Pictures

So it begins.

School started on Friday, with much disorganization. Things are certainly different here. Its kind of a fly by the seat of your pants mentality. But, we got through the first day and school really started on Monday. It is going to be a challenging year. The kids are fairly typical middle schoolers. However, there are some definite differences. One strange thing is that most of the kids come to school with absolutely nothing. They go from class to class with no books, no pencil, no backpack, no folder, nothing. I think it isn't so much a money thing as it is habit to expect the school to provide everything for them. I gave them homework and they folded it up and put it in their pocket. I might try to do something about, but the other middle school teachers seem to have just excepted how things are. Its a hard balance between trying to improve things and realizing that it isn't going to be Colorado.

My kids have been giving me a hard time about wearing "nice clothes" and were asking me why I change clothes everyday. Another kid said it was because "thats what gussiks do." (The kids wear jeans and the same sweatshirt everyday.) It is different being the minority.

Ryan is currently packing to go moose hunting. He is going with our neighbor Ulrich (the mayor), Ulrich's son Aaron, and another teacher Matt. I am glad he has the opportunity to go. He has been looking forward to this for a long time. I'm sure it will be an awesome experience for him. However, it might be a lonely weekend.

Keep praying for me as I teach these kids. Today during class I was praying that the Lord would help me learn to love them and to desire to teach them. Also pray for me as I deal with a new way of life. I was missing Target today. :)

Chevak

We have now been in Chevak for five whole days. We were supposed to fly from Anchorage to Bethel and then from Bethel to Chevak on Thursday evening. However, when we got to Bethel, our plane had left for Chevak without us. So, we got a taxi and found a bed and breakfast in Bethel. Bethel is a town of about 7,000 people. They even have restaurants and a Subway (restaurant). We stayed at the Brown Slough, which turned out to be a really nice place.

Friday morning we sat in the airport for almost two hours before we finally made it on to a plane to take us to Chevak. I missed the morning new teacher inservice, but got right to work on my classroom. Apparently the thing up here is for teachers to order as much stuff as they possibly can and cram it all over the classroom. Needless to say, I had quite a bit of organizing to do. I have things in pretty good order, but the room will continue to be a work in progress.

Our apartment is also a work in progress. The teacher before us moved out in May and four men lived in the apartment through the summer. So you can imagine the condition we found it in. After cleaning and unpacking it is also looking much better. We are waiting on the key to our connex so we can store all our boxes. Also, my mom is kind enough to send some slipcovers, which will much improve the couches. It is a new challenge to figure out what to eat with only part of our groceries here. Today we got our pans, which helped the cooking considerably. I am looking forward to the arrival of our coffee pot. (There is a coffee shop here, but I have only seen it open once.)

I am learning that every school has its challenges and this one is no different. It is interesting trying to navigate my way through the new teacher process. Each day I overhear something new that is required of me that I didn't know about. Someday, hopefully soon, I will get to be at one school more than one year so I can feel like I know what is going on!

The people and the teachers here are nice. I am a both excited and nervous to meet my students. School starts on Friday!

In Alaska!

Well, we are in Alaska! On Sunday evening we made it out of our house with four suitcases, one gun case, and four carry-ons and onto the plane to Anchorage. The last two weeks in Colorado were not quite what we anticipated, but the Lord is good. With the help of my parents, we were able to ship the rest of our things to Alaska and pack up our house. It was a crazy time, but we were able to see many family members and friends and to say goodbye.

After a night in Anchorage, a SEND pilot came and picked us up and we flew to Glennallen, AK for the SEND Alaska Annual Conference. (Ryan actually got to fly the plane) Every year all the SEND Alaska missionaries get together and so for the last two days we have been meeting missionaries from all over the state. There are some really nice people and it has been good to meet them. We have especially enjoyed getting to know a few other young couples, some of whom are teachers. Sadly, even though we will be in the same state as they are, we will probably not see them until next year at Annual Conference.

Tomorrow we are driving to Anchorage with some veteran shoppers to stock up on supplies. On Thursday we are flying to Chevak...finally! We are getting anxious to be there and to get to work. It has been a long journey thus far and we are anticipating many more challenges ahead.

Please keep us in your prayers as we head into this time of transition.

(also I tried to post pictures, but the internet connection isn't so great, so I'll try again later!)