APRIL 2, 2009
Yesterday was April Fool’s...and my wonderful junior kids really pulled a good one on me. I was on guard with the 9th graders because I expected something from them…but those juniors really were slick! And the ring leader was Bashar—he laughed and laughed…as did every one of the kids…until they almost couldn’t laugh anymore. It was so good to see him—and all of them—laughing, I didn’t even mind the trick. Bashar’s mom was killed in an automobile accident last week. He’s been at school every day…all the kids are so supportive of him. Please continue to pray for him, his little brother Fadi and his whole family as they grieve their loss.

The week is over—and it seemed to move really fast. We had some sort of activity every night, so that makes life move a bit faster than normal. Tuesday night Wilma, Mary and I had dinner and shopped a bit—I wanted a lamp and a few things for my new room. It is so so so nice—I have a candle burning and it feels so comfortable in here.

Then last night we were invited to eat with Darrell and Eula—the retired pastor and his wife who work at the school. Their daughter, Lisa Lee, who lives in Houston came to visit—she came in Monday and really had a difficult time getting in. She was over an hour going from one person to another to a little room, etc. for interrogation—but she finally was released to come in. They haven’t seen their family since last August, so they are all rejoicing. Mary, Wilma, Elaine and I were invited to eat with them—and it was so wonderful. Home-cooked meal! We all sat around the table and laughed and talked school and joined hands and prayed for issues facing so many at school and then looked at pictures of Lisa’s loghouse and beautiful acreage and longhorns! Yep, she and her husband have longhorns—and she had on TEXAS Longhorn stuff. She had pictures of her dog with his UT hat, etc…boy! I really like her! She’s a really lovely person. She has been pressed into duty—tutoring yesterday and today all day…so fair warning, if you come for a visit, you get to help at school!

Tonight is girls’ movie night at Wilma’s…Mary is tutoring and Elaine is having a family-–Mom and girls—over to watch a movie…

We have plans to meet on Sunday to go to the walk from Mount of Olives to the Old City…we leave at 2:30 and it takes about 2 or so hours to walk—we will be where Jesus rode the donkey in to Jerusalem and the people were singing and praising—Palm Sunday. I am really looking forward to that.

I’ve made plans again to go with my junior kids to Aroma’s at French Hill for coffee and sandwiches after school on Saturday. I really hope that all works out. One of them brought me a book of poetry she had written when she was in the seventh grade—and in school in America. It was so precious—and made me just really want to get to know all of them so much more. They are really extraordinary kids.

Today was 9-weeks exam in English—my 9A and 11A students did just really well. I haven’t looked at the 12B papers yet—but hopefully, they did too. Shane made all the exams—and he did a great job with mine. They were all essay, so I have a large amount of grading to do.

Thanks for the emails—I love hearing all about what is happening. I appreciate your prayers—for me, my family and Jerusalem School.
Love
Beth