I have returned!

My lengthy absence has been due to a 17 day trip to Florida. I've included some pictures from the journey!

This is a picture of the sand art completed by the girls during the Spanish Girl's Retreat. I had the chance to share with the girls about God's love! It was a neat time and I thank the Lord for His help! :)

Some of the girls found these beautiful shells for the decorations for the banquet at the end of the retreat. We used them later in the week for a fund-raising banquet for my sister's school!

We also had the chance to visit the Gumbo Limbo State Park. It was beautiful.

I'll post more pictures later of the other adventures! :)

Good-Bye

Yes, I technically get 3 months off each summer, but I must convey the pull on my heart strings at this, the end of my first year in first grade. The following is a letter that I included with my report cards and it sums up my feelings. So if you ask, "Jo, are you ready for this year to be over?" I'll say something like, "Yeah." But, deep down this is what I'm feeling...

Dear Parents,

Today I give you back your child. The same child you confidently entrusted to my care last fall. I give them back pounds heavier, inches taller, and months wiser than they were then.

Although they would have attained their growth in spite of me, it has been my pleasure and privilege to watch their personality unfold day by day and marvel at this miracle of development.

I give them back reluctantly. Having spent nine months together in the narrow confines of a classroom, we have grown close and we shall always retain a little of each other. We have lived, loved, laughed, learned, and enriched our lives together this year.

Remember that I shall always be interested in your child and their future endeavors, wherever they go, whatever they do, whoever they become. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be your child’s teacher this year!

Miss Ryder

BDB vs. ADB

Yes, friends, as my brother stated on the phone last night, my life has been redefined. Now and forever more I will refer to my life as the period before the dog bite and the period after this fateful time.

I, in an effort to get on the healthy side of life, ventured out into the beautiful outdoors last evening for a peaceful bike ride. I have traveled this certain route many times and felt fairly confident in attempting the 8 mile route alone. Thankfully my sister and I had been talking and I tucked the trusty cell phone into my pocket.

Traveling along at a comfortable clip I enjoyed the beauty of nature. The graceful fluid movements of the deer, the peaceful vivid green of new leaves, the smell of freshly plowed dirt, …the barking of dogs…

I rounded the turn at about mile six and saw two dogs racing toward me. Well, if you know me very well at all you will know that I am not a great lover of doggies. My small portion of ‘dog love’ depletes when they are coming at me at full speed. The world suddenly began to move slower. The larger dog, who was approximately the height of my bike came closer and closer. He first bit at my heal and then grabbed a good, strong bite on my leg. Thankfully a motorcycle came along and I had a brief second to get away. I yelled at the dear, possessed doggie and he backed off.

I called nearly every person I knew and no one was home. Finally, after contacting my brother in Cincinnati, I called my aunt. She picked me up about a mile from the scene of the crime.

After a visit to my doctor today, I began taking the antibiotic that he prescribed. My tetanus shot is up to date and I found that the dog also has his shots. So, I don’t think I’ll be foaming at the mouth any time soon.

Well, one of my greatest fears has been played out in my life and I have survived! But, to all of the lovers of pooches out there, I must say that I will not be having a canine pet any time soon.

Woof, woof!

Our Classroom

Today we took our spelling test and Miss Ryder got new books from the book fair. I found these two poems so adorable. I hope you enjoy.

I Wish I'd Studied Harrder

I wish I'd studied harrder
For our spellink test today.
I'm sorry that I didn't,
Now I'm feeling some dismaye.
I'd like to get a passing graid,
But don't beleeve I will--
I think I got Whyoming wrong,
And Chyna, and Brazill.

Though I don't want to make misteaks,
I make them awl the same.
It's no one else's fawlt but mine,
I have to take the blaime.
I tried to spell Cunneddykit,
But really, I just gessed...
If I had stoodied harder
Then I mite have passed this test.

Jack Prelutsky

I'm Learning Our History

I'm learning our history,
There's so much to know...
A lot of it happened a long time ago.
I learn how explorers
Arrived on our shore,
I learn of our leaders
In peace and in war.

I learn of inventors,
And scientists as well,
Of trips to the moon,
And the liberty bell.
There's one thing I'm learning
That makes me think, "Wow!"
We're all part of history--
It's happening now!

Jack Prelutsky

Choices

As usual, thoughts have been swirling through my mind. The recent topic has been choices. We are confronted with so many choices each day. As an educator, I find that within a period of 1 minute it is possible to make many choices. Do I discipline that issue? No, I must pick my battles. Do I explain the concept as presented here? No, I must find a new way; they will not understand this approach. Should I hug this young one? Yes, it may be the only physical touch they receive today. Do I send her to the office? No, I’ll wait and see if that stomach ache continues.

Choices are my life. The effects of these little choices and my thinking behind these choices can change the direction of my life. I have to be careful. Do I read this book, watch this video, listen to this music? Yes, friends every area of my life requires my choice. I’m definitely not a fan on the sidelines of life watching things pass by. I MUST be directly involved! A while ago I was faced with one of those bigger choices in life. Ultimately, of course, these larger decisions are influenced greatly by the previous little choices. When I came to the fork, I sought the wise counsel of others. Yes, it was conflicting and confusing. I put on my super future spy glass and caught a glimpse of what was to come.

Down road number 1 was a life of adventure. Beautiful flowers lined this road. Laugher rang through the tree tops. The chance to live with my dear sister and act like silly school girls beckoned there. Meeting new people and teaching in a Christian environment call to me. The pull was so great that I took a step down road number 1. Glancing over my shoulder I saw the rocky terrain of road number 2. I looked down at my sandals and realized I was not prepared for that path. I saw hard work and dedication as well as commitment. I even caught a glimpse of how bruised and battered my feet would be. I might even fall, causing the flesh to be torn from my knees.

I sat down for a long chat with my Heavenly Daddy. I realized that I could, after picking up my eyes off of the rocky terrain, catch a glimpse of His face on road number 2. Please understand, I don’t think that road number 1 was awful; however, I made the choice to pursue my relationship with Him by traveling down road number 2.

Well, friend, the road has been just as it seemed it would be. Large, sharp, cutting rocks have been on the trail. Yes, my shoes were not adequate for the journey. I have been cut, bruised and my very soul has been pierced. Layers of flesh are slowly, painfully being shed as a find my path. The rocks of frustration, hard work, commitment, assertiveness, and others are helping to shed my yucky exterior. But, friend, through it all I have had the firm grip of my Daddy holding my hand. He’s patient and kind. He heals wounds with his words of love. He continually calls me to pursue a deeper relationship with Him.

As I stood last night I realized that a destination point along this road had been reached and I couldn’t have made it without the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father. Thank you dear friends, some of you were those that reached out to steady me along the way. The road isn’t finished. I’ll keep journeying for my entire life. My choice is not to quit.

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15