Tuesday, October 14, 2014

School, School, School, School, and School

So the title of my post has school written 5 times.  That is because between the 6 of us we are attending 4 different schools and I have some news about a fifth school at the end of this post.  LIFE IS CRAZY.

My School
Today I took my final Praxis exam for my teaching certification, this week is the end of all my college courses and all that is left is what we call Residency... a.k.a Student Teaching.  I have been assigned to a wonderful mentor and we have an awesome 2nd grade class that we will be co-teaching together. During my student teaching I will be super busy, writing lesson plans and teaching them and doing some things required to graduate, but it is a different kind of busy and I am looking forward to it.

The Girls' School
The girls are attending a classical Christian School about 15 minutes away and the burden of getting them to school and picking them up from school has fallen completely on Mark.  Also the school uses a university schedule for K-3rd grade, which means that he home schools Nik two days a week.  He is doing an amazing job too!  Up until now I have been able to help a little bit but starting next Tuesday we will be like ships passing in the night.  He will leave for work before I get home from school... I'll see him a few minutes in the morning while getting ready, and a few minutes at night before bed.  It's gonna be a long six months!

Jordan's School
Jordan is doing great in 8th grade.  Pulling all A's and B's despite his learning difficulties.  The boy works hard.  This Saturday he will run in the Middle School Cross Country State Championships.  He has a good chance of winning.

Nathan's School
Nathan started PreK and is doing great.  He has the same teacher that Nikki had three years ago.  We absolutely love Mrs. Johnston.  She is my inspiration.  When back to school and get her teaching degree when she was older... just like me.  :-)

Future School?
I have saved the best news for last.  Mark and I have always had a heart for Japan.  While we were living there we felt certain that God would bring us back one day as missionaries.  We didn't really know how that would happen or when, but we have never lost our love for Japan or our desire to go back.   For a couple of years I have been watching the website of a Christian school in Japan for job openings.  Even though it was too soon for me to apply I wanted to get an idea of how often openings came available.  Until recently that was never.  But the other day I was checking just for fun and there was an opening for an elementary teacher for 2015/2016 school year!  Mark and I quickly discussed it, prayed and sent off the preliminary application.  The next day I received a reply and I am not in the process of providing references and transcripts and such.  We don't know where this will lead, and we trust God to open or close any door He chooses, but we would be totally thrilled to be heading back to Japan next summer!!   Prayers would be very much appreciated on our behalf.

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Returning to Japan

After more than 7 years, we have a possibility of returning to Japan and reviving this blog!!  Details to come!!