Well, made it through my second week of teaching! And man, was it a heck of a week - and LONG. However, I already feel as though I have made strides in my expectations of myself, of the students, of the school, of my community, of everything really. It truly has been (and will continue to be for a while I'm sure) a time to reflect on the true reasons I am here. Yes, I am here to teach 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. BUT, am I here to only focus on that? I don't believe so! haha. I am here to live in community with others and even more so live in solidarity with those 4th, 5th, and 6th graders.
Each day of the week was definitely a new day that brought various challenges from a blown science lesson that was clearly geared more towards 6th grade than 4th grade to half of my class suddenly being summoned to help with handing out donated supplies today and missing most of the day? haha. Not to mention (if you didn't notice from the title) cows on the playground, snakes on the grounds right where I wanted to do an activity, and some more of those darn dogs hanging around bothering us as we tried to do a science experiment outdoors. You truly have to have a back-up plan here in AZ!
Alright, I am sadly going to have cut this post short due to other things calling me. An official request for us to get internet is in at this point, so hopefully that will happen by the end of next week. That way I won't have to cut these posts as short anymore!
This weekend, there is a group of about 10 of us that are heading to see two national monuments in the area "El Morro" and "El Mapais." Then, staying overnight in a town before heading to a festival near Grants, NM on Sunday. I am excited to see and HIKE some more of the beautiful scenery here in AZ. That is one thing that never fails to uplift my spirits no matter how hard the day has been. The sky is absolutely beautiful every night and the hills/rocks are breathtaking in the morning and evening sunlight!
Alright off to run some errands before heading back to the house. I leave you with the theme for the last couple days' readings - STAY AWAKE - Recognize and enjoy God's presence among you in the here and now! I need to do this! Peace friends and family!
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| Painting the dining room - looks a million times better |
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| Window Rock - 2 minutes from our house! |
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| The Mission church right near the school! |
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| Desert house of prayer 40th anniversary pot luck and Vespers service! |
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ReplyDeleteHey Jake! I can't believe you're done with week 2!! I'm almost done preparing for my first day with the students (next Tuesday). I like reading your blog -- you're spirit despite the ups and downs is encouraging! Keep up the good work, Jake! Peace :)
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