We did it!

It is official folks, my students and I have survived the year!!  Today was my last day with my students.  Only one teacher inservice day stands between me and my flight back to the states on Saturday.  I'm very proud of my students and all the progress that they made this year.  They amaze me on a daily basis.  I am looking forward to the fall when I get to come back and start a new school year with them!

I feel as if I should have some great revelation about the end of the year to share with you all, but I don't.  I thought maybe something was wrong with me.  Why am I not sad or joyful or any other emotions about the end of the school year?  Then I realized something.  I am exhausted.  I don't think I have it in me to be overly emotional about the year right now.  Right now, I can just be.

I'm glad that I am exhausted.  I'm glad that I can look back on the year and feel that I've poured myself out completely.  I've given all that I can muster up.  It has not been an easy year by any means.  It has been beautiful and wonderful, but it has not been easy.  While talking to my friend/school administrator after school I expressed to her how fast this year has flown by.  She responded by saying, "I've thought about that before.  Have you ever noticed that when you watch movies that are really intense with lots of battle scenes, the movie seems to go really fast?  I think that is what its like working here.  We face so many battles every day that time just seems to fly by."

I'm anxious and excited to return to the states to see all of you, my loved ones.  The Lord has really blessed me and provided me with a summer job to try and earn money so that I can return to Haiti in August.  However, I have one very large prayer request.  Please pray for me to be able to find time of rest and recuperation.  I will be traveling all day Saturday and then Monday morning will start my summer job at a day camp.  It is going to be a big transition to make in only one day!

Happy Father's Day!

When I think about my dad, I think:

He is the most wise person I know.

He can solve any problem.

He can build anything.

He can fix anything.

He can make me laugh.

He gives selflessly always.

He loves the Lord more than anything.

Although we are miles apart in two different countries, I can't help but smile at the great memories that I carry with me everywhere I go:

Early mornings seeing Dad sitting on his chair drinking coffee and reading his Bible.  Leading my middle school youth group.  Using his vacation days not to take our family on vacations, but to take us on mission trips.  Pretending to "order food" from my restaurant in the basement when I was a little girl.  Playing Candyland with me more times than I could possibly count.  Making crazy home videos.  Helping me with my homework.  Riding so fast down a hill in our little red wagon that he burned the rubber on his sneakers trying to slow us down.  Woodworking in the garage.  Riding to Grandma's house together on the tandem bike.  Doing devotions with me before bed.  Riding my razor scooter and then wiping out in the middle of Rt. 45.  Wearing magnetic earrings to try and cheer me up when I was sick, then forgetting he had them on and going to to grocery store.  Building snowmen and snow forts in the backyard.  Almost crushing our car in the garage door while trying to explain to me "how to drive".  Taking us on crazy hiking adventures (and getting lost).  Teaching me to drive stick shift.  Giving his truck away to someone in need.  Visiting me in Haiti and fearlessly driving a motorcycle all over the city.  Encouraging me always.  Pushing me to pursue my dream even when it meant saying goodbye to me.

I always look up to you, Dad.  You taught me how to give my life for others.  You push me to keep going when I want to give up.  Your advice and your wisdom helps bring sense and clarity to my crazy life.  I love you!  Happy Father's Day!

Chicken Slayers

You never know what a day in Haiti might bring.

For example, buying a live chicken from the market....

and then butchering it in the backyard!

Almost Finished!

The school year is finally drawing to a close in Jubilee.  The last day of school will be on June 28th.  I, however, am flying back to the states on June 22nd.  I will be in the states for about 8 weeks to work, visit loved ones, recuperate, and attempt to raise the funds needed to return for the new school year in August.

During the next two weeks I need to relocate my things from one classroom to another, give final exams, prepare report cards, and pack up all my personal belongings for my big departure.  It has been 6 months since I've been in the US, and as always I am starting to get that nervous excited feeling.  It is always a big adjustment going from 5th world to 1st world, and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for all that comes along with that.

Prayers would be appreciated for my students and I to finish out the school year strong!

Quotes from My Day

You know you teach in the ghetto when your students say to you, "Katie don't wear those big earrings! If you get in a fight people could rip those out of your ears!"

and the winner of the day....

Haitian teenager: Katie, when are you going get get married?
Me: *laughing* Lord only knows!
Haitian teenager: Well, I think the Lord forgot you!