6.28.2003
(6/27)
Yesterday was a really hard day. Not because of anything here, but because of news from home. In fact, the day here was probably the most boring yet which turned out to be a good thing.
Julie's grandma died yesterday. She is so sad and it's killing me. Her grandma has been really sick the past few months and has survived cancer three times (to my knowledge) so it was not a huge surprise but still very sad. Julie is most upset about not being able to be with her family for the funeral. Her family is tiny and this is a big event in their lives. Thankfully, reports of her passing are great. Both of her daughters were with her and she died gracefully and peacefully. In fact, the doctor essentially said that there was nothing more they could do, so she said, "Ok, time to go be with Jesus" and then passed the next day. Incredible. I was told that I met her in 8th grade when I was Steven's friend and Julie's tormentor, but even so I feel like I know her. I've heard so many hilarious things.
One of the coolest things is that Julie has been sad for a while that she isn't really showing yet (she's pregnant...duh) but when she shared the news with her students, THEY pointed out that she is starting to show!! It is SO cute. I love it. So grandma is starting a new life in Heaven and our baby will be starting a new life here in a matter of months...how incredible.
The other news I found on the internet. Apparently there was a TRIPLE homicide in our hometown of Verona. I don't know two of the victims but the third has not yet been named. It is really scary. A town of 7,000 is hit with this? For what sounds to be a gambling debt? Just doesn't seem right...I'm hoping and praying that the third person isn't someone I know. Not sure I could handle that at this point.
So those were the things we dealt with yesterday and will continue to deal with on our trip. The kids basically just spent the day with their partners...although later in the day we went to a "stomping class." We did things with buckets like the group STOMP does. Except ours was not good. Oh, well...we tried. It's really funny because most of the kids in our group are leaders so when they were supposed to change rhythms without talking, five people would change it but nobody would follow! Very interesting, frustrating (for them), and funny (for me).
Yesterday was a really hard day. Not because of anything here, but because of news from home. In fact, the day here was probably the most boring yet which turned out to be a good thing.
Julie's grandma died yesterday. She is so sad and it's killing me. Her grandma has been really sick the past few months and has survived cancer three times (to my knowledge) so it was not a huge surprise but still very sad. Julie is most upset about not being able to be with her family for the funeral. Her family is tiny and this is a big event in their lives. Thankfully, reports of her passing are great. Both of her daughters were with her and she died gracefully and peacefully. In fact, the doctor essentially said that there was nothing more they could do, so she said, "Ok, time to go be with Jesus" and then passed the next day. Incredible. I was told that I met her in 8th grade when I was Steven's friend and Julie's tormentor, but even so I feel like I know her. I've heard so many hilarious things.
One of the coolest things is that Julie has been sad for a while that she isn't really showing yet (she's pregnant...duh) but when she shared the news with her students, THEY pointed out that she is starting to show!! It is SO cute. I love it. So grandma is starting a new life in Heaven and our baby will be starting a new life here in a matter of months...how incredible.
The other news I found on the internet. Apparently there was a TRIPLE homicide in our hometown of Verona. I don't know two of the victims but the third has not yet been named. It is really scary. A town of 7,000 is hit with this? For what sounds to be a gambling debt? Just doesn't seem right...I'm hoping and praying that the third person isn't someone I know. Not sure I could handle that at this point.
So those were the things we dealt with yesterday and will continue to deal with on our trip. The kids basically just spent the day with their partners...although later in the day we went to a "stomping class." We did things with buckets like the group STOMP does. Except ours was not good. Oh, well...we tried. It's really funny because most of the kids in our group are leaders so when they were supposed to change rhythms without talking, five people would change it but nobody would follow! Very interesting, frustrating (for them), and funny (for me).
