Mercy Jake: Tomorrow!!!

Well, the first day of school is tomorrow! I am currently at school right now finishing up as much as I possibly can - making things look good, coming up with fun icebreakers, trying not to get too nervous, etc. Listening to NPR - Car talk helps a lot though! haha, nothing like a little laugh to help ease the tensions.

Anyways, I had mentioned yesterday that the last couple days have simply been full of ups and downs as I prepare for school. Boy, have they ever - but if I continue to focus on the ups, it helps a lot. Yesterday, our hike to the ruins was great - pictures below. And, then I made dinner for the roommates and treated them to brownies...mmm. It has also been great discussing faith and spirituality throughout our days. OH and then concluding our day with an episode of the show Mad Men - check it out! Good show.

Today, we went into Fort Defiance - a little town about 7 minutes from our house - to go Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament parish. The service was excellent and included some unexpected, but very neat things - such as the reading of the Gospel in Navajo as well as English. AND, the pianist who had been away for a few weeks as I understand returned, and was an amazingly fun and energetic piano player that livened up the mass greatly! Afterward we were introduced to a few more of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament who work on the Reservation (a few at the school including the president) as well as a few Franciscan Brothers who live on the Rez too.

Then, there was a parish picnic outside that included good food and even a short talent show that ended up with a few of us dancing a short "two-step" to a Navajo woman singing. Fun times!

Tonight, we have our first dinner/spirituality night with all 7 of us MVCs here in AZ. We are hosting at our house - cooking burgers - yum!

I am slowly easing into the idea that I really do need to continue to take one day at a time. I think I have always known this, but putting it into action is the hard part especially when it is your first year of teaching and all you want to do is be the best teacher EVER! haha. Keep sending prayers and I will let you know soon enough how the first day or two goes at school.

Peace!
Enjoy the pictures!