The adventures of Term 4

The last 2 weeks of the term was hectic getting (Chad and Meliah) ready to go and making sure the lists for items to get were double checked and all the necessary paperwork was in order.  This is at an end of a school term that felt more like an entire school year and not just 10 weeks.  God has been guiding us throughout this whole journey but when you stop and think about all the things that went on in Term 4, we couldn't have done it without God or His grace. 

Many of you know that we had 3 extra girls living with us for almost a month. This is how we became the Brady Bunch.  That is also when we didn’t have a haus meri because of her son being in the haus sik (hospital). 
This was the term where not only Chad was trying to deploy an aviation upgrade and fulfill some significant commitments he had made, but he also took on the role of CTS manager, again as the current manger was taking on a different role within the branch.  So Chad was trying to balance all of that while trying to think ahead to the break.  

Right after the extra 3 girls left, we got word that my Grandma had entered her eternal home.  I was glad to know that we will all see her again with Jesus and she will be her spunky, stubborn, creative self again.  I was sad because I couldn’t be there to help my family go through the process.


So in the midst of dealing with the grief, there is a tradition here that every “spring” right before graduation the Juniors and Seniors have a Banquet that is put on by the parents.  Chad and I were very aware of all this and had mentally prepared ourselves for this endeavor but not counting on all the other stuff happening, it made that preparation time very challenging.  

Kids playing floorball in the Teen Center before parents started transforming it for Banquet

Chad was able to work pretty much full time at the Teen Center to help pull off the transformation into a “Winter Wonderland”.  He had a lot of fun doing his project of building a slide going down steps which was called "The Black Licorice Slide" (my nickname for it was Medivac Hill) but nobody got injured.  He also did the instant picture both and also took pictures of kids going down the slide.  I was not able to help with any part of Banquet, which is actually a good thing, I walked into the Teen Center one day to give something to Chad and I immediately started sneezing and watery eyes etc.. (saw- dust, dust, mold, and fresh pine doesn’t do any good for someone who has allergies)  So very thankful no one was expecting anything from me on that part. 

A picture from Banquet in the same building!

During this same time the fellow teacher I work with became very ill.  She missed 8 days of school!!!  I assisted the subs for the first week and answered questions etc.  Then the following week I taught all by myself for 3 days!!!!  That is a miracle in itself that I had the confidence and the strength to do that endeavor.  Only by God!!!  I did enjoy teaching but was so very glad when the teacher came back and we were back to a “normal” routine.  

Remember this time frame is in the last 3 weeks or so of the term.  So trying to help the subs and get the kids tested and ready for the jump to grade 2 and report cards done. (which is why I am glad to be an assistant, I don’t have to do report cards).  While this is all going on apart from all the normal busyness of life, I was constantly thinking of things for the upcoming adventure for Chad and Meliah.  

Making sure the colleges she was looking at had replied for what days she could get a campus visit.  Making sure that we had gathered and printed out all the questions that we had for each college.  Chad plotting out the drive from Spokane WA to Washington DC.  The logistics of figuring out who they would stay with and how much traveling each day to get to the end so they could catch the flight to bring them back home.  I had made lists of things for him to purchase while in Australia (there for 4 days) and in the US.  So trying to keep that all straight and not overwhelm him while he is shopping.  Chad and Meliah left for the states the Friday right after school got out for the girls and myself.  
The joke around the house was right after you both leave mom is going to collapse.  Well, that sort of happened.  I had gotten a cold right after the other teacher was out and it kinda got better and but by that Friday I was done.  The Lord was again very gracious and knows what we can handle and not handle.  I thanked the Lord that I had the 2 girls that love to stay home and don’t need to be entertained and that they were sort of done with being around people also.  
So we did a lot of movie watching and playing the Wii and, at least for me, sleeping.  I did recover after that first weekend.  Though people would say I sounded like a chain smoker for a few weeks after that, because of the coughing spells I would have.  

Chad and Meliah had a great time in Cairns doing some shopping and enjoying being in a land of plenty.  They did great at getting just about everything on my list for Australia.  They each got a gold star for that effort and taking the time to do conquer that list.  
When they hit the tarmac in the US, they hit it running.  They enjoyed the visit to family and friends in the Pacific Northwest but was amazed at how many directions they each were getting pulled. They loved every minute of that time. I think when they hit the road for the college search they were glad not to be running.

I'll let Chad or Meliah blog about their trip some other time. Hope all of you are doing well!

May God bless you!