What have I got to be thankful for?

One thing that bugs me about the holiday season, is that many people are starting to forget Thanksgiving. We go from Halloween straight into the Christmas season. I know Thanksgiving is only celebrated one day of the year but before we get all greedy let's not forget to thank the one who gives us life. I thought I might share my list of things I am thankful for.

1. That God allows me to enjoy this life one more day.

2. My family and friends.

3. That I have an awesome job and am able to live my dream.

4. For the privilege of living in the Cayman Islands and sharing my gifts with my students.

5. For students who remind you that what you do is important and you are making a difference.

6. That God loves me and desires a relationship with me. No questions asked!

7. Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate

8. Music

9. That no matter what happens in this world, I know that God has it all in control.

10. Food on my table and a roof over my head.

Vacation Here I Come!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday is the day. The much anticipated vacation is finally here. Boy am I ready for some shopping and good old American food. You never realize how much you miss something until it is out of reach for a few months. I have learned to appreciate the little things in life. Anyway we will be making our way to Houston, TX this year for the ACE Teacher Convention. One day at the convention and then it is off the the mall, Walmart and Target to spend my hard earned cash. Oh and I got selected as the designated driver on this trip. UGH! Please pray for my fellow teachers as they will have to put up with my driving. I don't mind driving but would rather ride and enjoy the sights.

Things are coming along for our two Christmas programs. When we come back from vacation there will be two weeks until our first concert. I think we have a wonderful program set up for that night and I am anxious for the students to perform. You pray that the night goes smoothly and the students do their best. Oh and pray that I don't crash and burn before then.

By the way remember all that rain I told you about before. Well is it still raining. It also seems that a hurricane is headed our direction. Not a big one. I know it is crazy since hurricane season ended November 1. Life on the island isn't always paradise.

Is it ever going to stop raining?

It seems as though it has rained just about everyday since October started. Most of the time it is not just a little rain but a huge flood. So every morning I have been getting into my boat and floating to school (I wish!). Anyway we are getting closer and closer to Christmas. I can hardly believe how fast the year has gone. We have about four school weeks until our band concert. Yikes! Things seem to be coming together but I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch. In about five weeks we will performing our musical program. The kids have worked incredibly hard and are getting anxious to be finished. I am a little nervous about it but we have put in the time so I am sure it will be wonderful. Before all of this happens we will be going on vacation to Houston, Tx for teacher convention and do a little shopping. It will be the first time I have been off island since arriving in August. I am ready for a little break as are the rest of the staff and students. I was hoping to get home to visit some family but that did not work out this time. So I will be looking forward to seeing them at Christmas.

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.