Yes, you read that right. About 25 members of WBC (and I) went Christmas caroling tonight as a community outreach. Basically what we did was this: We went off in groups of seven or eight around a couple of neighborhoods. Instead of going trick-or-treating and receiving candy at people's doors, we would sing a few lines of "Joy to the World," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," or "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" then hand over a gift bag of hot cocoa, an ornament, information about the church, and such.
Most everyone we encountered seemed pleasantly surprised by us and our ever-so-slightly off-key singing. A couple of sweet elderly ladies even joined in with us! One of my favorite moments was when one couple asked us which ward (of the local LDS/Mormon church) we were from. That question gave us the perfect chance to tell them a little about Westiside Baptist!
Another thing I especially enjoyed was that I got to spend time with some a few of the junior high students from WCS and a couple of elementary students while walking around. It really was a nice change of pace to get to be a little more relaxed, since these kids - particularly the younger ones - have only seen me as their teacher/teacher's assistant.
Speaking of teaching, it looks like I've landed my very first substitute teaching position! Wow, what an honor. ...And what a responsibility, even if I will only be in charge of the two adorable little first grade girls.
Well, it's 9:30 pm and I have an early morning ahead, with a full day at the school followed by getting to help get things ready for WBC's 20th anniversary banquet. I'm off!
10/27/13
Starting Off
Yesterday was all sort of rushing-running fun; today is Sunday and is much more peaceful.
Before I blog using different names, let me be playwrite for a moment and introduce some key characters and likely key supporting characters. (I think I may have read a little too much Shakespeare on my flight last night...)
Tara Liston - My mom's younger sister; my aunt. Elementary school teacher and one of three teachers at Westside Christian School [hereafter referred to as WCS].
Sarina Moyer - Another WCS teacher. Aunt Tara's roommate.
Angela and Tug Miller - Members of Westside Baptist Church [hereafter referred to as WBC] (the church affiliated with WCS). Their son is a cadet at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and my family is his sponsor family.
Laura - A student at WCS who is staying with Aunt Tara and Sarina while her family is in the states on furlough (they're missionaries to Ecuador). I was once Laura's summer camp counselor, so we already have a bit of a friendship.
Pastor Greg and MerriEllen Wright - He is head pastor of WBC; she is the third teacher at WCS, teaching 1st grade language arts in the morning.
There you have it! I may add more people as I learn the main "characters" as they come into my realm of this story. But for now I'm off to actually do a little work: Aunt Tara is having me help her grade some papers and (I believe) compile report cards.
Before I blog using different names, let me be playwrite for a moment and introduce some key characters and likely key supporting characters. (I think I may have read a little too much Shakespeare on my flight last night...)
Tara Liston - My mom's younger sister; my aunt. Elementary school teacher and one of three teachers at Westside Christian School [hereafter referred to as WCS].
Sarina Moyer - Another WCS teacher. Aunt Tara's roommate.
Angela and Tug Miller - Members of Westside Baptist Church [hereafter referred to as WBC] (the church affiliated with WCS). Their son is a cadet at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and my family is his sponsor family.
Laura - A student at WCS who is staying with Aunt Tara and Sarina while her family is in the states on furlough (they're missionaries to Ecuador). I was once Laura's summer camp counselor, so we already have a bit of a friendship.
Pastor Greg and MerriEllen Wright - He is head pastor of WBC; she is the third teacher at WCS, teaching 1st grade language arts in the morning.
There you have it! I may add more people as I learn the main "characters" as they come into my realm of this story. But for now I'm off to actually do a little work: Aunt Tara is having me help her grade some papers and (I believe) compile report cards.
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