what do you do?

In most introductions and occasions of meeting someone know the question is often asked of 'what do you do". I usually tell folks I'm a teacher and hope not too many more questions ensue. Though, this often initiates questions of where, what grade and how long...and so the answer begins...

"What do you do?"

"I'm a teacher"

"Where at, what grade?".....

I taught 2nd-3rd grade for two years. I was the program director for all programs outside the school day. I teach English to adult immigrants and refugees. I teach middle schoolers every day in an after school program. I teach piano lessons. I teach children's Sunday school. I teach about the justice 2nd language parents deserve in the public schools. I teach middle schoolers they are valued and loved by their Creator and me too. I teach the students in all my arenas how to create and express themselves whether that means cooking or gluing and cutting. I teach adults the letters and the sounds they make. I teach geometry to myself first so i can help the kids. I teach children the musical alphabet and hope to grow in them a love for music. I teach others about Jesus and how to live for Him but hope they experience Him through my words and actions too. I teach moms how to care for their child who has a cast, though I've never had a child with a cast myself. I teach children manners simply to chew with their mouth closed and even explain why. I teach adults the importance and value of reading with their children on a daily basis. I teach everyone the healing in laughter and thats it ok to laugh at yourself too. I teach because I have been blessed with a burden to serve and love and give of myself in this way.

But, I teach because I have been taught and continue to be taught. I've been taught right from wrong and how to give and live selflessly. I've been taught the musical alphabet and developed a love for music. I've been taught the letters and the sounds they make. I've been taught that even though communication is difficult loving a child isn't. I've been taught about the love of my Jesus and that we must share that with and without words. I'm taught each day by the beautiful women in my class that fight and struggle each day to learn the same things their 2nd graders are learning, and to do it with endurance and pride. I've been taught that we are all just people and deserve a 2nd, 3rd and 4th chance. I've been taught that there is not much more beautiful in this world than the innocence of a child and though so small we have so much to learn from them.

So that's what I do...I teach, because I've been taught.

....and...if you knew this girl you would too!

little of this and that

Just a few days of fun at the Powerhouse...

Sara at the Washington Pavilion checking out her brain waves...nice
Future archeologists (how do you spell that??) Joe Joe and Job, they built that dino at the Science center of the pavilion

We went to the corn maze and found the treasure box and got a treat! It was cold, but fun!!

Yo-yo master, David, came and the kids all got their own yo-yos and taught some tricks. I was pretty impressed!

Vicki and Jesse joined Meriah on a Thursday to make sugar cookies. Damius and Job made me retake this picture after they made it look like they had been working. They used a rolling pin for the first time. It was delcious!

We are so blessed to have people bless us with their gifts and talents. However, makes the not special days tagged as 'boring'...which means I usually fall in that category. Silly kids :) I love them to pieces and love learning new things with them from the folks that join us. These kids are truly the best (even after they've eaten 6 cookies, I just sometimes need a little reminder then :)

Grandpa Herb

My Grandmother recently had knee replacement surgery here in Sioux Falls. She was doing great and recovering normally. But, then had a little bummer, as she called it. My aunt rephrased it as a big bummer. After lunch one day she got very sick, ended up in the ER and soon the ICU ultimately with ulcers. However, it took a good day and a half, sleepless night, and scary moments to get to that prognosis.

In the meantime my Grandpa, her husband, was five hours away in Eureka, South Dakota. He can't see well at all and shouldn't drive though he somehow deems it acceptable in Eureka. Yesterday he told me he drives better than other Eurekans who drive like a bat out of you know where, ha. Anyways he got a ride to Sioux Falls and joined us in the cold, stark ICU waiting room as we waited for some answers, some comfort.

That's Grandpa Herb, he was a nervous wreck, hadn't slept and was so concerned about this dear woman that he loved. He sat across from me in the hard chair and began to tell me stories of their 60 (!!!) years of marriage. He told me of how they met when he got back from he war when he was 22 and his brother told him that's who he would marry. And, back then he says you listened to your brother. They married at 25 and were both teachers and began a family together. He had a sparkle in his eye as he shared these stories and my heart was so bittersweet as I was so priveleged to hear these stories but yet see the worry in his face for his beloved wife. He repeatedly said I just hope we can figure this problem out.

His lovely wife has recovered and glimpses of my old grandma are seen more and more! With that comes old grandpa too but we are so grateful to have these two close to us- even more so as they (or i should say their children) have decided to live here for the next 6 months.

I'm reminded yet again of the blessing of moving back to Sioux Falls and hope to hear more stories of the last 85 years of their lives and continue to see the love of 60 years of marriage. These are the people we should learn from in life. They are quite incredible!

a few of my favorite things...

in no particular order...enjoy

1. living in sioux falls and being able to visit my grandma in rehab as she recovers after knee surgery. it is such a blessing for me to be close for stuff like this.

2. celebrating this boys birthday. these kids are already so dear to me. my sweetheart on the right there really got into the happy birthday song apparently- watch out.

3. iced coffee

4. interpretors when "como te llamas" y "como estas" just isn't enough to get by

5. my home, which truly is becoming my home and a home for those i care so deeply about.

6. my church family that encourages me so much in what I do. I am blessed to serve and work in this way among the people that have seen my grow up and support me by volunteering here each week, painting a really huge old stucco house, fellowshipping at a community picnic, enjoying an afternoon chat. these people are seriously incredible.

7. my two jobs have become more entangled than i could have imagined. my families crossover into my english classes and tutoring after school, many are my neighbors, and all have been so incredibly enjoyable to work with. this is truly a dream this life i'm living.

8. don mencke, cause i know he faithfully read this :) and nanc too...some of my biggest fans. love y'all.

9. again, the birthday boy

2.

powerhouse

We've been moving right along for two weeks already at the Powerhouse after school program. I'm learning quickly what it's like to work two jobs directly with people often with high needs. My heart is so full each day and I often just wish I could do it all for each person I come into contact with. Consequently I collapse into bed each night grateful for the opportunity to do this life, and to sleep fast for what the next day will bring.

My after school kids are incredible. I didn't know pleasant and middle schooler could go in the same sentence- but I have the best of the best for sure. It helps that we hung out all summer long and they are such good friends. Like one big messed up family around here!

They come each day after school- usually racing. I told them to keep racing...makes me feel good, ha. We eat snacks, play games (i still have not won at battleship), do homework, work on achieve3000, laugh, cook, and they truly make me be a better person

I know i'm in exactly the right place, especially being in this house. It's like my dream come true to welcome students into my home to provide just a little extra consistency and love each day of their lives. I am blessed beyond measure in the timing of this and now see so clearly how much I was being prepared to be right here.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you" John 14:27. Resting in His undeniable peace in these moments!

Some of my beauties...(huge props to Megs on the table, we love it!!!)

Damious, with the aviators...whatever it takes to get the job done!

Words Travel

For my job with the volunteers of America I have been trained in a program called words travel. My boss asked me if I'd be interested in this program as she thinks there is little these days that would scare me. That's pretty close to accurate, but this particular day gave me a little run for my money.

Words Travel is a parternship with VOA and scholastic books that takes a reading curriculum into jails around the country. So, I have been trained in words travel and had my first experience ever in a jail! This program is designed to teach moms and dads about six different genre's of literature and then read the book and tape it for their children. We spend about an hour a week for 8 weeks going through stories and recording the books.

So, there I found myself ripping and running through my day and pulling up the jail that I'd driven past a hundred times. Never did I think I'd find myself standing between the locked doors awaiting a group of 6 women. Thankfully, I attended the first session with a seasoned veteran - one who knew all the tricks about the doors, where to go, and which rooms and chairs worked the best. Boy, I have a lot to learn.

Before I knew it I was in and just standing there amidst crowds of black and white stripes and women collecting the 'best chairs'. The guard escorted us down the hall and we were locked in a little room, known as the 'multi-purpose room'....i call it major claustorphobia!

I sat there taking in my surroundings, trying to keep my nervous legs from shaking and listening intently to the lesson and the story, which happend to be "Amazing Grace" today (great story!). I watched men walk by the window with handcuffs and wink at the ladies, big yawns from one momma next to me, but more than anything just six women wanting to love on their children.

I was struck by the normalcy of this situation and realized that these are just regular people who had made bad decisions and deserve a second chance just like the rest of us. Suddenly why they were there didn't matter and the black and white stripes quickly faded as they talked so lovingly about their toddlers and school children who they desperately loved.

I left with a heaviness in my heart as they went back to the rec rooms with the ladies who have become their friends. These women are no different than you and me as I mess up a hundred times a day. But, I have hope in a God that forgives and saves with unending grace and I hope that these women will know that God too. It's my prayer that between rhyming and storytelling that glimpses of Christ's love and forgiveness would shine through to the women I meet.

some things I know

-Everybody should spend an hour of their life with these kids. They will give you great perspective and great joy. You will also learn how to say the same thing five different ways to ensure understanding as English is limited. These are part of my kiddos for the next three weeks!

-Every mother of a pre-teen that does not allow her to wear a bikini deserves a pat on the back and then some. For the love mothers, that is too much. I spend a lot of time at public pools, and the best part is it's for my job and I'm getting paid to work on my tan!

-Everyone should spend some time with these kids as they will learn the true meaning of patience. Each Wednesday I hang with this bunch from Wesley Methodist's summer program. There are about 30 middle schoolers, some of who will come to the after school program I'm starting in the Fall

-I realized I live in the right neighborhood when I saw kids I know from various neighborhoods at the local pool and park next door to my house. So many similarities to my last job...the kool-aid jug will be filled up soon (i'm so close to moving into my house!)

-Eric....will give you great joy!

-I think of Detroit often and especially miss Randazzo's, ghetto beauty supply, and the front porch of my house full of kids (though, I don't own that house anymore!!!!)

-I am surrounded by incredible family and friends here and am so grateful for my community.