Sadness

Today is Monday and it is a very sad day. Upon arriving at work, I learned that a co-workers daughter and her boyfriend were killed on Saturday night in a motorcycle accident. Apparently, a car made an illegal turn and they were caught in the path. In spite of their helmets, they died. They were in their early 20's and had their whole lives ahead of them.

And if that was not sad enough, BJ died this morning. He fought hard, but in the end the Lord's will was done. If you think of it, visit the site and read all about this incredible young man.

I would appreciate your prayers for my co worker and for her family as well as BJ's family.

Thank you!

Mezrozes

I should have included this in the posting below, but thought of it later. This is the guest house, Mezrozes, we will be visiting next weekend. It is so quiet and secluded. There is a barbeque pit on the side that we will use. This trip is an end of the summer celebration visit. The sun is setting earlier and earlier and rising later and later. Soon, it will be dark most of the day!

Phew! What a week!

The third week of school is finished and what a week it was! Somehow life seems to get busier and busier. The kids are in after school activities and that keeps us all at school until 4:30. We are home by 5:15 or so, and everyone is exhausted. My classes at Grand Canyon University started last week and while this is an introductory class, it is a lot of writing. I am hoping to be a certified Special Education teacher by 2007. Once in Kiev, I hope to do my student teaching.

We are going away next weekend. We found this guest house near Sigulda (north or Riga) that has a little pond and plenty of space for the kids to run. While we love Riga very very much, living in an apartment is difficult when you have two active children. Someday we will have a house with a yard--for our grandchildren! Anyway, this house is so beautiful. It is a new wooden house with stairs (for Laura). It has a kitchen so we can cook our own meals. Most guest houses in Latvia have primitive kitchen facilities.

I did a first in my classroom today! I have been teaching 10 years and have never cooked with my students. Today was the first time! We made pizzas. Each child made their own. It was so neat. They did a great job making their pizzas and cleaning up the kitchen. I guess we will do it again--but next time I need to make a pizza for all my colleagues as they were quite envious of our delicious smelling pizzas!

Sunday

I just go off the phone with my mother and she filled me in on some of the news we missed about the New Orleans situation. How horrible. She said there were people who were holed up in their attics and didn't want to leave because everything they have is right there in that house. How horrible to be so dependent on material things and not see that God is sending you a rescue boat. Things are just that--things. Life is so much more than things.

I have been reading a blog for a young man in Indianapolis named BJ. Bart from MercyMe sent an e mail a couple of weeks ago and asked that we pray for BJ. I feel as if I know BJ and his family. I don't know them, but do know that BJ needs prayer! Please pray for him. He is a godly young man and he has taught me so much--without even knowing who I am.

http://prayforbj.blogspot.com/

We just returned from the Marine House. We went to a pig roast. It was not the prettiest thing I ever saw, but it sure was tasty. After three years here, I am feeling comfortable with the people who serve here with us. I think maybe the school thing is over and everyone is comfortable with the fact that I teach at "the other school." Just a feeling.

Life is good. Fall is coming--it is cooler and the sun is setting earlier.