I know it is way past time for me to blog. Well we are officially 4 weeks into the school year and 3 weeks into the music program. Ahhhhhhhhhh is all I have to say. As I have already learned from experience nothing goes as planned. I am learning new things everyday, including how to repair a few instruments. There is no one on the island who repairs instrument so with the help of the internet I was able to fix a french horn and a trumpet. I have 11 music classes I teach during the week. That includes 4 choirs, 3 band, and two string classes. Whew! You know there should be a manual for all the things they forgot to teach you in college. Thankfully things are starting to smooth out and I am getting used to the new schedule. I love it and am having the time of my life. God is so awesome and knows just what we need. So my prayer for this year is that God would use me and that this music program would be a reflection of who He is.

Paradise

Peace after the storm



These pictures were taken two days after
Hurricane Gustav.

One day the seas can be raging in our lives and we feel like the waves are beating us in the face. We try to stand on our own feet but then wave after wave keeps rolling in and we can't seem to grasp ahold of anything. Finally we get so tired of struggling and are about to go down for the last time. In that moment we remember there is one who has control over the wind and waves. With our last breath we cry, "Jesus, help me". Before you know it your not fighting any more. There are no waves beating you in the face. You are completely relaxed, almost floating on the waves now. There is no more resistance you are completely at the mercy of your Heavenly Father. Now your mind if totally focused on Him and no longer can you see that the waves are still tossing you to and fro. No need to worry about those waves, God has it all under control. Just relax and enjoy the ride!

Hurricane Gustav

Rough Seas

Doesn't it make you want to go surfing?




One day it can be smooth as glass and the

next a raging hurricane.




Tree limbs everywhere




Even knocked down some of our really nice

palm trees.





Since many of you are wondering..... Gustav has finally moved on up the way of which I am very thankful. The whole waiting for it to get here seems to last forever. We ended up with lots of strong winds and a little rain. I did manage to get out a little this morning since I was about to go crazy all couped up in my house. I hate the dark dungeon (hurricane shutters make it so you can't see outside). I took a few pictures and even have a little video for you. It is not always paradise here in Grand Cayman!

The Beginning of a New School Year

Well school officially begins on Monday. I am not really sure I am ready but excited to get started teaching again. This week I spent time picking out new music and getting things ready for this year. I never realized how different it would be from what I have spent the last three years doing. It looks as though my schedule is going to be full and exciting. I am planning on doing a childrens Christmas program this year instead of a high school program. I thought I would save the Easter program for the high school. It is just wonderful to finally be accomplishing what I have worked my whole life to do.

Island Fever

So I arrived back in Cayman yesterday very late. After sitting in Miami Airport for 6 hours I was sooo ready to be here. Only to come home to excruciating heat and a broken a/c. So I have been sweating profusely since I got here. I think I am going to die. I had planned on getting things unpacked but that kind of went out the wind. Any way the a/c is supposed to be fixed before the night is over. I am glad to be back and ready for an exciting school year. I will have more on my new adventures as a music director. I am very excited but also extremely nervous. I'll just let God do the leading and I will try my best to follow.

Summer Vacation Part 2

So I have about 2 1/2 weeks left before I am headed back to Cayman. Just an update about what has been happening in my world. Mark and Emily have been a joy to spend the summer with. I hope they have had as much fun as I have. They both have been enrolled in the summer reading program at the library. We finished reading their 20 books and got some free tickets and some free food. Yesterday we went to the zoo. They seemed to have a great time. Even though I think I got wore out before they did. I was ready to take a nap when we got home and they were ready to play some more. Go figure! My age is starting to catch up with me. Ha Ha! The Louisville Zoo has a new Glacier Water Park and so the kids were able to get wet and have a ball. They even had a couple water slides. I was even able to enjoy the water park as well. Hopefully will be able to go back again some time.

Summer Vacation Part 1

Well most of this summer has been spent with my neice and nephew, Mark and Emily. We have been having a great time. It always amazes me how time goes by so fast. Mark just celebrated his 8th birthday this month and Emily is a little princess. They are two great kids and I am happy to spend all my time with them. Our summer has been spent going on walks, the park, bubbles, coloring, the library, free movies, the slip-in-slide, and them playing by themselves. I even take them shopping with me sometimes. Mark isn't too fond of it but Emily is a normal girl who loves shopping. It has been an interesting summer so far. I hope the rest will be just as fun filled.