Getting Ready!

Leah Kunnari and I just spent the last couple of hours cleaning and organizing the classroom where I will have the pre-k kids. There will only be 3 in the class this year, but I'm looking forward to it more and more as preparations are being made. Thankfully there are so many resources and things that have been left behind by other teachers. At times I think of what really lies ahead and I'm a little overwhelmed, but I know that God has put me here now and he will enable me to do it in His strength.
The Kunnari's have a language teacher that comes to there home on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to help with their Spanish. So this evening I got to sit in on their lesson. It was helpful, and they invited me to come any time that I am able. I'm really looking forward to learning more.
We will begin Teacher meetings on Thursday. So until then I will be working some more on the classrooms and lesson preparation. Everyone here has been so helpful! Please pray that I will be able to accomplish the things I need to before School begins.
Thanks again for your prayers!

The first day...

After about 22 hrs of travel time, my feet are now firmly planted on the ground in Santiago. Because my flight out of Denver was delayed, I found myself a little pressed for time when I hit LA even though I had 2 hrs. I had never flown out of the LA airport before and was kind of confused, but after asking around I located the place I needed to be. When I reached the counter to check in for my flight, I discovered that the airline I was using to get from LA to Santiago only lets you have one carryon... so I ended up having to check my other. Ugh! Anyway, I dumped off that bag and continued on to the enormously long line for security. Once cleared, I booked it the remainder of the way to the shuttle bus that took me to the correct loading place for my flight. Wow... it was quite the run around. Thankfully I was able to get a hold of my Dad while on the bus and he in turn was able to call the school here in Santiago to make sure that someone was going to be at the airport to pick me up when I arrived. I´m sooooo glad he did... I could have been standing there for a while.
I don´t yet have any pics, but I am staying in an apartment building on the school campus. As of right now I am the only one staying there. Each of the apartments is equipped with beds and linens and other things that have been left by previous teachers. Thankfully there is gas stove in each of the rooms as well. The drastic change from the hot summer at home to the cold here is a shock to my system!
I have been able to meet some of the teachers and staff here at the school already. Each one has been great. One of them Miss Muriell drove me to the local Lider (grocery store) where I was able to pick up some food and stuff.
Well, I could ramble on for a long time, but I´ll quit for now...

In Transit...

Well... here I sit in the Denver airport waiting for my next flight to Los Angeles. My flight from Sheridan arrived at 7:30 ish this morning and the next one doesn't leave until 12:30 now. As soon as I made sure I was in the correct concourse I located a place to get some go juice! I'm not sure if it's helping or not... but I'm awake right now. I've spent the last couple of hours on the internet and calling people. For the most part it hasn't been bad. Maybe I'll sleep a little bit ont he way to LA.
Monica was able to bring the kids up for a visit this last week and I really appreciated spending a few days with them. The night before they left we set up a tent in our backyard. I don't think any of us really got a whole lot of sleep, but it was a fun adventure.
I spent most of yesterday, packing an weighing bags. I am fully equipped with 2 50 lb. bags and 2 carry-on's. One of them probably weighs close to what one of my big bags does. I stuck my books and things in my carry on since they were heavier. It was quite an adventure of sorting and figuring out what I really needed and what I didn't, but I made it!
I knew leaving was going to be difficult, but I never imagined that it would be this hard. This now is another area that I have to trust the Lord and place in his hands that he will supply the strength for both my family and I. I am overwhelmed by the support and love that has been shown me by so many people.
I will post again once I have arrived in Santiago...

Tickets Purchased

After a loooong morning (and part of the afternoon) I was able to get tickets for my flight to Chile. I will be flying out of Sheridan bright and early on July 27th. I'm really grateful for the various people who helped me get it all together. The whole ticket process was a little frustrating for a while. I'm also really grateful for Pastor Anderson and the church family here in Sheridan. I was able to share the ministry with them this past Sunday evening and they were all very encouraging. Thank you!

On a side note, my little brother Nathan is spending a week at camp, and while he's gone I'm doing his papers for him. The last two days have gone pretty well, but it's definitely been a while since I've done a paper route. The first day (yesterday) I was just getting started and making sure I was on the right street, when one of the neighbors asked me if I was lost. :) Many others along the route commented to me about how much they appreciate Nathan. I can't say as it's been loads of fun, but I have enjoyed doing it.

CHILE BOUND!!!

Whoo Hoo!!! I just got the word this evening... it's official... I'm heading to Chile. The Lord has just worked everything out in so many amazing ways. It's so exciting to watch him work!
As I sit here I'm thinking of all the things that now need to go on my "to do" list. I know the rest of my time at home will quickly come to an end, I am so thankful for being able to spend time with my family.
Thank you for your prayers... I will let post again when I have a date for leaving.

A Day in Sheridan

Over the last couple of days I've been doing some reading in order to help prepare myself for teaching. I'm reading the book called "First Days of School" which was recommended to me by friend who has taught for several years. It has been very enlightening and I'm glad I invested in it.
It's rodeo weekend here in Sheridan and the cowboy types are out in herds. Everything everywhere is busy. The town parade was this morning and down town was crazy. The parade really was nice... as you would expect... there were lots of horses. The main thing that just makes me laugh, is the fact that many people set out their chairs last night after downtown shops closed. Some even chained their chairs to light poles in order to reserve spots. Crazy! Except for the wind it really was a nice day for the parade.

As time goes by...

As I'm sure was the case with many of you, the 4th of July weekend was a busy time! I was able to spend some time with all of my immediate family and enjoyed it immensely! Not only did we celebrate our Nation's Independence, but we also celebrated my niece Elise's 1st birthday and my brother Michael's 18th birthday. Mom, Monica, and I even decorated Mike's car a little bit :)
I am soooo thankful for those who serve our country now and for those who have given their lives for it in the past. The 4th of July truly is something to be celebrated beyond the Hoorah of fireworks.
I spent this past Sunday morning sharing at Harrison Bible Church in Nebraska. Pastor Parker used to be the choir director up at Cornerstone. So it's always good to see him and his family again. I enjoyed being able to share Chile with these folks!
Summer sure is flying by! Along with that... the time to leave for Chile is coming up quickly. I'm so thankful for those who have given of themselves to partner in ministry with me through prayer and giving.
The need for teachers at SCA has grown in the last day or so. In talking with the director of the school yesterday, I found out that 2 teachers have quit. Of course, these leaves quite a gap. In order to be able to be in Chile by the end of this month I'm going to have to purchase plane tickets soon. I have put this off because I don't yet have all the funds needed. So this coming Monday will be the day when I will either purchase tickets to go or call the school and let them know that I won't be able to come this semester. Please be in prayer with me about this situation. Pray that God would supply the rest by Monday and that God would fill the posistions needed at the school in Santiago. I'm so thankful that God is in control! He knows all and will work it out for his glory!

Back home again

I arrived home yesterday afternoon from a short trip. I was able to visit and share with 3 churches as well as visit some family and friends while I was gone. The trip went very well and I'm so thankful for the safety God gives.
Sunday, June 22nd was spent at Calvary Baptist in Hot Springs and at Murdo Community Bible Church in Murdo, SD. It was great to be at both places and I appreciated the opportunity to share with them.
After spending Sunday evening in Murdo, I journeyed on out to eastern Nebraska and visited some family and longtime friends. My Grandma Chapman and I spent quite a bit of time looking through pictures. Oh, we even went to the mall together to find her an outfit with some money my Mom had given her for Mother's Day. This was quite a treat. It's not very often that I get to see her, let alone go shopping with her. :)
I also visited my Grandma and Grandpa Jarvis. We played some good old Rook (rook high of course) :), talked, played some more, & talked some more. Actually, we also went through some books that Grandma was getting rid of... so I acquired some.
Sunday, June 29th was spent at Grace Baptist Church in Mitchell. Our family moved from Mitchell, SD a little over a year ago. So it was good to see these people again. It was also exciting to see that there are some new people attending.
Overall, I really enjoy sharing the ministry in Chile that the Lord has burdened my heart with, and it's even more exciting to share with people who know me and are also burdened for missions.