"Normal" Life

In February, we sent out an e-mail updating everyone on the current situation and struggles of our school. Every time a major deadline has occurred, we have managed to make it. Situations still arise, but we're in an OK place as a school right now. We wanted to thank everyone for praying for the school in these situations, and ask for continued prayer as we close out the school year (less than 2 months left).

In other news, we got to escape for a little while for our spring break. We took a one-flight trip this time, instead a 30 plus hour trip like Thailand. We went to Abu Dhabi and truly got to relax. We rode a camel, did some sand surfing, went four wheeling in the dessert, ate too many donuts, saw a movie, swam in the Arabian Gulf, and lounged by a pool. I’m so thankful for that escape. It came at a good time, and seems just enough to help get me to the end of the school year. Things like going out to a restaurant for a date with Levi is something I will never take for granted again. It was so nice to be able to walk around freely together, and have hints of western life every once and a while. It’s funny to me that I consider Dubai and Abu Dhabi a “western escape.” Coming from the US it doesn’t seem like one, but going there from here sure does! Of course…coming back to K-town with blooming trees and warmer weather made things a little easier. Our house finally thawed.
We didn't take many videos in Abu Dhabi, but we put what we had together to show a little glimpse. Feel free to check out some other pictures on our facebooks.

On a not as positive note about life here, I’m sure you saw the news this week or saw one of our facebook statuses. I spent about three and a half hours in my classroom with my class and third grade. We had our safe-room gates locked, curtains closed, and children silent (mostly). It’s hard being the mother hen in a situation like that. Trying to stay calm and not show any fear, while hearing gunfire and explosions in the distance, is not an easy task. I’m thankful for a God who lets me call on him at any moment. There was thankfully a slight lull in the action, and we got all of our students back with their families. We locked ourselves into our house on Sunday night, and went to bed around 10:15. By midnight we were up again because of the “sounds in the night.” We moved downstairs to the couch, and attempted sleeping. It was a rough and loud night. Psalm 91 has been a great passage for this entire year, but especially that night. Some of my favorite verses from it: vs. 4 and 5 “He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day…” Talk about relevant!

Needless to say, we didn’t have school the next day. The fighting stopped around eight in the morning, and we were eventually cleared to leave our houses. We were blessed to share a pancake breakfast at another family’s house (on campus). It was a nice reminder of community, and a nice debriefing time.

It’s hard to explain, but I still do not fear living here. Yes, fear began to creep in through the loud booms, but there was still a reassuring peace in the morning. 

Thank you for your continued prayers for us, the students, school, the teachers, and this land.

Love you,

Kaley

little things

Well, we made it to March. It seems kind of hard to believe. This winter has been really harsh, and the closer we get to spring the better I feel. Today it got up to fifty degrees! This is quite an accomplishment. K-town has turned into one giant mud puddle, but I guess that's just an ugly side affect to the melting. It does say that there are chances we will have some snow/rain showers in the middle of our week, but for now I'm pretending that's not true.

We have 3 weeks until spring break. We're planning on taking only a 3 hour flight to a much closer destination than we did over fall break. The airline we take out of A-stan just started flying to Abu Dhabi. We're excited to just go see a movie (hopefully The Hunger Games!!!), walk around the beach, ride a camel, and be WARM! Oh, and of course eat some good food. No, don't worry, no crickets this time.

As far as school stuff goes...We got our proposed schedule for next year. I'm so excited because I'll be teaching middle and high school next year. As of now, it's looking like 7th grade Oral Comm. (my students from this year), 8th grade Writing, 9th grade English, 10th grade Eng., and 11/12 Honors Eng. :) Excuse my nerdy-ness as I get really excited about this!

Other recent things...we finally got off lockdown. That's a plus. We've driven to the store...and we've walked to the store once. These are good things...good, good things.

We had a talent show. "Michael Jackson" won. :)

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Positive - Everything is melting. Negative - Water damage is all over our campus. This is some of our damage, and we've been pretty lucky.

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Basketball:

Our school is putting in a full size basketball court. Levi is really excited to get to play on it. 

Our girl's basketball team played in the National Women's Day tournament this week and got 3rd in the country! 

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Overall, we're making it one day at a time on our side of the world. Please keep praying for A-stan and some of the challenges that teaching in this country can bring. Please pray for our students, their families, and the staff of our school. We're thankful to be here each and every day. 

-Kaley