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December 19th, 2008 From: Anne Denny - High School Teacher I think teaching is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. It is often thankless and frustrating. Kids don’t usually appreciate our love and efforts in their lives. It can be lonely in a classroom when you are the adult and not part of the group. There are inside jokes you aren’t a part of, but often the brunt of. Immanuel Mission can be lonely as well. We are far from town and some need to go to town just to be in the midst of people. I have found now that I like waiting in line, being in a crowded place, and even going shopping on Black Friday is fun just to be in the jostle and mess. So those are some of the negatives but this is why I don’t quit or leave:
Teaching is one of the most valuable things you’ll ever do. It is so nice to have a job that has eternal consequences not just a paycheck as a reward, but crowns in Heaven. I know we are supposed to do everything we do to the glory of God but it is more obvious that it matters when you are dealing with a student than when you are dealing with a vacuum cleaner. Kids do learn stuff. It is kind of amazing at the end of each year when you realize that, in spite of themselves and the struggle, they know more than they did in September. They quote me; sometimes that is honoring and sometimes embarrassing. I make a difference and have significance. Selfishly, it is fun for me to be the center of attention. I like having a captive audience everyday. I bet these things are true of parenting too, but the Lord hasn’t given me that ministry. I love teaching at a Christian school where you can tell them the truth and not have to worry about being politically correct. You can call sin “sin” and you can tell people about God’s solution for it instead of using the world’s tools to mask or hide or explain away problems. I love kids and I love the Lord and I love that He lets me do what I love for Him. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Immanuel Mission is a great place to live. My neighbors love the Lord and love me. We are working for the same goals of godliness and love for each other. Obviously we have struggles and things to work out, but underneath everything we all want God’s best for each other. I walk to work, I walk to church, I walk to my friend’s house, to the gym, to meetings, etc. Even though groceries are 90 miles away, I know I spend less time in a car on a weekly basis than people who live in town. I don’t pay rent, I often get free clothes, I eat two meals a day that someone else pays for and cooks, my house is maintained by others that are eager to help me, and my neighbor always has a cup of coffee or sugar or whatever I forgot to get in town; or will pick it up for me when they go in the next day or two. I am safe in a gated community and surrounded by people who pray. I wish our phones worked better and I wish Kansas with my family was as close as Farmington, but I am content with the family God has given me here. As I love to say, “God is good, all the time.”
December 17th, 2008 From: Kelli Wilson - Junior High Teacher Merry Christmas to my friends and family! The beginning of December came and went with my hardly noticing it. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. I greatly appreciated the time away from school. It was also nice to hang out with friends. Anne Denny’s family from Kansas came and they included me in all of their games and activities. Who knew that 4 square would be as much fun for adults as it is for kids! I also used the break to decorate my house for Christmas. I don’t quite know why, but I love Christmas decorations!
My class has been quite busy these last three weeks. We are working on a geography project and a book report. It is all due tomorrow!!! We’ve had snow falling all day, and I am praying that we still have school tomorrow–otherwise I have no idea how to fill out report-cards.
The snow here has turned the beautiful scenery into a different, but equally beautiful landscape. Pray for all the staff that will be traveling, though. Several of us have to cross the mountains. Last year when riding with the Blooms back to Kansas, we hit an elk and a deer in the same night!
I would also appreciate your prayers for my students. I know that I often ask for prayer for them, but it is soooo important. We serve a God that left His home above, came to earth as a little baby, grew to a man–tempted in all ways like we, died for our sins, rose again to defeat death, and ascended into heaven where He now intercedes daily for us. Teaching Jr. High this year has reminded me daily of how much we all need our Loving Savior. My students especially need His love, care, and comfort. Daily I fall more in love with my students and daily I have to give them and their problems over to Him. Please help me in praying for them–they need our prayers greatly.
In Christ’s Arms,
Kelli Wilson
December 15th, 2008 From: Becky Knopf - 5th & 6th Grade Teacher Hello and How Do!
The ‘holy-days’ are upon us again; time flies by. God’s love never fails (Psalm 136)
Our phone reception has been awful for a while now, but we are looking into it and we are hoping that it will improve soon. The weather has been in the upper 50′s still. I am eager for the colder weather, myself.
I spent my Thanksgiving Break with my Lennox and Delaney relatives. Uncle Gordon helped me get my Saturn repaired (bad baring — sp?) while I was there — it was done under warranty, so not only was it free, and accomplished immediately, but we (John & Ruth Bloom and I) didn’t have an accident on the drive to ALBQ. I had such a good time, visiting with my relatives. [It was actually 'medicinal' -- by which I mean it was soul-healthy for me]
Ilene Jordan and her 5 children have moved into their new house. The old one burned down about two weeks ago and most of the family was left with nothing. They stayed here at I.M. in the guest house, while others put in a wood stove for heat, and did the other necessary finishing touches on the house so that it could be occupied. Thank you for your prayers on their behalf.
Some excellent excerpts from Romans [CEV]: (4:16) EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON HAVING FAITH IN GOD, SO THAT GOD’S PROMISE IS ASSURED BY HIS GREAT KINDNESS (5:1) BY FAITH WE HAVE BEEN MADE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. AND NOW BECAUSE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WE LIVE AT PEACE WITH GOD. (6:23) SIN PAYS OFF WITH DEATH. BUT GOD’S GIFT IS ETERNAL LIFE GIVEN BY JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. Romans is such a great book; I am trying to go through it slowly in class.
I plan, Lord-willing, to be in Westland, MI between Dec 22 and January 1. I send special greetings to all of you dear ones here at the end of 2008(!) I continue to find my Lord and Savior, “THE WAY in a manger”, faithful, patient, loving, and kind to me. I pray that you are finding Him to be that, too.
Love, because of Christ,
Becky
December 12th, 2008 From: Sarah Sun - Donations What an encouragement it is to see the generosity of believers who support the box ministry. My name is Sarah Sun and I go through all the boxes sent here. These boxes contain many different items: clothing, shoes, toys, shampoo, holiday items, etc, which are distributed to the staff and community. It is a weekly thing that my 4-year-old daughter Eden helps with. At first I thought it was just going to be something for the both of us to do, but it has been so much more than that. It really helps avoid loneliness and spiritual discouragement to see how many chapels and other churches come together to be a part of this. The constant reminder that people are thinking of us and sending needed items is very encouraging. There are supporters whom we have never met, fulfilling needs by being faithful to the Lord’s work in Sweetwater. The Mission appreciates new participation and would like to extend an invitation to First Baptist, our home church to consider being involved. A thank you goes out to every person and box sent. You have touched my heart and many others. God Bless.
December 10th, 2008 From: Kelli Wilson - Junior High Teacher “Miss Kelli, I thought you were going to be my teacher!” This is a statement that I hear the first graders make to me several times a week.
At the end of last school year we knew that we were going to need a Jr. High teacher with Megan going back to Washington. Over the summer it was decided that I would jump up a few grades and teach seventh and eighth grade. Cindy Lauersdorf from Phoenix came to the mission with several years of teaching experience in first grade. So I volunteered to teach Jr. High; quite a change from first grade to say the least. However, I really do enjoy Jr. High.
These first few weeks have been a time of figuring things out–the students figuring me out and me trying to figure them out. The first week or so was a bit rough. One day I started geography class with the question, “So, who thinks yesterday’s lesson was insanely hard?” Jumping from 1st to 7th grade, it feels like my kids know soooo much more than my first graders. And it is true–they do know so much more; but I’m finding out that there are still a few things left for me to teach them.
I have 8 students in my Jr. High class. Four seventh graders and four eighth graders. I teach them in the mornings for the first four hours. We start out the day with Bible. This year we are going thorough Acts to Revelation with the main focus for the first semester on the book of Acts. Second hour is math. With such a small class I am able to do individualized math with each student working at his or her own pace. Third hour is World Geography and fourth hour is English. In the afternoons I manage the library for the younger grades. Each class K-6 gets half an hour a week in the library. I get to read stories to them and help them check out books. It is fun for me and it keeps me in the elementary scene too–which I also enjoy.
This year is full of changes–but they are all from the Lord. I really enjoy teaching Jr. High. I will greatly appreciate your prayers as I get to know my students. Pray that the Lord will give me an unselfish love for each individual in my class. Also pray for the salvation of several of my students and growth in the Lord for others. Thank you so much for you diligence in prayer–it means so much.
December 3rd, 2008 From: Melissa Meinzinger - Kindergarten Teacher Hello everyone. Thanks for all of your efforts, collecting and sending in Campbell’s Labels. I have taken over as the Campbell’s Coordinator here at the Mission, and I am amazed at how many come in! We banked thousands of points last year! Here are a few updates on things we are doing with the Campbell’s program: We are no longer sending in any lids. It actually costs you, and then us, more money to send them in then we get towards supplies, so they are just not worth it. We are not allowed to submit any labels from Canada. Those labels can only go to schools in Canada. You can see a new list of what labels are eligible and what they are worth online at www.labelsforeducation.com Thanks again for helping us out!!
November 30th, 2008 From: Solomon Sun - 4th Grade Teacher For the 4th through 6th grades, this year will be filled with a PE schedule that is targeted at maximizing their physical wellness and enjoyment. Each week these grades are met with the challenges of keeping themselves in shape and recording their progress.
Physical education has been something that I have wanted to be involved with and incorporate into my teaching since early on in college. It has been a blessing to see how God has prepared me to work with multiple grades and push them to stay healthy and active.
Each class begins with a list of warm-ups that are laid out on individual progress charts they carry with them. Students are being timed to complete a target goal and record it. This allows me to look over their growth on a weekly basis and record it as a measuring tool. Many, if not all are very excited and involved in doing this. This type of recording gives them the responsibility of seeing where they are in their fitness. Beyond that, we have a wide range of interesting and physically challenging units. These include throughout the fall: volleyball, soccer, floor hockey, football, indoor games, and my favorite, basketball.
One of the main principles about physical education that I desire to stress is the learning and developing of mind and body for lifelong, healthy living. That is what I emphasize PE gives you. We are learning new and old sports related activities that can be used to prevent weight-gain and high-blood pressure, while at the same time increasing the confidence and ability levels of my students.
Throughout the rest of the year I hope to continue a program that gives students the courage and motivation to work hard and keep: Fitness, First.
November 27th, 2008 From: Esther Yazzie - 3rd Grade Teacher When I started working here as a teacher I thought I was going to teach for just one year. But, after a year went by I decided to teach again. I knew this would allow me to enjoy getting more acquainted with the Mission School and Community. I can’t believe it is my fourth year teaching here. This year I am teaching the 3rd grade only, which is great. I have a wonderful group of nine students eager to learn. There are seven boys and two cute little girls. The boys are very talkative and all my students have talents that show in class.
It’s great being around young scholars as they remind me of my self when I was young. When I was a little girl my parents taught me lots of things at home in our own language. Some of the things my parents taught me were: names of the month, days of the week, four seasons, four cardinal directions, and most importantly, my Diné clan and how I am related to others who have the same clan group as mine. My parents used to tell me about Diné history like the Diné Long Walk that occurred in the 1860′s. This year I thought about teaching some of the things I learned when I was young. So, at the beginning of the school year I asked my students if they were interested in learning about some of the things I had learned when I was their age, and they all said “yes.” They especially liked that we would learn about the different clan groups and how they are related to each other by clan. After school started we learned about clans and kinship, and found out that in some form of relationship by clan we have sisters, brothers, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. in one classroom! As a class we found joy and comfort in knowing that there are kin members we learn lessons with, eat and recreate with at school.
It’s a wonderful feeling to know my class and that wherever I go I will find a relative. It’s very unique. Now I know I have lots of relatives living in the Sweetwater Community. Now I really feel like I am at home. It makes me feel great and joyous to be here at the Mission School, and I can feel the Spirit of God.
November 24th, 2008 From: Lula Tom - Bus Driver Hello. This year I am switching jobs to being a bus driver. I started the school year in the kitchen, but have now transitioned to only bus driving. It’s been fun in the kitchen and I had it down to a T. But I think driving a bus out here on these bumpy roads will be fun too. Gerald Harvey is now taking my place. He has been in there before so he will be at ease. We had a good summer and school is in full swing. Please pray for the Mission that the Lord will continue to provide for the school and staff and for His protection.
November 21st, 2008 From: Rebekah Allen - Science & Language Teacher My original plan for this school year had included a teaching position in a large, busy, urban area. Life here at Immanuel Mission is about as opposite from that plan as could be possible! I am enjoying living here in the “middle of nowhere”–I have never lived in a place where the night is so still, and the sky so clear. And yet, contrary to this appearance of peace, I am daily reminded that Satan is indeed roaming nearby and seeking souls he may devour. Pray for the protection of these students; the battle raging for their allegiance is strong.
Before moving to Immanuel Mission in August, I was amidst graduate school life in Kansas. Within this current switch from being student to being teacher, I know I am still the one doing the learning. My school day at Immanuel includes classes of Science, and high school English and Spanish. Pray that these classes will not become times of learning mere fact, but times for the students to consider cause and affect, widen their view of life, and evaluate where they are headed.
I see that my 33 students are no different than a group of urban young people–they face the same choices and struggles. These students possess a wide range of diligence, creativity, tenderness, and caution. Some appear fearless and controlling. Some are orators, others artists. They are all able to inspire me, and also drive me completely crazy! God continues to grow my love for them–another affirmative that He has directed me here to Immanuel. Pray that I will be aware of the students’ needs, and not focus solely on the visible and urgent.
Pray that God will move mightily in the hearts of the high schoolers. Pray for the leaders within these peer-groups to lead in healthy ways. Pray specifically that those students who are Believers will take initiative and leadership roles and influence their classmates for good, that God will become more real in their daily life, and that they will build on their faith and be encouraged.
During the last month and a half together, both in the classroom and outside, the students and I have shared good conversations, and many hilarious situations (usually at my expense); we have also shared many frustrating days. How good it is to remember that God is working in all events, not only the situations I can see. Pray for both my patience and theirs as we continue getting to know each other and learning to trust. Pray that more opportunities arise for us to spend time outside of class. Pray that I will be a venue for God to show Himself to these young people.
One specific part of my normal day has become lunch hour with the 5th and 6th grade girls. It is a refreshing and royal treat for me to spend time with these precious young ladies. Pray that God uses it to benefit their lives as well.
Daily, I am thankful and excited that God has brought me here, to witness what He is doing and become a part of it. Thank you so much for praying.
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