New School Year 2010-11

We have begun the new school year !!! And I'm happy to report that this September is not nearly as stressful as last September ! It is still very difficult to send our kids off to school in a foreign language...............but mostly because Mommy can't understand all the information that is being given. Mommy really carries all the stress............Kaleb and Arin just have fun, whether they understand it all or not !! So once again, I am learning those tough, spiritual lessons of trust and faith from my kids. They have had fun seeing old friends and making new ones this past week !!!
Right before school started, we had a chance to help with a children's outreach event with our Polish church. We provided a big party, school supplies, and even gently used clothing to these families.................and shared with them God's love for them. We had a great turnout, and we're hoping these families will return to our church for more spiritual feeding.



Here's Arin's first day of school:

And Kaleb's ceremony day (which starts off the school year) -- they have to wear dressy clothes for this event, but no one knows why:

Here he is in his classroom (on the first day of classes):

After our first day of school, we went to the park together with one of Kaleb's new classmates and his sisters. While we were waiting for them to arrive, this little boy in the picture below joined us on the swings. He watched us closely because he heard us speaking English to each other. About 5 minutes into our swing time together, he started singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". He was so proud of himself for joining the Engish-speaking party........especially once Arin joined in to sing too. With that kind of affirmation and response, he decided to show off his repetoire of English songs by singing "Jingle Bells"! Within a few seconds we had a singing marathon of 18 verses of "Jingle Bells"........at the top of their lungs !! We no longer had any hopes of "blending in".

But on the very day when I REALLY desired to be able to speak more Polish, God reminded me that my gift of speaking English draws others too. Where I am weak, He is found to be strong!

This was taken at about the 14th verse of Jingle Bells

All the kids resting on the bench...........notice our new "Jingle Bells" friend is still with us........we had really bonded !!!