Back to Work in September

In August and September, Nathanael had job interviews at schools all over the Bellevue School District.  He rated a few of these as his top choices. His cell phone went off while he was running with the BCS Cross Country team, and it was his first choice school calling! He began a 25 hour/week position at Newport Heights Elementary School as a "Paraeducator" on Monday the 16th.  His commute is a bit under six miles. 

There is a class of seven special needs Kindergarten to 2nd grade boys and one girl, and Nathanael is their new best friend.  The kids call him "Mr. Nate."  He loves his job.

So suddenly Nate has two jobs.  Helping in the classroom at Newport Heights and helping with the Cross Country varsity at Bellevue Christian.  Next up on his to do list is to prepare for the GRE exam.

Jeannie Beth is
a World Traveler

Jean is following in her sister's footsteps as a world traveler.  Neither of her parents have been out of North America. She returned from her September trip to Scotland and Ireland on the 24th, but she was supposed to get home on the afternoon of the 23rd.  Her return was quite eventful.  Her email was delayed until 9:04 PM on the 23rd.   I was already Skyping with her by then.

Air Canada was helpful in getting Jean to Vancouver and Nathanael and Nancy drove there to retrieve her, while I kept her company via Skype.

Yet, beyond its exciting conclusion, Jean reports that her trip was wonderful. 

Jean says,

"My favorite places were Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Corrymeela the Christian reconciliation center in Northern Ireland, and St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

I really loved the angel playing the bagpipes in the room for the Order of the Thistle, but the photo is blurry.  

It was a good experience, but I am glad to be home and very thankful to Mom and Nathanael for picking me up from the airport . . . in Vancouver." 
 

And Up it Goes

The new house on our cul-de-sac is going up fast.  It appears to be about the biggest building they can put on this small lot.  But it will be an attractive addition to our neighborhood.

Additionally, the home on our south side has revamped its whole back yard, just over our fence line.  They've finally carved out a flat patio from their gently sloping yard.

In the Classroom Like I Never Left

On the last day of this month I gave my introductory lecture in my Autumn BUS 2700 class.  It was amazing.  It was like six years had not passed.  Not every lecture will go this well, but now I wonder why I was so anxious about doing what I enjoy so much and have done so well in past years.

 Bits and Pieces

♦  Annie is in her element as an English teacher of 9th and 11th graders at Seattle Christian School in SeaTac.  Many of her students are on the Cross Country team.  SCS is in the Nisqually league so I expect to see Annie at many meets in the future.  What a blessing to follow your calling so precisely.  She's already traded her BCS blue and black for SCS red and white.

♦  September 30th marked my first day back in the classroom with my own class.  My statistics lessons are 30% complete and the homework is 40% complete.  It's going to be a busy quarter.

♦  Dr. John Ulvila is leading the Saturday Men through Philippians in October.  It allows me to concentrate on other tasks. We had 11 men at our September 28th study.  We will return to the Psalms at 112.

♦   I see Dr. Robert Kelley on the 11th for my annual physical.  My weight got as low as 185.5 in September.  I seem to be on the right track.  My eye doctor, Dr. Jeanna Hoyt, says there are no new problems with my eyes. 

♦   Jean's audition for Death By Design went well on the 30th, we'll see what happens.