from my computer to yours, with love.: Kathleen's 1st Western Weekend

Day 23-25: Saturday 1 - Monday 3 (SEPTEMBER)

Alright, I think it is time to start grouping days together. I’m like TWO months behind, this is getting ridiculous!

Kathleen’s first weekend in Patuanak was a sweet one. It was a long weekend and we really enjoyed exploring our surroundings as well as taking some time to relax in our new home! It was exciting to sleep in until 9am and we had porridge together before going out to pick blueberries! We still had some unpacking/organizing to do in the house so we rearranged our living room to setup an “office area.” Kathleen brought a mirror for our bathroom - that’s pretty handy! She also brought a shower curtain and some rugs. Yes, I went without these things for a couple of weeks...and I really didn’t care, but it was SO nice to have these extra little home comforts once Kathleen got up here. Moving in, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

KATHLEEN MADE HOMEMADE BREAD. So exciting!

Our new friend Mel moved in on Saturday, she is from Southern Ontario and was recently hired to replace the Grade 8/9 teacher that moved all the way up here and then quit. Mel taught on another reserve for a few years and has had a lot of interesting experiences! We quickly learned that we share faith in the Lord, which was a really exciting thing to discover upon her arrival, since we aren’t expecting to find a large community of believers up here.

It’s kind of funny to look back at my journal lists...I write down so many small details...I remember this being SUPER exciting though: Kathleen made me a chai tea latte! I was already blessed enough to have a roommate, but wow, this girl spoils me.

Sunday started off with blueberry pancakes and a chilly walk to the river. We were both amazed by the BIRDS that God placed in our view...like, WOW! Seagulls, ducks, swallows, Pelicans, Grey Heron and an EAGLE! The glory of God was UNDENIABLE at that moment. I don’t even ‘love’ birds...like, sometimes they freak me out...but I was QUICKLY learning to love them. It was just a sweet moment of God showing us His creation, so clearly...I was reminded that He’s taking care of us, just like He’s caring for those birds! We had some sweet prayer time and watched a sermon later on...really strange, having our own little fellowship/church time, rather than meeting with the gang at Greenwood...(MISS YOU ALL!) But, the cool part is - God’s still JUST as present up here in Patuanak as He is there in North Bay.

I had a nice chat with my dad and was talking to him about my struggle with knowing how to discipline my students...my tendency is to be a pushover but I know that it’s important to be stern, especially at this early stage when I’m trying to earn the respect of my students. Dad reminded me: “discipline is a part of love...you’ll find that in the Bible too...trust me, I cried when I spanked your bum.” So, he gets it. It’s not easy to discipline those you love - but it sure does pay off!

I made a quick stop at the Northern and spent SIXTY-SIX dollars on an extension cord, 2 curtain rods, 2 decks of cards and a freaking cappucino! Wow. Good thing there aren’t a lot of places to spend my money up here...

Patuanak version of Timmies!

I went into the school on Sunday evening and there were some community members in the gym playing volleyball. A few of the students came in to help me and we re-arranged my desks for the coming week. It was fun to get ideas from the older kids...neat to hear about what they remember from their primary days!

Monday the 3rd was a rainy day...apparently I was coming down with a cold (according to my journal list) and I spent the morning catching up on finances, emails and talking with family/friends...typical weekend day. I went into the school later that afternoon and felt the burn of procrastination, once again. Classic Mars.