Summer and Rancho 3M

Dear family and friends,

            This summer we (Natasha, Alexandra, and Moriah) will be traveling with a group from our home church (Sovereign Grace Church, Chesapeake) to the Rancho 3M orphanage in school in Guadalupe, Mexico. Natasha and Alexandra have been on previous years, but this will be the first time for Moriah to go.  We will be traveling there at the end of July, and will all be there from July 22^nd-29^th, but Natasha and Alexandra are also hoping to be there the week prior as well.

While there we will be doing various projects around the "ranch" that are needed for its upkeep and improvement. Past projects have included painting, bathroom renovation, fencing, and much more. We also like to spend time with the children playing, talking, and showing them the love of Jesus. This is a Christian run orphanage and school, and the ranch relies a lot on short-term missions trips getting these projects done as well as assisting the staff in ministering to these kids.

We are writing to ask you to be praying for us, and the rest of the team, as we travel to Rancho 3M. Specific things you could pray for include safety (both from dangers of traveling internationally, safe traveling, as well as safety while working and protection from illness), as well as that we will be able to serve the orphanage well and demonstrate the love of Christ.

In addition we are asking that you prayerfully consider supporting us financially. The trip will cost about $800 (totaling $2400) each plus potentially some additional travel costs, such as for luggage. The first deposit of $200 each is due on April 14^th. The next deposit, of $300 each is due on May 26^th, and the final deposit of and additional $300 (each) will be due by June 23^rd. Your donation is tax deductible if you make the check out to Sovereign Grace Church with “Short-Term Mission Fund” written in the memo field or a cash donation with an adult donor’s name.

To ensure that the donation is applied to our account you may send it to our home address (even with check made out to the church) [please contact me for address, just don't want to post it online :) ]. If you would prefer to send it directly to the church, please ensure you include our name with the donation and mail it to Sovereign Grace Church 508 N. Centerville Turnpike Chesapeake, VA 23320

Even if you are not able to contribute financially please still keep us, and the rest of the team in your prayers. If you would like to learn more about Rancho 3M you can go to their website www.rancho3m.com or find their page on Facebook.

Spring Break

My spring break has finally arrived! Because of student teaching, and the fact that my break goes by the public school schedule rather than ODU's schedule, it is a bit later than usual this year. So far I have mostly been relaxing and getting a few things done that get pushed aside during the school week. I definitely feel that this week will help me return to school refreshed and re-energized for the last few weeks of student teaching.

Here are some pictures from my classroom...

The first picture is a "game" I found to help students practice working with prefixes and suffixes. They sort the flies onto the various frogs, and then they have to write the words down in the correct category along with the meaning of the word.

Lastly, here is a picture of the classroom. I wish I could post a picture of the sweet kids, but for privacy reasons, I can't. I'm going to be happy to finally complete my student teaching and my degree, but I sure will miss this class!