I have been working my way through the New Testament and found myself this week in 2 Corinthians. Thursday, I made it to the third chapter which opens with these first three verses, “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by … Continue reading Letter On Our Hearts
Someone once shared with me that the only constant in life is change. It is amazing how true this seems the more time passes. I came out to RVA to teach Chemistry, and have been loving every second of it! My mom said I should write more stories about the classroom, but the truth is, that part of my life feels much the same as … Continue reading Shifting Sands
A smorgasbord sprawls across my dining room table, leaves inserted to stretch it to its full length just to hold all the food. Apples… check! Rice cakes… check! Granola bars… check! Hotdogs… check! Tortillas, peanut butter and jelly… check! Carrots… check! But most importantly, instant coffee, creamer & sugar packets with the optional tea bags for those preferring chai to go with the breakfast muffins … Continue reading A Jurassic World
“Habari yako! Karibu! Habari? Eh? Hakuna Kiswahili!” The mama chuckled as she welcomed us into her home. I chuckled too. I knew she was asking how the student with me was doing, I saw the blank empty face, and knew “Hakuna Kiswahili” was a declaration that this teen at my side did not know Kiswahili. It’s true, she doesn’t. Term break is the best! It … Continue reading Desert Rains
That weird crunching sound was back. It didn’t sound good- but I needed to get groceries for the camping trip I was leading the next weekend, and had plans with these two senior girls of mine to spend the day off campus at the mall where the grocery store is located. The three of us had a lovely time, but by the time I’d gotten … Continue reading Donkey’s & Dhows
In one of the first weeks of school this year, three senior girls watched me come back from my second period prep with a coffee in hand, having walked down to our local coffee shop “Kijabe Kahawa” to meet with a friend. They very quickly decided this looked like a fun Monday pattern, and asked if they could come with me sometime, then asked if … Continue reading Monday Memory
Fun Days. Long Days. That is how life has been feeling lately- I’ve been loving doing life alongside the class of 2026 as they are now seniors, having followed them specifically since their freshman year in 2022. Last week we were able to escape campus for a day we dubbed “Senior Skip Day.” When I announced this to the class in November, the announcement was … Continue reading Fun Days. Long Days.
Meet “THE BEAST” No no no… not THAT Beast: Though you must confess, my doggo was a pretty cute puppy… but what I’m talking about is this one: This is my car. Well, truck really, and this specific truck, my 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser has served me well. It has big tires that can climb steep inclines, even when it’s been raining and the mud … Continue reading THE BEAST
It was your typical senior store day… well typical if you’re a normal patron seeking the joy of special food being offered a few times a term. For the class of 2026, this was their third senior store which meant the students are slowly gaining independence in execution. Last night, I’d spent my two-hour time slot smashing burgers into patties. K was running the store … Continue reading I Fought a Monkey and Won.
You might think that Sunday School happens on Sunday- but here in Marsabit, you would be wrong. A 10 hour drive north from RVA, I’m up visiting some friends for our long “Mid-Term” weekend. Each Saturday, three of their four children walk the 5 minutes to a local church to join for a time of worship. If you are envisioning children standing in rows, humming … Continue reading Orendere
Faithful Footsteps 