First Day of School!!!!!

I was up at 5:00 AM this morning because I just couldn't sleep! I was way to excited to meet my new students and have them in my classroom today even if it was only a half a day. Thankfully I had gone to bed around 8:30 PM the night before and so I was very rested and ready to go. Around 6:45 AM we looked out our window and we could already see students arriving and milling around in the school area. I suddenly had a big rush of nerves and I realized that I was a little more than excited, I was nervous!!!

Around 7:15 AM I walked to my classroom to drop some stuff off and you would think that I was a fish in a fish bowl the way that everyone was staring as we walked by. Every time I turned around there were more students arriving. By the time that we got out of staff worship around 7:45 AM, the grassy area infront of classrooms K-3 was packed with parents and students. I found my class nicely lined up (the girls atleast) and counted. I had 14 and there were 16 on my list, neither of which I had planned for (15 students). After I waited a little while we headed to the classroom to drop of their stuff before heading to chapel. As soon as they put their backpacks on the cabinent they almost ran all over the room. I quickly corrected that and they all lined up to go to chapel.

All during chapel they were surprisingly quiet which made me very happy!! Even when I went upfront to introduce myself they sat quietly. This gave me hope as to where this year is headed. When we got back in the classroom they took their shoes off before entering which keeps the floor kind of clean. (I'll still have to sweep it daily!) Then when they came in they went straight to their desks as told. I was surprised, and happy again!

To make a long story short, I almost forgot recess (they got an extra 7 minutes), they enjoyed looking at the pictures of my friends and family and they also are following the procedures so far. It's always said that they'll be good for the first 2 weeks, but I am determined to have them behave for the rest of the year. Here goes a challenge!!!

Over all I absolutley love my class even those that I can see are going to present some problems. I have some definite talkers, some that are very quiet and some that just make me laugh. Each child is a precious gift to me from God and each and every one adds so much to my classroom. At this point I don't see how I can leave at the end of these 10 months!! (We're not thinking about that...) Well I have a lot to do still today to get ready for tomorrow. The guys are also having a basketball game and afterwards we're going out-to-eat to celebrate the first day of school!! Yipee!!

Thank you to all those who prayed for me today, it was a great help and I felt the Lord with me all the day!! I miss you all!! :)

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

In my Classroom!!!

I have 4 days until there are 15 fourth graders running around in my classroom. For the past week (since Monday) I've been doing lesson plans, cleaning, decorating and more planning after more planning.

Today (Thursday) I got the list of my students. It's not final and won't be until the 2nd week of school. So far I have 15 and we're hoping it won't change. I am really surprised that these kids names aren't as hard to pronounce as I thought. I guess I've got it easy since other teachers have way harder names to pronounce.

Here's their names:
Joni, Rosie (sisters), Kyle Joseph, Taldil, Kai (or Carol, not quite sure what she'll go by), Ilang, Maggie, Kobe, Ozzie (brothers), Reklai (pronounced: Rekli), Milenna, Mimokl, Alfernie John, Genesis, and Cowall.
Like I said, I may get more but I'm planning on 18 at most. (fingers crossed)

I am so excited to see and meet and each and every one of them that I wish Monday would hurry up and get here. At the same time I'm really nervous that I'll freak out and loose control and I'll have a bunch of wild Indians running around my room. Thankfully and hopefully the Lord has other plans. I know that this teaching experience will be a test of my patience, faith and trust, but since I know that God is ultimately in control I am very, very excited to see what this year has in store.

As for my classroom, it looks really, really cool. I kind of have a star theme going on. Each student has their name on a start which will hang from the ceiling with a sign that says "We're shining for Jesus!" They're name plates (on each desk) have stars on them and the main bulletin board is the "Star of the Week" board. This is basically a bulletin board for each student to tell all about themselves. On each Friday I will select a different student and over the weekend they will gather infomation about where they were born, their family and friends, their favorite food, movie and place and etc. I am so excited that every thing is working out.

I have 2 corners designated for 2 different parts of the day. One is our "Reading Corner". I plan on having story time 2 or 3 times a week where I will read chapter books/continuing stories like "Swift Arrow" and other really great books. This area is also for them to read on their free time.

The second corner/wall is called the "Display Wall". This is where they will have the oppourtunity to display their art work, class projects and etc.

I am very happy with the layout of my classroom so far. It is pretty big considering what I have to work with. It's air conditioned and the view from the back window is a jungle full of bananna trees and coconut trees. Unfortunately out front isn't as beautiful. They are currently building a gym and so I have to walk through construction every day to get to my classroom. I'm hoping they don't take all of first semester to get it done.

Well, I hope that this has given you a little glimpse of what my classroom looks like. Trust me, there is much more to come!! I thank you all for your prayers and support back home!

Love you all very much!!

At my final destination!!

It’s been a whole week that I’ve been in Palau and I am loving it!! I’m actually writing this blog using Microsoft Word because the internet is extremely slow and in fact there are times when it just doesn’t work at all. This is the one and only down point that I found so far in my first week here in Palau. I’m preparing myself for more, like our lack of hot water. It’s sad to say, but I’ve actually been getting used to the cold water and lack of water pressure. I just keep reminding myself that I’m in the mission field, I’m in the mission field.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been away from home for a week and a half. It feels like so much more time has gone by! I guess it’s a combination of the water, sun and fun with my fellow SM’s (Student Missionaries). Here in Palau we have a total of 20 SM’s; 9 girls and 11 guys. Seven of the girls, those that are teaching at the elementary school (Koror SDA Elementary or SDA), live on the campus and we can see the elementary school from our front door. Those that teach at the high school (Palau Mission Academy or PMA) and the guys that teach at SDA live on the campus of the high school. It’s not a lot of fun with the whole group separated, but we’re surviving.

Speaking about having fun! The very first Sunday that we were here we went to the Rock Islands which Palau is famous for. (For more information Google – Palau Rock Islands) It’s the most amazing sight that I’ve ever seen in my whole life! The water is perfectly clear and the sun is perfectly warm. I’m starting to look like the natives with all the sun I’m getting! (Just kidding!) Any way... while we were at the Rock Islands we went snorkeling all day long. I saw everything from millions of types of fish to beautiful coral, and did I forget to mention the sharks?! Don’t worry, they are non-aggressive here in Palau. They have white tipped and black tipped sharks and it was amazing to swim with them.


This past Monday and Tuesday myself and 9 other SM’s have been getting our scuba diving certifications. The reason for this is because Palau has one of the best diving in the world. On Friday we’ll have our first open water dive at 40 feet and then on Sunday we’ll have our second dive at 60 feet. Please don’t worry about me! The chances of any thing threatening happening is very slim. It was fun in the pooland in the small lagoon (12 feet) and I’m looking forward to seeing all the amazing animals and coral at 40 feet!

I know this is getting long, but hold on I’m almost done. Today (Wednesday) we had our first day of orientation even though school doesn’t start until the 24th. I know, doesn’t make much since! Any way... it was a decent amount of information, but I definitely feel almost ready! I also got the key for my classroom and oh my!!! I have my work cut out for me! It’s very dusty and not clean at all. The main “up” about my classroom is that it has air conditioning!!! Yipee!! I think I’ll survive. Any way... It’s about time that I “sign off”. We’re heading to prayer meeting at the principal’s house and supper is included. It’s amazing how much you appreciate free meals when you’re buying your own.

I miss you all very much and I appreciate all your prayers more and more each and every day! Please pray that I can get internet on my computer so that I can talk to every one of you!

My mailing address is:
P.O. Box 1166 Koror Palau 96940
(Postage is still the same since it’s American Protected.)