CG

Community group for church resumed last week and we picked up right where we left off before the summer break. We meet to discuss the past Sunday's sermon, but we often end up having tangent theological discussions in addition to talking about the Scripture passage. There is always laughter, prayer and snacks. Below is a free verse "poem" I wrote a couple years ago after a community group gathering. 

Eleven Friends and a Dog

How are you/How was you trip/Have something to drink/Did you taste the appetizer/ Hugs/We're going to Australia/Those grandkids are easy/What's in this salad/Everything is so healthy/I thought that was your leg, but it's just the dog/Laughter/What do you think about electric vehicles/Anyone want more ice cream/I'm sad about what my son is up to/The spa was great/How's it going with her living at home again/This corn is delicious/God's working on his testimony/We're the old people now/She got a tattoo/Thank you/This was lovely/We'll resume in September.

Outdoor learning

 

I promise this blog is not becoming a teaching and outdoor learning blog. But, I do write about whatever is top of mind that day and today was another good day at school. It was a sunny autumn day, so we went outside to find "sit spots". Each student had to find a quiet spot to sit down and observe the nature around them and write/draw in their science journals. They were encouraged to sit alone, and to really listen and see what was around them. We talked about how being quiet and still would hopefully bring any scurrying creatures back. I was amazed at how focused the kids were and what all they were able to observe. 

PS. In case you're wondering, we did also do math, reading, writing, and gym today. And it was also picture day in there somewhere. 

perseverance

We did Metis finger weaving today as part of our patterns unit. I love doing this lesson because every year I tell the students that it is hard and someone will cry. I ask them to repeat after me; we can do hard things. I warn them; you may not pick it up right away. You may have to start again if you mess up. You may want to give up. It's such a great lesson in perseverance and what to do when learning something is difficult. I love it because most students find it hard. But once they get it, they feel so accomplished. This year no one cried, which was a first. But I had a few who really struggled. A few who had to restart. But everyone kept going and eventually everyone finished their weaving. The best part was when a boy who had really struggled and who was one of the last to finish asked if I had more yarn so he could make an other one. I was thinking, you wanted to quit in your frustration and now you want to make a second one....lol?

family weekend in Hope

Well it seems the autumn deluge has started. It's pouring rain this morning and to top it off we're headed to a funeral. But, what a wonderful sunny weekend we had in Hope. It was the four of us plus my nephew Noah who was staying with us for a few days. It was also Pentti's 50th birthday. He didn't want to celebrate at all, but he did want to spend it in Hope. He went golfing with the boys three times, so that was a gift. Otherwise, we just hung out and relaxed.

I can't believe that we have had the house in Hope for 20 years! Twenty years of weekend trips and so many memories. When the kids were small, it was the easiest place to get away. There were seasons of toys and a bouncy castle and playing in the yard. Now, our weekends there look very different with teens. Our noisy weeekends have turned very quiet. But we're together and doing our usual things and it's still the perfect escape.

September

September is a lot. I complain about it every year lol....It's still exhausting and I feel like I have been hit by a truck. But, here's a few of the highlights...

It's national forest week, so we spent a lot of time outside with my class looking for patterns, making nature art and looking for signs of fall.

 It was meet the teacher and the walkathon and just an overwhelming amount of time spent at school. But, I was with my favourite co-workers and we even accidentally dressed alike. The kids made Minecraft self portraits which obviously made me teacher of the year for planning such an activity, lol. We also talked a lot about courage and trying new things and it was actually a pretty good start to the year.

Discovered a new cafe with delicious coffee, went out for Indian food and nachos with friends. All in all, it's been a better September than most. I realize it's not over yet, but we are headed to Hope tonight and I don't work again until October, so I'm calling it.

Be Still

Theologian Dallas Willard was once asked if he could describe Jesus in one word. His answer might surprise you. He answered, "relaxed". When I first read that, I thought it was such a weird answer and surely it wasn't true. But then when I started to think about it more deeply, it fits. Jesus was never in a rush. He waited thirtyish years to start His ministry. He was always fully present wherever he was. He moved with purpose. He had time for people. He took naps in storms and welcomed children. He fully trusted God and that allowed him to relax.

I would like to be relaxed too. I would like to take a long deep breath and release all the stress, the worry, the anxiety, the fear....and just be still and know that He is God. I am going to start by taking social media off my phone for awhile ....

Numbers

Women's Bible study at my church resumed last week. There are 130 women registered between the Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening sessions. Wow! Today was day 2. We are studying the book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Sounds rather dry, right? You could not be more wrong. Already from the first chapters we can see God, how he creates order out of chaos, how he has a plan, how he keeps his promises....I could go on.

I really appreciate the discussions we have in our table groups. Every term the group of ladies changes but what stays the same is their commitment to study God's word deeply. They do their homework faithfully, they come prepared. What a blessing Tuesday mornings are to me.