portraits of a school day

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.

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.