Today at lunch I made an Old Testament covenant. :D See, in the OT, there was a thing called a blood covenant, which happened in Genesis 15 with Abram and God. The two parties were supposed to bring some animals and then they would make a little valley in between them, and they would split the animals/birds in half lengthwise down the middle and lay one half on each side of the valley. Then the blood would trickle down into the valley. Each party would walk through the valley in the blood, barefoot, as a symbol of the covenant, in essence saying, "If I break the covenant, this (what was done to the animals) is what should be done to me." That's what God did to Abram when He made Abram the covenantal promise with him in Genesis 15.
So, before you start worrying that I was splitting animals and getting blood all over the Emmaus cafeteria, hear me out. :) It was actually with grapes. And it was a truce between Geoff and I. He is always ribbing me about Kansas. I can't imagine why. And in return I always rib him about attending an "agriculture" school in the middle of Minneapolis for his high school years. Soooo...today we made a truce and Geoff split a grape in half and we put it on the sides of my tray and squeezed the grape juice out and dipped our fingers in it and sprinkled it on each other. So now he won't make fun of Kansas and I won't make fun of his *ahem* Ag school. :)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I'm in love...
...with Latin American kids.
Oh my. Tonight when I went downtown to tutor, Jorge wasn't there, so I didn't have anyone to tutor, but I played with 4 little Hispanic kids so their moms could focus on their tutoring sessions better. Oh my. Jessica was 6, Haley was 5, then I'd guess that Charlie was 3-ish, and Emilie was probably 2. We first laid out Haley's Disney princess blanket in the toy corner and then settled down to read stories. Even though we were technically playing, I worked in lots of English lessons. Every now and then as I was reading, I'd stop and ask "What does that word mean?" For instance... "The Beast's face was fierce looking, but he had a kind and gentle heart...What does fierce mean?" Two little girl hands would shoot up and I'd call on one. "Um, like, strong?" "Well, that's close. More like kind of mean looking - like this:" I scrunch up my face and curl my fingers. The kids giggle and we proceed.
Then we got a box of opposite picture flash cards and made up a game with them. We discussed opposites, and identified them, then we played a sort of "go fish" type of game. It was so fun! The girls giggled and giggled. Then we (all of us at the center) had our break time and ate snacks. Jessica spent most of the time telling me that she wanted another cookie. She eventually got her mom to let her have one. Oh, I discovered the Spanish word for cookie - galleta. I absolutely LOVE being able to say some Spanish words to them, for instance, when we were playing a game of "memory" with picture cards later, I'd ask "Que es esta en Espanol?" And they'd answer me in Spanish as if it were the most natural thing. :D When we played memory Charlie thought it was most amusing to drive his fire engine over our game, which made it virtually impossible to play. We kept asking him to stop, in English AND Spanish, but it didn't work, because he just kept giggling and saying "Iss funny!" "No, no, no, por favor! Malo nino!" (Naughty boy) :) Memory was another great English teaching tool, because we discussed each picture as it came up and said it in English and sometimes in Spanish. Oh my. What funness. Yup, I'm in love. :D
Oh my. Tonight when I went downtown to tutor, Jorge wasn't there, so I didn't have anyone to tutor, but I played with 4 little Hispanic kids so their moms could focus on their tutoring sessions better. Oh my. Jessica was 6, Haley was 5, then I'd guess that Charlie was 3-ish, and Emilie was probably 2. We first laid out Haley's Disney princess blanket in the toy corner and then settled down to read stories. Even though we were technically playing, I worked in lots of English lessons. Every now and then as I was reading, I'd stop and ask "What does that word mean?" For instance... "The Beast's face was fierce looking, but he had a kind and gentle heart...What does fierce mean?" Two little girl hands would shoot up and I'd call on one. "Um, like, strong?" "Well, that's close. More like kind of mean looking - like this:" I scrunch up my face and curl my fingers. The kids giggle and we proceed.
Then we got a box of opposite picture flash cards and made up a game with them. We discussed opposites, and identified them, then we played a sort of "go fish" type of game. It was so fun! The girls giggled and giggled. Then we (all of us at the center) had our break time and ate snacks. Jessica spent most of the time telling me that she wanted another cookie. She eventually got her mom to let her have one. Oh, I discovered the Spanish word for cookie - galleta. I absolutely LOVE being able to say some Spanish words to them, for instance, when we were playing a game of "memory" with picture cards later, I'd ask "Que es esta en Espanol?" And they'd answer me in Spanish as if it were the most natural thing. :D When we played memory Charlie thought it was most amusing to drive his fire engine over our game, which made it virtually impossible to play. We kept asking him to stop, in English AND Spanish, but it didn't work, because he just kept giggling and saying "Iss funny!" "No, no, no, por favor! Malo nino!" (Naughty boy) :) Memory was another great English teaching tool, because we discussed each picture as it came up and said it in English and sometimes in Spanish. Oh my. What funness. Yup, I'm in love. :D
Monday, October 20, 2008
In honor of Grandaddy
New England in the Fall
Master painter brush in hand
Scattered color o’re the land.
Under sky of azure blue
Left a picture just for you.
Yellow tinged leaves, red and gold
what a beauty to behold.
Rocks and streams and waterfall
Around each mountain to us call.
And as we go from tree to tree
around each bend the more we see,
That Master Painter brush in hand
Has swept his brush across the land.
And left behind a brilliant hue
Of flaming colors just for you.
From beauty of the mountain peak
to stately tree along the street.
Yellow, green and red and gold
what a beauty to behold.
All from the creators hand
to cheer the folks across the land.
Lakes and boats bid us explore
All the beauties of the shore.
As we sail from dock to dock
we see houses on the rock.
Then back again to motor home
On the road again to roam.
Cruising down the blacktop trail
going over hill and dale.
Yellow, red and green and gold
Oh! what beauty to behold.
Basket place and antique store
Farmers market and much more.
Village, hamlet, church and school
places to eat that make you drool.
Rocks and trees and old stone fences.
Lovers sitting on old log benches.
Trees ablaze with color fair
Leaves a flutter in the air.
Now the purpose of this story
Is to give to God the Glory!
Alvin Skiles
Master painter brush in hand
Scattered color o’re the land.
Under sky of azure blue
Left a picture just for you.
Yellow tinged leaves, red and gold
what a beauty to behold.
Rocks and streams and waterfall
Around each mountain to us call.
And as we go from tree to tree
around each bend the more we see,
That Master Painter brush in hand
Has swept his brush across the land.
And left behind a brilliant hue
Of flaming colors just for you.
From beauty of the mountain peak
to stately tree along the street.
Yellow, green and red and gold
what a beauty to behold.
All from the creators hand
to cheer the folks across the land.
Lakes and boats bid us explore
All the beauties of the shore.
As we sail from dock to dock
we see houses on the rock.
Then back again to motor home
On the road again to roam.
Cruising down the blacktop trail
going over hill and dale.
Yellow, red and green and gold
Oh! what beauty to behold.
Basket place and antique store
Farmers market and much more.
Village, hamlet, church and school
places to eat that make you drool.
Rocks and trees and old stone fences.
Lovers sitting on old log benches.
Trees ablaze with color fair
Leaves a flutter in the air.
Now the purpose of this story
Is to give to God the Glory!
Alvin Skiles
Thursday, October 16, 2008
One step closer...
Wow! I'm excited. :) I had no idea that real English teaching would look so much like the things we talk about and practice in class! For my Methods in TESOL class, I need to have 4 sessions of tutoring experience and 4 sessions of ESL classroom observation. Our TESOL teacher is new this year and has been working to make connections with teachers here in Dubuque, and it's been hard to break into the circle, but the Lord has opened up (finally...halfway into the semester - in His perfect time) doors for us now.
There is a center in downtown Dubuque run by Catholic sisters, which is a tutoring institution. People come there for help and you spend a couple of hours in a session with them, tutoring them. There are tons of books, materials, etc. to help and each student keeps a notebook of where they are and what they've been doing so you as a tutor can jump right to the spot where they're working and help them with what they need. I went there for an interview Tuesday afternoon and they asked if I could come back that night to start tutoring! So I had my first session with Jorge, who comes in with his wife Cecila and their little girl, Jessica. We worked through "who" and "where" questions and talked about some vocabulary words and how the plural of "child" is "children" not "childrens" and then we spent a good bit of time just talking about his family and mine and practicing the concepts we had just covered. It was so cool. And so much easier than I expected! What a blessing from the Lord.
Then today, I was able to go downtown to Prescott Elementary School and observe an ESL teacher for an hour. She had 3 Hispanic 2nd graders in the classroom first, then she switched them out for 3 4th graders. It was so cool to watch her in action and see how ESL teaching (in that setting at least) was not really that difficult. But so cool. Those kids respected her and really seemed to enjoy their session with her. Ricardo, Mondardo, Wendy, Sally, Luis, and Alex...precious kids. Most from Mexico, but one from Brazil. It's really cool to think about the possibility of reaching whole families through ESL teaching.
Sister Corine at the tutoring center talked about how we do not proselytize the students - that is, we don't tell them about Jesus - that's not what we're here for. I can respect that, but I'm looking forward to the time when I CAN reach people through this. However, perhaps the Lord may even open some doors outside of the classrooms here. Who knows? :)
I'm learning Spanish little by little while going to the Spanish Bible study that Mr. Hernandez, one of my teachers, leads on Sunday evenings. I sit for about 2 1/2 hours immersed in the language, listening to the Hispanics talk, pray, discuss Scriptures, sing (although I join them singing bc they have a songbook and I can read it). Then, when we eat (amazing Peruvian, Mexican, and Brasilian food) they talk with me and help me try to learn the language. It's a slow, painful process because that day is the only time I have to practice it, but it helps a bit, anyway. :) It was cool to understand exactly what the kids today were saying when they said some things to each other in Spanish.
Wow, I can't wait to be an English teacher...and I'm so thankful for the Lord's leading in this direction. Thanks, all of you who are praying. I appreciate that so much!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Spammers couldn't be more creative
So, guys...who writes emails with subject lines that say:
Are you snoring yourself to death?
Pedipaws! Trim your pet's nails
Christian Singles - we can make you happy!
Michelle Andrews: I can find you a new job
Kingsdaughter, are you paying too much for credit card loans? We can save you money!
And those are just a sampling...but I get the same ones every time I check my junk folder on Yahoo. It's ridiculous. :) But entertaining nonetheless. :D I love the snoring one. And just so's you know...I'm NOT snoring myself to death. I'm sleeplessing myself to death. And yes, Mozilla, that IS TOO a word.
Are you snoring yourself to death?
Pedipaws! Trim your pet's nails
Christian Singles - we can make you happy!
Michelle Andrews: I can find you a new job
Kingsdaughter, are you paying too much for credit card loans? We can save you money!
And those are just a sampling...but I get the same ones every time I check my junk folder on Yahoo. It's ridiculous. :) But entertaining nonetheless. :D I love the snoring one. And just so's you know...I'm NOT snoring myself to death. I'm sleeplessing myself to death. And yes, Mozilla, that IS TOO a word.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Recipe for fun
One book.
One plateful of cookies.
One jug of milk.
A professor's home.
8 friends.
Laughter.
Discussion following story concerning personalities.
Discovery of personalities.
Encouragement.
More laughter.
Brotherly love.
Enjoy!
PS I did not take the pictures. :D
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Some photos from this semester
Some of my favorites from the semester so far. :)
Camping trip that our church took together. Naomi and I shared a little tent...and the flash was really bright on the camera. :D
Me, Naomi, Victor, Geoff...our hotdogs were yummy. Naomi and I grilled them on the grill and then we dropped two on the ground. Victor ate both of them (he was actually like "It's ok! I'll eat it! The dirt makes it taste better!) and then when he had his plate on the ground, a little kid stepped on one of the hot dogs! HaHa! Crazy...
Early morning hike down to the Mississippi. Naomi and I were reenacting what being tied to the railroad tracks would have been like.
Kids from church...Naomi was blowing bubbles and that made them very happy... :D
With some dear friends...Emily, Rebekkah, Amy, and Naomi at Panera. Amy is our good friend Caleb Eby's (Emmaus alumni from last year who is now working in Japan) girlfriend and while she was visiting her parents in Dubuque (she goes to Moody), we all went out for lunch and had a good time...
By the way, my Chauncey fish died. That made me really sad. :( I miss the little guy.
Camping trip that our church took together. Naomi and I shared a little tent...and the flash was really bright on the camera. :D
Me, Naomi, Victor, Geoff...our hotdogs were yummy. Naomi and I grilled them on the grill and then we dropped two on the ground. Victor ate both of them (he was actually like "It's ok! I'll eat it! The dirt makes it taste better!) and then when he had his plate on the ground, a little kid stepped on one of the hot dogs! HaHa! Crazy...
Early morning hike down to the Mississippi. Naomi and I were reenacting what being tied to the railroad tracks would have been like.
Kids from church...Naomi was blowing bubbles and that made them very happy... :D
With some dear friends...Emily, Rebekkah, Amy, and Naomi at Panera. Amy is our good friend Caleb Eby's (Emmaus alumni from last year who is now working in Japan) girlfriend and while she was visiting her parents in Dubuque (she goes to Moody), we all went out for lunch and had a good time...
By the way, my Chauncey fish died. That made me really sad. :( I miss the little guy.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Ok, Rachel, you're right
Wow, I think this is the worst I've been at communication in my whole life. Well, maybe. Maybe not. But it HAS been almost 1 1/2 months since I blogged and that's ridiculous. It's kind of like when I stopped by Mrs. Van Dine's office the other day (our registrar and in-school grandma). She said that it had been too long since I talked to her, but I told her that I had been waiting till just the right time because I knew it was going to be a long talk when I actually DID get around to talking to her. So, this will probably be a long entry. Or maybe I should just write a bunch of entries consecutively to catch you up. :P
In any case, well, yes, I am back at school. I was busy last year. I was busy this summer. But over these past couple of months I have felt unrealistically busy. I don't even know where to start. Hmm...
Well, the first couple of weeks, I was an emotional basketcase because my classes were rearranged at least three times, which was frustrating, one of the boys from home I care about was hurt in a bad car wreck, one of my best friends from school here was struggling with some real issues emotionally, I was trying to slide back into routine and it wasn't happening, I was trying to catch up with everyone and we were all trying to fit back into each others' lives again...and it was just crazy.
After about a month of classes, things finally fell into routine, and I'm feeling very settled and thankful now. What a blessing! The tough thing is that practically every moment of every day of my week is scheduled for me...and if you know me well, you know that structure is a challenge for me. Sure, some is fine, but this is borderline control-freakishness. (I mean that my schedule is being the control freak.) So at times I just want to burst out and go away somewhere like a sandy beach in Peru where no one can tell me where to be at what time or for what reason. :) I'm managing alright, though...the Lord is giving me grace for each day.
So, as far as classes go, I love all of mine this year. Some of you know that I was planning to work toward getting my BS in 3 years instead of 4. Well, after a week of thinking that was going to happen this semester, I nearly cracked mentally and I realized I couldn't press myself like that. Not having a summer break from classes and jumping right back into 19.5 hours of schoolwork was too much. So I dropped two classes and am at 15.5 credit hours for the semester. That has been a blessing, truly. The workload is just perfect. Enough that I still get this feeling of "Ah! I can't do it!" and have to run back to the Lord, but not so much that I'm already feeling like there's no way I'll get everything done.
I am taking Methods in TESOL I, Intro to Missions, and Hermeneutics (science of Bible study) on Mon/Wed/Fri and I'm taking Life of David and Cultural Anthropology on T/Th. I'm learning a lot about Bible study in both Life of David and Hermeneutics - a lot of practical things that should serve me well for the rest of my life. Then, in Intro to Missions and Cultural Anthropology I'm learning so much about cultures, mission work, and a lot of spiritual things I've never considered, or never knew much about. For instance, how does God reveal His glory through cultures, how do I experience God's leading and direction, how do you deal with cultural things in Scripture like slavery and holy kisses, etc. Really cool stuff. Methods in TESOL is a very practical class, and we're talking about how to teach English grammar. I need to find a tutoring position and do some hours of observation and teaching in ESL classes around Dubuque, so if you would pray with me about those details, I'd appreciate it.
It's good to be back with the people here at school and church in Dubuque. The Lord has given me a lot of service opportunities and I'm thankful for that. When I say service, I mean practical service...cleaning here at school, helping moms with their kids, helping people in practical ways. I'm learning a lot.
So, yes, now I can continue to blog in a more timely fashion, perhaps. That is, if I still have any readers...I know it's been so long! :D God bless, all!
PS Phyllis, I don't have your email, otherwise I would have written before. Can you give it to me? Or, mine is lizabeth.hannah@gmail.com.
In any case, well, yes, I am back at school. I was busy last year. I was busy this summer. But over these past couple of months I have felt unrealistically busy. I don't even know where to start. Hmm...
Well, the first couple of weeks, I was an emotional basketcase because my classes were rearranged at least three times, which was frustrating, one of the boys from home I care about was hurt in a bad car wreck, one of my best friends from school here was struggling with some real issues emotionally, I was trying to slide back into routine and it wasn't happening, I was trying to catch up with everyone and we were all trying to fit back into each others' lives again...and it was just crazy.
After about a month of classes, things finally fell into routine, and I'm feeling very settled and thankful now. What a blessing! The tough thing is that practically every moment of every day of my week is scheduled for me...and if you know me well, you know that structure is a challenge for me. Sure, some is fine, but this is borderline control-freakishness. (I mean that my schedule is being the control freak.) So at times I just want to burst out and go away somewhere like a sandy beach in Peru where no one can tell me where to be at what time or for what reason. :) I'm managing alright, though...the Lord is giving me grace for each day.
So, as far as classes go, I love all of mine this year. Some of you know that I was planning to work toward getting my BS in 3 years instead of 4. Well, after a week of thinking that was going to happen this semester, I nearly cracked mentally and I realized I couldn't press myself like that. Not having a summer break from classes and jumping right back into 19.5 hours of schoolwork was too much. So I dropped two classes and am at 15.5 credit hours for the semester. That has been a blessing, truly. The workload is just perfect. Enough that I still get this feeling of "Ah! I can't do it!" and have to run back to the Lord, but not so much that I'm already feeling like there's no way I'll get everything done.
I am taking Methods in TESOL I, Intro to Missions, and Hermeneutics (science of Bible study) on Mon/Wed/Fri and I'm taking Life of David and Cultural Anthropology on T/Th. I'm learning a lot about Bible study in both Life of David and Hermeneutics - a lot of practical things that should serve me well for the rest of my life. Then, in Intro to Missions and Cultural Anthropology I'm learning so much about cultures, mission work, and a lot of spiritual things I've never considered, or never knew much about. For instance, how does God reveal His glory through cultures, how do I experience God's leading and direction, how do you deal with cultural things in Scripture like slavery and holy kisses, etc. Really cool stuff. Methods in TESOL is a very practical class, and we're talking about how to teach English grammar. I need to find a tutoring position and do some hours of observation and teaching in ESL classes around Dubuque, so if you would pray with me about those details, I'd appreciate it.
It's good to be back with the people here at school and church in Dubuque. The Lord has given me a lot of service opportunities and I'm thankful for that. When I say service, I mean practical service...cleaning here at school, helping moms with their kids, helping people in practical ways. I'm learning a lot.
So, yes, now I can continue to blog in a more timely fashion, perhaps. That is, if I still have any readers...I know it's been so long! :D God bless, all!
PS Phyllis, I don't have your email, otherwise I would have written before. Can you give it to me? Or, mine is lizabeth.hannah@gmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)