our kitchen with a tiny cute stove!

the living room

where we spend lots of time

view from the living room

our room with the mason jar chandelier  we made

Florin came over for dinner and a movie, and we made cookies.  He loves to cook and bake, and wants to learn all he can so that he can go to cooking school one day.  We had a great time chatting and getting to know him even better.

cookie time!

he's got the hang of it

buddies!

When reflecting on the many things we are thankful for, we are blessed in abundance by all of our friends, family and kids!

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.