Germany Day 1

Hi
Beth has a great story about her water bottle....but I will have to let her tell it.
After the long flight we finally arrived in Germany. While the flight crew did their best to trick us into thinking it was morning (when it was 1 am CST) by feeding us breakfast before landing at 8 :00 am german time, we were still exhausted. I had a window seat and was "locked in" I ddin't even get up to go to the bathroom..which must be some new kind of record. Then when we went through customs, the man at the counter didn't even speak to us. He just scanned passports and handed them back. When I said thank you, he just made a face. Then we went outside the airport...and the smell of exhaust and cigarrettes was disgusting...so we went back inside to wait for the shuttle. We got on the shuttle and the girls got a chance to get some sleep. We were only on the highway, not the autobahn...and our dirver was going over 140 km per hour...which converts to 95 miles per hour...and we weren't even in the fast lane. I watched one guy in his nice volkswagon pass us up while eating a hamburger....so I think Dad needs to give me a break about eating while I am driving.
Aftern Angie picked us up, we went to the grocery store. You have to put money in the cart in order to use it...kind of like those bagggae carts at the aiport. Then when you return the cart you can get your coin back. The grocery store had a bakery in it. Angie bought a loaf of bread, and they stuck it in this machine that sliced it for us, and we have had some of the best sandwiches! Angie also bought us some German chocolate candies, they are delicious. Yes we will bring some home! The other interesting thing, is that they don't bag your groceries here. The cashier scans your items and puts them back into the basket. So its bring your own bag!

It is definitely cooler here. It rained today, so it was a damp cold. And we were freezing. Thankfully, Angie made us some soup tonight and that helped alot.

Tonight, I went to Bible Institute while the girls stayed at the house and slept. Bro. Castellaw taught on Hebrews and problem texts, it was very interesting. He also showed me some of their new printing equipment. They are making top quality products that look awesome!

Tomorrow, we are going to the castle and downtown! We saw the castle from the river, but we will go exploring tomorrow!

Germany, Here We Come!

After staying up till 3:00 am on Sat night/Sun am, and the drive to Houston...we are finally ready to leave. I tired to take care of everything I could think of..bought groceries, refilled dad's prescriptions, and amde sure he had enough snacks to last while I am gone.
We are very excited to see our friends and missionaries. This is the first time my companions have been away from home without their parents, much less in a foreign country!
Germany, here we come!

Craziness

The last week has been very frustrating. Maybe its because I have been so sick with allergies/sinus junk, that it just seems worse.
Most days I really love my job, and other days I just want to go home and crawl in bed.
Things at school are very chaotic-changes in the way we plan/teach, people conflicts, and student meltdowns.
It breaks my heart to see a child have a meltdown of negativity. How does a child learn to "hate" himself and the people around him? Now, I don't think he really hates everyone-but when he is frustrated-he can't see past his own anger.

Yesterday, I met with a parent who thought her child might have dyselxia. After reading Shaywitz's book this summer and the research for my paper, I actually felt like I could answer her questions and make suggestions-and I really knew what I was talking about.

I can't wait till Sunday...I am so ready for a vacation from school and everything else.

This past week of school has been challenging. I firmly believe that every child can learn...even the special ed kid with a label. The purpose of that label is supposed to help you identify strengths and weaknesses-so that as a teacher you know how that child learns best...and you teach them that way.
This is the toughest part of the job.
How do you know that you are teaching in the best way possible so that this student will learn?
Many of my colleagues have colleagues have told me that I am a good teacher, but most of the time I feel like there are alot of things that I could do better. Maybe thinking you are not doing a good job, keeps you vigilant to make every lesson better than the one before.

Hmmmm

Something interesting happened this evening. My Pastor has been teaching on spiritual gifts, and tonight he gave us a profile screening that is supposed to help us identify our strengths and weaknesses. I discovered that my strength is knowledge, but teaching wasn't even in the top 3 or 4. Pastor said it means that I would rather study than teach....since this is my 2nd Masters degree...I guess its accurate.

Where did you get that title?

It comes from Paul letter to the Ephesians in the New Testament.
Ephesians 4:1b I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.