I realize how little I write about school, and my students, and yet how much of my heart is in my work.
Today we had our first flurry of snow, a short-lived bought out the window during G period (ESL Biology). The students were already excited--we had just finished talking about our football rally tomorrow (try explaining THAT to students who don't speak much English), and one of them looked up and yelled, "Snow!" They were out of their seats like small children, and though we tried to stop them, it really was futile. "First! First!" a Spanish-speaking boy said to me, pointing wildly, and that's when I stopped trying to get them to sit, and simply let them enjoy the sight of this, their first snowfall.
I sat down in my office this morning to read student journals, and read these words from a Burmese refugee, a soft-spoken and gentle teenage girl: "Dear Mrs. Winchell, Greetings to you in the matchless name of Jesus...I want to thank you for encouraging me." I bet you're thinking I was touched by the comment; actually, I was amazed (and excited) she knew the word "encouraging." Small victories in ESL (English as a Second Language)-land. Another journal, and a student from Liberia talking about being beaten, and leaving a sister behind. So much joy, and so much sadness, too.
And a few moments ago, sending an email to colleagues to help to find foster homes for "unaccompanied refugee minors." Apparently refugee youth are arriving in our area soon, and are family-less, and need families. If you're a family who can love on a child (or teenager), let me know.
These kind of rhythms are the rhythms of teaching, and of involving my life in the lives of refugees and immigrants here in my city. I'm really excited about our Thanksgiving Day, actually. A colleague and I are meeting about a dozen of our ESL students here at the high school in the morning and are walking them to our city's high school football game. We were able to find free tickets for our students so that they could attend ($3 per person is otherwise money they cannot spend). Jason, Orilus, and Jackson are coming, too. A simple way of helping our students to access a school community that would otherwise remain hidden, and probably unknown to them.
After the game, two of my colleagues and I will visit a few of our refugee students' homes. I think if Jesus were going to spend a holiday, this might be how he would do it...with strangers, extending welcome, a loaf of pumpkin bread, and a warm smile. In moments like first snowfalls and sitting on a student's floor surrounded by her family and drinking chai--I really, really love my job.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
anniversary day
Today is the "official" one and half year anniversary of Orilus' transplant...from May 12, 2006 to November 12, 2007.
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful weekend, a better celebration of our family. After Friday's happy visit to Jimmy Fund, we spent a fun morning together (in the freezing cold, 34-degree windy weather) at a nearby park with Orilus' classmates. Then, Orilus was off to his first sleepover at a friend's house--I have to say, I was a little choked up about it. From transplant to sleepovers in a year and a half...it's a lot for a mom to contemplate, I think. Jackson also had 2 friends spend the night here, and I enjoyed a yummy Indian dinner out with a friend. Sunday we had church and a quiet afternoon of LEGOs and cookie-baking and football on the street here at home. We were able to reconnect with some friends last night at their house for supper. It's strange, but after transplant, and after losing our best friends in Lynn (my sister and her husband, and the Brownes), we're just now re-building our lives socially, and remembering we can go out, and have people over. Today we had no plans, and so there was room for canning apple butter and baking fresh pumpkin (to freeze for us at Thanksgiving in pumpkin cheesecakes), and writing a letter or two, and hosting my in-laws for an impromptu early supper. A full, and happy weekend. Down time. Family time. Friends. Prayer and meaningful conversation together. I'm feeling centered on all that is important, and ready to start a week at school, gloves and hats in a big bag for all the refugee students I teach who are without.
Happy anniversary to us. Life is not easy, but there is beauty to behold in so many places. And now, I am off to close the evening with journaling, and prayer, and the opening pages of War and Peace (the new acclaimed translation). Emphasis on the Peace.
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful weekend, a better celebration of our family. After Friday's happy visit to Jimmy Fund, we spent a fun morning together (in the freezing cold, 34-degree windy weather) at a nearby park with Orilus' classmates. Then, Orilus was off to his first sleepover at a friend's house--I have to say, I was a little choked up about it. From transplant to sleepovers in a year and a half...it's a lot for a mom to contemplate, I think. Jackson also had 2 friends spend the night here, and I enjoyed a yummy Indian dinner out with a friend. Sunday we had church and a quiet afternoon of LEGOs and cookie-baking and football on the street here at home. We were able to reconnect with some friends last night at their house for supper. It's strange, but after transplant, and after losing our best friends in Lynn (my sister and her husband, and the Brownes), we're just now re-building our lives socially, and remembering we can go out, and have people over. Today we had no plans, and so there was room for canning apple butter and baking fresh pumpkin (to freeze for us at Thanksgiving in pumpkin cheesecakes), and writing a letter or two, and hosting my in-laws for an impromptu early supper. A full, and happy weekend. Down time. Family time. Friends. Prayer and meaningful conversation together. I'm feeling centered on all that is important, and ready to start a week at school, gloves and hats in a big bag for all the refugee students I teach who are without.
Happy anniversary to us. Life is not easy, but there is beauty to behold in so many places. And now, I am off to close the evening with journaling, and prayer, and the opening pages of War and Peace (the new acclaimed translation). Emphasis on the Peace.
Friday, November 9, 2007
one-and-a-half years
That's right, friends, this month marks the one-and-a-half YEAR mark of Orilus' bone marrow transplant.
We commemorated this occassion with a visit to Jimmy Fund today. Though I well-remember the days in which Jimmy Fund filled me with dread (the long waits, the sick children, the nervousness of what-next), today I was filled instead with a glorious vision of all that God has done for our family. It was a take-a-step-back-and-SEE day. Being with doctors we have not seen (some of them, since pre-summer), and hearing them MARVEL at Orilus' progress...well, it made me wonder why I've not been marveling more.
Today, friends, Orilus is officially MEDICINE-FREE. He had continued to take a lone antibiotic these last many months, and he is totally done! For us, this is the ONLY time in Orilus' life since his adoption when he has been so free of medicines, and medical care (we don't report back to Jimmy Fund until our TWO-YEAR anniversary in May, and then probably just once a year thereafter). Wow. It's so hard to put into words what it means to see again the way our life used to be, and to bid it a joyful farewell. I told Dr. Lehmann and Dr. Trenor today that there are not really words to say "thank you" for getting a son with a new life, a life without 2 a.m. pain crises and visits to the ER. I got all teared up, though I've thanked them numerous times. How CAN I describe what that's like, to have a son who is pain-free, and HEALED? How is it that I so daily forget?
Dr. Lehmann shared with us about the progress in sickle cell medicine that Orilus' case is causing in the medical world. She has spoken in a LOT of places about his case, and the word is getting out that bone marrow transplants CAN CURE sickle cell disease. It's like she's on a new mission--to educate sickle cell parents that they DO have a choice. And to think that our son is the heart of that mission. To say it was a humbling experience--to reflect on all the pain of our son's life, and all the adjustments we have all had as a family, and the really dark times during transplant--and to SEE so clearly ONE of the MANY ways it is working good in another person's life. Completely humbling. Dr. Lehmann thinks that Orilus will have opportunities, if he wants them, to share his story with sickle cell groups in the area (his immediate response: "Really?!? When?!") How his magnamity filled me with joy! Purpose-filled lives, because our lives have been touched by others...a wonder of a ripple effect.
I really needed this reminder today, that God was at work in us, and is at work. We have been so often discouraged here at home in the last months--the boys both struggle in so many ways at times, and our parenting efforts are bumbling, and imperfect. Orilus and Jackson have so far to go. But today was a very clear reminder of HOW FAR they--and we--have come. How I wish I could see my children every day as clearly as I'm seeing them as I type these words!
We walked into Children's Hospital today, also, to return to 6 West to visit our nurse friends there. Walking through the doors, the familiar smell--Au Bon Pain croissants mingled with coats--and the tinkling sounds of the lobby...the transplant experience all came rushing back. How it used to be the smell of "home" for me, for 2 very long months, and how its smell could fill me with dread, or be a welcome relief from an isolated room. And I wanted to drop to my knees, and cry, and say, THANK YOU. Thank you to our doctors, for their wisdom, enthusiasm, and loving care. THANK YOU to our sons, for braving it all and giving me courage when I was lacking. An especially, especially THANK YOU to God, for answering the desire of my heart, and healing our little boy, and seeing us through.
It was as if a scar was re-opened on my heart today, and more completely, healed shut again.
One a half years. I really can't believe it. We have done a lot of living in one a half years. Praise be to our God, who has abounded in love and compassion, and shown us His grace. It's foolishness to me, how deep the healing love of God. I just know I have needed it, and am grateful to experience it again today. Good Father, thank You for remembering us in our very great weakness.
We commemorated this occassion with a visit to Jimmy Fund today. Though I well-remember the days in which Jimmy Fund filled me with dread (the long waits, the sick children, the nervousness of what-next), today I was filled instead with a glorious vision of all that God has done for our family. It was a take-a-step-back-and-SEE day. Being with doctors we have not seen (some of them, since pre-summer), and hearing them MARVEL at Orilus' progress...well, it made me wonder why I've not been marveling more.
Today, friends, Orilus is officially MEDICINE-FREE. He had continued to take a lone antibiotic these last many months, and he is totally done! For us, this is the ONLY time in Orilus' life since his adoption when he has been so free of medicines, and medical care (we don't report back to Jimmy Fund until our TWO-YEAR anniversary in May, and then probably just once a year thereafter). Wow. It's so hard to put into words what it means to see again the way our life used to be, and to bid it a joyful farewell. I told Dr. Lehmann and Dr. Trenor today that there are not really words to say "thank you" for getting a son with a new life, a life without 2 a.m. pain crises and visits to the ER. I got all teared up, though I've thanked them numerous times. How CAN I describe what that's like, to have a son who is pain-free, and HEALED? How is it that I so daily forget?
Dr. Lehmann shared with us about the progress in sickle cell medicine that Orilus' case is causing in the medical world. She has spoken in a LOT of places about his case, and the word is getting out that bone marrow transplants CAN CURE sickle cell disease. It's like she's on a new mission--to educate sickle cell parents that they DO have a choice. And to think that our son is the heart of that mission. To say it was a humbling experience--to reflect on all the pain of our son's life, and all the adjustments we have all had as a family, and the really dark times during transplant--and to SEE so clearly ONE of the MANY ways it is working good in another person's life. Completely humbling. Dr. Lehmann thinks that Orilus will have opportunities, if he wants them, to share his story with sickle cell groups in the area (his immediate response: "Really?!? When?!") How his magnamity filled me with joy! Purpose-filled lives, because our lives have been touched by others...a wonder of a ripple effect.
I really needed this reminder today, that God was at work in us, and is at work. We have been so often discouraged here at home in the last months--the boys both struggle in so many ways at times, and our parenting efforts are bumbling, and imperfect. Orilus and Jackson have so far to go. But today was a very clear reminder of HOW FAR they--and we--have come. How I wish I could see my children every day as clearly as I'm seeing them as I type these words!
We walked into Children's Hospital today, also, to return to 6 West to visit our nurse friends there. Walking through the doors, the familiar smell--Au Bon Pain croissants mingled with coats--and the tinkling sounds of the lobby...the transplant experience all came rushing back. How it used to be the smell of "home" for me, for 2 very long months, and how its smell could fill me with dread, or be a welcome relief from an isolated room. And I wanted to drop to my knees, and cry, and say, THANK YOU. Thank you to our doctors, for their wisdom, enthusiasm, and loving care. THANK YOU to our sons, for braving it all and giving me courage when I was lacking. An especially, especially THANK YOU to God, for answering the desire of my heart, and healing our little boy, and seeing us through.
It was as if a scar was re-opened on my heart today, and more completely, healed shut again.
One a half years. I really can't believe it. We have done a lot of living in one a half years. Praise be to our God, who has abounded in love and compassion, and shown us His grace. It's foolishness to me, how deep the healing love of God. I just know I have needed it, and am grateful to experience it again today. Good Father, thank You for remembering us in our very great weakness.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
care for camden
I'd like to post this message from my sister, Becky, about the city in which they live (and work with vision and tenacity):
(from Becky) I wanted to spread the word: Tomorrow night (Friday, 11/9) at 10pm, Diane Sawyer will be airing her follow up 20/20 special on "Poverty in America". She focused on Camden, NJ and UrbanPromise Ministries, which is where my husband and I now live and where he works. Her efforts prompted "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to build a home for one of the Camden families featured. That show will air this Sunday, 11/11 at 8pm. I encourage all of you to take some time to watch (or DVR) both shows and ask you to add Camden to your prayer list. It's a city that is very dear to my heart and as Mike and I endeavour to spread the love of Christ here, we would covet your prayer covering.
Hope you'll tune in...Jason and the boys and I saw the house while we were visiting Camden a few weeks ago, and it's amazing. Amazing to see what people can do for one another. Hope you'll tune in to learn more about poverty right here in our own States (Camden is the poorest city in our nation), and to be inspired1
(from Becky) I wanted to spread the word: Tomorrow night (Friday, 11/9) at 10pm, Diane Sawyer will be airing her follow up 20/20 special on "Poverty in America". She focused on Camden, NJ and UrbanPromise Ministries, which is where my husband and I now live and where he works. Her efforts prompted "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to build a home for one of the Camden families featured. That show will air this Sunday, 11/11 at 8pm. I encourage all of you to take some time to watch (or DVR) both shows and ask you to add Camden to your prayer list. It's a city that is very dear to my heart and as Mike and I endeavour to spread the love of Christ here, we would covet your prayer covering.
Hope you'll tune in...Jason and the boys and I saw the house while we were visiting Camden a few weeks ago, and it's amazing. Amazing to see what people can do for one another. Hope you'll tune in to learn more about poverty right here in our own States (Camden is the poorest city in our nation), and to be inspired1
Thursday, November 1, 2007
happy halloween
Last night our boys ventured out in the semi-darkness of 6 p.m. here in Lynn to trick or treat. Always an interesting experience in an urban setting, but we are near a beautiful waterfront neigborhood, and in the good ol' New England tradition, many adults were waiting near their doorways to ooh and aah over every costume. My favorite was an elderly gentleman down the street who promptly asked, "what trick will you do to me if I don't give you a treat?" and when the kids were too stunned to answer, showed them his own magic trick! Really fun.
The boys filled two of those cheese-y plastic jack-o-lanterns FULL with candy, and we hobbled home (Mom and Dad more tired than Orilus and Jackson, of course) a little after 7.
On a serious note, please remember the Oughton family as they have funeral services for Grace tomorrow. I called one of their friends in Viriginia tonight, and they think there were over 800-1000 people at the wake tonight. Wow. The influence of one very young, and very bright, life. That our own lives could cast such a lingering, and powerful, glow.
The boys filled two of those cheese-y plastic jack-o-lanterns FULL with candy, and we hobbled home (Mom and Dad more tired than Orilus and Jackson, of course) a little after 7.
On a serious note, please remember the Oughton family as they have funeral services for Grace tomorrow. I called one of their friends in Viriginia tonight, and they think there were over 800-1000 people at the wake tonight. Wow. The influence of one very young, and very bright, life. That our own lives could cast such a lingering, and powerful, glow.
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