Thankfulness

Hello dear friends! Happy Thanksgiving! I'm so very thankful for you!

This month has been extremely busy, but thankfully full of days off school. The first weekend of November, we had a 5 day weekend for the Moroccan Eid el Kabir.  I spent the weekend in Melilla, Spain and had such a relaxing time (see previous posts for info on that). Last weekend we had a 3-day weekend for the Moroccan Independence Day. Unfortunately, there was a lack of barbecues, watermelon-shaped fruit bowls, and fireworks displays. Thankfully, there was an abundance of laziness, tv/movies, and junk food. I spent two of the three nights at my friends' apartment, and I think we weren't out of bed for more than an hour on Friday; instead, we snuggled in for a day full of catching up on our favorite tv shows and enjoying our day off!  This weekend we had Thursday and Friday off for American Thanksgiving!  It's definitely interesting experiencing the holiday in another country.

 I was invited to eat with some wonderful friends.  We had delicious turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes (made by your truly :) ), homemade biscuits, apple crisp, pumpkin bread, and homemade toffee!!!  I was stuffed!!  It was so wonderful to be surrounded by friends, but it was bittersweet to miss , the parade, the dog show!!, all the Black Friday advertisements, and my dear, sweet family.  I was able to skype with them for a bit--the computer was set at the dining room table and it was ALMOST like I was actually there. . . I actually spent most of the day trying to image the day as any other typical Thursday to keep myself in the here and now, and not dwell on the fact that I won't be back home anytime soon.  Here are some pics of our splendid feast!

Update on the fabric fiasco from a million blogs ago: In August, I overpaid for fabric in the Medina in order to have a chair made.  Well, the tailor didn't have his paperwork or something in order, so he told us the police closed his shop and there was no way we could get in to get the fabric out. That was 2.5 months ago! Mark was going to get some papers legalized last week and just happened to be close to the shop and stopped by. Lo and behold, the shop was open!!! Apparently the owners of the building decided to take the store back and open it themselves.  And, it seems to have been open for a while!!!  Thankfully, they still had my fabric!!!  Yesterday, I went out with Amy and Michelle and found some additional solid-colored fabric for accent pillows. Now I just need to find a trustworthy tailor to make my chair before Christmas!! I'll keep you posted--and hopefully pictures will follow!

Today I'm going out again to buy fabric to make scarves! So fun!  When am I to plan lessons for school you ask??? That's a great question! :)

I thought I'd end my blog with some things I'm thankful for right now:
1. I'm thankful for the internet that lets me keep in touch with so many back home.
2. I'm thankful for the many coffee shops within walking distance of my house.
3. I'm thankful for Mark and Amy, their friendship, and their willingness to go above and beyond to make me welcome here and feel like family.
4. I'm thankful for the awesome care package my aunt and uncle sent me!

5. I'm thankful that I can still talk to my parents multiple times a week.
6. I'm thankful for the awesome teachers at the school & that so many of us have become such great friends in just a few short months!
7. I'm thankful I was able to get my fabric (& hopefully a chair soon!).
8. I'm thankful for all the cheap bananas and oranges in season right now.
9. I'm thankful that this weekend has been full of sunshine and 60 degree weather!
10. I'm thankful that Christmas in Paris is in only 25 days!!!! :)

When I am alone. . .

I've had a song going through my head all day.  Give Me Jesus by Fernando Ortega.  It's probably one of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard, and it has the most simple & profound message for the listener--Give me Jesus!

This week I've felt lonely.  I don't know if it's because I came to Spain with friends and feel that much more comfortable here. I enjoy Morocco, I like a lot of things about Morocco, but Morocco still isn't home. It's home for the time being, but it's not where I want to be every night when I lay my head down. Spain isn't home either, but there are some things here that I can't get in Morocco and can in the U.S. (bacon, other forms of pork, Heinz ketchup), and it makes me miss home and family that much more.  On the other hand, it could just be that I'm simply lonely.  Yes, I'm usually surrounded by multiple people 6-7 days a week, but I just feel lonely. I want to constantly be surrounded by friends--people with whom I can communicate, people with whom I share similar beliefs and interests; people who know me for me and love me for me.

This song has been my heart's cry today.  When I am alone, give me Jesus!  I want to breath, lives, and be the words of this song! I find myself too often turning to other people and things to fill the emptiness that overtakes my soul so often.  I want that irresistible craving, that quench that won't ever be satisfied until Jesus returns to call us home. I want to be the person who says "Just give me Jesus!" Why do we (or at least me) always look for happiness and fulfillment elsewhere? I want to be so on fire and so passionate that you can really have the entire world as long as I can have Jesus.

I'm reminded of a dear, dear friend and sister who lived this message in her short life.  I, too, can tell that my heartstrings are longing for the creator. Oh, that I may live as she lived, and daily desire that "when I come to die, give me Jesus!!!"

Just some thoughts before bed. . . I hope that you want and crave Jesus daily, and that you find Him as you seek with your whole heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N3KPA9ltQE

Hello Break!

Well, it has been a long time, hasn't it?!

Friday  marked the end of the first nine weeks of school. That's right, folks!  One quarter down, only three to go this year.  The first nine weeks have been filled with tears, frustrations, more tears, and more frustrations! :) Actually, it was really cool to finally be a teacher.  After six years of schooling, I still wake up some days and think, "Is this really happening? Do I really have my OWN classroom?!"  It's pretty surreal.  I'm still adjusting to the life of a teacher, having difficulty managing my time, figuring out what the students REALLY need to know, and what I just THINK they need to know. . . but it's been a blessing and a learning experience--maybe not for the students, but definitely for me!

A few weeks ago, I traveled "outside" the country to Melilla, Spain with 3 other teachers from Amicitia.  Melilla is an enclave in the northeastern part of Morocco.  We took the midnight train (I would not suggest doing that as it's pretty much impossible to sleep in coach), arrived in Nador, Morocco at about 6am, took a taxi to the bus station, and a bus to the border where we walked across the border to Spain!  The guy stamping passports gave us a hard time because we didn't have our Visa papers (Of course we didn't!  They're at the police station for processing).  We can only stay in the country for 90 days until our Visa's go through, but of course, they act like they don't understand that fact when it's their rule!  Thankfully one of my roommates came with us who speaks Arabic, and she was able to talk the guard down and get him to stamp our passports.  We spent the night in Melilla, and it was super cool! My favorite part: the cars actually stop for you when you step into the crosswalk.  We walked around the quaint city center until, unfortunately, I ended up with a 24-hour flu bug that had been going around the school.  We were staying at a hostel that night (cheap route to go!), and the shared bathroom situation was definitely not my favorite that evening.  We left the next morning, Sunday, at about 10am, walked back across the border (ironically, it was the same guy as the day before and he was in a jovial mood this time!), and took a taxi to the bus stop.  We decided NOT to take the train back to Fes, as it was a 6-hour journey, and I was feeling poorly.  Instead, we all paid for seats in a grand taxi (basically a regular-sized sedan) and took the 3-hour car ride back to Fes.

The past two weeks were filled with "end of the quarter" stuff in preparation for our current break.  We had papers and tests to finish up, and now we're in the middle of a 5-day weekend in celebration of the Eid el Kabir.  This holiday is like the Moroccan version of Christmas.  They all get together with their families (so the train to Melilla yesterday was packed with people traveling home or to relatives' houses), have a week off school, slaughter a sheep in honor of Abraham nearly sacrificing Ishmael. . . . (hmmmmmm), and then feast on the sheep (yes, ALL parts of the sheep--liver, stomach, head, eyes. . . you name it, they eat it!) the rest of the week.  In my apartment building, the families keep their sheep in the basement until the actual holiday, which is Monday; the building has been continually smelling worse and worse this week.  It's like a regular farm!

In order to escape the farm smell, and the upcoming blood-fest, I traveled BACK to Melilla with the Wieds.  It was the cheapest route, as the closer we got to the holiday, the higher plane ticket prices to mainland Spain became.  Some friends of friends know a family here who have a large flat where we could all stay for a relatively cheap price.  A. and I took the train yesterday, and it was a much more enjoyable ride traveling during the way.  We chatted, read, napped, and arrived at the border about the same time as M. and boys (they drove and left three hours later than us!).  However, we were able to walk right across the border, and the men had to take forever waiting in the car! :) So. . . we got to the border, and the guy in the booth started speaking to me in Arabic.  I quickly grabbed my translator, and, come to find out, I was overdue to leave the country! What?! My 90 days expired this past week; yes, I knew that, but that's why I left the country two weeks ago! Well, he was saying that the time didn't count because we only left for a day. Excuse me?!!!! I was never told that was a problem. Everyone I had talked to who had gone to Melilla for a visa run had never had a problem; in fact, one person had left and returned in the SAME day.  Why in the world was I having a problem???  In all actuality, he could have taken my passport, detained me, and not allowed me to leave the country, but A. was able to explain to him that the police have my paperwork, and I DID leave the country within my 90 days. . . . and FINALLY he graciously stamped my passport.  So now we're just praying that they actually count this one since I'll be out of the country for about 3 days rather than just 1.  M. even had trouble crossing the border--they didn't stamp his passport! Apparently he looks Moroccan! :) By the time he got to the Spanish border he didn't have an exit stamp and had to go back through and wait, again, to get a stamp!  But, we're here now in beautiful Spain.  The weather in Fes has been rainy and cold lately, but today in Melilla, it's beautiful and sunny!!!!

I'm so thankful for this much needed break, and I'm looking forward to a great weekend with such wonderful friends!!! They are such a blessing in my life! :)  The boys and I spent the morning playing Heart & Soul on the piano, and we're about ready to head out the door and take a walk to the city center in the sunshine!

Oh, one other story before I go.  When A. and I were leaving the border guard yesterday, she said Insha'allah, the paperwork will be here by the time I have to leave the country again.  The man angrily asked if she even knew what that phrase meant.  After replying with the correct translation (If God wills it), he asked if she even trusted in God.  Yes! Really?! Yes, I trust in God through the Messiah!!! :)  So, I leave you with this little tidbit--How wonderful that we can come openly to the Father through the one He sent here. I'm so glad that I can trust through the Messiah & know that my salvation is secure!  Oh, praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!

أعتقد أن الأفكار وأنا عالية فوق المدينة

Hello dear friends. I hope you have had a wonderful Saturday just as I have. If you're wondering, the title of my blog is "Thoughts that I think as I'm high above the city," although I'm not sure that's what it really says--that's just what I typed into Google Translate.

Today turned out completely different than I had originally planned, and it was wonderful! My typical Saturday morning routine involves sleeping in until at least 10 to catch up on a lack of sleep from the work week. However, I had promised some friends I would meet them for breakfast at 9. What was I thinking? After rolling in 15 minutes later per my usual style, I had a great time chatting with the other teachers and Amy W. Delicious cafe au lait woke me up, and the good company cheered my tired spirit.

After a breakfast of mlaui, juice, and coffee, we were off to Fes Jedid to check out fabric. . . again!  Remember the fabric I bought two months ago (and overpaid)? Well, it ended up getting locked in the tailor's store due to some incorrectly filed paperwork--or something like that. We went back to the fabric store to try to buy more, but unfortunately, they're out! I'm not sure yet what will happen now. It appears my choices are wait out the paperwork issue indefinitely, or buy new fabric. After the discussion at the fabric shop, we taxied into the rest of the medina to look at. . .what else? Shoes, of course!  I was able to find a really cute yellow leather pair. "I give you good price!" And of course, what medina trip is complete without a stop at our friend Juad's store--he calls us all "scallywag" (real pirate, this guy) and sells us silver earrings for only 5 durhams a piece! What a steal! :)

I got back home and fully intended on vegging out in my room--catching up on tv shows from the week, taking a ridiculously long nap, snacking on junk food. However, I'm so glad that I have such wonderful roommates who invite me to enjoy life! I had already been to the Medina once today,  but Kirsten and Collette were planning to go back to visit another teacher from the school.  I figured I didn't want to hang out with a bunch of people (and 4 didn't sound like too many), and I wasn't looking forward to being home along (even if I was going to be locked in my room).  So, I decided--why not??!!  I didn't go out last weekend, and I was caught up on my lesson planning.  PTL that I went! I had such a relaxing, enjoyable evening. 

We taxied to the entrance of the Medina and walked to a Tea House just inside the gates. It was beautiful--a little haven of comfort inside the city walls surrounded by so many people!  We sat and chatted, sipping on coffee and juice (surprisingly, we didn't have tea at the TEA house!) for a while before moving on. We walked down the main alleys of the Medina, found some scarves & bracelets, looked at lots of wonderful fruit (which we bought on our way out--pomegranates! mmmmmm), and made our may to the friend's house. Her apartment, 5 stories high, is the tallest in the neighborhood. After having more coffee, we headed up to the roof at sunset to look out over the Medina, singing praises to our King & creator, and interceding for the many who are lost. It was truly amazing to look out over the miles of rooftops & buildings and to think that all (or at least most) of these people are lost and don't even know it. I was really praying for a peace tonight--that everyone in the city would have an incomprehensible peace as they went to bed, and be so curious about it that they would start searching and find the One who freely gives grace and peace that passes human understanding! 

Today was just a fantastic Saturday! I felt very much at home and comfortable in the city, especially in the Medina--a place where I so often feel so overwhelmed by culture shock and language & social barriers. It was a great feeling to actually be happy in Fes--I hope this feeling continues! 

One last tidbit--when Kirsten and I arrived back at our apartment, we had a short chat about how one great thing about living in Morocco is the fact that I sometimes feel like I'm in Bible times. It really gives me a different perspective of the Arab people when I think that they live the way our Savior lived, have lots of the same traditions & customs, a similar language, etc. It really makes some passages in the Word stand out and come alive that much more! So, anyone who wants to visit and check out what I'm talking about, Maharbabik--you are welcome!

P.S. Here are some pictures from the day out!

The Tea House

My roommates--Kirsten & Collette

My first meal from a street vendor in the Medina

View from the roof

The Medina at sunset

C'est Vendredi!!!

I've officially passed the halfway mark of the first quarter, just finished up week 6 today.  It's still incredibly weird to think that I'm a teaching, I've been teaching for 6 weeks, and I live in Morocco!  While I don't think that my students have learned that much, or at least would be unable to reproduce anything we've talked about in class, I've learned a lot. I've learned that just because they can repeat a definition, they  more than likely can't use the vocabulary word correctly in a sentence. I've learned that many students don't care that they didn't do their homework. I've learned that reading is not a high priority for most of my students (and now I need to find an interesting way to teach it). I've learned they enjoy my Friday classes (apparently they're too easy, and filled with too much singing! :) ). I've learned that no matter how many times I write certain names on the board, the talkative kids don't get the message that they need to be quiet! I've learned that candy and bonus points are big motivators!

So I'm still adjusting (a bit plateaued on the "Moroccan" side, and still working hard on the "teaching" side), but I wanted to share with you about my day--it was a good Friday (or as Rebecca Black says. . . "fun, fun, fun")! My day started off with some good prayer--two of my friends dropped by for a spontaneous 30-second prayer which was just what I needed as I woke up utterly exhausted today and in no mood to teach. My freshmen were great, and we spent most of the period talking about literature, and the other part singing my favorite song for the day--Friday.  They've gotten pretty used to me jamming in the halls the last day of every week!

Lunch was great! I mean, when is it not??? :) My two roommates, Kirsten and Collette, and I have begun preparing meals 2 to 3 nights a week--which means LEFTOVERS for lunch!!! Today was spaghetti with white cheese sauce, broccoli, and mushrooms. Also, lunch break on Friday's is 20 minutes longer than the other four days = eating at a normal speed rather than scarfing my food like there's no tomorrow . . . which there may not be. Ha!

After lunch, I had my Foundations and Honors classes.  I'm pleased to announce that I assigned 2 "complaint" papers in each class! I have started a new policy--excessive complaining = a 3-5 page paper on why the students should not have complained and why he/she will no longer complain in my class. The students try to bargain and complain their way out of lots of things (nay, everything!), and it's wearing on my nerves. Thus, a new classroom policy.  We'll see whether they turn in the papers next week or not. I'll keep you posted!

I'm free the last period of the day, and so I had a nice chat with the school's director, another teacher, and Mark Weiderwohl. We chatted about the new espresso and latte's soon to be served to the teachers in the mornings (Yay!), dance classes, block scheduling, cook outs, and the like--most of the conversation was not geared toward the male in the room (Sorry, Mark!), but it was nice to feel like I could relax for 40 minutes rather than rushing around grading papers and planning for next week. I'm pleased to announce that I've switched to doing a few Units in two of my classes, so I'm caught up on planning (for the most part) for the next 2-3 weeks!

After school, the middle school English teacher and I went to my favorite cafe, Le Carlton, which is mere minutes from my apartment. It was wonderful to chat about school, language (Arabic & French), life, traveling, students and more for an hour or so. I'm so glad that I have such a great relationship with the other teachers here. It makes my job that much more enjoyable!

Back at the apartment, my roommate Kirsten, fluent in Arabic, gave me my 3rd Arabic lesson of the week.  I can now say "I went to the school today," "I want a kilo of X (vegetable/fruit) please," and "How much for a kilo of X?" However, it takes me about 3 minutes to think of the correct conjugation and pronunciation, so I'm still in the extremely beginning stages of language acquisition here. However, it is pretty exciting to think that I'm learning a few things day by day.

Tomorrow I'm going back to the Medina to look at fabric and. . . shoes! Anyone surprised??? :)  I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend, hoping to take a few more pictures to show y'all, and be able to spend time with teacher friends outside the school buildings.  Have a fantastic week!!! xoxo

Whew! Been a while. . .

Today was the last day of week three at Amicitia.  Did I just say week three??? Because it felt like week three hundred!!!!!!! They say a day in heaven is merely a moment.  In Moroccan time, a day is a millennium!!!  I have had so many ups and downs these past three weeks.  Part of my stress & frustration stems from the fact that it's a million degrees here (Wow Rachel. What a great use of hyperbole!).  I literally moved to the surface of the sun! :) (Although I'm pleased announce that there was a heaven-sent breeze blowing through my classroom windows this afternoon--first day I didn't sweat since school started!! Lately I've been stewing in my own filth. . .haha!) But enough complaining. . . . let me give you a glimpse into my crazy busy life since the beginning of September.

The school is set up on block scheduling.  That means that each class I teach is 1.5 hours long, but I don't teach every class each day. I have Freshmen & Seniors on M, W; Foundations and Honors on T, R; and then all the classes for only 45 minutes on Fridays.  I also monitor a study hall in my room 3 days a week (and my study hall students have been teaching me some Arabic the last 20 minutes of class. I learned the colors this week.).  So back to the time slots, it's nice to be able to get a lot done in one setting, but that also means I don't see all of my students each and every day making it a bit difficult to keep up with all their English needs.  So far, my classes have been pretty mild.  I tried to start out really strict--gotta get the image of the "mean teacher."  (I did hear positive results through the grapevine.) We've been moving fairly slowly, as in haven't-made-it-to-the-textbook slow.  I had to really reign in my expectations.  Some of my students don't have books yet as they're stuck in customs in Casablanca. Some of my students are needing a bit more practice in basic English, grammar, and sentence structure skills.  There's definitely a large discrepancy between what they say they know and what they can produce.  The Lord is trying to teach me patience in so many departments.  However, it's still just week three, and we have many more meetings.  I hope that some of my enthusiasm for reading can rub off onto some of the kids.  We're supposed to be getting Kindles for all the high school students with lots of novels loaded onto them already.  I'm looking forward to jumping into some great books with these kids and hopefully helping them find something they enjoy.

Fridays, even though they're jam-packed with all the shortened classes, are my favorite.  I'm a little bit more lax with the kids.  We take vocab quizzes in all the grades and then work on other stuff (or play Would You Rather with the remaining time--I really  need to work on that "not being off task" stuff. . . ), and then we all sing Rebecca Black's Friday song.  I'm pretty sure my kids think I'm weird, but somebody's gotta be, right? I've started to become more comfortable and I'm skating the line between strict and "fun." I've starting singing and bustin' out some dance moves. So fun! They're uber big and devoted negotiators though, and they haven't learned that I don't negotiated well. haha They turn in their homework late and try to get full credit. Not happening!

I really enjoy the rest of the faculty at the school as well! The new teachers are AMAZING! I think we've all bonded really well the past three weeks. Actually, we bonded before school started and I hardly see them now that we're all busy teaching and planning. :)  The returning teachers are also fantastic!  They're so willing to help and provide insight into aspects of life in the city and at the school. I live with two of them and they have been so sweet, offering wisdom about everything & really setting my mind at ease.

One thing that I've gotten to do (other than be a full-time teacher) is drive a car. That's right folks, Rachel Rufenacht has officially driven through Fes and Morocco!!! (more than once, too!) The school has a car that they loan out to the teachers if they need it to drive to the store or just around the countryside. Two weekends ago, two of the other teachers and I took the car up into the mountains to a little town called Ifrane.  The town is only two hours away and inspired by Swiss construction--all the houses have pointy roofs and look like they could be in the Alps. It was so much cooler up there, and we spent the day enjoying the sunshine, the breeze, and lounging in a cafe drinking coffee & tea--Ahhhh the life!

Lauren, Katie, Me, and Marcy before setting off

Yea. We had to stop for the sheep and the cows. Typical.

All the buildings looked like this. Love it!

We're hoping to go back and ski in the winter!

Last weekend I borrowed the car again and did some more shopping for my classroom as well as grocery shopping.  Let's discuss: grocery shopping is frustrating!!! The produce is really fresh, but that's about where the wonders end. The carts remind me of cart racing. They don't turn on a dime and I'm always an inch away from running into someone.  The food labels are all in French and Arabic--I have to make my purchases based solely on the pictures. And the checkout lines take twice as long as anything I ever waited for in Defiance or Memphis.  You bag your own groceries, and any price checks can take up to a half hour. Seriously!

I also spent Saturday morning with Amy W. We drove around Fes for a bit, ate lunch at a nice coffee shop, and found some cheap clothes. :) That night I took the boys and her to a restaurant and spent the night so we could all drive to church together.  They're so fun!!!

Let's see. . . . I feel there is so much more I should catch you up on.  My roommates and I have a maid.  I know. Lap of luxury, right?! She comes on Fridays--she's like a magic fairy. I leave in the morning, the house is super dirty. I come home at night, everything is clean and stacked in neat little piles.  I think she'll even cook for us if we leave her ingredients!  

Last week was super fun. I received books in the mail that a wonderful friend from Memphis sent to me, a letter from a dear and extremely missed friend from college, and a package from Mom and fantastic peeps from FCOG!  You all are so wonderful and faithful!  Thank you for your continuing thoughts and prayers.  I know that most of my blogs are maybe the stressful and difficult times here in Morocco (yes, there are lots of them), but it's nice to know that I can vent and know someone is listening and praying.  Morocco has lots of wonderful and beautiful parts too.  The people can be very hospitable, it's a blessing to have a job, and I'm learning so much about myself and others here. Memphis was a growing time in that I learned I could be on my own and survive.  I'm having to relearn that a bit here since survival requires so many different things than America did. I can't just reheat my leftovers in the microwave, or drive myself to the store, or walk alone at night. It's just such a different feeling living in a foreign country.  My wonderful friend Natalie from Memphis gave me a devotional before I left, and it's been so pertinent every night.  It always has encouraging words for me, and has been on the theme of TRUST lately--something that I have been working on growing in.  God is faithful and I'm learning to put my trust in him every morning.  He never lets me down and always exceeds my expectations.

That's all for now.  I'm trying to get a handle on this teaching thing and will hopefully be writing more than once every three weeks!  Hugs and kisses from the other side of the world! xoxo

From the desk of Ms. Rufenacht

I'm pleased to announce that I made it through my first day as an official high school English teacher---and it wasn't that difficult. That could be partly because today was "syllabus" day, and I spent most of the day going over expectations and procedures and giving the students a wonderful reading assessment (I'm sure the students were pleased with that on the first day!), and partly because today is a B day on the block schedule, and that means I only teach from 8:30-12:30. How wonderful to have the afternoon free for planning (or for sweating because it's ridiculously hot in the classroom)!!!

I wanted to add some pictures so you can see the before and after shots of my classroom. . . Enjoy! (The first pics are from Mr. Palossari.)

 These are what the classroom looked like this summer.  There was a balcony at the back of the room that they enclosed to help add a bit of room (still a tight squeeze, but it looks great now!)

So this is what my room looks like now. I brought over some posters that help brighten it up a bit. My desk is in the back left corner, but may need to be moved to make room for more desks (apparently lots of students want to take Honors English). I'm pretty excited about my two whiteboards. It's nice and homey--needs a bit more organization, but I'm definitely on my way to being done with it soon.

So today was my first day teaching. It was pretty nerve-wracking, but I actually had a lot of peace this morning. Such a blessing!  Tomorrow I teach my other two classes, and then the real fun starts--planning for actual lessons!  I definitely covet your prayers and thoughts as I get ready to dive into teaching my students. I really want to get to know them and find out what they need so I can cater lessons to them. I'll keep you posted!