our adventures and wanderings

I have been trying to compose my thoughts on my Grandpa Rudy’s passing for days now. I literally took a day off to try to get my thoughts and words together, and all I could do was stare at the screen. When people hear of someone’s grandpa passing away, I am not so sure they understand the magnitude of this in my circumstance.  This man was involved in every aspect of my life. He taught me, he helped me grow. I would not know my multiplication facts today or how to drive a stick-shift if it were not for this man, among many other more important things. He supported and loved me through every decision I ever made and was there to witness every last thing.  Once, a friend told me that I was “the weirdest mix of independent feminist and 1950’s housewife” or something along those lines. I smiled and said, “that’s exactly what I was going for.” I bring up this memory because I believe I inherited this juxtaposition of strange, opposite traits from Rudy himself, not that...

In August, I (R) began a new position with Rosslyn Academy. Here is my title: Intellectual Virtues Coordinator and Learning Support Teacher. Often, when I tell people about this, the response is an extremely confused expression. So, today, I decided to provide a little bit of information about my new role to help clear things up. Intellectual virtues are excellent thinking habits. Our superintendent, Dr. Phil Dow, wrote a book titled Virtuous Minds about these excellent thinking habits. At Rosslyn Academy, we have adopted 7 of these virtues to teach, implement, and encourage. They are as follows: Intellectual Curiosity: the tendency to wonder, ask deep questions, and explore Intellectual Humility: the realization of intellectual limitations; knowing you have more to learn Intellectual Carefulness: involves being patient and careful in thinking Intellectual Honesty: presenting what we know in an honest way; giving credit where credit is due; doing our own work Intellectual...

In this time of transition, I have been reflecting on the community we have been surrounded with since we moved to Nairobi. This message is for all of you.  "Let love be genuine . Abhor what is evil, hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly [and sisterly] affection. Outdo one another in showing honor . Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality .  -Romans 12:9-13 I have never experienced the body of Christ so beautifully as I have with the people in this place. You've accepted me as your sister in ways I never could've quite imagined. You've shared your lives with John and I- everything from cars, houses, meals, holidays, the mess of our lives, the enneagram, walks, prayers, new life, marriage, climbing, to trips to places old and new. You've shown me what it feel...

Well, I have been teaching for five years now. And, honestly, I am completely and officially burnt out. I have taught preschool, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, and Title One reading support. That is six positions in five years--in case you can’t count. When I was little, I would play teacher constantly, writing endless names on notebooks and teaching from my miniature whiteboard that was my favorite toy. I would spend countless hours locked inside my room teaching my students (usually stuffed animals). For some reason, my older and wiser brother never volunteered to be one of my students--I wonder why? My bossy personality lent itself completely to this play profession. All of my students would get A’s and B’s, except for one, who always got an F. He was usually a boy. As I grew older, I thought about different careers, but eventually settled again on teacher. I helped out in one of my former elementary classrooms in high school and I was instantly sold. I...

Well, what can we say? We haven't been the best at updating our blog for the last...2 years. So, here are some life updates: In case for some reason you haven't heard, we have decided to stay at Rosslyn for the next two years.  I (R) have been teaching 4th grade for the past two years, and John continues to teach kindergarten. We will be visiting Indiana this summer for the first time in two (wow!) years. We are excited to see family and friends. Pray that we are able to enjoy quality time with each of our families, which has become more difficult to balance as my parents have separated.  I've become quite the "birder" and am also enjoying getting back into drawing and painting.  John has become a pretty talented climber and has enjoyed mountain biking. He loves climbing outside at a beautiful place called Lukenya. We camp there often. John has also been reading more than I do! We joke that we are turning into each other.  Jarvis joined our famil...