Vivir es Cristo.

A Toast to 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:00:00 +0000

“This young adventurer with his thirst for knowledge and his great capacity to love shows us how reality, if properly interpreted, can permeate a human being to the point of changing his or her way of thinking.”
~ comments about Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, by Aleida Guevara March, in The Motorcycle Diaries ~

My desire in documenting the journey of an urban educator is to do just this...to show “how reality can permeate a human being to the point of changing his or her way of thinking.” I am not here solely to teach the children in front of me each day but also to educate those outside the city of the heart and soul that thrives within the individuals I am in contact with each day. We are all one people and similar in more ways than we can even imagine. Our hearts yearn for love, acceptance and relationship. The choices we make are mere reflections of where our hearts are at and the environment around us. As the stories flow onto this page, may your heart be captured by these men, women and children and the ways in which they chase after their dreams. Dreams look different to every person and every situation, but the decision to chase after one’s dreams make them grand and admirable. Breathe them in, cherish them, and begin to chase after your dreams...for only this pursuit will inspire those around you to do the same. The Lord calls us to chase after him by loving those around us, through genuine and humble service to others and pure worship to God alone. May His gift of grace set your heart on fire to love those around you.

A New Year
As I start to write I am seated at home watching the Steelers take on the Browns, a few days before the new year. I contemplate what this year has brought and what next year has in store. As usual there are vague ideas that run through my head but I have learned to not have plans too detailed or expectations too specific. Since I haven’t written much this year I wanted to give a little update on the year so far at JPA. Our school, previously called “G & Hunting Park Elementary School” was renamed Juniata Park Academy. Yay for having an official school name!

I am teaching 5th and 6th grade learning support this year, so although this is once again a change from last year there are many blessings to this!
1. I have taught both curriculums in the past! Never both at once but I have some familiarity with them!
2. The ladies I teach with (the regular ed. teachers) are AWESOME! Two new teachers, one 2nd year and all three are extremely flexible, supportive and fantastic teachers! They have made this year so much better!
3. I will have the opportunity (if I stay in this position next year) to work with students 2 years in a row. Next year I will have my 5th graders in 6th grade and that continuity will make so much of a difference!

School Activities, Climate, & Relationships:
I have had the awesome opportunity to get to know some amazing people at this school and feel so incredibly blessed to work with the teachers I do! I have made some great friends and look forward to continue working with them over the years! (Praying that they all stick around for awhile...) As for relationships with students, I have had a fun time getting to see former students in the halls. A trip to Eastern to show some girls a college volleyball game proved to be a great memory as they danced, laughed, and made up their own cheers for EU. In addition it was awesome to walk into school this year knowing the students ahead of time. My friend came over from Clemente to join our staff at JPA and I was able to help him with the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Walking through downtown with 80 kids dancing salsa and singing in Spanish was an awesome way to get to know more of the kids at school.

I need to take time to reflect on the highlights of the year as this year has also been really tough emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. I have struggled with the busyness of taking two grad classes while teaching, trying to get some time in running, playing volleyball and spending time with my bible study ladies and friends. Many days I was unsuccessful at being prepared for one situation or the other and I have realized that I do not do well when I am stretched so thin. No one does but for some reason I have a tendency to think that I am superwoman. I hate feeling like I am not doing anything well; teaching, being a student, a mentor, a coworker, or a friend. I also have learned how much I rely on the relational aspect of my job. This year has been tough as I often feel that I do not know my students very well...

Through all of this though, God has been unbelievably gracious, forgiving and generous! Over and over again I have found myself in the arms of a friend that has taken the time to listen and to encourage! Praise God for my church family, for the Ya-Ya’s (our ladies Bible Study), for my coworkers, my family, and for my bestest friends. God has reminded me time and time again that He loves me unconditionally through their love.

As I head into the new year I am reminded that our efforts have absolutely nothing to do with God’s love for us. God’s love is so much bigger than we can ever imagine. His grace covers us and protects us in ways we can only begin to fathom. Praise God for being the Father that walks next to us, puts his arms around us, wipes our tears away, and shelters us from harm under the shadow of his wings. There have been so many blessings over the last few months, at a time when I have often wondered what I am doing here. Many questions and few direct answers yet I have a new outlook. I have learned that in times like this God calls us to be faithful and as we ponder what that might mean I believe that for now it is found in this...

To wake each morning and spend time with the Lord. To study his Words and strive to apply them daily to the best of our ability and through His grace. To trust with all that is within you, even when it feels like it’s so very little. To believe that although you struggle to see God’s purpose, He is ever-present and always working for good.

I believe that although I am so great a sinner, and continue to be so, God is good. God is at work and desires my heart just as much when I feel a mess as he does when I feel I have it altogether. Praying that this new year will be a blessing to His Kingdom.

Gloria a Dios!

STAR Partner quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:26:00 +0000

So this is the second year I've asked some of my friends and family to "sponsor" a student. Basically they are supporters, pen pals, and friends to a 5th or 6th grader in my class. The kids LOVE getting mail and getting to know new people (and more so I think they enjoy getting to hear some funny stories about me!). The following are some of my favorite quotes from the first round of letters they sent out! Enjoy!

STAR Partners…2008-2009…
- What do you like to do in your free time? FS - “Art. I will show you ok.”

- What is your family like? – RD – They are fun but sometimes bossy.

- Favorite Food: RP - MickeDanolls (McDonalds)

- Favorite Food: DS – Blue. I have a room.

- Likes & dislikes about school: JO – I like getting awards and getting credit. I dislike detention & consequences. SS – I like math and I don’t like to test.o CS – I dislike recess when it rains

- If you could have one wish what would it be? FS - To have magical power to make all my wishes come true. MP – I wish to not go to school. JO – To be 16 years old and drive a corvette. BG – I wish my uncle won’t go back to jail. RR – to go to Florida with my family. FB – I want to be a superstar. DS – I would go paintball.

- ?’s about school: FS - How can we get more help for kids to learn? RD – Do you have to get all 100’s to go to college? JC – How do you learn Spanish? MS – Do we get our own room?

- If you could meet one person who would it be? RD – Barack Obama, because if he wins the election I would like to see the first black president. JC - It will be a girl because I like girls. MA – My Dad because I don’t know him and he is in jail and why because my mom told me. It’s my biggest dream. I think my mom will hold me back because if somebody try to fight.

- What do you want to be? SS – I want to be a cop when I grow up so I can save people. GM – I would like to be FBI because I could help my world. JC – I will like to be a train driver. BG – I want to be a tattoo artist because I like to be artist. BG – I want to be a roofer. MS – I would be a cop b/c my dad’s friend died.

- Biggest Dream: My biggest dream was when I was having a dream about a scary movie. JC – To be a professional skateboarder. EQ – My biggest dream is to go to my favorite rock band concert. FB – I would like to go to school everyday. (I swear I did not prompt this student...)

- Do you know steps to achieve your dreams? DS – I think achieve means to be good at something and be proud of it I think what might be holding me back is people teasing me just because I am different. JC – I want to know how do they make a ruler.?

Never a dull moment...and I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of this year! Keep the letters coming guys and thanks for investing in my students!

27 years...27 dresses?

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:15:00 +0000

So apparently I have some of the most AMAZING friends in the world. This is not news to me, but since they were so wonderful and fun and creative on my birthday I decided to broadcast this to everyone around me!

I was informed I needed an old bridesmaid dress back in Philly for my birthday. I didn't even allow the wheels to turn but just followed directions and showed up at Betsy's house on time. Turns out they planned a 27 Dresses themed birthday night for me! Complete with dinner at the Hibachi restaurant at Penn's Landing and then lots of time to hang with the girls back at the house! A picture is below for those of you far from home who were just dying to know what the plan was! :) We got lots of stares and questions but I kind of decided that we should all go out at least once a year like this...we've got the dresses - live it up right! Here's to amazing friends!

Fall Roomie Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:35:00 +0000

24 hours away. You'd think we were in Jamaica for 7 days if you saw how excited we were to escape the city! Instead my roomie planned a getaway for us. What a blessing! I am so thankful for her presence in my life. We spent the night catching up, singing and laughing in the car, "hiking," watching a girly movie, and shopping up in the Poconos. Yay for retreats as a way to escape from the insanity of life!

I heart you Yuan!

Baking Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:54:00 +0000

So I've come to adore the knocks on my front door...knowing full well who my visitors are. There are times I think I am annoyed at the kids down the block, yet every time I open my door to their smiling faces, hugs, and "Can I come in Miss Abby?" I change my mind. My heart simply yearns to spend more time hanging out with them...something my schedule does not allow this semester.

I spent the summer shooting hoops, recruiting them to help in the backyard, with the flowers, play games with, or to wash the car. They are part of my family here in Philly and I love it!

Today, the long awaited day arrived. We made cookies. I remember how many times I made cookies with my mom. We loved every minute of it. As I showed them De and Keenan how to make cookies we talked about school and sports. We talked about what we'd make next. I asked them if they had ever made cookies before. "NO," they responded quickly, with cookie dough all over their fingers, spooning the balls onto the trays then gazing longingly at the dough left in the bowl. How quickly little fingers can work at cookie dough! And how excited they were to take some home to their family! They informed me that if I must take the rest in to my students at school, "they better be good to get one of these cookies." "Or else," Keenan said, "I'm gonna have to come find them." I ensured them that I'd only give them to the "good ones," and only then would he head home again, informing me that for our next cooking time we should make "those peanut butter rice krispy things again."

If you ever want to bake and feel like a kid again...come on over!

It's okay Robert.

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:43:00 +0000

I was sitting with my fifth graders today working on some math problems, when the phone in my room rang. My principal called and asked for one of my boys, Robert, to report to her office ASAP. Turns out someone in his family was sick, but that's about all he could share. After checking with the principal I found out everyone was okay and realized that he just needed time and space to deal with things. The reason I am sharing this is because I saw the most genuine and sincere response from one of my other students. Giovanni instantly told me, in a whisper, that Robert was crying. Then he went right over and started rubbing Robert's back. Over and over again he said, "It's okay Robert, it's okay." Then, a look of determination came over his face as he declared to us, "I know, we'll pray." By that point we were in the middle of transitioning back to class, but I couldn't help but let them walk ahead of me as I prayed myself. Did this young guy just suggest to pray? Does he believe in the same God? Does his family go to church?

As I watched this moment I was so touched by his response. Here is a kid who is loved at home. Here is a kid who was willing to walk over to a boy twice his size and comfort him. In a culture where pride and toughness is revered this boy didn't think twice. I was also touched by the simple fact that my God is at work.

A Great Speech!

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:10:00 +0000

Check this out, especially if you work with kids! This little guy is AMAZING!!!

http://www.dallasisd.org/keynote.htm

Too tired right now but more tomorrow on the start of the school year! This kid's speech was inspiring though...which of my kiddos could this be?!?

September Already?

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:20:00 +0000

Tomorrow is the big day! It's hard to believe that I am starting my fourth year of teaching already! I find that although I feel more prepared and genuinely excited to get started again, some things never change in Philadelphia!

I am trying to be patient and remember that the beginning of each year is a process trying to figure out schedules for servicing students according to their IEP's and then assigning teachers accordingly. I suppose the good thing is that these days I get to have a say in how things work rather than being in the dark until 8am on the first day with students! It's the little things right? :)

The next two days will be spent running around like crazy getting the classroom ready, copying IEP's, and sitting in/presenting at various meetings. So...here goes! Pray for my students, my relationships with coworkers, and all the opportunities I have at work to let the Lord shine through. Pray that I can humbly see all the Lord is teaching me, to not waste a moment, and to treasure each part of this year!

p.s. I am absolutely in awe of how God has provided for me here in Philly. I have been so blessed this week by the friends and community at my church. Praise God in the ways that he provides and shows up in huge and amazing ways. Praise God for the faithful and caring family I have found at church. There is something so deep and intimate about living in community.

Soul Squad

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:09:00 +0000

I have had the privilege to get to know a group of kids over the last 3 years teaching Soul Squad (a Bible Study) with a fellow teacher and friend from church. The kids are all from the neighborhood, present and past students in the neighborhood middle school. This past week we took our annual summer trip to the state park to go swimming! This year, Praise God!, we had 15 kids go along! Kind of crazy on some levels, but always fun! We provide lunch and they help get themselves into the swimming pool. This year we had some kids who we hadn't heard from in a year or two and what a blessing. Pray for these kids. They are precious and many of them are doing well, but a few are entering or have entered high school and the atmosphere is a lot tougher, and often further from the immediate neighborhood.

Pray that they continue to smile - it is contagious!

Pray that we adults continue to invest in them, to make time for them

in the midst of busy teaching schedules.

Pray that relationships will deepen with each other, and with us,

and that we are bold in speaking words of faith, hope and love.

Pray that their fun energy continues and not be robbed by the

hard world around them.

Pray that the Lord will protect them,

that their hearts will be guarded,

that walls will be broken down and

that the Holy Spirit continues to move within their hearts.

Reese St.

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:48:00 +0000

So I've spent the summer visiting family and friends, taking care of some appointments, taking care of my working friends by making dinner, helping move out of our first house in Philly (Goodbye Landlord Mike and Edgemont St...) and getting to know the neighbors on the block.

I have made lots of little friends on the block, spending much of my summer playing mancala, UNO, basketball, soccer, and sitting on the porch.

This summer has been difficult for a few reasons I'm not going to get into here, but as I look at some of these pictures I am reminded of how blessed I am. It's not everywhere that this kind of community happens. Most times I love living in the city, but sometimes I would give just about anything to sit by rolling hills, watching the sun go down. Then I think about how I would miss out on moments like the ones below. Meet my neighbors...and if come visit so you can hang out with them in person!

The boys playing soccer

the girls - who insisted on playing together, wanting nothing to do with the boys!

my most frequent visitors...

a budding football player, hoopster, and mancala star, all who enjoy pretzels

more than any other kids I know...

These are the precious faces I'd be missing if I lived elsewhere. The moments are priceless:

- driving up on the block hearing "Misss Abbbyyy" as one of the kids runs up to greet me.

- a suggestion that we should create a contract for yard work.

- trying to convince a 12-yr. old that he doesn't need girlfriend(s) at his age, let alone 4!

- teaching them how to play new games.

- letting them bake with me, and then sharing the goodies with their families.

- J, standing in my kitchen, "Miss Abby, you know you have everything a man wants."

Me, a little taken aback, "Um...what?"

J, gazing at the shelves, "You got mac n' cheese, shrimps, tacos, pork, chicken...all that a man loves."

Me, relieved, "Oohhh, well I guess if a woman knows how to cook huh?"

J, "Yup, a woman who can cook."

Me, "Good J, wait another 10 years before you start looking!"

...smiles all around!

End of the Year!!

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:19:00 +0000

The last days of school I had some projects planned and special things to give my students. A huge blessing was that my sister and her husband were able to come help the kids collage picture frames. We finished the year having fun and talking about what we learned, famous quotes from the year, and favorite memories. A few are included below the pictures so enjoy their words rather than mine!

Annie with some kids

End of the year picture!

Gareth helping out

This is what they had to say about the year (in their own words)...

Positive things that happened in the classroom (unedited):

· We all telled things that happened to us and we made people be funney like laugh.

· When we had progress reports and when we got treated.

· Tickets.

· I like about this year that I was good. I like about me lerning. I like about this year I was being smart.

· My reading gared (grade) got high.

· The STAR Partners.

· My teacher is nice and mean.

· I like the STAR Partners.

Things Ms. Minnich should continue (unedited):

· Just do the same things that you did this year and you will be fine but do things for people birthdays.

· Do not stop teaching. The kids will love you like we do.

· She should continue giving out tickets from progress reports.

· The tickets and the STAR Partners.

· The STAR Partners and continue doing tickets.

· STAR Partners.

Obviously we have a long way to go, but it is clear that you have made an impact!

Thanks again to everyone...stay tuned for next year! This summer I'll be enjoying vacation!

FIELD DAY!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:59:00 +0000

Okay so let's be real...wasn't field day the BEST day of elementary school? Last year we had the opportunity to have field day for our 5th graders so we decided to try it this year at the new school! I'm not sure if the teachers or students were more excited about it getting approved but plans were put together quickly and we had a spirit week, penny wars and then on field day the three homerooms competed against each other. Enjoy the pics...I heart these kids!

Red = 206/200 -- my team!

The sponge relay!

Green = 208 - the class I taught for 2 weeks...

The mummy race...4 rolls of TP! Yes I know we filled up part of a landfill...forgive us!

Beach Race

Yellow team = Rm. 209

100+ kids, 3 teachers, 6 Dads helping, 8 games =FUN

Ice Cream Party

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:50:00 +0000

The latest monthly reward was an ice cream party! They decided to reward me and work super hard so that every student was able to attend the reward party! Sometimes I think these moments are more exciting for me than for the kids. I had the privilege of serving them ice cream, teaching them how to serve one another, watching them dance and enjoy hanging out together. It's such a blessing to be able to sit...and watch them laugh and have fun together. There are times that all of us get on edge and a few of the kids have had their differences this year. All it takes is ice cream and some reggaedon (latino music) and everyone is friends! Enjoy the pictures of your STAR Partners below!

BACHATA!!!

FILLED with ice cream but still goofy!

Thank you again for your support!

Boys Volleyball

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:54:00 +0000

As spring sports go in Philadelphia, baseball is by far the most popular for the boys. When I proposed playing boys volleyball to the students in my class, most of them raised their eyebrows and, not wanting to offend me, just let that be the end of the conversation. However, a few boys in my class raised the following question, "Miss, they gotta wear those shorts like the girls?" (a.k.a. spandex!) "NOOO" I replied, "we'll wear the basketball uniforms." A few looks of relief were noted but that was it.

A month later after much convincing and getting other teachers to help recruit students, we started practice with 8 players. The above 6 were the strong guys left at the end of the season. Five 6th graders and 1 7th grader - hopefully a good core for the next few years. These guys were full of energy and eager to learn how to play, frequently frustrated because they weren't as "good" as they wished. We started the season with me teaching the absolute basics to guys who had yet to see volleyball outside gym class or family picnics. All a little on the small side and young, they were confronted on many levels throughout the season. They were challenged in height, age, experience, and attitude. On each occasion we rose to some of those challenges, and fell short. Above all, I was extremely proud of how much they improved. The beginning of the season consisted of more balls hitting the gym walls than their forearms. Towards the end of the season, they could serve consistently, as well as pass correctly and a few could even set and hit with pretty good form. We learned a lot, as a team, and I as a coach to middle-school boys! They also learned that they LOVE my mom's rice krispy treats, telling me that if I was going to make treats for them to make something different, because there was "no way" I could make them as good as her! :)

If you're around, come check a game out next year...they love an audience!

Half Marathon

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:36:00 +0000

Saturday morning runs at Wissahickon and Kelly Drives for months now. Miles upon miles pounded out on the trail and on the treadmill. Sunday the big day finally arrived. By "we" I mean that I had the pleasure of being accompanied by one of my best friends, Gretchen, her boyfriend Danny, and one of our pastors, Taehoo.

13.1 miles in the Lehigh Valley.

There were several highlights I wanted to share.

1. I actually enjoyed this race in its entirety, moreso than any other I have done (a whole 2!).

2. My parents were there to support us, eating dinner the night before and cheering me on throughout the race!

3. My roomie, Yuan, drove up to cheer me on also!

4. I finished a few minutes ahead of the time I trained for!

5. Once again - I actually enjoyed this race! And I got to meet up with two college friends and some cousins who also ran the race!

Blurry but there we are next to Danny, who is waving in the green shirt!

The Start...we're back in the mix of all those people

Laura's Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:14:00 +0000

There is NOTHING like sneaking out of school as the bell rings, knowing that you won't be there the next few days! ESPECIALLY when it is to go to Florida in April AND for your sister's wedding!

I had the privilege of using a few personal days to head down early and celebrate with my family before the big day! Laura and Michael got married at the cutest little bungalow in Jacksonville. It was an intimate wedding at a beautiful garden behind the the bungalow downtown. They picked a fantastic place and everything was simple and absolutely exquisite! Just wanted to share a few pictures of the weekend for those of you that are curious!

Rehearsal...

AMAZING Greek food at the rehearsal dinner and hanging at the beach afterwards...

The BIG day and the newly married couple!

Our extending family...

A Mouse in the House

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0000

So if you know me, you know I HATE mice! You would think that 3 years living in Philly rowhouses has cured that - but alas, you are wrong!

Tonight I came home to an empty house (of course!) and was greeted with the little tail of a mouse sticking out from our orange corner cupboard in the kitchen. Mind you this happened as I was heating up my dinner and running around the house. I go into "freak out" mode and start calling anyone and everyone. My dad laughes as he tells me to get a broom and sweep it onto a newspaper (why this doesn't occur to me before I have no idea...).

OK!

Hang up and try that but no joke - the little tail wouldn't budge! Kind of panicking at this point, knowing that I just need to get the guts to grab it with something...if I do it once then maybe I'll be released from this fear of mine.

Instead, I take one last peek outside the front door to see if someone will at least come keep me company while I do this and...I see five of the neighbor kids outside.

"Um, Eddy? Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure Miss, what's up?"

"Um, I know I'm a wimp but there's a dead mouse in my kitchen. Can one of you guys come grab it or something?"

As they look at each other and laugh..."Sure Miss."

So we walk into the kitchen and the one boy gets down and tries to pull it out. "Miss, it's sticky or something." I know, I tried to get it out with a broom! Finally he grabs it and throws it in the trash, me telling them thank you every two steps as we walk to the door!!

I need to work on this area....but can I count this as a way to build relationships?! :) I think I made a few friends tonight and I KNOW that they are spreading word around school that Ms. Minnich asked them to get a dead mouse out. Whatever it takes huh?

Turning Soup into Light and Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:29:00 +0000

Pounds of roast beef

Pounds of carrots, onions, celery, potatoes.

Cans and cans of diced tomatoes.

12 burners filled with large pots of boiling water.

Well this isn't a math problem and I'm not going to ask you how many quarts of soup this can make - I'm going to tell you! Yesterday I made (moreso, my mother and father!, with my help) about 110 quarts of beef vegetable soup. My goal was to raise money to support the children of San Salvador that I spent time with this summer. There is an amazing organization called the Hope House that serves a homeless community. A volunteer psychologist comes to work with street children there but the building is without electricity.

The amazingly generous, loving, and supportive people of my home church community stood behind me and so far we have sold 134 quarts of soup (some to be delivered at a later time!) and raised another $200-300 in additional support and donations! Along with a grant from Thrivent Lutheran we will have raise at least $1000 for the Hope House! Don't listen when people say everything in this world is corrupt. There are amazing people who are willing and eager to support just causes! Thank you to my church family at home - and kids in El Salvador - get ready!

My awesome mom working hard -
she was the woman behind the success!

Why you got salad on your sandwich?

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:11:00 +0000

Friday I had the opportunity to take a few kids to Wendy's as a reward for working hard in school. Usually these trips end up being a bigger reward to me than the kids - but I'm not sure!

After deliberating in line about what they would get, each of the three decided on chicken nuggets, fries, and a coke. I ordered a chicken sandwich and then we headed back to school to eat lunch. As we were sitting and eating conversation turned to my sandwich. "Whatchu eating Miss?" asked the one boy. "Chicken sandwhich," I replied. "What's that stuff on it?" "Oh I know," chimed another boy. "The green stuff is lettuce and the red is...um....potatoe, Miss?" "Do you mean tomatoe?" "Oh yeah, yeah...tomatoe," the student quickly corrected himself. "You got SALAD? on your sandwich? Why you got salad on your sandwich Miss?" asked the student who originally questioned what I was eating.

While I was smiling and even laughed a bit through this conversation a few things struck me...
1. They only associate lettuce and tomatoes with salad, and apparently rarely eat it.
2. They mistook tomatoe for potatoe.
I love these guys and it was one of the best lunches I've had this year. I spent much of the time smiling behind my soda or sandwich, enjoying the fun they had in going to Wendy's and then eating lunch "with a teacher." Praise God for these little moments to hang out with them and to treat them to something special! Pray these kids will continue to work hard and succeed in school this year! It's push time! We've only got 3.5 months left!

I get the junkies

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:55:00 +0000

Dunkin Donuts on a Friday afternoon.

It doesn't take much to make that better...except that I spent some time with an amazing 8th grade girl I've gotten to know over the last two years. This girl has been coming to Soul Squad, our neighborhood bible study for middle schoolers, and she has been seeking a lot lately. Seeking time with adults at bible study, asking questions about what we're learning in bible study, and a ride home each Wednesday after study. She's a great girl but has had a history of "acting out" at school. On the ride home on Wednesday I asked her if she wanted to go to Dunkin Donuts on Friday. She jumped on that right away and called me 15 minutes after school Friday. As we spent an hour or so over hot chocolate and donuts we talked about school (she's doing better), life at home, and bible study. As we're talking she mentioned how in the evening she "gets the junkies...you know Miss, I get hungry to eat the bad foods." As we laughed, and I agreed, I thanked God for the opportunity to hang out with this girl.

God has been moving in our bible study group and what is so humbling is that it is in the midst of my weariness and not so great attitude about things that God has opened up these doors to invest in the kids. Soul Squad has been a place where kids have spent the last 2.5 years asking questions about God. We've played games, taken summer swimming trips, celebrated holidays and sought to learn more about who God is, who Jesus is, and what they mean to us and offer us. I've watched kids grow older and more mature. We're seeing a movement here and I seek your prayer. These kids are resilient and they keep coming back. That alone is a reason to celebrate. Pray they continue coming, asking questions, and time for us, as adults, to invest in these kids in smaller groups.

God desires their hearts and they are seeking His unconditional love in all kinds of ways. Pray for boldness and a trust that God will continue working. Praise God for his faithfulness and his mighty power!

Enough Effort

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:50:00 +0000

"Miss, you don't put enough effort into my work..."

I stopped, turned around and looked questioningly at the student behind me. "Really Miss, you don't put enough effort into my work." I asked him what exactly he meant and he insisted that his papers are not hanging up on the wall because I didn't put enough effort into it. I smiled, informed him that that wasn't quite the case and then as we talked about it my heart reached out to this kid.

He's a kid who has multiple physical and mental handicaps and the district is insisting on passing through the system without proper support. We are fighting at school to change his placement but there are multiple roadblocks and its been a loooong year trying to get it all worked out. Unfortunately he's able to do little work independently and spends much time just "taking it all in." My heart aches that this guy has such difficulty performing the basic classwork on the lowest levels and that all he wants is the same as any other kid in the school - to be loved and to succeed - for someone to notice him and tell him he's doing a great job!

Pray that I am inspired in new ways to include him and assist him in creating work that can be posted that he will be proud of. It's a difficult line to walk and I struggle with how to best provide appropriate lessons for him. Yet I've realized that including him is what he desires most of all. Pray for patience and for new ways to love this kid - to show him that he's not left behind in a system that wants to pass him through.

Black History Month

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:22:00 +0000

Never Forgotten

This was the theme we used to create projects on an African American individual who had a significant impact on our world. Students were to research their individuals, create an acrostic poem, and then design a collage. As time got closer we ended up completing the collage as a class rather than creating individual collages, but I wanted to post a few pictures to thank all of you who helped support this effort! I had so many friends and family donate various magazines which were extremely helpful to my kids! Thanks again for all you do!

Dominic's poem for Muhammad Ali - described as a Fighter
Joseph's poem for Wilt Chamberlain - using "dedication" to describe him

Cheerleading

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:21:00 +0000

So I was approached by 3 6th grade girls in late December with the following request...

"Ms. Minnich, would you be our cheerleading sponsor?" I almost laughed out loud but as I looked at their sincere faces I stopped myself. They were desparate and as I thought over it for a few days I went to them with the following conditions...

1. No lifts.

2. No jumps

3. I can't teach you anything.

BUT I am willing to sit with you after school a few days so you can cheer for the basketball teams. If you are going to be cheerleaders you are going to encourage the teams you cheer for, not just dance around.

Needless to say they actually agreed to this arrangement excitedly and so we started practicing.

These girls are amazing! They came into it with 3 cheers and routines for each of them. At the end of the season we had about 7 cheers they knew! Pretty much all of them were original too!

I helped out by teaching them Cool Blue and Red Hot - if you are from camp you'll appreciate it - and that's about all I offered! It's over now but I was incredibly blessed by these girls and their excitement for cheering and just getting to know them over the weeks.

If you know me, keep laughing...over the fact that I was involved with anything having to do with cheerleading!

"Why can't we give you a hug here?"

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:50:00 +0000

my kids & our "room" in the library

One thing is certain. The saying, "You should never read a book by its cover," is so true. Today, the last day of school before "winter break," I fell speechless before my kids. One of my girls is unfortunately heading back to the school she was at before this one. She was using a fraudulent address and therefore is being kicked back. As my kids were lined up at the door I was giving them a little speech about how I'd miss them and they were to have a great break and Merry Christmas. I told the girl who was moving, "I'll give you a hug in the hall," knowing that I'd not see her again for a while, if ever. As she nodded to me, one of my boys says, "Well, why can't we give you a hug here?" Stunned I stood rethinking what I just heard, sure that I heard wrong.

October pic

I answered slowly (confused as I wasn't talking to him originally), "Well...you can give me a hug here if you want..." Meanwhile this is the boy who acts tough in the halls and in the regular ed. room. Still confused I held the door open as they filed out and then, one by one, they all gave me a hug, tough guy holding out both arms and truly hugging me. I quietly locked the door behind us and walked them outside.

As I watched them walk away I stood still, treasuring what had just happened. This boy, who so often sets the "cool" factor in the room just opened the door for each of these kids to give and receive love. Little does he know that he just revealed his vulnerability and his need for love and affection. If that's all it takes - he needn't look further.

I'm pretty sure that's the best Christmas gift I can possibly receive this year. Thanks God.

Paranda

noreply@blogger.com (Abby) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 02:39:00 +0000

5 phone calls.

2 different kids.

Three hours before Christmas caroling, or Paranda as we call it at Spirit & Truth, I got a phone call. Fifteen minutes later I got another phone call. Then another, and another, and finally one more. All of which were from two Sould Squad (Bible Study) kids who wanted to make sure I didn't forget to pick them up. So when 6:45 rolls around I head out to my car to pick these guys up. Noemy, Christina and Vanessa all clamber in and then direct me around to Anthony's house where his brother Pierre also tags along. A full carload, we finally pull up to church a few minutes early. Clearly the youngest attenders at the beginning of the night, these 5 were not intimidated. Me, I think I would've asked to go home or just walked around

with my head down. But these 5, they walked around outside in the cold for two hours, singing the two or three words they knew of the songs we sung. The lyrics weren't much help - for various reasons (disinterest, unable to read Spanish, or on a VERY low Reading level) - yet they never complained. No, if you look closely...I'd even say they had fun!

I love how something as simple as hanging out with adults you don't know and walking around the neighborhood at night can be such a night for these guys. They continue to amaze me at how hungry they are for attention, for love, and for things to do. When I was driving them home I said how glad I was they came out. The reply: "Miss, come on, it's not like we had anything else to do...we'd do anything!" God continually blesses me through them. I wonder if they know how much God is using each of them.

Pray that they hear the words of the songs we sang and the words of love God speaks to them.