the last thing I wrote was. Oh well :) lets just start with Christmas. I realize its February now, but we just took our decorations down yesterday so it's all good!<br />
Most of you know by now that Ogles and I were able to go home for Christmas and SURPRISE our families. Neither of our families suspected a thing. It was brilliant!! Sometimes I still get excited when I think about it. For the full story you'll have to catch someone from Weimer World in person, because its just that good. Being home was the best thing! The holidays are for celebrating with family. Taking time out of busy chaotic lives and enjoying the blessing that God has given. I can not even express how <span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px;">grateful</span></span> I am for friends and family who helped raise funds for airfare and travel expenses. Not only was I able to be home to celebrate Christmas, I got to help the beautiful Brittany Steer pick out her wedding dress, get in on a few plans happening for my brothers wedding, and be there (in person!) to find out that my sister is having a baby!! I'm not sure anyone could have kept me from the airport if I had found that out over Skype. Fortunately, my God is big. He knew everything that was happening and provided for all of us in the best possible way! I'm still excited. While it was a crazy couple of weeks and everything happened in, what is now, mostly a big blur I was able to come back refreshed and ready to face the rest of the year.<br />
After some minor (read intense and terrifying) panic and confusion in the airport O and I made it back to Malawi in one piece with a smidgen of sanity between the two of us, and no luggage. Let me just say, trying to figure out luggage in the Malawi airport after two+ days of travel coming off of and wonderfully emotional and exhausting trip home is not fun or easy or anything good really. Thankfully Ben and Blessings showed up to help sort everything out and we eventually (several days later) had all of our luggage.<br />
The next few days were filled with lots and lots and lots of horrible jet lag. Woohoo we did have some fun nights staying up until 2ish doing crazy crazy things.<br />
Once school started things really got crazy. This semester has been, by far, the hardest one yet. It has been easier in some ways, but mostly it's been really really hard. Being a teacher is big business. I think I will always have a lot more respect for teachers now that I have done it. My days are filled with smiling faces, giggles, lots of hugs, and occasionally some tears and I love it (well maybe not the tears). But with all of those things comes the phonics lesson that some kids just don't get, the math lesson that is so simple we've complicated it, and the reading book that's missing two pages and no one knows why. Those things are frustrating and tiring and draining and I really don't enjoy them. If I could sit and play and chat with those kiddos all day long I would probably have the best job in the world, but there is a bigger need and a bigger purpose which makes it the bestmosthorriblejobever. That's the only way to describe it. The good and the bad all rolled into one. It's early in the semester still and there is a lot left to do: difficult decisions to be made, hard conversations to have, unfortunate things like counting books and inventorying craft supplies, but most importantly loving kids and helping them to learn, and to grow up to be great people.<br />
In all of this I'm leaning on my great big God. Throwing all of my anxieties, fears, and worries at His<br />
feet and asking for the strength and courage to get through it one day at a time. It will probably get hard and be ugly at times, but that's life and I am determined to leave this place knowing I did my best and trusted God to get me through.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="poetry" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="chapter-3"><span class="text Ps-111-1" style="position: relative;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<div class="poetry" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="chapter-3"><span class="text Ps-111-1" style="position: relative;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: 0.1em; font-weight: bold; left: -3em; position: absolute;"> </span> "<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15795A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>!</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-1" style="position: relative;">I <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15795B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>will give thanks to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> with my whole heart,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-1" style="position: relative;">in the company of <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15795C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>the upright, in the congregation</span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.</span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="text Ps-111-2" id="en-ESV-15796" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup>Great are the <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15796D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>works of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-2" style="position: relative;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15796E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>studied by all who delight in them.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-3" id="en-ESV-15797" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15797F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>Full of splendor and majesty is his work,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-3" style="position: relative;">and his <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15797G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>righteousness endures forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-4" id="en-ESV-15798" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">4 </sup>He has <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15798H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>caused his wondrous works to be remembered;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-4" style="position: relative;">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is gracious and merciful.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-5" id="en-ESV-15799" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">5 </sup>He provides food for those who fear him;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-5" style="position: relative;">he <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15799I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup>remembers his covenant forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-6" id="en-ESV-15800" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">6 </sup>He has shown his people the power of his works,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-6" style="position: relative;">in giving them the inheritance of the nations.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-7" id="en-ESV-15801" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">7 </sup>The works of his hands are faithful and just;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-7" style="position: relative;">all his precepts are <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15801J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup>trustworthy;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-8" id="en-ESV-15802" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">8 </sup>they are <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15802K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup>established forever and ever,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-8" style="position: relative;">to be performed with <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15802L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup>faithfulness and uprightness.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-9" id="en-ESV-15803" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">9 </sup>He sent <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15803M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup>redemption to his people;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-9" style="position: relative;">he has <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15803N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup>commanded his covenant forever.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-9" style="position: relative;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15803O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup>Holy and awesome is his name!</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-111-10" id="en-ESV-15804" style="position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">10 </sup><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15804P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup>The fear of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is the beginning of wisdom;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-10" style="position: relative;">all those who practice it have <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15804Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup>a good understanding.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-111-10" style="position: relative;">His <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15804R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>praise endures forever!" -Psalm 111</span></span></span></div>
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<br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-72574305386581947752012-12-01T22:38:00.001-08:002012-12-01T22:38:26.524-08:00MERRY CHRISTMAS!! It's Christmas time!!! And no secret that this is my favorite time of year. Everything about Christmas is filled with magic and wonder. Starting with the reason for all of it... The birth of a tiny baby who would grow up to save the world!<br />
Christmas in Malawi is a very different experience. For starters it's hot. There are no crazy sweaters and boots. No one is wrapped up i scarves and gloves rushing from place to place. If anything life is slower. Everyone is taking their time trying to stay cool and out of the sun. There are not lights on every house, and I have yet to see a Santa running around lilongwe. Its just a different experience. One I am greatful to have had.<br />
Yesterday Ogles hosted a Christmas party for some of her students. They spent most of the day at the pool. They came back and ate burgers and hotdogs from the grill and finished the evening with caramel corn and sodas. None of these things say Christmas to me. There was no hot chocolate or gingerbread houses. But as I was thinking on all of those things it brought me back to the real reason we had all gathered to celebrate, and I was grateful for the reminder. We don't need any of those things to celebrate Christmas. That's not what it is about. Its about two young people being brave and willing to answer the greatest call of all time and bring to the world a much needed savior. I realize that this sentiment is not new, but the reality of it is fresh and very tangible for me<br />
this year, but please don't misunderstand. I am not saying any of those things are bad. I hope to someday have a house full of Christmas decorations and maybe a few too many lights and cookies and hot chocolate for anyone that comes. I still get excited at the anticipation of Santa coming, and ithinkyou can have allow that and still hold at the enter Christ.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">One last thought for you this morning on a differnet note, but still the same kinda. This is from the Countdown to Christmas devotional I've been reading (countdown haters don't judge) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Luke 1.8-23 and Matthew 7.7-11 after reading these this is what it has to say. Something I was in desperate need of. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"> "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); color: #202629; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">Zacharias was chosen to be the priest who would enter the holy place in the Temple to offer incense to God on behalf of the people. However, as Zacharias was standing beside the altar of incense, he received a surprise visitor! The angel Gabriel had been sent from heaven to bring an exciting message from heaven to Zacharias and Elizabeth. “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard,” were the words of the angel at this history-breaking moment. God had been silent for 400 years and at this instant, Zacharias heard the audible answer for which he and his wife had been praying since the day of their marriage many, many years ago. After all of the years of waiting and praying and believing, heaven’s intervention was about to be experienced in the life and marriage of Elizabeth and Zacharias. Could it be true? Was it even possible after decades of marriage to conceive and bear a son? Would Elizabeth’s elderly frame be able to withstand 9 months of pregnancy and then the pain of giving birth? God, are You really this good?! It is true: God absolutely hears your prayers. He is listening intently to your requests and loves it when a believer comes to Him boldly and unashamedly. The Bible instructs Christians from every generation to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep right on seeking, knock and keep on knocking! (Matthew 7:7) For what have you been praying? Perhaps an unsaved spouse ... a rebellious child ... a breakthrough in finances ... or health concerns have dominated your prayers for years and years. You need to follow the example of Elizabeth and Zacharias and continue to pray with expectation and with hope! Christmas is a time when we should all expect heaven’s entrance into our dusty, dirty worlds. Christmas is a time that reminds us all that miracles really do happen, prayers are actually answered and that heaven is just one response away. You honor God when you ask of Him the impossible! Impossible is what the God of Christmas does best!</span>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-81228009898567833332012-11-07T07:59:00.001-08:002012-11-07T07:59:35.196-08:001. 2. 3.--------17,000.... Have you ever had one of those days where, every time you accomplish one thing 5 more pop up? Well, this has been one of those WEEKS! I long ago gave up on my to-do list and am trying very hard to just take it one thing at a time. There was a time in my life when this would have caused me infinitely more stress and anxiety than it does now. I can remember being half way... somewhere, remembering my planner was still at my house and turning around to go back for it. Now... Well I left my plan-book at home the other day, but no fear! Miss Weimer is resourceful and we made it through the day with only one major misstep. I'm not sure why I feel compelled to tell you all this, but I think I just realized how far I've come.<br />
This has been a crazy term for me, Nothing has gone as I thought it should. It seems like... If it can go wrong it will, If its the most inconvenient time for someone to be sick then they probably are... OH and the break you thought you were getting today.. no, not gonna happen. But its okay. My God is good and that's that.<br />
SO.... Today as I was waiting for a parent to come in I finally committed myself to going back to list to see what I had accomplished and to write the rest down so that some day it might actually get accomplished... It's long and a little bit stressful to look at, but you know what? I am only one person and so long as I am doing my best, giving my students my best, and glorifying God in everything I do than I should not ask anything else from myself.<br />
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So there I am....<br />
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Until next time<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" Psalm 98:4</span></span><br />
<br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-49994808178551506662012-10-20T02:52:00.001-07:002012-10-20T02:52:18.746-07:00every daySo I know that I've done something similar to this before but that's okay. It'll still be fun and exciting. I realize that while I know what I do here every single day and O knows what I do here and folks here with me know... people back home are probably wondering... So I'm going to try very hard to walk you through most of a week here. We'll see what happens.<br />
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So the week starts off with a lovey day of rest and relaxation. I love SUNDAY. There is no pressure to do crazy stuff and I don''t know. I go to church and then spend the rest of the day not doing anything... Well sometimes some lesson plans, but when don't I have those?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YSS0q_zW6i0VoZfpkC7PPwsMiYmmPdpA6O3hLhTz_DT-RyTDij435Jui35C5y8X6hlmZIUUC7fPtSqF8PE_SYds76UxtrL65JFTZHouPfKWmjkFZ75OOLFBwr-Dxl4eTPCN9xk3RryA/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YSS0q_zW6i0VoZfpkC7PPwsMiYmmPdpA6O3hLhTz_DT-RyTDij435Jui35C5y8X6hlmZIUUC7fPtSqF8PE_SYds76UxtrL65JFTZHouPfKWmjkFZ75OOLFBwr-Dxl4eTPCN9xk3RryA/s320/PHONE+PICTURES+404.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a lovely picture of O and Bule getting ready for Sunday morning worship!<br />
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So after a great day of resting and preparing... MONDAY IS HERE. Oh how unfortunate after such a wonderful day. 5 am comes very very early. Fortunately I get to go and greet all these adorable faces.<br />
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We start out day with singing, counting and talking about how much fun we had over the weekend. Luckily for me these kiddos love coming to school on Monday. That makes things much easier. Our FAVORITE part of Monday is visiting the library and reading lots of new books! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhykDqManEebeYdoRd2l9b-dj7IUmk8n-s1ZDOXua5f7cFEM66VTZR7rj22PIxpPr4qwJrSaZAFBxPlOIydFsp0UWYaziZsf4VU396wYA6wiKKqLkmoa-SgCqJWZv7O7JhmbXzMq0Xwk/s1600/DSC00260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhykDqManEebeYdoRd2l9b-dj7IUmk8n-s1ZDOXua5f7cFEM66VTZR7rj22PIxpPr4qwJrSaZAFBxPlOIydFsp0UWYaziZsf4VU396wYA6wiKKqLkmoa-SgCqJWZv7O7JhmbXzMq0Xwk/s320/DSC00260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kindergarten at ABC ends at 12 so somewhere between 12:30 and 1:00 I get to head home, and rest for a little while before starting preparation for the next day. School is exhausting and Monday is... well Monday. So, our evenings are pretty calm. We generally watch movies, have dinner, and sleep... EARLY! </div>
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After all the excitement of Monday, Tuesday comes pretty quickly itself. 5 am. OH how I love it! (not really) </div>
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Tuesday in Kindergarten is pretty much the same as Monday, we just like to have a lot of fun! We have, however, managed to celebrate quite a few birthdays already this year... and several of them have fallen on a Tuesday which is just fun! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL8VZy7MuBn7JU5jSMLmZ0nCGkk6VMbQiUanp4cboH0W4FIONA2Y8R-o9Q_AzdTT11ZUIxCIpXiLOYDqTRQmaGxiOpVoCOlJszVYs7eJCHyc1SctLlw3zvvsZr5XhQ0HAE5otgKGORr4/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL8VZy7MuBn7JU5jSMLmZ0nCGkk6VMbQiUanp4cboH0W4FIONA2Y8R-o9Q_AzdTT11ZUIxCIpXiLOYDqTRQmaGxiOpVoCOlJszVYs7eJCHyc1SctLlw3zvvsZr5XhQ0HAE5otgKGORr4/s320/PHONE+PICTURES+353.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMYHlVCSoj4fL459N6wSxHkbgR8sCa-UM9zMY_pYkMAlgXRsTC8biSN3sQxFiWJtPo3O6AWjz3jBVetpyNC4pm_GVKXX4kBvWvzjOTJqYdt45iq9CKP6axur7ElUEyLfYg8CrCaz2iKs/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMYHlVCSoj4fL459N6wSxHkbgR8sCa-UM9zMY_pYkMAlgXRsTC8biSN3sQxFiWJtPo3O6AWjz3jBVetpyNC4pm_GVKXX4kBvWvzjOTJqYdt45iq9CKP6axur7ElUEyLfYg8CrCaz2iKs/s320/PHONE+PICTURES+359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are celebrating T.K. turning 6!!</td></tr>
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After school on Tuesday O and I usually venture out and do our shopping. Shopping is always an adventure. It generally takes us about an hour or two and a visit to about 3 different shops to get everything we need/want off our shopping list. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHQzOoXhGQXKDC-O6Y2qTSJEE8a6FY8GiQgO9Jq3JZucep3jgoBCKFsovj_7QnqV2cN0naBm7_dgVzFKdmkXRlAGWA8K3TsctcJ4FOQEEEmKUe7McdDB4Au0YC66AFps2nD0qKfj8nnk/s1600/chipiku.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHQzOoXhGQXKDC-O6Y2qTSJEE8a6FY8GiQgO9Jq3JZucep3jgoBCKFsovj_7QnqV2cN0naBm7_dgVzFKdmkXRlAGWA8K3TsctcJ4FOQEEEmKUe7McdDB4Au0YC66AFps2nD0qKfj8nnk/s320/chipiku.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chipiku is one of our favorite places, we can get most things we need here.. . Plus the have CHOCOLATE and sometimes tortilla chips! Yuuum! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u4qj8YANrDMNrOzx5oocIPJy44PpVL3Y9i5hg0G8lRpVVRRBz0PEEnHrTogqerYWuYxwBimozLhv66z8GI0AW14cKo3nJ4cewHqr74tmWRbyHzJMJkhuK-S7a0KpznX7nC233IV_nVk/s1600/foodworths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u4qj8YANrDMNrOzx5oocIPJy44PpVL3Y9i5hg0G8lRpVVRRBz0PEEnHrTogqerYWuYxwBimozLhv66z8GI0AW14cKo3nJ4cewHqr74tmWRbyHzJMJkhuK-S7a0KpznX7nC233IV_nVk/s320/foodworths.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our second favorite place. They have the bagels and yummy rolls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28HNQzBYUVVuaAUNrvf4984tp124UJjg9VGIcNZEfKSh-iKe-39Wc6Y_jHiUxQfHCADeLvOwlDlQCPkfAoGOhyHO1ehuP-LjRousUkhTmZVUQBzZIMbGakdxgDskNKkF22x6yAwN8YcA/s1600/foodworths3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28HNQzBYUVVuaAUNrvf4984tp124UJjg9VGIcNZEfKSh-iKe-39Wc6Y_jHiUxQfHCADeLvOwlDlQCPkfAoGOhyHO1ehuP-LjRousUkhTmZVUQBzZIMbGakdxgDskNKkF22x6yAwN8YcA/s320/foodworths3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a look inside foodworths. Believe it or not we do buy veggies sometimes, but not usually from here. </td></tr>
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There are a few other places we frequent and we sometimes go to the market, but that's a post in itself. I don't really mind shopping its fun and there is always something exciting to see. It takes a long time and can be frustrating when you've visited 4 different places and still only have half of whats on your list, but we make it work.<br />
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WEDNESDAY!<br />
Um Wednesday are the middle of the week, obviously. As far as Kindergarten goes they look pretty much like Monday and Tuesday except that we get to go to SPORTS! This is one of their favorite things running and playing new games and just enjoying some time out of the classroom. (its also a really nice break for the teacher!)<br />
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After school on Wednesday there is much that happens though we do go to Staff Bible study and spend some time in The Word. It's also a good time to see people that don't work at the academy, but are still missionaries to ABC.<br />
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Then there is Thursday. OH the fun we have on Thursdays! Everyone is tired and really excited that the week is almost over, but there is still work to be done. Every Thursday in Kindergarten we spend about an hour doing art! For some people this may not seem terribly exciting, but it really is. I try to give my kids minimal instructions... really just guidelines and let them be creative. Sometimes things turn out very interesting... and sometimes I just get 17 pictures of a dog, but its always fun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are working with the other kindergarten class to make letter people! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We painted.... WITH OUR FEET! </td></tr>
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THEN ITS FRIDAY! FRIDAY IS THE BEST DAY EVER!!!! You may think I'm wrong, but! I'm not. We start our Friday with chapel. Reception to 1st grade spend the first 45 minutes or so of our day worshiping together. We sing we hear from the Bible and we have a really good time. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One week we even had some puppets!!! </td></tr>
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In Kinder 2 our favorite part of Friday is FUN CENTERS. We set aside 45 minutes or so at the end of Friday to play with all of the fun and wonderful things that we find in our classroom!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You wish you could have this much fun! </td></tr>
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After school of Fridays I generally go to Malika village with Bule and Ben and a bunch of students from the college. Basically all I do is hold hands with little kids and do whatever I'm told. It's really really fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On this particular day we were putting on a carnival for the kids, so there were TONS of them there and we had a zillion and one bags of candy and lots of fun games to play. </td></tr>
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Then its Saturday! FINALLY!!! Saturdays include any number of things here in Malawi. Our personal favorite is doing nothing! But our friends think we spend too much time inside so they try really hard to make us get out and do things... So here we go... </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">We were kidnapped!! (along with the camera) and went to lunch! It was goo times.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we were at lunch Ogles spotted some really YUMMY rolls and we were all a little worried she was going to jump over the railing after them.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGF5selVwv7hHp6IqXUKcU3pxSZQfTRGByQdPrRktfEds7kyjrGFGNAJOAspqM_Z7xaVNnVtEQyRIUxirwLuSAXyP9sBr4yQdcIgbNAVRMIoNuQFY1ukWeWY4jTqnMLtpHI_PJ07rpH8/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGF5selVwv7hHp6IqXUKcU3pxSZQfTRGByQdPrRktfEds7kyjrGFGNAJOAspqM_Z7xaVNnVtEQyRIUxirwLuSAXyP9sBr4yQdcIgbNAVRMIoNuQFY1ukWeWY4jTqnMLtpHI_PJ07rpH8/s320/PHONE+PICTURES+365.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpt8BC5tOuJt22GK9ed13N51y8rashdMw_cIjl_DWHOO-rvdRGZmJKuYLgVU_mVRhNQif-CLTG4ghOR4dcnRQtXEqvaSwn6__8dEYWktWi9_UwrkV47AObmyhyPsNVb_qK67xCNK00Jo/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpt8BC5tOuJt22GK9ed13N51y8rashdMw_cIjl_DWHOO-rvdRGZmJKuYLgVU_mVRhNQif-CLTG4ghOR4dcnRQtXEqvaSwn6__8dEYWktWi9_UwrkV47AObmyhyPsNVb_qK67xCNK00Jo/s320/PHONE+PICTURES+368.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Wii tournament!!!.... eventually it got a little bit intense. It was good times! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys came and made dinner one night! OH man... hilarious! </td></tr>
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And, of course, everyone's favorite.... </div>
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BASKETBALL!!!! </div>
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And sometimes we just do really random things like... </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">make chocolate peanut butter popcorn....</td></tr>
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OR....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch T.V. ALLL day</td></tr>
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OR....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drink half a crate of coke... </td></tr>
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OR... </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work really hard to publish a blog for our friends and family! </td></tr>
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So there you have it... a week in my life. It's good times I like it, I have fun, sometimes its stressful, sometimes I don't really like it, but that's okay. </div>
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Until next time...</div>
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"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." </div>
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1 Corinthians 15.58</div>
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Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-44911257736932399592012-09-17T09:27:00.000-07:002012-09-17T09:27:03.422-07:00Gratefully Exhausted Despite my (I just need everyone to know that, as I type this Ogles is creating herself and a boyfriend for herself on the wii... my apologies in advance) best of intentions I have once again left you all curious about my life for much longer than I would like. BUT you did all get to see our SUPER fun first day of school. So let me start by elaborating on school. I LOVE my class!! They are so much fun, so much personality wrapped up in 15 tiny little bodies. Miss Weimer's class in never at a loss for things to laugh about or just enjoy. Don't worry though, we get a lot of work do too. These kiddos work hard, and they do their work well. I am constantly amazed by what they can do. This of course is, in no small part, due to the wonderful teachers they had last year. I am definitely excited about what the rest of the year will hold for us in Kinder 2.<br />
In other news.... OGLES IS INSANE! I love Malawi... I don't think I knew, everyday I'm amazed at how much I love it here. I have been beyond blessed IM GFONNA THROW UP!!! I have been beyond blessed by people here. The people that God has placed in my life are excellent. I don't even have words to describe. With all of the wonderful and exciting things, of course, come challenges. As much as I love having my own classroom it's exhausting. Generally by Friday I'm not even sure what my name is, but I really do love it. We've also had some challenges living in a new house and having staff, but I think we're working all of that out just one more part of life here I suppose. Today we had the (un)fortunate pleasure of sending a dear friend off to the states for a while. We're super excited for him, but we'll miss him here. But I believe America will be a better place for having Maguire.<br />
Really I'm just living life. I wake up every morning go to school, love on my kids and try to teach them something in the process. I come home and try my very hardest to take care of O, but she is such a handful. haha!! And at the end of every day I'm usually just tired, but God is teaching me so much through the brilliant mundane, and I'm trying my hardest to listen and to learn all that I can.<br />
So, for now that's where I am... gratefully exhausted. <br />
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Until next time...<br />
"Have you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength." Isaiah 40.28-29 (I highly recommend the whole chapter.)<br />
<br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-64194418671798894012012-08-20T06:18:00.000-07:002012-08-20T06:19:03.608-07:00IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here at ABC the first day of school consists of meeting your teacher and class and then attending a school wide assembly where all of the teachers are introduced to the parents and students. SO... thats what we did today! Hope you enjoy the pictures! </div>
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<br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-29578742787441169932012-08-15T10:33:00.005-07:002012-08-15T10:33:57.119-07:00We Have Returned! Oh my oh my oh my!! So much has happened since the last time I posted anything. My last month in Malawi was a whirlwind of experiences and emotions. Perhaps I'll back track a little later with pictures and fun stories on what happened. :) Then of course I was home for about six weeks, the details of which I think I will also save for a later date. But here and now I want to share a few fresh thoughts upon my return to The Warm Heart of Africa.<br />
<br />
As is expected the day leading up to leaving were crazy and stressful and a bit emotional at times. Visiting people, raising funds, spending time with my family, packing, enjoying a last deli sandwich or two... all of it makes for very very crazy days. Our travel was SMOOOTH all the way and I am so glad. The thought of packing up and heading to the airport causes nothing but anxiety and knowing that days of travel are ahead.. ahhh! I can't even think about it. I met Ogles in NYC and we spent the night there, and got up early the next morning and headed for Malawi. We had a wonderful? 14 hour flight to Johannesburg and despite being hassled by an airport employee looking for money we caught our flight to Lilongwe and arrived save and sound. We waited for, what felt like forever, our luggage and were very warmly welcomed by Jeremy and AJ Kyser. IT was so great to see familiar faces and hear familiar sounds and smell familiar smells!<br />
I am so excited to be back. We spent the first few days unpacking and getting settled in our new house, the we just jumped right in. We went shopping (a bigger adventure than one might think). We started getting our classrooms ready (not that we had much other option, school starts MONDAY). And now, we just write lesson plans, decorate our classrooms, write the names of my Kindergarten students 19,000 times and prepare for the beginning of the school year.<br />
So theres that, we're back. I'm back in MALAWI! I love it. I didn't realize how much I had missed it. Of course there are things that I didn't miss like, the ants (I don't think I will ever miss ants), and inconsistency in power and water. But I missed the people, the simplicity of life here, the sounds, the smells. I missed my friends and my students. It's so good to be back. It's so much easier already the second time. I have practically no anxiety about starting school on Monday, I know people, I know how to shop and what to cook here. I know what struggles I may face and what things are going to be difficult for me personally. But I also know that I can handle it, that my strength comes from God and that I don't need to do anything on my own. HA! Wow! fabulous.<br />
The year will be tough, I still have a lot to learn in my time here, but I'm excited and I have faith that<i> </i>I will learn and grow through everything and I do and learn from everyone I meet.<br />
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Until next time...<br />
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<span class="text 1John-4-7" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> "</sup>Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-4-8" id="en-ESV-30595" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Anyone who does not love does not know God, because</span><span class="text 1John-4-8" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10px;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">God is love.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-4-9" id="en-ESV-30596" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-4-10" id="en-ESV-30597" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>In this is love,</span><span class="text 1John-4-10" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10px;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">not that we have loved God </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">but that he loved us and sent his Son to be </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">the propitiation for our sins.</span></span><span class="text 1John-4-11" id="en-ESV-30598" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-ESV-30599" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." 1 John 4.7-12</span>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-62226491146957909582012-05-28T08:48:00.001-07:002012-05-28T08:48:26.349-07:0031 Days!That's all we have left until we go home! 31 DAYS! I was thinking back to when we had only been here for 31 days... it doesn't seem like that long again, but in all reality it was. I was still getting used to everything. Life here was still mostly terrifying and there were some many things we were new and fun and crazy... and guess what?!?! 305 days later... I'm not really convinced things have changed all that much. I'm still learning crazy things everyday. I'm still finding new and exciting experiences to have, and sometimes life here is still hard and sometimes mostly terrifying. BUT! That's all okay because I did it! I have almost survived my first year in Malawi. The next four weeks are going to be insane we're going to be busy, and we're going to try and cram lots and lots of stuff into the next couple of weeks, but it's going to be incredible! I can't wait!<br />
When I looked back to see when the last time I posted a blog was, so I would know where to pick up the story I couldn't believe it had been so long ago. The past weeks have flown by. I've been so busy that I didn't even realize that I hadn't posted in FOREVER! Sorry guys. Well, I'm going to try and catch everyone up, without killing you by forcing you to read my horrible writing. So we'll use the bullet format, with a few longer entries for things here and there.<br />
I'm going to start after school started back up because I think that's right about the time the last one was written.<br />
*We started school back up after spring break with a great out break of allergies. EVERYONE was plagued with the horrible disease! It was crazy, but we survived.<br />
*We also did lots of the things that come with living life like grocery shopping and having pizza with our favorite people.<br />
*We've had great times babysitting for several families on campus and off. Abi Floreen is probably our favorite. She's adorable.<br />
*We have managed to create and UNO monster out of Bule. But I don't think we mind that much we've gone several times to hangout and play UNO and drink cokes with our friends.<br />
*We went to the LAKE! Lake Malawi is gorgeous and HUGE, so sometimes I just pretend its the ocean. It's very likely I've already told about the lake....<br />
*It started to get cold! What on earth is that all about. We'll probably freeze before we can make it home. The nights an morning are frEEEEEEzing... Now that's possibly a little bit dramatic, but it's cold nonetheless. I didn't know. I didn't really come prepared for such nonsense.<br />
*I called my mom! ON THE PHONE! OH MAN! The Kysers are the most wonderful people EVER!<br />
*There were lots of days off of school right after we started back up just some different holidays and things. Most of which we managed to use quite wisely by not getting out of bed for more time than was necessary to get a quick bite to eat or set up a movie...<br />
*I started going out on Friday afternoons with Bule and some other folks on campus to Malikah Village where Bule heads up some different ministries. The first week I just played with sweet kiddos and held lots of hands.<br />
*Ogles and I spent a fun day shopping with Rachel and Sharlie for fabric and other fun things.<br />
*I spent several afternoon assessing kindergarten students for next year.<br />
*We had our end of the year ballet and choir recital! We had so much fun, I help with the little girls ballet classes and O helps with the choir classes at the academy. So we really enjoyed the evening and were proud of our sweet girls they all did a great job.<br />
*We went to LOTS of very INTENSE basketball games, all of which our wonderful ABC Lions won. But they were crazy!<br />
*The next Friday at the village I had the privilege of being thrust from any comfort zone I was clinging on to when Bule asked me if I would share with the women of the village... OH MY GOODNESS! well with the help of Esnart, who is awesome, I managed to share something with them. I can't even describe how incredibly blessed I was.<br />
*Then Mrs. Jan and Mary CAME, and OH WE WERE EXCITED! I'm not certain I realized exactly how great it would be to see familiar faces and hear familiar voices! They are just normal people and it's wonderful. Since Jan and Mary were here we took that opportunity to do lots of fun things.<br />
*We went out Sunday to and orphanage at Bunda that the Kysers have gotten pretty involved in. We went to the church there, the pastor is an ABC grad and the music is lead by a student. Afterward we had lunch and just played with beautiful kids and toured the facility.<br />
*Monday was a holiday here so we decided to take a day trip to Dedza. Dedza is about 2 hours away, its a beautiful drive. Dedza is known for its pottery so we went to a cute little shop where you can sit and eat and look at all kinds of wonderful things.<br />
*There was also a fabulous team here from Arizona. More amazingly wonderful normal people. We had tons of fun hanging out with them and getting to know them.<br />
*We've spent lots of time lately at the Crisis nursery with the team, with Mary, just the two of us.<br />
*Wednesday we took the day off to tag-a-long with the team and all the fun things they were doing. We went out to a village not to far from ABC where some people have started a school. The kids there sang songs for us and recited prayers and just showed us lots of fun things they have been learning. Then we colored with them and sang and just had fun. We played fun games and just got to love on all the adorable little kids.<br />
*The Lady Lions won their basketball game!<br />
*The college year is coming to a close so we've been doing lots of fun things to celebrate the soon to be graduates. The junior class puts on a dinner each year. They did a great job! Everything was beautiful and they succeeded is celebrating their brothers and sisters well.<br />
*We attended a crazy soccer game, there was yelling and fighting and then we left.<br />
I'm sure we have done all kinds of other things i'm forgetting but I think this is enough for now.<br />
I have learned so much in just the last week about service, about ministry, about loving people. Some of it is still processing... some of it may be years in the processing stage, but I'm grateful for the experiences I've been able to have.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1.7Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-26453320060892552662012-05-05T06:22:00.001-07:002012-05-05T06:22:37.933-07:00A Few Promised Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Crisis Nursery with sweet Pempho</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of our wonderful friends (also they volleyball team) hanging out at the Crisis Nursery</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the egg?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely fanta, tootsie pop trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stuck these right in the ground. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even hid some leftover candy canes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the guys listening intently to instructions... </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND THEY'RE OFF!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DL6FINMgsnXPykK0hiNvfZaxTCSoY9v_BL-R1igEAYXmJUqjHyQPbbXSt2fL2n8fVb_Dn7W8c_Hu_SjAVU5pLSbqx07WNHuk2it3vpDMOWzyVfjqm6R5wkMsyEt8eQnCnS5fhJMs944/s1600/100_1868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DL6FINMgsnXPykK0hiNvfZaxTCSoY9v_BL-R1igEAYXmJUqjHyQPbbXSt2fL2n8fVb_Dn7W8c_Hu_SjAVU5pLSbqx07WNHuk2it3vpDMOWzyVfjqm6R5wkMsyEt8eQnCnS5fhJMs944/s640/100_1868.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of it, everyone is happy! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaIRNqS67ffKOUa_snOJ62JbNJrzSHWP_rf-R2tFIJU2OjM9rhgqBHfHJGvNDprB4f2YSbUBdE10Jt2Tkj57oiFMN-U-0OXQbKjakM0wdAgKm6tUFlP7C57V8snuIBZv3jUtDksqwdP8/s1600/100_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaIRNqS67ffKOUa_snOJ62JbNJrzSHWP_rf-R2tFIJU2OjM9rhgqBHfHJGvNDprB4f2YSbUBdE10Jt2Tkj57oiFMN-U-0OXQbKjakM0wdAgKm6tUFlP7C57V8snuIBZv3jUtDksqwdP8/s640/100_1884.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fantastic beach in Salima, a perfect weekend get-away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sk8cpyY2jFSPqYP6J9YshIsr0lM8KYzgGDrLtlwBD5376M94_S6KPbyCXNzdVmV-H1kdX8mWtqWKH3tJcljQp61hUBhTqpqKpRXgW0rTYweAb12tHwDIL_zN6pQI-HK-xXsjd5XK6yg/s1600/100_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sk8cpyY2jFSPqYP6J9YshIsr0lM8KYzgGDrLtlwBD5376M94_S6KPbyCXNzdVmV-H1kdX8mWtqWKH3tJcljQp61hUBhTqpqKpRXgW0rTYweAb12tHwDIL_zN6pQI-HK-xXsjd5XK6yg/s640/100_1886.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey MOM! We're alive, and REALLY happy to be at the beach!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-69214407595858590522012-04-25T07:00:00.002-07:002012-04-25T07:01:28.975-07:00Blessed<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s time once again for another exciting chapter of the
life and adventures of Aly! We actually been quite busy lately, this is nice
for me because I feel less horrible for not having posted in so long. So bear
with me, the may be a longer post but I think all of the wonderful and exciting
things we have been doing will make up for it!! Okay HERE WE GO! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First off, Ogles
hiked a MOUNTAIN! This has very little to do with me other than the fact that
she was gone over the weekend I was left alone to fret and worry over what
might happen to her while she climbing this mountain. She slipped and bruised
her bum a little, but other than that she returned in one piece. I still hold
that the worrying was merited. Anywhoo for more on that little adventure you’ll
have to visit Ogles’ blog. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michelle’s
parents arrived here the same weekend Ogles was gone. It was nice to spend time
with a family. They were lovely and just accepted all of my weirdness and let
us pretend they were our parents for a while. They even delivered fun birthday
packages and goodies from home! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week
also marked the first weekend of our Spring Break! Oh, how we desperately
needed a break. We had reached that point in life where you just need a break.
Our kids were tired, teachers were tired (and possibly a bit cranky), all you
want to do is go home. Praise the Lord, He provides. We had decided not to do
much over our break which was probably best. Michelle’s mom and dad were still
here so we got to hang out with them, and watch movies and eat yummy food and
candy. Easter was also during our break. Although we didn’t have fancy new
dresses and hats and shoes to wear, nor did we have our families to spend the
day with I think we found a pretty phenomenal alternative. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here on
campus we have a group of students that are guards, they sit outside of the
buildings and houses in the evening, just to make sure that no unwelcome guests
join us. They’re all really great people
and many that we have grown to love. So, while most of campus goes home
over long breaks a few of them remain to make sure that the rest of us stay
safe. I’m not sure when the tradition started but Michelle has been throwing
them an Easter party for a few years now so this year we got to help her with
that. It was really excellent. We spent evening coloring eggs to hide and
stuffing plastic eggs full of candy. Sunday after church we… Well first we took
some really fabulous awkward family photo type pictures while we were all
dressed up. Then we started cooking. We were expecting about 30 guys to show up
so, I’m sure you can imagine we needed A LOT of food. We asked some of the guys
to come early and help grill chicken and make giant pots of rice and other
yummy goodness. So while the guys were
busy cooking Michelle, Ogles, Momma Halemeier, and myself took dozens of eggs,
candy, some crates of drinks, and candy canes and ran to the garden to hide
them all for the big hunt! We also hid a few golden and silver eggs that were
worth money; just make things a little more interesting. We had so much fun,
they guys came up to the garden and hunted eggs and candy and money, and then
we went back to the house and ate dinner. Really it was just a good time of
celebrating and fellowshipping together. (look forward to pictures some time
soon). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ogles and I also house/baby sat for a family
on campus that was taking advantage of the long break as well. It was really
nice to have some different settings for a few days. We enjoyed hanging out
with the boys and spoiling them a bit with very few rules and no chores. The
following weekend was my birthday, Ogles decided she wanted to go out of town
so we didn’t do a whole lot. The Headmaster at ABC, Brian Carlisle, who is also
just an amazing person, happens to have the same birthday. We had a fun farewell/birthday
breakfast at Michelle’s before her parents left, and then relaxed for the rest
of the day. Later we had a lovely TACO DINNER with all of our wonderful/crazy
friends. It was a perfect day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After two
weeks of eating junk food and watching movies, the next week it was back to
work and I have to say I was glad to see all those adorable little faces
shining bright Monday morning. We managed fall quickly back into our routine
and have a very successful week. It was the start of the forth quarter, which
is actually quite hard to believe. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the
course of Spring break here, the President passed away. That was a very
interesting transition to be part of. (If you would like more info on that feel
free to e-mail me). Well due to that
Monday was declared a public holiday for the Presidents funeral. That in
combination with some other good circumstances allowed us to go away for the
weekend. So we three girls packed ourselves into Michelle’s car and headed to
the <st1:place>Lake</st1:place>! We went up Saturday afternoon and spent
Saturday night, Sunday, and Monday morning there. The <st1:place>Lake</st1:place>
is beautiful! The weather was perfect and we went without and agenda. The best
way to take a long weekend. We played on the beach, ate dinner listening to the
waves and did nothing! IT was the perfect weekend! We headed back Monday
morning and just enjoyed the drive home. <st1:country-region>Malawi</st1:country-region>
is a gorgeous country. Right now everything is still green and the flowers are
blooming. The people are so happy and colorful no one is in hurry. Everyone is
just enjoying life. There is so much beauty in the simplicity of things
here. We arrived back on campus and
spent the rest of the day doing nothing. Like I said, a PERFECT weekend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must take
a minute now to tell you about the wonderful friends we’ve made here. Everyone
we meet is wonderful, for sure, but we’ve found a few friends that are really
just excellent! For example, I’ve mentioned before that driving and shopping
here is nothing short of STRESSFUL! So, Ogles and I generally opt to 1. not go
or 2. go and get the minimal amount of things we’ll need. Well after several
weeks of doing that we were in desperate need of groceries. So we called upon
Titu and Blessing, (and Ben, but he was MIA). The graciously drove us around
town, pushed our trollies (buggies), and were excellent company for the
afternoon. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of many others that would
so willingly spend the afternoon doing grocery shopping… ? We’ve also found
Michelle, who is probably the only reason either of us are sane. She opens her
house to us, and feeds us yummy things, and takes us places, she’s excellent.
Then we have Owen who is always up for a coke and just hanging out. The
Floreens and Carlisles have also been far beyond kind to us opening their homes
and allowing us to simply share life with them. These are just a few of the
wonderfully splendid people God has provided for us who are better friends than
we deserve. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until next time… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let each of us
please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please
himself, but as it is written ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell
on me.’ For whatever was written in former days was written for our
instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15: 2-4</div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-42250987429326776302012-04-05T03:14:00.001-07:002012-04-05T03:14:12.811-07:00Yet another borrowed post...As I am certain many of you sit around anxiously waiting for the next exciting tale from Africa, I'm doing my best to provide... hahahaha okay just accept that. Its Spring Break in Malawi, there is no fuel to be found in the country and so we are at home still in our pjs taking a break, in the purest form. But in order to assure everyone that we are still in fact alive I'm sharing a post of Ogles. An old Malawian folktale a friend shared with her. A beautiful picture of God working through all of us. Enjoy!<br />
Oh yeah click <a href="http://allisoninmalawi.blogspot.com/2012/04/story-time-cracked-pot.html">here</a>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-34057637545679778852012-03-15T06:16:00.000-07:002012-03-15T06:16:52.402-07:00Just a Quick(ish) UpdateEvery time I sit down to write a blog I say... This time I'll do better I and won't let a month pass before I update again. Well, this time I'm not going to say that I'm just going to sit down and write the blog and hopefully sometime in the near future I'll sit down and write another one. :D<br />
<br />
As far as fun and super exciting things go we haven't done a whole lot since Ogles' birthday. But we have been keeping busy. We're over halfway finished with our third quarter of school which is crazy to think about. We have two weeks until Spring Break and then after that we'll only have 9 weeks of school left! That's not long at all! CRAZY! The first term felt like it went on forever and this one just seems to be flying by. Some days I can't say that I mind, but then other days it would just be nice to slow down for a while.<br />
Soon we will have been here for 8 months! In 8 months here I have seen more, learned, more and been challenged more that ever before in my life I'm pretty sure. I've had to adjust to life as an "adult," a teacher, and a missionary all in a very short time. Fortunately, I do not have to rely on myself to get through these things. It's been fun, It's been hard (I think I say that every time) I'm still glad I did it. <br />
In other exciting news... I GOT A PACKAGE FROM MY FAMILY! It was full of lots of fun stuff and yummy goodies for us to enjoy here. OH and its official I'll be home this summer! Ogles has promised that tomorrow we'll go and pay for our plane tickets! I'll be home June 28th - August something 7, 8, 9 one of those days. and I must say I'm am very excited about it.<br />
<br />
In a effort to be more blogger friendly send me your questions and I'll be happy (to do my best) to answer them.<br />
<br />
Okay I've included a few pictures hopefully to make up for my lack of posting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6WwjRuSv7yxy5qoMFwqyLSkBQ_IELn7d_lSzkOFJbdPv1WehbIAD0bE2PrOriDdZwCGXtX5CjRZGVPmDrrFu_EyMN6DOCfdMXESoRnfLtB8NM0P6yrhnLMraOpUgLAEqZ17k23vXPa4/s1600/100_1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6WwjRuSv7yxy5qoMFwqyLSkBQ_IELn7d_lSzkOFJbdPv1WehbIAD0bE2PrOriDdZwCGXtX5CjRZGVPmDrrFu_EyMN6DOCfdMXESoRnfLtB8NM0P6yrhnLMraOpUgLAEqZ17k23vXPa4/s400/100_1751.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We recently got to show off our swim skills at our very own Kindergarten Swim Gala! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4J9SywtBrBYk3dA_wA7ndQqwMjzG2dEOE_zIG7eTJ6fHDjMy8EgAFbce_1O7NkMJMHsAAn8Vekgz2HPBDp5HfRNyYuo1y6lHgq8TPdyx6y5CkNl3Djg1dsTxKxvnGEKaPvm3dWwI6hM/s1600/100_1800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4J9SywtBrBYk3dA_wA7ndQqwMjzG2dEOE_zIG7eTJ6fHDjMy8EgAFbce_1O7NkMJMHsAAn8Vekgz2HPBDp5HfRNyYuo1y6lHgq8TPdyx6y5CkNl3Djg1dsTxKxvnGEKaPvm3dWwI6hM/s400/100_1800.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone did a great job! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaW9rAOXpYfvKRWCUF1xhvbhTl0yHFDYPF5_iECj4SYQpFcvlY9n2a_m4iG45oR8JJBuOmI5Xb9MQEEawwBLbWcTyEhYbD8zBPBTzJxFolbCEa4S9reNqTDKUQH39n5UpvpdI9tIkAS0/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaW9rAOXpYfvKRWCUF1xhvbhTl0yHFDYPF5_iECj4SYQpFcvlY9n2a_m4iG45oR8JJBuOmI5Xb9MQEEawwBLbWcTyEhYbD8zBPBTzJxFolbCEa4S9reNqTDKUQH39n5UpvpdI9tIkAS0/s640/PHONE+PICTURES+006.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This a man riding in the back of a truck in the rain, holding onto some wood AAAND an umbrella, thats talent kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfJUXOnT9tsUn40Mj__0hO2nSGqR6IhRS51cl7bg6_aM5VqXSjoe4EGHgQJCq7TxD54DXe7pfWcESkE1bVTolPSfDtmKt2k2vl8EYk2c0a1mTdt2Igr93objBzB7a7YcuQ24Zh7RIpUQ/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfJUXOnT9tsUn40Mj__0hO2nSGqR6IhRS51cl7bg6_aM5VqXSjoe4EGHgQJCq7TxD54DXe7pfWcESkE1bVTolPSfDtmKt2k2vl8EYk2c0a1mTdt2Igr93objBzB7a7YcuQ24Zh7RIpUQ/s400/PHONE+PICTURES+041.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A giant snail. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtQ6H9NK21zwv2L_0SMCC4nc67B6XDtEQrzw3rF-vKEmrWF8WPHJK3G9_51eNZrig1MtudcMcJv5dvaFu_vL0e8YLEE0CgyDsHkIgE448ttJTZfFk2uCWX8nwFe41MagqKHa1ou1-xIw/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtQ6H9NK21zwv2L_0SMCC4nc67B6XDtEQrzw3rF-vKEmrWF8WPHJK3G9_51eNZrig1MtudcMcJv5dvaFu_vL0e8YLEE0CgyDsHkIgE448ttJTZfFk2uCWX8nwFe41MagqKHa1ou1-xIw/s400/PHONE+PICTURES+125.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a field trip up campus to see Mr. Epperson's garden. His worms were, of course, the favorite part. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLEgzIjcHQK9nfTpwEO8ZcPkVBB5ckDMYZ0uFIj0P2IIrdIg8WqEzqUUfQSqRdfZSicfhW1B0f9nvi9mgUE9eCv8nC2_OdEJTksp6WmNGIq0dLDKaVbHL0OeDsisJBvPdXYmYsIMUbLU/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLEgzIjcHQK9nfTpwEO8ZcPkVBB5ckDMYZ0uFIj0P2IIrdIg8WqEzqUUfQSqRdfZSicfhW1B0f9nvi9mgUE9eCv8nC2_OdEJTksp6WmNGIq0dLDKaVbHL0OeDsisJBvPdXYmYsIMUbLU/s640/PHONE+PICTURES+139.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another picture, just to remind everyone that I live in a beautiful BEAUTIFUL place. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As always prayers are needed and greatly appreciated. Although I've grown to love this place and the people here, homesickness in still a part of life here. Pray for Malawi, the country, the government, the people, everything. Pray for my fellow missionaries. </div>
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Until next time... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95.1</div>
Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-3849046655878219282012-02-21T03:52:00.000-08:002012-02-21T03:52:46.630-08:00Another African AdventureWell friends its that time again, time for another lively update on the life and happenings of Aly as she tries her best to serve the Lord in Malawi.<br />
<br />
Last week I sat down several times to post, but because it was Ogles' birthday this weekend much of my week included "secret" plans. Okay well, in all reality there is no such thing as a secret between Ogles and myself, we live in the same room. BUT we both did a really excellent job of pretending that she had no idea and that I was truly being stealthy. It was quite an exciting week as Michelle and I joined forces to make Ogles birthday FANTASTIC! I am a firm believer in the "Birthday Week." Birthdays only come once a year so we have make the most of them. I think we succeed in making a fabulous birthday week. It started Monday with a bad day a shopping trip. Ogles had a bad day. Michelle and I were doing just some grocery shopping when we decided that we would try and surprise her. AND WE DID!!! It was great there were flowers and laughing and crying and if I remember a lack of dinner, but I don't think that anyone really cared. Tuesday we did something I think just a failed attempt at getting a gift, but oh well. Wednesday we skipped Bible study to have birthday pizza and our own Bible study which was great. Thursday we went shopping again this time determined to come home with something. We went to the market which is always fun and usually stressful. But it worked out nicely we came away with everything we needed plus a little bit more! Friday night was the first not of "Allison's Birthday Weekend Extravaganza!" and she slept through the first 4 hours of it. Oh well. We went to the basketball game... and they won! I think it was because it was Ogles' birthday , but who knows. SATURDAY! Saturday was excellent we slept lateish.. and then made cookies and cupcakes all morning. Later we went to lunch with fun friends, sat in a fuel queue and then spent the evening watching movies and doing nothing. Only after, what is probably the best rendition of "Happy Birthday" that will ever be... EVER. Sunday morning we woke up early and Allison and I kept the nursery at church which was eventful. Michelle and I made a super fabulous lunch and then we took a picnic to the most beautiful place on Earth (Maybe I can post a picture) and had tons of fun then we watch more movies, stayed up too late, and were quite sleepy when it was time for school on Monday. But all in all it was a weekend well spent and another year of Allison excellently celebrated!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCNO6oTDa64B0DJnHT7qnK0owUvIXAnLu8lXObeLhEA3i7SKfCweErvik-Ny3SiiurOFQdQfYNJljqFG7CO4YTe-ldjm-E10VEz2KdqyUkAjcpA3n25PrMu7fFRp8kCUvhXgM0Cs6ZCA/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCNO6oTDa64B0DJnHT7qnK0owUvIXAnLu8lXObeLhEA3i7SKfCweErvik-Ny3SiiurOFQdQfYNJljqFG7CO4YTe-ldjm-E10VEz2KdqyUkAjcpA3n25PrMu7fFRp8kCUvhXgM0Cs6ZCA/s320/PHONE+PICTURES+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the most beautiful place ever! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKjQSZEamlXNo4w3SZ9fQ67ofhYPxxdH8ETWvtJFYXAbBCVqMvygYDDbur0AYPsQOBaCf1385fEWKGU3l67oQ_nEKbHcQ-lMyNNOukLO1vylIKdOUc9nhGF7Dlg3Z8fx50Vwl3fgnMIg/s1600/PHONE+PICTURES+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKjQSZEamlXNo4w3SZ9fQ67ofhYPxxdH8ETWvtJFYXAbBCVqMvygYDDbur0AYPsQOBaCf1385fEWKGU3l67oQ_nEKbHcQ-lMyNNOukLO1vylIKdOUc9nhGF7Dlg3Z8fx50Vwl3fgnMIg/s320/PHONE+PICTURES+100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OOOO Pretty! I really love it here! </td></tr>
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Other than spending an insane amount of time thinking about how to best celebrate Allison not much has happened. We've reached (and surpassed) our six month mark which is something I'm not certain I thought would happen. :D Obviously it has not come with out its ups and downs, but I think that the good is outweighing the bad. I think until recently I was stuck in a bit of a funk. I was homesick and tired. I didn't feel like I was any good at was I was doing and I was just really unhappy. Praise the Lord he sent with me a great friend who was quick to tell me and I think that I've been able regain sight of the reason I'm here the hope and joy that I have in Christ. I really cannot think of a better way to be spending my time right now. And, after giving it much thought, I am still very convinced that this is where God has called me to serve for this time in my life. I know that that won't make all of the hard parts of being here go away, but it does allow me to remember to cling to my Savior, my Provider in everything that I do.<br />
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I am currently still in need of $600 a month to live here. I have been blessed to this point with one time gifts that have helped cover the costs of living and other necessities, but as I've said I have now reached the six month mark and the need for monthly donations has become apparent. If you would like more information you can contact me directly or you can give through the ABC website. There is a link to the right of the page.<br />
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Prayers are also needed. Pray that I will continue to have faith in God's provision, timing, and plans. Pray for the Missionaries at ABC and the country of Malawi. Pray that in everything I do here Christ would be glorified.<br />
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Until next time...<br />
"Why am I so discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my savior and my God. " Psalm 42. 5-6Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-19688354243500899742012-01-30T03:48:00.000-08:002012-01-30T03:48:43.524-08:00"I WANNA KNOW WHAT LOVE IS"... First please just accept that the title of this post will only make sense to a very small number of folks, but it makes me laugh! And as we all know I'm always up for a good laugh. Now that that is taken care of...<br />
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Just wanted to put out a quick post about what we've been up too, and maybe (if the world, electricity, internet, and Fredrick all cooperate) put up a few pictures. We'll see. Last week at school was crazy, and incredibly rewarding at the same time. Mrs. Mpata my team teacher was out sick all week. She is back this week and feeling better but keep her and her family in your prayers as they are still not certain what is wrong. But because she was out I was in the classroom alone...BUT! I survived and it was a great feeling. By the end of the week things were running smoothly and and we were having a great time.... There is currently a trail of any walking down the wall by my bed I have looked at least 17 times since I started writing this and there is nothing there for them to even get they are simply walking up and down. I clearly am ignoring them as I continue to write and leave them be, mmmm life in Africa.... anyway so that was last week and lets just say as good as it was it was a LOOONG week.<br />
So the weekend came and we were all very excited. This weekend was Michelle's birthday, and so Ogles and I decided to kidnap her and take a trip to the lake. We absolutely could not have made a better decision. We loaded up the car Friday afternoon and headed out. We drove for and drove and drove some more and finally arrived at the lake around 8 or so that night, I think I don't really know. We decided that we would turn our phones off and really enjoy the weekend so time was irrelevant for most of it. We didn't have any plans other than to enjoy ourselves and that is what we did. Saturday we just hung out and played games for a bit we spent tons of time in the lake and at the beach, we had a nice dinner which included a cake for Michelle that read "Micheal, Happy Bathday" possibly the best cake I have ever seen. Sunday we did exactly the same thing and had a GREAT time!!! We left Sunday evening and drove and drove... we may or may not have spend a significant amount of time belting out "I wanna know what love is"... and loving every minute of it! We came back to campus around 9 or 9:30 Sunday night and went immediately to bed. So here we are Monday afternoon, refreshed and ready to start a new week. Praise the Lord!!<br />
Until next time...<br />
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12.9 (read it, it'll change your life)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVA0EtTXCCmvaJOUZbNyTKanCZQAQNO-KpmvCWFdd_RVwazZbjXhT2rFb-DEurQGCht0O-6np0r-x0IXSfaubEI0c-xbRpX9sWNA70QczHwV24P82a6LfB45dhgTyqvPRkeXT2OjMjqA/s1600/100_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVA0EtTXCCmvaJOUZbNyTKanCZQAQNO-KpmvCWFdd_RVwazZbjXhT2rFb-DEurQGCht0O-6np0r-x0IXSfaubEI0c-xbRpX9sWNA70QczHwV24P82a6LfB45dhgTyqvPRkeXT2OjMjqA/s400/100_1467.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is looking down from the side of Table Mountain in Cape Town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjp4RyvY-R1eM7zCLuL_mSmpQJu4wLVD2XfULJn7gqw8UCy9LDmtOVdrazDunntwiQ3xtV9DfQTRFZC_PRYjoSFEUFpv5vhUwN2v40wTN-C2GW2yjh6bnRwbFXgZ0UUi0TcT25Gcpmpc/s1600/100_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjp4RyvY-R1eM7zCLuL_mSmpQJu4wLVD2XfULJn7gqw8UCy9LDmtOVdrazDunntwiQ3xtV9DfQTRFZC_PRYjoSFEUFpv5vhUwN2v40wTN-C2GW2yjh6bnRwbFXgZ0UUi0TcT25Gcpmpc/s400/100_1500.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beach in Cape Town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI815RsRG87f-aCC5BPUbE3_VPlzKlnuEIyp__avsaEPaOVc4seWWnqyRFL712zaZ6dY10YG8RhR8jYy1WiKFo8adfILF7jFxJjI_7WoYwLH3j_D4xj_rHN66wdOwqkYdDclEd_5Dk9M/s1600/100_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI815RsRG87f-aCC5BPUbE3_VPlzKlnuEIyp__avsaEPaOVc4seWWnqyRFL712zaZ6dY10YG8RhR8jYy1WiKFo8adfILF7jFxJjI_7WoYwLH3j_D4xj_rHN66wdOwqkYdDclEd_5Dk9M/s400/100_1409.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is at our class Christmas party! Fun times!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r9Mws7iIJiR38iGi9s7rekGyTdtQWrGB2Kje8cFrO1__ce-QGnv9J2yvQhdMXLrh584_cyGom2GDdkK3BNELlQfiIvuj4PcFs2RBtg1-V4kmoijDqjGcLdLpjFnThQMUYqiA0dLK6Ec/s1600/100_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r9Mws7iIJiR38iGi9s7rekGyTdtQWrGB2Kje8cFrO1__ce-QGnv9J2yvQhdMXLrh584_cyGom2GDdkK3BNELlQfiIvuj4PcFs2RBtg1-V4kmoijDqjGcLdLpjFnThQMUYqiA0dLK6Ec/s400/100_1417.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the Kindergarten students at ABC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisjiQkDyc3sCGRhv6qjo9nDWNp55YChrE3MRD9JB0-u-HJaVHvSxS2BSq-n0-JVDFfAO-ufMJqXDPvLu7nKNP9G6EqCpKCyXw_I3B-GC8GsNHE4YUgn1mnZPRayw-gVrXcNFXf6IMffg/s1600/100_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisjiQkDyc3sCGRhv6qjo9nDWNp55YChrE3MRD9JB0-u-HJaVHvSxS2BSq-n0-JVDFfAO-ufMJqXDPvLu7nKNP9G6EqCpKCyXw_I3B-GC8GsNHE4YUgn1mnZPRayw-gVrXcNFXf6IMffg/s400/100_1174.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading Day at ABC, I may have posted this but I don't remember</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIg0BIR-spGaL9MUWhrxr6i_PL8VUjVRAQsDqNsOachfD63Muy1CdEhcU55g2W_NVci5VKB9ywMPe9KJsh6hyxsbqTM5uxScdBR9abyr-s9_o11FgGKm7viUWAQ-ZeS3SSAD210TDI3k/s1600/100_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIg0BIR-spGaL9MUWhrxr6i_PL8VUjVRAQsDqNsOachfD63Muy1CdEhcU55g2W_NVci5VKB9ywMPe9KJsh6hyxsbqTM5uxScdBR9abyr-s9_o11FgGKm7viUWAQ-ZeS3SSAD210TDI3k/s400/100_1602.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LAKE MALAWI</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzMHfFs5Xj5iaa9UHC__9ZjnOX-h0wITs4niuEAwzrIUjdbJyBGTXZGmQ-_QPJN5mvZOatNS-fTTJCMLcu57nmXvJd7qcXVJurZ8eHKHhDo-USJ15gC4ElpoymPuDqWM0JlPbz2ZEir0/s1600/100_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzMHfFs5Xj5iaa9UHC__9ZjnOX-h0wITs4niuEAwzrIUjdbJyBGTXZGmQ-_QPJN5mvZOatNS-fTTJCMLcu57nmXvJd7qcXVJurZ8eHKHhDo-USJ15gC4ElpoymPuDqWM0JlPbz2ZEir0/s400/100_1608.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just really liked this flower</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcl8qtcQ0IR2PKD7Nm7LVaD452UFQaw-Y3G4arE-e3oXKag5kg6pqdH6sdYNdfEHiqPZeB7hdcwOu_wZjJ4Mx8ni6FXFLC4YajSK2Iqlyb2HOyeDxFX91BwW0mnFiuvpRRTw1oIjg3u0/s1600/100_1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcl8qtcQ0IR2PKD7Nm7LVaD452UFQaw-Y3G4arE-e3oXKag5kg6pqdH6sdYNdfEHiqPZeB7hdcwOu_wZjJ4Mx8ni6FXFLC4YajSK2Iqlyb2HOyeDxFX91BwW0mnFiuvpRRTw1oIjg3u0/s400/100_1609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say CHEESE! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNf_-5BkPZigmGSW8IUUg8so0Gx6nbjNbCG1B0dhr0UxT0gQGBs-FvLG6SksY18FBxLIeM8uTGe_EPkaaai91dyMuhO-4HSM-k5c4UPAMd6OzLBuyDnqtkMthr88s_2NRUUyHJvCODxM/s1600/100_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNf_-5BkPZigmGSW8IUUg8so0Gx6nbjNbCG1B0dhr0UxT0gQGBs-FvLG6SksY18FBxLIeM8uTGe_EPkaaai91dyMuhO-4HSM-k5c4UPAMd6OzLBuyDnqtkMthr88s_2NRUUyHJvCODxM/s400/100_1610.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Michelle missed the ugly face memo... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmcvOwKWUiLD2qsyfM0XhYUNtvM06a3ISU2ZEJl-D6IIoHnRMcWt8FB2oRCorwgFup8mhbUn0CUTL1j7bpBrN4q20x8qZYjLF5ROMt7Vjf4xBIFUuJdrsJSxsMuELu8CfLeSOBVcg1zI/s1600/100_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmcvOwKWUiLD2qsyfM0XhYUNtvM06a3ISU2ZEJl-D6IIoHnRMcWt8FB2oRCorwgFup8mhbUn0CUTL1j7bpBrN4q20x8qZYjLF5ROMt7Vjf4xBIFUuJdrsJSxsMuELu8CfLeSOBVcg1zI/s400/100_1612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone smile this time. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaGtUzAMhZ3ShpQnUwZ3ZBTh-ulmS3ApfVz4PGE65noIwdDNt8wrQq5ZSjOvtib047Zuz3OPJacM7l58iY3b_yeTWhGV8kTGLgDAdnTxFPtxjtLrjaAkDtt1n1Y6i63hyphenhyphenaW7re1k1Tvw/s1600/100_1616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaGtUzAMhZ3ShpQnUwZ3ZBTh-ulmS3ApfVz4PGE65noIwdDNt8wrQq5ZSjOvtib047Zuz3OPJacM7l58iY3b_yeTWhGV8kTGLgDAdnTxFPtxjtLrjaAkDtt1n1Y6i63hyphenhyphenaW7re1k1Tvw/s320/100_1616.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The End. </td></tr>
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<br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-15560454034038697912012-01-18T08:56:00.000-08:002012-01-18T08:58:11.646-08:00What have you been doing lately?Please accept my sincerest apologies for being an absolute failure when it comes to blogging. Along with my poor grammar skills you are also forced to put up with my apparent inability to blog in a timely manner. I hope that in the future I will not leave you waiting in suspense (for quiet as long) for my next up date.<br />
Now that my ego is sufficiently boosted lets see if I can bring you up to speed on what has happened in the last oh... month. :D<br />
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Let us start with Christmas. We had a wonderful time with the Kyser family. We enjoyed Christmas eve festivities and late night conversation followed by the ever exciting Christmas morning! It was great! Forgetting the fact that it was Sunday, Ogles and I only packed pj's and so we skipped church and just vegged at the Kyser's away from all the madness. Thanks to the joys of technology, power, and a mostly fast internet connection I got to skype with my family and all but be in the room with them as they started their own early morning Christmas festivities. Later that evening we had a lovely dinner with the Kyser and McDonald families. Overall I would say a lovely African Christmas.<br />
The following two days were filled with movie watching and packing for our Cape Town adventure. Not a whole lot of excitement.<br />
Finally we left for Cape Town. I had been secretly dreading the flight and other travel, but we made it just fine. No delays or hold ups any where it was wonderful. We arrived in Cape Town around 8:30 or so exhaustion only barely masking our thorough excitement about our adventure. We were met by some rather enthusiastic salesmen for a shuttle company. PERFECT! They took us straight to our hotel where we were quickly settled. After a bit of planning we went to bed resolved to wake up "a little bit early."<br />
The next several days filled with fun and excitement as well as some much needed relaxation away from home. We ate nothing other than McDonalds, Subway, and ice cream. We shopped for days in this HUMONGOUS mall, and managed not to buy everything we saw. We took a bus tour of the city... Cape Town is gorgeous. As Ogles likes to say that hit the "geographical jackpot" withe the ocean to one side and the the mountains to the other. We took pictures, but I'm afraid all the pictures in the world could not do justice to the beauty. We walked around the city a bit and saw some of the touristy things and just had a good time. We also saw Phantom of the Opera! OH MY STARS! I think we cried through most of it. It was incredible. I think we would have seen in again and again if given the opportunity. While we didn't do anything crazy or too terribly exciting the trip was just what we needed. We were able to relax for the first time in months and just enjoy life for a bit.<br />
After a week away we came back refreshed and ready to start the year. Well we still had two weeks of vacation during which we.... did absolutely nothing. (see there was good reason for my lack of "bloggage") I am fairly certain the only reason we left the house was to go grocery shopping one day. OH! Our new room mate is here, Tracy. That's right folks, 5 girls living in one house, any prayers you could spare would be greatly appreciated. Not that we're arguing or going crazy or anything, but all the same there are 5 of us in 1 house. Really though we like Tracy she is sweet and fun, we like her. The rest of our break consisted of us reading books and continuing in our goal to watch the entire series of Numbers before school started back up. We got pretty close. If it hadn't been for a few unfortunate and lengthy power outages I think we could have done it. Haha. Oh well, there is always Easter.<br />
School started back this Tuesday. While it was incredibly difficult to wake up at 5 am. It was nice to get back to school to see all the smiling faces and hear about what they all did over the holiday. Stories from kindergartens are always fun. So now that we're back into it all hopefully there will be more fun and exciting things to write home about. Soon the college will be back in session than things really will start to pick up.<br />
Life in Malawi is difficult at times, with increasing government and economic issues things keep getting tougher. Fuel is practically nonexistent at times, power outages are increasing in frequency and the people here are getting angry and impatient.<br />
As always continue to pray: pray for the country, the government, pray for patience and understanding on all accounts. Pray for continued financial support as we serve here.Pray that we will continue to seek God and his will and his teaching and guidance as we server here. Pray that we would have peace in every situation.<br />
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Until next time...<br />
"Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, 'Yet a little while and the coming one will come and not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." Hebrews 10.35-39 (I recommend the whole chapter.... the whole book!)Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-30350243018827250592011-12-21T03:24:00.000-08:002011-12-21T03:24:29.991-08:00A long overdue updateIt seems like things have been pretty crazy here the past couple of weeks finding time to stop and write a blog has been near impossible. On top of that the generator for the top half of campus is no longer working so we are often without power. It's okay we're finding ways to entertain ourselves and getting a lot of reading at such done.<br />
Unfortunately, I missed... all of the countdown to Christmas break, but rest assured there was much counting down and happiness when it was all said and done. Let me see if I can give you a quick run down of what has happened in the last three weeks or so.<br />
-we got a cat... her name is Beyonce she is probably one of the most obnoxious things I have ever seen. Lucky for her she is cute, and will (hopefully) one day eat many many rats and other unfortunate things.<br />
-We eat a lot of pancakes. We try and make sure to share these with our wonderful friends<br />
-We have sat in a few fuel queues some successfully others not so much.<br />
-we have had some incredibly awkward conversations<br />
-We were brave enough to take ourselves to the market, which really isn't all that bad. Santo, that sells us our vegetables really likes us so that's fortunate (kinda)<br />
-We attended the MR. and MISS ABC pageant which was phenomenal and hilarious and just a really good time. It carries such a different atmosphere from anything like that back home. It was really enjoyable.<br />
-We've managed to lay in bed for almost an entire day.<br />
-We have contemplated our decision to come here... and despite what sometimes seems better judgement know that this is where we should be.<br />
-Started and finished counting down to Christmas break<br />
-Attended the Christmas band/choir/other random stuff concert at the college. The concert was probably one of the best things I have done here yet. The students are so sincere, and it was truly a blessing when I really needed one.<br />
-I got a Christmas package from my family!!!! (and I have some how managed not to open anything yet.)<br />
-we had lots of friends over for dinner (something other than pancakes)<br />
-We made several attempts to visit the post office<br />
-we spent an entire week making Christmas cookies with Michelle for the college. We would make them in the afternoon and take them up to the cafeteria and hand them out during dinner. We had so much fun and got to meet a lot of wonderful people!<br />
-We successful had the Christmas program at the academy<br />
-We played a crazy game with Michelle and bunch of the college students.<br />
-We ran into some friends from home.<br />
-WE SURVIVED OUR FIRST SEMESTER TEACHING AT ABC!!!!!!!!<br />
We really did it. While teaching had been fun I am definitely glad for a break Ogles and I have made very few plans aside from spending some time in Cape Town and even then we didn't make many plans for that week. We're just planning on taking things as they come. Our only real plan is to watch the entire series of numbers before school starts again. So far we're well on our way. (HAHA) Thus far the break has been mostly uneventful and we're glad of it. We spent yesterday evening at a Christmas party with the Floreens which was excellent times we even managed to meet a few new people I think. Not much else in the works for this week we may have some friends over for dinner. Saturday we'll head to the Kyser's to spend Christmas with them the we'll be packing and getting ready for Cape Town!<br />
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Thanks to everyone who is sending support in every form Money, letters, packages, e-mail, facebook, and most importantly prayer. I most definitely would not have made it this far without all the prayers and support from everyone. Please continue to pray that we would have a restful and relaxing break. that we would have safe travels, and that we would continue to learn and be open to God's teaching even (especially) on our break.<br />
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Until next time...<br />
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'" Isaiah 6.8Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-2395869861990361462011-11-29T03:02:00.001-08:002011-11-29T03:24:50.476-08:00The countdown is on!It seems as though I have finally managed to coordinate working internet, power and actually have time to sit down and write a blog. It seems like everything and nothing has happened since I last posted.<br />
Ogles and I have booked our tickets to Cape Town as well as our hotel room for the week (If you would still like contribute to this cause please let me know). We are so stinking excited about getting out for a bit. It will be a much needed break from life here. We didn't do a whole lot last week just the normal routine, which I am honestly okay with. Even the "normal" routine involves learning something new everyday. We're making it though. God is providing.<br />
Last Friday was International Day here at ABC. This is a day that is in place to recognize the, over 23, different countries and cultures represented at our school. All of the kids come to school in "traditional" dress from their country. (Good luck if you're from America, Ogles and I decked out in sports gear and had a grand time!) There is a parade of countries and some entertainment including several national anthems and performance of local drummers which was excellent. (hopefully I can get some pictures posted, soonish) After that we all went back to our classrooms for a bit and then we feasted. All of the parents bring "traditional" food to share with the school. There was SO much food it was crazy! Everything was great, everyone look great and we had a lovely time. AND It RAINED! Oh the rain is a beautiful thing here! Later Friday night we went to Thanksgiving Potluck... where there was TURKEY! it was so delicious. We had a good time sharing a meal with many of the other single folks on campus and just having a good time.<br />
Saturday we spent the day with the excellent Kyser family and enjoyed a more traditional southern Thanksgiving dinner (sans the turkey) and afterward watched White Christmas! We had so much fun we are so truly blessed to know the Kysers! They have made so many things so much easier. The rest of the weekend was pretty low key reading books watching movies... just relaxing before we were back to school on Monday.<br />
AND SO NOW ONLY 3 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for it to be Christmas time. We have our decorations up and our Christmas clothes out and basically everything that I am doing in school is Christmas something or another. HOORAY!<br />
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Until next time...<br />
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"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." Proverbs 3.1-8Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-24610715725137652922011-11-16T06:46:00.001-08:002011-11-16T07:28:49.334-08:00I do not have a good title.Lets see... what has happened since my last post...? Well we left off on Monday... So, Tuesday. Tuesday was a pretty average day wake up early (well less early considering the late night basketball game) and go to school. School was followed by parent conferences and a pizza night with the guys. (there was also a chop chop involved which Owen thankfully killed) Wednesday was game one of the championships so Ogles and I decided to nap that afternoon so we could stay up late and watch the game. The guys played hard but we lost. Thursday was back to school and more parent conferences and Friday was the same. Friday was the second game of the championships, another well played game but we lost putting us second. It was fun though and everyone played hard. The guys still have a few more opportunities to play before the season is completely over though.<br />
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Saturday we attempted, once again, to sleep in but our faithful friends came to sing at our windows. Clearly, by friends here I mean the men who are working to build a trench in our back yard, which is all of 5 feet from the back of our house to the wall around campus. Its okay though we've learned to just embrace them at some point one of them really did start singing and all I could do was laugh. </div>
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Later that day some friends came over for lunch and just to hang out. I also had the opportunity to go to a wedding on Saturday for one of the girls that works at the academy. We only went for the reception, but it was fun. One of the main things they do is call up different groups of people to dance and throw money around the new couple. We arrived just as they were calling up the ABC staff, what an experience. </div>
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After the wedding we came home and decided that ice cream was clearly in our future so we drove up the street to have ice cream and coke (no judgment please). While we were sitting around Michelle called and told us there was petrol at such-and-such a place and we should go, and so we did... only to find out that they had stopped pumping for the evening and we would could come back at 6am. Okay that was the plan. We went back home and were just sitting around when Michelle called again and send several other places where also pumping and we should go to one of them after some (much) debating we decided we should probably go. So we drove around town for a bit, but no luck. So we came home and resolved to go back out in the morning. </div>
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Sunday... Ogles got up around... EARLY... and took some students from the college and went and managed to be car number 5 in the queue and get almost a full tank of gas! Praise the Lord! We also had lunch with with a lovely family Sunday afternoon and then spent the rest of the day being lazy. SUNDAY was also the 100th day we have been in Malawi!!!!</div>
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Monday morning... day 101... the stomach bugs strikes! Ugh! apparently tons of people on campus came down with this rather nasty bug... and in true Aly and Ogles style we managed to catch it. Ogles was out most of Monday and I was out Monday and most of Tuesday... WEDNESDAY we recovered! and its back to work I was so glad to be back with my students today (even if they were a bit crazy). As for the rest of the week nothing much is planned except for the LECRAE CONCERT ON SUNDAY!!!!! Ahhh! I am so stinking excited!!! You have no idea! Lecrae is coming to Africa... TO Malawi.... TO LILONGWE... Ahhh! This is so great! </div>
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Things are still hard sometimes, I still miss home... the thought of not spending Thanksgiving with my family is tough, but I believe that God has called me here and he will provide for me as he already has time and time again. (today I got a thanksgiving card from my mom! and several other pieces of mail!!! Mail is great here by the way!) For that I am so thankful!! I'm learning something new everyday, some things are hard some things I've learned before, but all of them are good things. </div>
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Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement! We need all we can get here! </div>
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Until next time... </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> for his steadfast love endures forever!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Let Israel say,<br /> "His steadfast love endures forever."<br /> Let the house of Aaron say,<br /> "His steadfast love endures forever."<br />Let those who fear the LORD say,<br /> "His steadfast love endures forever."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Out of my distress I called on the LORD;<br /> the LORD answered me and set me free.<br /> The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.<br /> What can man do to me?<br /> The LORD is on my side as my helper;<br /> I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> It is better to take refuge in the LORD<br /> than to trust in man.<br />It is better to take refuge in the LORD<br /> than to trust in princes." Psalm 118.1-9</span></div>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-24683346605395650952011-11-08T10:12:00.000-08:002011-11-08T10:12:30.580-08:00Listen closely... I realized today that I have not been listening closely for God. I have expected him to jump out at me to come through the wind, the earthquake, and the fire, but I've not been listening for the whisper.<br />
Last week was tough, the lack of power, Internet, fuel, water, and sleep accompanied by tense relationships and close quarters made for a really emotional week. Honestly, most of this I can deal with quite easily. Sure its an inconvenience, or just plain obnoxious, but you deal with it, you move on, no big deal. The things that really make life here difficult are my own struggles, things that make me more comfortable, things like anxiousness and worry. If I can just fret about something I'll be okay... right? NO! Praise the Lord he puts intelligent people in my life. A very wise friend said "Quit giving Satan names." What I really wanted to say was. SHUT UP, Don't say things like that to me! Just feel sorry for me and let me have it. Thankfully another wise friend who God sent with me to Africa said, "He's right you know...." Okay guys smack me in the face one more time why doncha... Well they didn't have to God took care of that as well. <br />
Last Wednesday it was one year since a dear friend of mine passed away. I was reading on of the last sermons he wrote, and was encouraged and convicted even more than I had been. I am so grateful for Christian and the live he lived. What a magnificent example his life was and has continued to be to me and many others.<br />
It's hard to pinpoint exactly what made last week so incredibly difficult but I'm glad its over and we can start new... a new week... a new beginning. I'll be listening closely this week for the whisper. PRAISE THE LORD!<br />
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In other news we started off this week, Monday, by going to the guys basketball game. The team has made it into the championship playoffs (secretly I'm really confused about all of it) but Ogles and I went to the game last night and it was really great. First off I got to hold the sweetest baby in the world and just enjoy her and it was great. Second, the guys played a great game, and really close game. In the last period of the game the students started singing hymns... I promise for the next 8 minutes or so the other team did not score. It was all really excellent, and we won! so Wednesday we'll play the championship game and see what happens there. It was great! The week is young, it's been a good week thus far fun things are happening my God is big, bigger than all of the mess that is my life some days.<br />
Please continue to pray... Pray for Malawi its tough right now, things are crazy. Pray for ABC, for the students, teachers, staff, everything you can think of. Pray for peace, wisdom and understanding, and lastly pray for continued financial support. I feel your prayers here more than I can express and I am so grateful!<br />
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Until next time...<br />
"And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind and earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper...." 1 Kings 19. 11-12 (I strongly encourage reading the rest of the chapter)Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-70720702151005452122011-10-31T10:07:00.000-07:002011-10-31T10:07:39.317-07:00A day in the life of...Not much has happened since my last post... last was a busy week, but it was pretty routine... kinda. I don't really know everything is mushing together, but I'll do my best to tell you about a day in the life of... well me and the many roles I seem to have found myself in here.<br />
Sunday was actually not typical, since Ogles and I were both free of any duties at IBF on Sunday we decided to visit Flood which is a church popular with the singles and college students here on campus. It was good, it is a bit more contemporary, a bit more like church back home, but I think O and I both realized that IBF is where we need to be right now and we're happy there. It was fun to visit though, I'm sure we'll go back.<br />
Mmmmonday, was back to school after our week off, it was a long day. The fabulous routine we had finally fallen into was nonexistent, and the day was just challenging, but we made it! Later that night we went to the basketball game (GO LIONS!) here on campus it was a really great game, the guys played hard and won! It was a very different atmosphere instead of yelling and screaming everyone sings and dances, and just enjoys the game for what it is.<br />
Tuesday was a much better day at school. I was so glad that it didn't take the kids long to get back in the swing of things. Tuesday night Ogles and I ran off and had dinner. Its always nice to escape campus for a while and just sit and be normal and not have to think about and analyze everything I say. Afterward we came back and just hung out around campus we went to the caf and spent some time there and then we just walked around and were lazy. At some point Tuesday night there was NO ONE at my house except me and it was wonderful and peaceful... I'm praying it happens more often. :D<br />
Wednesday was another day of getting up early and heading out off to school. I really enjoy being greeted by my students every morning. They are always so excited and full of love. Wednesday is staff Bible Study on campus. This week we had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Kamadan (Not sure how to spell that) He is know around campus as Uncle Krabby. He brought a message about being joyful even in the trials. It was such a refreshing and MUCH needed reminder. Life here is special there are rules and regulations for everything and sometimes that is suffocating... other times is frustrating and sometime its just obnoxious. However I realize rule are good... I like rules... but sometimes I am not sure what the rules are that's hard. Also, its November... waking up in to the heat is just a little bit sad. Everyone back home is enjoying the nice fall weather and carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating... don't get me wrong I love it here we're doing fun things its just not the same traditions that we're used to and love. Not to worry though I have already started decorating for Christmas and since there is no Thanksgiving in Malawi I see no reason to put off the rest of the decorating. SO all of that to say a message on joy was just what we needed right now. Praise the Lord he always provides.<br />
Thursday was back to school... haha this is fun (you should at least pretend) Thursday I had my computer at school and my current background is a picture of Ogles (Miss O), Owen (Mista Owen), and myself. (Miss O comes into my room every Tuesday to help with reading centers so my kids know her well) So a bunch of my kids were standing and looking at the picture when one of the says, "Miss Weimer, I didn't know you knew Mista Owen..." Confused I look at them I said, "Guys, Mr. Owen works across the hall, we see him all the time, he come into our classroom EVERYDAY." They returned my confused expression and said, "Yes but we didn't know you <i>KNEW </i>Mista Owen." Okay okay fair enough I really enjoy this age and their mindset. Later that day they were looking at the picture again and one of them asked me. "Where was that picture at?" So, I said, "that picture is at Mr. Owen's house." to which the replied wide eyed... "MISTA OWEN HAS A HOUSE!" at this point I just had to laugh they are so cute I didn't even know what to do. Thursday was also shopping day so Ogles and I mustered up all of our courage and went shopping... okay not really we asked Owen to come and since Owen is a wonderful person he toted us around town and even led us on our first adventure to the clothes market. In order to get to the clothes market you have to cross, what I am sure is the most unsafe bridge in the entire world. I was scared, fortunately Ogles is awesome and didn't rat me out she just let me walk in front of her slowly slowly slowly until we got to the other side. Oh! such good times. <br />
Friday was a lovely day the weather was a bit cooler and everyone was looking forward to the weekend. Ogles and I decided to skip pot luck and enjoy a quiet evening at our house, and then we went and watched the girls basketball game (AHHH THERE IS A HUGE SPIDER) AHHHHHHH!<br />
Saturday of course was sleep in late and do nothing day later that day we made p(that spider is really close to me this is no good) pancakes for dinner and then watched despicable me. what a good way to end the day! (EISH! Its a chop chop! Allison is my HERO! She is trying kill it! there is much screaming, don't judge!) Okay I cna't even think right now. I have tortured you enough with my life. Much love keep the prayers coming we need all we can get!!<br />
Until next time,<br />
"Count it pure joy, my brothers, when you meet trial of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1: 2-3<br />
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also pray that this spider dies!<br />
<br />Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-39515602521765722532011-10-24T07:55:00.000-07:002011-10-24T07:56:09.230-07:00The Best Thing That Could Be HappeningWhere do I even start? The past week was quite possibly the best week I've had here! I wish there were words enough to describe the fun we had and the joy that last week brought. I am so glad that my God is faithful even when I am not. The blessing that have been poured out on me are far more than I deserve and I am so thankful! Okay, so let me just tell you all about last week.<br />
For starters it was mid-term break, so we had the week off! Praise the Lord! It was definitely a much needed break for students and teachers alike. We started our break by going to pot luck and then a movie night with some of the other teachers and some college students as well. We just had a really good time after the movie we were standing around the kitchen drinking coffee and talking when suddenly all eyes in the room were open wide staring at something behind Allison and myself. Needless to say we quickly made our way to the other side of the kitchen and were told that a rat and scampered out from under the fridge and in the laundry room. (NOT COOL! If you remember from my last post I am not really a fan of rats.)<br />
Saturday, we slept late and then stayed in our beds even later, I think it was 2 or so before we ever left our room, that is the best way to spend the first day of a vacation in my opinion. I don't think we did much else on Saturday maybe watched another movie or just hung out I don't know. Sunday was another relativity lazy day we went to church and had lunch with the Carlisles. We came home and there was an excellent rain storm, perfect for Sunday afternoon nap, and doing nothing.<br />
At some point Allison and I had decided that we were going to try and stay out of our house as much as possible this week. We haven't done a whole lot since we've been here and so we thought it would be a good idea simply to get out and see other people and do different things. In an effort to fulfill this goal we decided we would get up early and go to chapel at the college every morning. So that's what we did early Monday morning we walked up to the chapel... little did we know it was a public holiday so there was no chapel, no class it was very quiet on campus, mainly because we were the only people awake I'm pretty sure. OH well, it was nice we just walked and sat and enjoyed the quiet early morning.<br />
The second part of our plan was to attend some classes at the college that week (yes, we realize that's lame and we're okay with it). But it was also mid-terms on campus which works more like finals in the states so everyone was out and about studying and just taking a break from the everyday routine. This also meant that Mista Owen (Owen is from Zimbabwe, but has been working at the academy for about 8 years or so teaching reception) opened up his house (because his other housemates were out of town for the week) as a place for some of the college guys to come and find a (mostly) quiet place to study, or just some where to get away from the stress of mid-terms and the madness that entails. Because Owen is awesome, he also allowed Allison and I to come and crash his house whenever we felt necessary this week. So we spent a good amount of time there hanging out, watching movies, helping some of the college guys study, and most importantly gaining some really great friends in the process.<br />
Other adventures from this week included: much swimming (because it is hot here, and we can swim in October.), laughing, drinking coke, reading in the garden, making doctors appointments for people, walking around, watching football (soccer), ending up at the one place we have been told never to go, making cinnamon rolls, swinging, "playing" basketball, and just having fun.<br />
I must include the end of a story we started a long time ago... Remember the rat from Friday night? Okay good. SO I think it was Tuesday or Wednesday and Owen was making French Fries (because he's awesome) and Allison and I were rearranging the magnet letters to remind Owen he needed to take his friend to the doctor. Several other people were just standing around talking and laughing at us... it was good time. So while were standing the rat crawled out from underneath the fridge and got on mY FOOT! AHHH! I screamed quite loudly and ran out of the room, I almost ran out of the house, but I managed to control myself... you'll have to read <a href="http://allisoninmalawi.blogspot.com/2011/10/tale-with-tail.html">Ogles' blog </a>to see what happened after that...I do know that everyone was laughing even Allison laughed at me. Zack was the first one to come and make sure I was still alive. I shook for about 10 minutes after that. Zack kept saying, "let me see your hands." It was all really excellent.<br />
This week was excellent I really feel like I am finding my place here, thanks to some really great friends, Andrew, Ndaba, Owen, and Zack this is finally starting to feel like a home. As I said before God is so good and has showered blessing upon blessing on me this week that I simply did not deserve. I can't wait to see what happens next.<br />
Once again thank you all for your prayers keep them coming they mean more than I could every express. We also really appreciate your notes and encouragement it's hard to be away from home and just knowing that people are thinking about you makes life that much easier!<br />
Until next time...<br />
"The Lord bless you and keep you;<br />
the Lord make his fact to shine upon you<br />
and be gracious to you;<br />
the Lord life up his countenance upon<br />
you and give you peace."<br />
- Numbers 6:24-26Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-40101909572409236842011-10-12T05:19:00.000-07:002011-10-12T05:22:48.494-07:00Oh, the things that have happened here since my last post.... really aren't all that exciting. Sorry, just having a dramatic moment! :) But really last week was an okay week, it was pretty routine go to school come home the usual. I did receive my first marriage proposal from the guy we buy our vegetables from... It was funny. I didn't really know what to do so I just said we needed a mop... which we did and now don't.<br />
Friday, however, was a big day. It was reading day at ABCCA! Possibly the craziest day thus far. Friday morning everyone showed up to school dressed as their favorite character from a book (kinda) I had four spidermans in my class, but that's okay. The entire day is about reading! We started the day in chapel with singing, poetry reading, and a little readers theater put on by some of the ABCCA staff. It was pretty funny, everyone did a really excellent job. Afterward we went back to our classroom and we read all day. We had some wonderful parents come in and read to us, as well as, one of the third grade classes who came and read to the students one on one. It was a fun day but definitely exhausting. Hopefully soon I'll be able to get the pictures up...<br />
Saturday... OH SATURDAY I ALMOST FORGOT! Well first off we slept until like 10:30 which is almost unheard of here... but we did. So later Allison and i were standing in the kitchen and she said. "by the way there is a dead rat in the toilet of the spare bathroom." Are you serious! How does that even happen? I don't wanna know that's gross. I hate rats!!! Bugs, spiders, ants, whatever I can handle that... even the occasional roach (though Katie usually has to come kill them) But not rats! UGH! Well, Allison took a picture of it (you can find it on facebook if you would like) and posted that some of the campus men should come and rescue us from it. Thankfully a couple of the college guys that we've become friends with here came rather quickly to the rescue. They made fun of me for refusing to go in the bathroom and not wanting to see the rat. UGH!!! I still haven't gone in that bathroom.<br />
Later that evening we had a bunch of the singles over for homemade pizza night which was fun. We were proud of ourselves for being so social. haha<br />
This week has been pretty normal... the coming week is a holiday and we are all ready for the break! I can't wait! It's going to be excellent.<br />
Well, please pray. Pray for Malawi, for all the people here, pray that we would have strength and peace to make it through the long weeks and that we would take advantage of the really good ones, pray that we can continue to live in peace with each other, and that we will not forget the reason we are here. Thank you all so much!!<br />
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Until next time...<br />
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another is showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12:9-13Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-89168434738859559282011-10-03T04:50:00.000-07:002011-10-03T04:57:34.007-07:00In Christ Alone My Hope is FoundThis past week was a particularly long one. Possibly one of the longest I've had since arriving here. Sometimes I think long is just a nicerish way of saying horribly awful, but last week was both it was a long horribly awful week. I don't think that there was any one incident that made it so bad it was just everything. Homesickness hit hard last week, and since we're in Africa things happen. So our Internet only worked 1/2 the week and the other 1/2 the power was off. If things were going right it was a bad time to talk with family, we ran out of doom (ant killer) so the fact that our house wasn't carried away is a miracle, despite my best efforts I never felt prepared for class and was just stressed out...and so it just all piled up. Basically, Monday around 9am we were praying for Friday in a very serious manner. But we survived! Praise the Lord!! Some folks somewhere must have been praying very hard for us last week, and we are so grateful!<br />
Saturday was a fun day. We were invited to a breakfast for missionaries at the Kumbali Cultural center. This was basically the furthest out I have been since being here. We drove through a village to get there which was a true taste of the culture and where we are. After breakfast we headed to the IWAM fair.... or something along those lines IWAM is the International Women's Association of Malawi, or something along those line. And I guess every year they set up a big crafts type fair with lots of fun things to buy and yummy food to eat. They even had ice cream and cotton candy! Later we went for a swim in the still freezing pool, but it was so worth it. It was excellent!! We owe all the fun we had to the wonderful Kyser family for inviting us to join them! We ended the day having dinner with a bunch of the other "singles" on campus, it was fun we enjoyed the company. The whole day was really a excellent cure for a horribly awful long week.<br />
Sunday we went to church, and Allison and I worked the Creche or Nursery. We had fun. It just felt normal... with the exception of at least 3 different languages being spoken by the kids. But, it was good.<br />
I think that things are starting to get better. We're meeting more people and finding our place here. School, while still difficult, is getting better we're figuring it all out. This Friday is reading day! Its a fun day when everyone gets dressed up and we do fun things! So, look forward to that!<br />
Several of you have asked about sending packages and such... I gave my mom some more info on all that so just look her up and she'll help you out there. We're also putting in a t-shirt order soon, so let me know, or just my mom, if you want in on that too.<br />
And so... until next time please continue to pray it means so much!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"In Christ alone"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In Christ alone my hope is found,<br />He is my light, my strength, my song;<br />this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,<br />firm through the fiercest drought and storm.<br />What heights of love, what depths of peace,<br />when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!<br />My Comforter, my All in All,<br />here in the love of Christ I stand.<br /><br />In Christ alone! who took on flesh<br />Fullness of God in helpless babe!<br />This gift of love and righteousness<br />Scorned by the ones he came to save:<br />Till on that cross as Jesus died,<br />The wrath of God was satisfied -<br />For every sin on Him was laid;<br />Here in the death of Christ I live.<br /><br />There in the ground His body lay<br />Light of the world by darkness slain:<br />Then bursting forth in glorious Day<br />Up from the grave he rose again!<br />And as He stands in victory<br />Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,<br />For I am His and He is mine -<br />Bought with the precious blood of Christ.<br /><br />No guilt in life, no fear in death,<br />This is the power of Christ in me;<br />From life's first cry to final breath.<br />Jesus commands my destiny.<br />No power of hell, no scheme of man,<br />Can ever pluck me from His hand;<br />Till He returns or calls me home,<br />Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.</span>Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4079827516654582583.post-52015777782317356502011-09-23T11:35:00.000-07:002011-09-23T11:35:24.401-07:00It's not nice to lie.Well friends, I am happy to report that it has been a lovely week here in Malawi. The weather is starting to get warmer which is fun. It's still cool in the mornings and evenings, which is nice, but probably won't last long.<br />
We started our week as we usually do. I really love the church that Allison and I have been going to. It feels normal... a bit like home, but not... I don't know it's nice. Allison started singing with the praise band and we've signed up to work the nursery and such it's going to be fun.<br />
Monday was just a normal day. My class room was a bit chattier than normal, but they're in kindergarten so everyday is an adventure. Tuesday we were all a bit more on edge I think. There were demonstrations planned for Wednesday so we were not even sure if we were going to have school, and the atmosphere was just a bit more tense than usual. This really just resulting in the kids being extra talkative and it taking about 3 times as long to do things as it should have. But we made it... and at some point during the day one of my kids said to the person sitting next to him, quite out of the blue... "you have a nice face, I wish I had your face." I am certain that this was and is only funny to me, but I laughed for quite some time.<br />
Wednesday we did not end up having school, but it things were quiet. So basically we sat around in our pj's all day, ate far too many cookies, watched Gilmore Girls, and did some lesson planning. We really appreciate everyone who is praying for Malawi, please continue to do so.<br />
Thursday we were back at school... most of us spent 93% of the day thinking it was Monday only to be completely thrown off to realize it was actually Thursday. However, that is always a pleasant surprise. Friday... oh how I so enjoy Friday. The day did start off rather rough... I am still not sure why, but I am blaming it on the fact that my alarm scared me half to death this morning and it just took me a long time to recover from it... I do think that today was one of the best days I have had with my class. They were well quiet and behaved and just a lot of fun.<br />
... So story time... there are several dogs here on campus supposedly most of them belong to people, but a few of them belong to no one... anyway we all know that I am not much for dogs or cats... or squirrels... or really any animal for that matter, but I have grown to love Tara... she is a gigantic dog that runs around campus. She really is HUGE, but she is just sweet and wonderful.... so she lives with the single guys on campus. She is supposed to stay tied up or fenced up or something along those lines during the day so she doesn't come to school... well she's huge she jumps the fence, pretty much everyday I guess. I dunno, but today she happened to be running around campus, and Mr. Owen was getting ready to take her home so she was on our end of the school. My kids were eating snack so I was standing in the doorway to keep her from coming in and joining us in our snacking. Once they were gone several of my kids asked "what was THAT!?!" and so I told them that it was Tara the dog... "NO! What was the big thing with Mr. Owen?" That was a dog... "Miss Weimer, you know it's not nice to lie...?" It really was a dog... "NO, that is a horse or something!"<br />
They're hysterical. That's just all there is to it. I didn't even know what to say. They were still not convinced that Tara is a dog but whatever.<br />
<br />
In other news...<br />
TODAY I GOT A PACKAGE!!!!! There simply are not words to describe how exciting this is. Allison got one too, simply doubling the excitement and making it that much more difficult to describe.<br />
Please continue to pray for us here, for a health and safety, for our sanity, and for our spiritual lives.Alyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06338230051597416826noreply@blogger.com1