We have been going full speed ahead with all of our lessons and programming- and having a blast!  Every week has been filled to the brim with character lessons, reading classes, fine motor activities, ballet, hip hop, English classes, youth group and the occasional birthday party!

In reading classes we've been learning through many different mediums.

learning letters with shaving cream

learning letter groups

writing with beads

listening attentively to Steven!

learning our letters!

this is fun!

 We teach character lessons at two orphanages, emphasizing how we can emulate the many positive characteristics of God.

craft time during a character lesson

be wise like an owl!

little munchkins!

coloring!

 We had the opportunity to throw a birthday party and celebrate the kids!  They got cupcakes, a small gift, played games and watched a movie.  We hope they felt very special!

celebrating September and October birthdays

digging the cupcakes!

pin the candle on the birthday cake

you're never too old for games!

 We celebrated Halloween with some of the "kids" in the transition program.  They enjoyed dressing up and getting candy.  Well really, who doesn't?!

Halloween!

an angel

Steven has been teaching English to a few of the older kids.  They are loving it and enjoy speaking to us in our native tongue.

English class!

One of our most entertaining classes is a mixture of art integrated with gross and fine motor skills.  The little ones love the different activities and giggle the entire time!

     As a kid, I LOVED going back to school. New teacher, new notebooks (read: lisa frank trapperkeeper- who gets me?), new shoes (converse high tops with scrunchy socks, right?!), and freshly sharpened pencils all organized in my pencil box! Those were exciting times.  Even in high school when I knew all the homework that awaited me, there was something exciting about a new beginning.

     As a teacher, back to school was a bit more stressful, but still inspiring. Getting to know my students and planning lessons that would best help them to learn were just as exciting as new shoes and pencils. (But I still do enjoy a brand new pencil, no matter what the occasion!) This year, as Steven and I both began our planning for back to school, I can honestly say I've never been more excited!

     We are teaching several different classes this year. At two different orphanages we are teaching character classes to kids ages 5-14. We tell bible stories illustrating how God loves us and is our Friend and Father. We have lots of games and crafts and general fun and craziness!

working as a team

learning that God is our friend

barre work!

so cute!

     Steven is leading youth group for kids ages 11-18 at the two orphanages.  He is teaching through 1 John this semester.  He has become quite the worship leader and the kids love singing, as well as the fun games he comes up with!

the preparation for the game

cheeto beard!

     We are also working with young kids ages 5-10 on fine and gross motor skills through sensory and art projects. It is a blast and the kids love getting to wiggle and move and play!

following directions activity

     We are most excited about reading support classes we started this year.  We meet one-one with 15 students twice a week. This class was created out of a need to help students with disabilities receive specialized instruction at their pace to be successful.  Kids have been passed through the system and may leave the orphanage without basic reading skills- making finding a job and living independently quite difficult.  Integrating technology, kinesethetic teaching principles, and differentiated instruction, our hope is to equip these children with the tools they need to grow; in their educational abilities, self esteem, and understand their worth to a loving God.

learning the letters with wikki stix!

learning is way more fun on the iPad! (thanks @WaveChurchSD)

sight word sensory jar!

professor steven

working hard!

     It was really quite amazing to start a class that we had been dreaming about for over 3 years.  As we sat and worked with the kids, I thought about God's faithfulness and provision.  He provided a way for us to get here, and opened up doors for us to be able to have this class.  He put a dream and a vision in our hearts and brought it to fruition.  I don't really know what more I could want out of life.

     It seems unreal that a year has passed by. This year was like any other for us, full of ... EVERYTHING NEW!  Truly, everything we did and learned this year was something new; mostly exciting, though sometimes frustrating.
     This year's highlights:
          -learning Romanian
          -surviving our first horrific snowy winter
          -connecting with a bunch of kids who love us as much as we love them!
          -"being there" for our kids in the small. everyday ways
          -working together as hubby and wife and teaching partners
          -taking the subway- it's so fun!
          -summer camps hugging and entertaining the kiddies
          -travelling through a bit of Europe (we definitely have the travel bug!)
     Lowlights
          -ridiculously cold, snowy winter- SERIOUSLY, I WORE 3 PAIRS OF PANTS AT ONCE!!!
          -missing our friends and family- Mr. Skype, wherever you are, I thank you with all of my heart
          -grocery shopping; Oh Trader Joe's where art thou?!
          -not being able to do more for the kids
       Really, it has been a year of blessings. We have a nice apartment, internet, enough food and necessities.  We have the amazing privilege of going to work everyday and spending time with some of the most beautiful souls God ever created.  We get to love these amazing kids who love without reservation. There are no words to describe what it is like to actually see small miracles happen. A quiet kid opening up and asking questions. One of our kids sharing their story about getting dropped off at the orphanage.  A little angel face calling us mommy and daddy, just because we are THERE.  Indescribable.
     I had a conversation with one of our older kids, we call him our brother.  He is 18 and about to face the real world; job, bills, being on his own.  While we were talking he said, "I am glad I came to the orphanage.  I remember being with my dad, we were very poor and he didn't take care of us at all.  But if I had never come to the orphanage, I wouldn't know all the wonderful people I know- you guys and everyone from H2H.  So, I am glad God brought me to the orphanage because it changed my life."
     I don't know if I will ever truly understand what each of these kids go through in their life, but I am always amazed at how God cares for them even when it doesn't look like it.  That a child who has lived through things that no child should, could have the faith and understanding that God was caring for him the whole time.  What an honor it is to walk beside these precious kids that God has not forgotten.

~h

         

So after a wonderful summer of ministry we took off for two weeks to travel around Europe and visit with family. Our first stop was the romantic city of  Paris, France. We landed out in Beauvais airport an hour outside of the city and drove through the lush green countryside for an hour as we made our way into the city. As soon as we arrived we were in awe. We checked into our hotel and made our way through the city looking for something to eat. Problem was we were constantly distracted by the stunning archetecture and the Parisian lifestyle rumbling and bustling around us. Finally our stomachs were in complete revolt and we slowed down for a bite to eat. Our time in Paris was quick, but packed full of great food, sights, and casual strolls through the city. Highlights: The Eiffel Tower shining in the night sky, croissants, and the general charm of the city. Low lights: The Mona Lisa. First of all the painting is tiny and second of all it was like a red carpet movie premier with hundreds of hungry paparazzi pushing, crowding, and screaming to snap a picture of one of the most famous pieces of art. So much for peacefully gazing at the most well known painting in the world!

Haley at the base of the Eiffel Tower

Joan of Arc at the Notre Dame

The Arc de Triumph

The Eiffel Tower...and US!

There she is...

Venus de Milo

So pretty

The Brandenburg Gate

Bikes!

Charlottenburg Palace

Hanging out at a park

Haley's cousin!

Shopping!

Spreewald

On the boat in Spreewald with Haley's grandparents

Church in Dresden. The dark colored bricks are what remains of the building after it was bombed during WWII. The statue out front is of Martin Luther.

At the Palace in Dresden

Berliner Dome (Church)

Marburg, a small town of old homes in the foothills near Giessen.

Castle that inspired many Brother's Grimm stories.

The Blue Mosque

Across the Bay

Friends!