A little bit of everything...

Well, last week I was in much turmoil due to some things that Ben and I were praying through. Tuesday I called my Aunt Sheila for wise council as I shared my burden with her. By the time I got off the phone, I had the most incredible peace, and I slept the best that I had in a long time that evening. By the end of Friday, the Lord continued to astound me by enabling something to happen that I didn't expect. All I can say is, "Wow." I'm still amazed.

This week I have had some other obstacles to overcome in dealing with some students at school. The thing about teaching is that every day has an unpredictability of outcomes. I have writing assignments to mark, report cards to grade...I'm soooo tired! I just need a day to work on things and this weekend will be busy as there will be a birthday party for my niece Arianna. Oh to have a snow day...

On the humorous side of life, Ben and I know that spring time is arriving because our annual snow flea killing tally is up and running. Last year I won, but thus far he has proven to be in the lead. I find myself constantly scanning a room in hopes that I'll spot one of the harmless black critters sauntering along my ceiling or wall. We've also spotted some silverfish (oh joy). No matter how clean we keep this apartment, they still like to venture out and annoy me. Ben is better at killing them then me - I'm too slow when it comes to getting the little critters. Oh how they mock me!

I'll close by saying that 10 years ago this evening, I was Miss NHS, and Ben was my escort to the pageant dance. What a ride it has been! I love him more each day. I'm so blessed!

Update on Doc Taylor and Pat

This was posted on my cousin Selinda's blog. She is serving in Africa as well.

Another Traumatic Event

I wish I could say that all was well in Swaziland, but I can't.
Indeed it is better for some than others, unfortunately I bring some
not-so-happy news after talking with Dave and Pat Taylor this
morning. About 2 am this past Monday morning the same two men, that
broke into the Taylor's house, ransacked it and tried to kill Dave
about 2 1/2 weeks ago, returned for another round. They broke
through the security bars on the office window and cleaned out what
was accessable. Then being unable to get to the rest of the house
because of a new security gate in the hallway, the men went back
outside and came in through the security bars in the spare bedroom
window. Their second entry woke the Taylors up and Dave looked
through the keyhole in the door and saw a shadow. At that he told
Pat to phone the neighbours for help and he no sooner got his
shoulder to the door when the men, using a crowbar, tried to get into
their bedroom. Both of them screamed as much as they could for help
and when the men couldn't get in, they gave up and ran off.
The Taylors were just dealing with the first traumatic situation and
now have another one on top. At this they have packed what
possessions they have left and are flying for Canada tomorrow morning
(March 15). How can one feel safe in their own home after all this
and with those men still on the loose. No one can blame them for
this, but it hurts to see them go under such conditions. They need
our prayers now more than ever before. Thank you for praying for
them these past few weeks and thank you for continuing to lift them
up in prayer. Pray for speedy healing from emotional wounds and also
pray for safe flights/travels. I forwarded notes I received about
people praying for them and they were encouraged by the number of
people praying for them.

Back to School!

Today it was back to work. The highlight of my day: I found a note on my desk. It was on a wrinkled corner torn off piece of looseleaf and it said, "*Student name* is to go to ________'s house for a birthday party. Bus #19. *Gaurdian Signature*" I knew it wasn't written by his gaurdian.

Reason number one: She wouldn't write it on a crumpled corner piece of paper. Reason number two: I found it AFTER lunch by an actual note written by another parent whose son was going to the party.
Reason number three: Let's just say that this particular student has a bad track record....

So I had the secretary phone home to check things out, and my suspicion's were right. At the end of the school day he exclaimed he was going to the party. "Where's my bus pass? I had a note."

"No you didn't," I replied. "I suspected it was your writing and it was confirmed when I had your house phoned. You're not going." He looked pretty sad. Needless to say, his guardian managed to show up right before the buses were loaded and give him a note to go. I mean really? Let's reward him for LYING to his TEACHER??? Whether or not he was actually invited is beyond me. Despite the fact that no moral lesson is being taught by his home (he's the type of kid who apparently can do "no wrong"), I found the whole thing somewhat amusing.

March...Break?

I got to be a housewife again today. Between yesterday and today I've cooked for my hubby and cleaned - BIG TIME (Spring cleaning...doing it early because my job can be demanding at times) - I washed walls, scrubbed floors, cleaned out cupboards...I even packed away my snowmen and took out my gerber daisies and ivy. Tomorrow it'll be back into the school to do some marking, planning, and work on report cards so that I won't have to think about it towards the end of the week. I intend on cooking a pork roast tomorrow as I'm taking delight in spoiling my husband this week (usually I'm too tired to do much cooking or baking of any kind). I'm going to take some time for me too, I just haven't figured out what to do yet (apart from already having watched the 5 hour version of "Pride and Prejudice"...I love how they speak...and their dresses...and of course Mr.Darcy...I remember Ben walked clear out to Sussex Corner during college once to say some lines of Shakespeare to me...how I'd like to hear him say some of those verses again! I'm convinced I could've been quite content to have been born in the days when speech seemed to be much more poetic).

I'm not quite as down in the dumps this week, but I am still sifting and praying through some things. My husband isn't quite as melancholy which is a help. He had to preach twice this past weekend as Ryan and Maridel are away on vacation. He's grown so much in his preaching. I enjoy listening to him speak, and I don't get nervous for him anymore :)

Well I must go get ready for an outing - we've been invited out for turkey dinner!