Springing into Summer May-June

 Inside the Classroom May - June

The last six weeks of school zoom by like a rocket. I had so much fun with my group of awesome young gentlemen. They made this year of teaching so much fun! I went into the year thinking an all boy class was going to be simply exhausting but it turned out to be one of my greatest joys. 

In May we got to experience the butterfly exhibit with the grade twos, watch mealworms turn into beetles and let the mealworms go in a local park.

Our last week in June we participated in a number of field trips to jump parks, rope climbing parks and an amusement park with all kinds of outdoor activities.

Last Day of School

My Little Men

I will miss this group of boys. They kept me on my toes with never a dull moment. Their awe and wonder for the Bible and desire to learn about Jesus was strong and their questions inspiring. They are wrestling with what faith is and which God is the right god. Who is Jesus and why does he matter? I had theological debates amongst the boys as to how many gods are there. Some of our students are from Hindu background and have begun the journey of understanding different religious faiths and discovering what they were going to choose to believe. It is a tricky road to manoeuvre, as you watch them wrestle between what their parents tell them is true and what their teacher tells them is true. I pray over them as they leave, that the Lord will lead and guide them and that they will grow to be men after His own heart.

Outside the Classroom

Saying Goodbye

After graduation I hit the ground running as I prepared to move out of my flat.

Just shy of 8 years of living in this apartment my landlord decided it was time to sell. It is only when you need to box up your life that you realise how much STUFF you can quickly accumulate.

Thanks to a small team we got it all moved in under 4 hours (time of our van rental). Spent a week thoroughly cleaning it and handed over the keys on June 29.

What Next?

Since I have to go back to Canada for 6 months in July 2025 it didn't make sense to get a flat for a year. SO, I will be living with a family in their giant apartment. They have two rooms in the back they rent out as a suite. They leave for their 6 months to the States in mid-December and I will take care of their apartment until they return and then I go on my 6 months tax-related-relocation TRR in summer of 2025. I will move in to my new home on August 6th, in the meantime I am living at a friend's place and will be dog sitting here and there until my final move in.

My summer plans are to relax and enjoy doing nothing for a little while.

Prayers as we still need some teachers for the Fall including gr 3, History, Math and PE.

Happy Summer!

April -2024

 A Time to Weep and a Time to Laugh

Dealing with Life's Twists and Turns

Upon returning from my trip to Normandy I learned the devastating news that my sister-in-law, Rolandia, (my older brother's wife) passed away in a fatal car accident. They had been married for almost 10 years. The day after this news I learned that my landlord was selling my flat that I had lived in for almost 8 years. So the month of April was a time of mourning for me and dealing with loss.

We had a memorial for Rollie in mid-April that I was able to go back to Canada for. The visit was very quick, and we were able to spend time as a family. My Dad's brother and one of his sisters was able to make the trip from Manitoba and my mom's brother was able to come. So we had a good visit with family.  I was asked to read from Ecclesiastes 3 which was an honour to do for my brother. I took hardly any pictures as it was about being in the moment and being present. Rollie, you will be missed.

From the peaks to the valleys our God is still the same. From laughter to weeping he is our comfort and peace.

Shortly after returning to Prague I was hopping on another plane to go to Albania for a TeachBeyond leaders conference. Joining close to 200 TeachBeyond leaders from around the world. It was exactly what I needed during this time. It was encouraging to hear what God is doing through our mission organisation and all the ways God has and is answering prayer. We had break out groups where we got to hear from teams around the world and spend life together. It was one giant family of seemingly strangers and yet brother and sisters. I was blessed beyond measure by this time. 

March 2024

Spring Break Adventures

This blog is like a memory capsule that keeps track of my life adventures. SO much happened from March to June that I only have time now to record it all. So first I will start with Spring Break.

ICEC

International Christian Educators Conference

Every couple of years ACSI will host the ICEC conference and the last couple have been in Prague. Christian educators from all over Europe come together to learn from one another, share ideas and encourage one another in our craft. It is always fun to meet up with people who live and work in the same world as you. Enjoyed spending time with old and new colleagues and meeting new friends serving across Europe.

Girls Get Away - Normandy France

On my travel bucket list was making it to Normandy, visiting Juno Beach and seeing Mont Saint-Michel. I joined a great group of ladies and we flew to Paris, rented a car we named Felicity and stayed in a small cottage in a small town called Sommervieu.

We explored the coast stopping at Juno Beach where in the gift shop I found a surprise treat and indeed I spent way too much money on a box of Maple Cream cookies! Enjoy the taste of home.

French Pastry is where it is at!

Beautiful balance of sight seeing, relaxing and enjoying good food. 

Mont Saint-Michel

Pictures do not do this place justice! We did end up going on a rather wet day but so worth going to see. Feels like you are entering a fairy tale.

 

 

 

It was a fun road trip with a number of u-turns, a GPS that thought it knew the right way and many laughs. 

Such a fun adventure with these ladies and would totally do another travel adventure with them.

Here's to cranking Broadway showtunes, ignoring GPS suggestions and seeing where the road will take us. Thanks for the memories ladies.