Parents and Forgiveness

Umm...where did February go?

I know I feel like I am starting my posts with the same line every time lately - "Where did the time go?"  "How is it already three weeks after my last post" etc.  But HONESTLY - ITS ALREADY MARCH 6TH!

Alright, enough with that stuff. I write today to briefly update you on the wonderful parental visit last weekend and to share a story about my own life journey these last couple weeks.

Update:  The parents were here for a wonderful extended weekend a couple weekends ago now...and boy was it fun to have them here!  It truly is something unique to be able to share an experience like this with people you love.  I remember being in ireland a couple years ago thinking man I really wish my parents could see this so they could "understand" a little better what I mean!  For example, when I would tell my parents I'm going to Gallup to go to Walmart - they could guess what it was like to drive to Gallup to go to walmart but this time, they actually got to EXPERIENCE the drive to Gallup.  Now,they know what I mean when I say I am going to school, or I am going to the church, or I am walking in my neighborhood, etc.  How cool is that?

Anyways, it was a wonderful visit that included Launching rockets with the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade science classes, a dinner out in Gallup with 20 other peeps from here which was awesome, a couple hiking trips to Canyon De Chelly and Window Rock of course, breakfast at Dine restaurant, late night reading at the Desert House of Prayer where they stayed, a cookout with all of us volunteers in our backyard, and of course banana grams.  Quite a weekend!

Needless to say, I am extremely grateful they had the opportunity to come and share in this experience with me.  Love you mom and dad!

"Don't get too close to the edge"

Just walking by some ruins at the bottom of a canyon...

Now, in relation to the title of this post.  Tonight, we had our weekly spirituality night which was led by my roommate Mary Rose this time.  I don't think she could have chosen a better night to simply take some time and ask us to reflect on our worries, anxieties, angers, happinesses, fears, etc.  It provided me with the opportunity that I have been yearning for all lent - time for myself to reflect.  I still struggle with providing myself with this time of reflection and I have come to realize how much I need it.  I feel like a million bucks right now because of that opportunity we had tonight.  And even writing this post is amazing!!

Anyways, in regards to forgiveness - Last night, I had religious education class to teach.  Well, this time only one of my second graders showed up.  Therefore, it was just me and this one boy - and the theme for this week's Gospel - Forgiveness.  This little 8 year old turned my life upside down last night as he spoke avidly about forgiveness and his experiences with forgiving others and asking people to forgive him.  Several times throughout our lovely discussions, I simply smiled because I remembered where I was, what I was doing, and who I was doing it with!  I was on the Navajo Reservation in Window Rock, AZ talking one on one with an 8 year old Navajo boy in an old gym that is part of a Franciscan Mission about the prodigal son and the theme of forgiveness - WOW!  How cool is that?  haha.

It certainly was cool and over the last couple days, this experience along with several others have truly helped me come to more and more realizations.  In thinking about next year and moving forward, I have come to realize that first and foremost what I need to do is love myself for me.  We as humans simply cannot expect to be able to give all that we can to our vocation and to those around us if we do not first love God and then love ourselves!  I have realized I need to forgive myself and reconcile with myself for all that I feel I have done "wrong."  As I have begun this process, I have already recognized a shift in my lens on life - seeing my students in a different manner even TODAY!  We need to share with others our love - God's love - but in order to do that we must first accept God's love and express it within our own hearts for ourselves.  Then, the outward door of love can be opened and shared with all.

Whew, wow that was more intense than I thought I was going to share...Thank you for reading anyways - and know that you don't ever need to agree with what I say - hahaha - just take it for what it is...a reflection!  Love you all dearly and have a wonderful night.

The middle of FEBRUARY??

Hello!

Wow, another two and a half weeks since my last post...I am getting lazy! - Or just BUSY!  Anyways, here are a few quick updates from the last couple weeks and a few things that are coming up shortly.

1) Spring retreat in Moss Beach, CA - AMAZING

This retreat was a chance for us to take a long weekend and simply enjoy some "nicer" weather on the coast of CA.  Our communities here from Window Rock and St. Michael's met up with the volunteer group from Sacramento, CA and had the opportunity to experience San Francisco, the beach, the stars, and of course one another.  Quite the refresher to say the least....

Golden Gate Bridge with a couple of the Sacramento Volunteers!

Just the lookout from the back porch of one of the houses we stayed in...

2)  The last couple weeks I have started to help coach the high school track team!  This has been quite the new experience for me.  And, I must say I have truly enjoyed getting to know some of the high schoolers - and simply being part of a TEAM again - even if its in a new way as a coach!  I look forward to the season and can't wait to see how this first experience of coaching continues to go even if it's not exactly in the sport I would have guessed would be my first coaching experience...I'll take whatever life throws at me these days...

3)  Speaking of taking what life throws at ya, I am definitely discerning what is next in my life these days as well.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I look into possible opportunities back here at the school, with another volunteer organization, and whatever else jumps in front of me...haha  Just the other day, I turned to my fifth graders in science and asked "Should I come back next year?"  The response was pretty unanimous......and it was a "yes" not a no....so clearly they do like me even if it's just a little bit :)

4) In regards to my lovely 6th graders...they are just dandy.  We have begun reading Bud, Not Buddy and man oh man is that a great book!  The kids love it - as do I - and we are already having some great discussions and debates on topics involved with it.  The students continue to present their State Power Points to the class this week...definitely a project I may have to tweak in the future! haha!  The biggest thing on my students' minds these days however is the build-up to this coming Friday's ROCKET LAUNCH with Mr. D's Dad and Mom.  We are currently finishing up our space unit and I thought what better way to end than with a model rocket launch?  And it just so happened that my parents will be arriving Thursday evening and joining us at school on Friday.  Therefore, Mr. D's dad will be bringing the engines and launchpad while the students construct the rockets the next couple days.  Should be a blast!!!

5) One Valentine's Day story - I received more Valentine's Day gifts than Christmas gifts BY FAR from my students?  hmmm.... :) :) I must be loved?  Hopefully that's what it means.  Anyways, I made sure to let the students know I loved them...In each science class, we started off with our normal warm-ups such as jumping jacks, line jumps, etc.  But then, my last warm-up task for them was to walk around with their hands in the shape of a heart and tell each one of their classmates, "I love you!"  hahahahaha...boy did this get a reaction in Every class!  4th graders loved it...5th graders weren't quite so sure...and the 6th grade boys loved it (the girls just sat down and looked at me...) haha  What a great day it was!

Ahh...chocolate

Alright, well I need to go to bed - but just wanted to update as much as I could on the past couple weeks.  There continue to be plenty of challenges here, but as always all I can do is look for the good in all those challenges.  Lent is here and I am trying my hardest to look inward more than any time before in my life as I focus on what am I called to do next?  Prayers and thoughts are welcome....as well as any advice! haha.  PEace for now.  Parents arrive on Thursday evening and will remain here sharing in the experience until Monday!  Will definitely post sometime next week sharing pics from the visit!

I leave with one picture that I just had to take when one of the neighborhood dogs came to greet me after work on Valentine's Day...Not the prettiest dog, but BEAR (as we call him/her) can be quite friendly and a reminder that I'm "home" for the day!

Bear....one of the "nice" neighborhood dogs

Off we go on another adventure!!

Hello!

So I know that I haven't been updating nearly as much as I would like - however, it has been quite the past couple weeks here on the rez.  So here are a couple quick updates - most of us mercy volunteers leave tomorrow morning to head to California for our mid-year retreat!! ahh...definitely needed!

So those updates...

The southwest liturgical conference two weekends ago = AMAZING!  This conference definitely gave me the opportunity to remember and more fully recognize some of my strongest passions in life - that being MUSIC and the want to make mass/church a place where people find a community...it opened up some doors in my mind that I didn't realize were open - perhaps a life as a Parish music minister??? :) :) :)...so now the amount of doors open in my mind are basically endless! I am so blessed to have these opportunities flowing through my mind...but man is it tiring to think about choosing my next step in life!  

Here are a few pictures from the event....

This is actually just our choir at church every Sunday!

Opening prayer

Some of the St. Michael's group that went

Another great choir!

Old Town Albuquerque - turned the corner to find this bear just sitting all lonely on the bench...haha it was ridiculous!

In regards to school, my relationship with my students is a rollercoaster as any teacher should expect.  One day I want to just give up, the next I love them all so much I don't even know what to do with myself!!!  haha...we are in the middle of a space unit right now and just finished up listening to their Planet Speeches today - fun times!  It will be good to get out of this crazy month of January where I believe the students have had two or three days off, three or four 2 hour delays (two consecutive ones the last two days), and I myself have been gone after this week four days due to that conference and now the retreat!!! Ahhhhh...I really do hate missing class.  It's so annoying trying to stay consistent with the kids and catch up on things when you are GONE!  haha

Alright, off to finish packing for California - please continue to send your prayers to me and our community as well!  Thanks!

Back home in AZ - ready for the warm weather....oh wait...

Well Hello there everybody!

We are back in Arizona!  We arrived back at our lovely blue house Sunday January 6th and it has already been a crazy week and a half or so since being back.  Not going to lie though, it hasn't exactly been the easiest transition for any of us after getting a little taste of our lives away from here.  It's always hard transitioning though right?

Well anyways, after a week full of disappointing football games and cold weather, we had a whopping 45 minutes of school time this morning before being let out due to the FROZEN PIPES in all the buildings on campus!  Yes that's right...frozen pipe day! It has been getting down to -15 or -20 or so the last several nights and tonight is not supposed to be much better with it forecasted to reach -22!!!!  Crazy.  We already have a two hour late start - so we will see what happens...

This quarter we are moving into preparing for accreditation of our school which is getting pretty crazy! However, I love it too!  I love that our school is taking it upon ourselves to take a look in the mirror and point out what we need to work on as a school in order to make it the best possible place for our students.  The kids deserve it.

I am also looking forward to this upcoming week because on Wednesday I leave for Albuquerque where I will be attending the Southwest Liturgical Conference for four days!  I will be attending with a few members of the mission parish and am thoroughly pumped to learn about different religious education realms from great speakers and leaders of the church here in the Southwest!  I am even attending a session where none other than a Norbertine Canon will be the speaker - Woot woot!

It should be a wonderful learning experience that will certainly challenge me to continue to be the best educator I can while always keeping in mind and intertwining my gift of faith!

Alright, off to play banana grams - becoming a house favorite - gotta love it!

Peace

p.s.  New Year's Resolution - Take me where you want me to go God (hahaha...but seriously)

Semester 1 complete?

Wow!  Today marked the end of the first semester!!  Where in the world did the last 4 and a half months go?  Who knows?

Well, to catch you up a bit on the craziness of the past week or two...last weekend was full of one event after the next including the watching of the Geminids Meteor Shower near Window Rock on Thursday night followed by the midnight showing of The Hobbit!  Friday consisted of some pretty awesome karaoke in gallup where NaShia and I made our debut as "302" (aka - our band name)....we will be coming to a place near you sometime in the next 80 years....haha!  Saturday consisted of seeing the Nutcracker ballet in Gallup - which ended up with driving back in blizzard conditions!

OH YEAH - did I mention at all that the weather here the past couple weeks has been snow crazy!!!???  We have had two snow days at my school already - last Friday and yesterday (Wednesday)...nuts!

Sunday was yet another great day as I had the opportunity to play piano at the parish in Fort Defiance!  It was a grand old time...and is giving me the opportunity to continue to make my face known as a piano player/musician in the area - good for the future!  I have already been asked to accompany here or there for a few things and it's been so neat...I have so many people to thank for pushing me along with piano too - (shout out to Laurie, mom, Marilyn, Elaine...) Piano is an escape for me and although I haven't been able to play as much as I have wanted to at times, I am starting to find ways to do it which is amazing!

Then, this week at school I have been trying to wind down the semester for my students...which hasn't been easy with all the snow - they were so ready for a break.  It was fun though to see them genuinely seem to care about not seeing me for a couple weeks (at least the 4th graders said they would miss me.... haha)  I am truly getting excited about taking that next step as a teacher next semester and really trying out some new things.  Lots of reading to do over break to get ready for literature groups and lots of thinking about how to continue to create an environment where pre-teens find comfort - comfort enough to be themselves.

So much more to say, but we are off to watch a movie while we wait for our drive to the Albuquerque airport at 3 am tomorrow (aka - 6 hours from now)  I fly into Minneapolis and will be picked up by the bro Ben...spend a night at SJU, then visit with relatives, then on home for a couple weeks.  IT truly has been an unreal feeling the past couple days realizing I will be "home" tomorrow....I am excited yes...but it is unlike the feelings I had two years ago when returning from Ireland.  Now, it is the feeling that "yes, this will be a nice trip to see my family...but then it will be time to return home here..."  This place continues to capture me and I can't wait to see where it takes me next.

Alright off for now.  Who knows - maybe I'll check in from Winona these next couple weeks so look for it!  Otherwise enjoy these few pictures of the snow and friends:

Whole bunch of us teachers and volunteers

First snow day snowman

how pretty is that??

bonfire!

St. Nick's day already?

Wow!  It has been almost a month since my last post...and what a month it has been!  It has simply been crazy with one thing right after the next - life is a changing and taking us all down paths "we never knew we never knew" (quote from Wicked - anyone get it?)!  haha!  Anyways, I believe the last time I posted was the week before Thanksgiving, so I did not even get to share my adventures from that week...  

I spent the weekend and early week days before Thanksgiving in the city of Phoenix visiting a good old friend from high school - Caitlin that's you - and then my wonderful Aunt and Uncle and family.  It was a wonderful short trip filled with some hiking, lots of talking, experiencing a city (of sorts) once more, touring a school, and family.  Some pictures from the hiking are below...Camelback mountain with Caitlin one day and Squaw peak the next day on my own - not to mention a 4 hour morning indulgence at a coffee shop (What are those again?  You might forget living here on the rez)!  Needless to say it was a trip full of reflection on life changes and life possibilities...so much to see and simply experience in this world - I just want to do it all!

A morning read on the Deignan porch 

REAL cacti!

Thanksgiving itself was full of wonders too as I spent it with a variety of volunteers, past volunteers, and parents of volunteers.  What a feast it was and what a family it was to share with!  Still missed everyone back in Winona, but it was still a time of great Thanksgiving!!! and that's what it's all about right?

The past couple weeks have been some pretty crazy weeks too as the semester begins to come to a close...mid terms reports went out over a week ago now...and really both the students and teachers are "Hanging on" a little bit I believe in my eyes.  Now, that is not to say that I haven't been enjoying it...in fact quite the contrary!  I have had endless moments the past couple weeks where I have had the opportunity to take a step out of myself from time to time and just witness the amazing experience I am having.  When a discussion on a book leads to a discussion of Navajo flood stories (similar in nature to Noah and the great flood from the Bible) I simply become engulfed in the joy of the moment.  Or, when my students take my idea to debate a topic and soar with it - truly getting into their arguments almost to the part where I have to break them up...haha - I just smile!

Of course, there continue to be the times where I want to beat my head with a stick...but hey the life of a teacher no?  The latest news in Mr. D's classroom has to be the incentive I gave my students for our upcoming penny war starting next week.  I told them this morning...if we win - after break, I shave my head completely! haha!  The looks on all their faces was priceless as it immediately sparked an interest in the competition (Now, do they realize that I don't have that much hair to begin with? no!  But hey if they think it's still a big deal...then it's a big deal! Anything to raise money!)

Next Friday marks the elementary Christmas program as well, which evidently I have brought the task of accompanying grades K-8 on the piano on myself by offering at our staff meeting yesterday.  Should be an interesting night to say the least!  Can't wait to sing "Joy to the World" with my 6th graders and have them share their one "Thing that Santa's elves say or do on Christmas eve"  It is quite the list let me tell you - should provide a good laugh!

Speaking of Christmas decorations, I got sick and tired of hearing my 6th graders say how boring my room was in regards to Christmas decorations today that I took the hour that used to be ART (but has changed now due to the art teacher taking a break?) and said "OKAY, you want decorations...here are the materials boys and girls, make them!!!!"  haha...they did a great job of making styrofoam ball ornaments today to say the least.  I was pretty proud of my problem solving on that one...no money for Christmas decorations, no problem - use the 28 creative minds sitting in front of you!

Alright well, we are off to a St. Nicholas party at the trailer court!  We are bringing three desserts and are supposed to bring a shoe and something to put in them for everybody else - sooo pumped!!!!  Anyways, hope you all had a wonderful past few weeks and thank you for your continued support and prayers.  I hope you find this time and season of advent to be truly a time of preparation!  As my one second grade student in Religious Ed on Tuesday night and I said in the words of John the Baptist "PREPARE THE WAY! MAKE READY FOR GOD!" :) :) :)

Peace friends and family!

Oh and also...first bonfire in the backyard....

Thanksgiving break approaching fast

Wow!  Where in the world did the last couple weeks go?  I cannot believe that Thanksgiving week is next week already...I just don't get it.  I was thinking about this blog today at school and wondered how long it had been since I posted and then when I saw that it was almost two weeks ago, I couldn't believe it.

Alright alright, enough about my realization that time flies here in St. Michael's....The last couple weeks at school have been two of the best weeks I have had yet.  It has been crazy but so good too.  I have felt truly happy on many days the past couple weeks with what I am doing here and now!  And man does that feel good.  This place certainly has changed me and I can tell will continue to change me every single day.

This week, my 6th graders had the task of teaching kindergartners how to do something such as tie a tie, tie their shoe, make a paper airplane, etc.  It was one of the best moments of the year on Wednesday when I saw them teaching the kindergartners...yes they still drive me crazy on some days, but when I see them take on my role as the teacher for younger kids - they turn into new students - more....(oh I don't know what the word is...) RESPONSIBLE! haha.  Also, this week in science for all three grades, we have jumped into our "Appliance autopsies" in which the students take apart some sort of old electronic such as a remote control car, old heater, old radio, etc. in order to find out how it broke and what might be wrong with the motor or wires.  And man oh man was it a blast today.  I don't think the smile came off my face all day as the students continually were yelling out my name "Mr. D! Mr. D!  Look at this!  We found the motor!  Oh look at this, we found the on/off switch!"  What a great experience as a teacher when you realize that your students actually HAVE been listening the past several weeks.

Anyways, I could go on and on but I really just wanted to give a quick update.  This weekend I am leaving for Phoenix with the fifth grade teacher, Ann to visit a couple different people.  First, my friend Caitlin from high school for a couple nights and then on to my aunt and uncle's house for a night before jumping in the car with Ann and her parents on Tuesday - when we will stop in Sedona on the way back for a night.  It will certainly be a good weekend for reflection...which is what I need...

Continue to send your prayers please as I discern what I'm doing with my life.  And please know that I am truly grateful for all of you in my life whoever you are reading this.  I will hopefully check back in with some photos and things this weekend some time - perhaps tomorrow.

Oh and by the way, it snowed about three inches last weekend here...so don't be asking me how I'm liking the warm weather...pretty sure its colder here than wherever you are reading this.  Love you all.

Yeah thats my neighborhood!