October Update

This week was a short week (because of Columbus Day), but the rest of the week seemed to be compressed into those three days. I am officially at the halfway point in my student teaching--starting next week I will have full teaching responsibility for four weeks. We are already starting to work really hard on getting ready for the Christmas program--there are a lot of words to be memorized and a lot of preparation to do!

Here is my October update--many of you will have gotten this by e-mail, but just in case I don't have your e-mail address yet or my e-mail got lost in cyber space here's my letter.

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Dear Friends and Family,

I have been so encouraged as I have talked to many of you—knowing that your prayers are with me means so much. As I continue to prepare for leaving for Sakeji, it is good to know that I have your loving support. I am constantly amazed at the love the family of God showers on me and others. What a foretaste of the glories of heaven!

I just finished my sixth week of student teaching, and so far all has gone well. I can hardly believe I’ve reached the halfway point already! Next week I will assume full teaching responsibility for four full weeks. Being responsible for children ranging in age from 2 to 3rd grade is a challenge, but one that is preparing me and confirming my desire to be a teaching. I was placed with a wonderful mentor teacher who is very encouraging and full of wise advice as well as becoming a good friend. I am learning so much from Mrs. Stone, and we both marvel at how clear it is that Lord’s placed me in her classroom this semester. I have come to love my precious students at Trinity and will be sad to leave them come December even though I know I will love the students at Sakeji as well.

A few weeks ago I found out that I passed my PPR (pedagogy and professional responsibilities) exam with flying colors—all that now remains in the certification process is finishing up my student teaching and getting fingerprinted. Unfortunately because of the testing schedule I will not be able to add the 4-8 Generalist certification to my teaching certificate, but that might be something I could do on a furlough or at some later date. I will have the chance to attend a Charlotte Mason workshop later this month that should be both informative and very applicable to what I will be doing at Sakeji.

As of now it looks like shipping my books and other large items over via container are not going to be feasible options, so I am researching and praying about the best way to accomplish this overseas move. Its amazing how much stuff you realize you can do without when you are faced with the prospect of dragging it across a few continents! In the next few weeks I’m going to be trying to fix a departure date and buy a plane ticket. Your prayers for finding an affordable airfare, researching extra baggage allowances, and wisdom as to setting a departure date and my travel itinerary would be much appreciated!

I’ll do my best to keep you posted as the fall progresses and I get closer and closer to leaving for Zambia. I can hardly believe it is just short of three months! Keep checking my blog, http://littleschoolinthebush.blogspot.com for updates, and of course I would love to hear from each and every one of you! May God bless you richly this fall and as you enter the holiday season.

Yours in Christ,

Lina