The First Batch

It seems so strange to be saying this, but last night, the first batch of returning missionaries left Maxwell for the airport. Janice and Cody, two SMs from Tanzania, had been staying at maxwell for almost a week due to visa issues, and last night they began their long journey back home to the States. Their leaving seems to have made our own departure even more of a reality than it already was. The trading of items between SMs and in the market has begun in earnest now, and people have started filling suitcases. The next group leaves in a week, and it's strange to think about our SM group fragmenting.

Safe travels!

A Little Bit of Magic

Teaching can be absolutely draining, but there are moments that can also be absolutely magical. I never thought I would ever say this, but one of those magical moments happened for me today in recorder class.

I had been working with the advanced group on a three part piece for what feels like eternity, but it probably has just been the better part of this semester. We are playing the song for vespers this friday night and we had never made it from beginning to end in one piece. Today was our last official class period before the performance so I was nervous, and definitely aware it was more than crunch time.

The first two times we tried to play it all the way through, the same thing always happened; the second part got a beat behind, the third part a beat ahead, and the whole thing crashed spectacularly at the end of the second line. After a little more rehearsal, figuring out where the problem spots where, and mapping out places to regroup, we finally made it all the way through without stopping.

My students were elated! After playing through the entire song twice, Nick made a comment about how everyone who knocks recorders is wrong, and how great the class had just sounded. By the end of class, I drastically decreased the amount of clapping I had to do and radient pride could be found on every one of their faces. Finally, all of their hard work had paid off and they tasted the sweetness of their success. I've never seen eight students more proud of something they had accomplished.

Mothers Day

The more time passes, the more I'm not a fan of the distance between Nairobi and Chattanooga. Today, the distance is especially problematic because today is Mothers day and I am over 8,000 miles away from home. 

I am so incredibly thankful I have this wonderful woman in my life. She's both my voice of reason and one who pushes me out of my comfort zone. Constant companionship, unwavering support, and unconditional love. I am so blessed! I can't wait to see you in 28 DAYS! 

I love you.

Happy Mothers Day!

Baby Bunnies

A couple of weeks ago, the Corkums added two new little members to their family; Rucky and Stormy. They are the two cutest little baby bunnies you will ever see! Now, several weeks later, the bunnies are not quite as little, but they're still adorable! Here's a video of them when they were still small. 

Happy Sabbath!

Rucky Labbit                                      and Stormy

Water Fight!

While the Juniors and Seniors were out at Junior/Senior banquet, the freshmen and sophomores had their own class parties. The freshmen decided to start things off with the sophomores in a water fight. I was not too excited about the idea because it had been drizzling all day, and I was pretty sure the temperature was hovering right around freezing (in reality, I think it was a just a chilly 62 degrees... I'm definitely going to freeze next year!). The weather ended up cooperating nicely with no rain and warmer temperatures durring the water fight, and everyone (still minus the freezing me) was able to participate in the fun. 

They had to make sure everyone was included in the fun!

Saron thought she was just posing for a picture!

Defending the "dry zone"