I don't write much anymore because I can't think of what to say. Sundays are still the funnest day of the week, seeing all God's people, being refreshed in God-focused-ness, lots of smiles and handshakes and learning about a new person's life each week. This week I learned that two others in our church either graduated with a music major or seriously pursued one for several years. Who would have thought that, in a small congregation in the middle of nowhere?

I still meet with friends often. I have two circles of friends, if one could call them that. They're more like amoebas, I think. The first is the school crowd; other teachers and their family members. The second is the "other" crowd, people I've met at church or met friends of friends at church. Or a few through Tara, my former roommate. I miss her. When my friends and I get together, we do several things. The common thread is eat. Sometimes we hike and eat, sometimes we just eat, sometimes we watch movies and eat, sometimes we go to a fair or something and eat, and sometimes we play games and eat. I guess every now and then we get together without eating, but not often. :-)

Teaching is a lot of my life. I love hanging out with kids, and I love sharing new information. It's a great combo for a teacher. I also love the fact that I get to teach kids about Jesus. Their questions and ah-ha moments are treasured. Like Friday, there was a little problem in the class with two kids throwing pencils at each other. After I figured out what happened, which happened after a fifteen minute crime scene investigation culminating when the boy whom everyone knew started it all along, finally admitted his lie... I dealt out consequences at lunch. Consequences don't usually have to be too bad yet in third and fourth grade. Mainly an apology, losing a little lunch break, and receiving a warning for the rest of the day. Both kids had to apologize because both had thrown pencils and both had added a few words that were designed to hurt the other. The apologies were received with grace and with "I forgive you." Those are big words, and I told the kids so - when God forgives us, He doesn't see us as "that one who threw the pencil back in fourth grade." He sees us clean, and thinks, "Oh, that's a cool kid that I love." That meant a lot to the little boy who started it all. He's been having a tough time following directions this year, and a clean slate feels good to him. Later that afternoon something else happened - I forget what. But I said, "that's okay," in response. "Yes, but, do you FORGIVE me?" he asked. Yes. From the bottom of my heart, the way Jesus forgives me too!

And tomorrow (Lord willing, if I get in... there's one seat left) I start Spanish 101 in the evenings in Gallup. I'm so excited to take a college class again, excited to learn Spanish which I've been hankering to know for years now, glad to have an excuse to make me get out of school on time twice a week, and excited about the options this class give me. I need 6 credits of college level language for either the Teaching English to Students of Other Languages endorsement, or for ethnomusicology which is the study of music of different cultures. Maybe I'll do both and be in part-time school for the next ten years. Who knows? :-)

And the Purpose Driven Life is very good. I'm on day four. You can never get so knowledgable about the Bible and stuff that you don't need to get back to the basics. That was a double negative sentence so I'll say it again positively: You always need to get back to the basics, no matter how much you know. It is healing to the heart that wonders whether God really still does have a plan. He is good. He said so. It will always be true. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." I Cor. 13:12. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11.