The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

Anna's 5th and 6th grade class did The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. They worked hard for four months and performed the play two nights in a row. Sweet Anna happened to get sick the day before the play. She had a fever and a sore throat both nights while performing. Another boy in the class was also sick while performing. Despite the sickness, the kids did a great job and were so cute in their costumes. Anna was Mrs. Beaver. 

More Guinea Pig Babies!

Kate's female guinea pig that we gave to a friend happened to be pregnant (We didn't know!) when we gave her away. Two weeks ago she had three babies! We are currently housing them while they grow bigger and while the mom and daughter are away. Kate is thrilled and so is the girl (she is one of my kindergartners) that now has them! 

Anna Turns 11!

Our sweet Anna is now 11! She is a sweet, kind, caring, friendly girl! She has been through a lot of transitions this year, but is doing very well. She left the only home she can remember (We moved to Nashville from Delaware when she was 4 months old.) and all the friends she has ever known. She has made new friends here in our new country and seems to really enjoy being here. We love this girl and are so glad she is our first born! For her birthday, she wanted to take some friends to the sea. So, we did! There are many beaches along the coast. We went to one that is about 30 minutes away and north of our city. The girls played all morning and then we enjoyed some lunch by the sea. All of the girls had a great time! 

School Talent Show

Every year, the school has a talent show. It is not a competition, but a way for the students to show off their gifts. Rachel had the kindergarten do a memory verse with ASL and a song with motions, Kate played the piano, and Anna cheered on her friends that participated. It was a great time with lots of funny skits, great songs, juggling, silly songs, and much more. 

Men's Retreat

Phil went on a one night men's retreat with the fellowship we attend here. Unlike the women (gone for three nights), the men were only gone overnight. They went to a city about two hours from here. 

School Photos

Anna was in 5th grade this year with Phil being her teacher for almost every main subject except Language Arts. Mrs. Noora (from Finland) was her LA teacher most of the year. At the end, due to health reasons, Mrs. Jen (from America) and Mrs. Debbie (also from America) took over the LA classes. Anna also had PE (Mr. Scott-America), art (Mrs. Marianna-from Hungary/Ukraine), IT (Mr. Ted-America), drama (Mrs. Aygun-from here), and music (several teachers this year). 

Kate was in the 3rd grade this year with Ms. Hanne (from Finland) being her main teacher. Mrs. Kate (from America) was her LA teacher. She had the same teachers for all of her electives as Anna (PE, Art, Music, Drama, and IT. Both girls also took classes to learn the local language with a native speaker. 

John was in Kindergarten this year with Rachel being his main teacher. She had three assistants in her class. One taught the kids on M/W/F afternoons (so Rachel could learn the local language during those times) and one on T/TH afternoons (when she taught Mari). There was one assistant in the class all day every day to help all the teachers in the K class. John had the same electives as the girls with the exception of Drama (no drama classes for K). 

Women's Retreat

I, Rachel, got to go away for three days with our local fellowship for a women's retreat. It was about 4.5 hours away near the mountains. It was beautiful and a great rest physically and spiritually! 

Our hotel

My friend, Cat, who is the other ASL interpreter here.

Snow on the mountain!

We had to do a Bible story skit karate style!

The last night was very rainy and foggy! The hotel was behind me, but I couldn't even see it.