My students

I now get to post cute little kid comments, too. At work on Friday, we'd just finished math time, and I'd specifically been working with Jessie on counting, when it was choice time for them. Jessie bounded over to the other three kids who were already emptying the fish game onto the carpet. John announced in a loud voice, "I'm first" and was quickly followed by Terry's "I'm second." Anna jumped up, "I'm third!" Not one to be daunted, Jessie got in line and excitedly proclaimed, "Then I'm fifth!"

the Future

It would appear things are falling into place. Ecuador looks more and more sure; I got a job to tie me over to my Israel trip; Israel is going to rock; and my missions application passed Round 1, so I now I can go for interviews. Here's my hectic schedule for the next year:

now: work at Hancock Elementary until June 5

June 12: head to Colorado for interviews at WorldVenture Headquarters

June 21: go to Israel!!! Participate at an archaeological site for a week, then take a class in Jerusalem

July 13: go home to Austria for a week (I don't know when the last time was that I was there in the summer)

July 21: return to Minnesota, find work

mid-Sep: go to Ecuador to work for Northwestern's branch campus for 5 months

mid-March: return to Minnesota, start support raising

No doubt I would appreciate prayer for any and all of this. Several of those things fell into my lap completely unexpected and uplanned, so I don't know what God is planning.

Mom?

Yesterday, when I was at a local elementary school applying for a temporary job, the nice lady showing me around turned during a lull in a conversation and asked, "So, how many kids do you have?" Not "do you have kids?" Not even "are you married?" It was slightly awkward to have to say "none." What precisely made her assume I'm a mom?

Then, tonight at Kohl's, the friendly gentleman at the cash register packed up my purchases, handed me the back, and said with a genuine smile, "Happy Mother's Day, ma'am." Again, my heart did a little flutter, though this time it may have also been with a blush, for I was after all buying sexy lingerie for my roommate's shower tomorrow. Did he think I was going to wear it this weekend? (I'm definitely no size 6.) And since when am I a "ma'am" anyway?

Must be the mom bag I lug around with me. Maybe I need a new purse.

San Antonio

What a blast, getting to see extended family I hadn't see in many, many years, but also hanging out with my immediate family. Here are some pictures of the weekend:

So, we're going to San Antonio this weekend for a family thing, and my sister-in-law has never been to Texas. I've been complaining about how hot it's going to be, and she, bless her heart, was trying to cheer me up.

J: "Well, I just went to Old Navy and bought a wrap for my swimsuit."
Me: "Okay."
J: "For when we go to the beach in San Antonio."
Me: "Cute, but there's no beach in San Antonio."
J: "The ocean?"
Me: "Nope. San Antonio isn't on the ocean."
J: "Lake then."
Me: "San Antonio isn't in Minnesota either. Hotel pool."
J: "Awww..."

So instead, I now have her complaning about Texas, too. Oops.

This is my cooperating teacher and me on Crazy Hair Day. Since we were the teachers, we didn't go quite so crazy, but we had fun nonetheless.

3 more days!

3 more days!