Barbecue Time

Before I dash off to a family barbecue this afternoon I'll just connect with you and say hi. It's been a fun week working at school every day, except Monday. My classroom feels organized; now it's time for meetings, and curriculum work. On Monday all staff will be at school after the summer vacation. It will be so good to see them all and be able to work beside them once again.
Now I must be off. My family calls. Time to catch up on all our trips and enjoy a barbecue, too.
Sabbath blessings to you tomorrow!

Love, Sandra

Getting Organized

Today I worked at school all day! It was so fun being in my classroom, getting organized. I had a great crew of four helping me out, too. They did all the bulletin board work and that's a huge help to me. My shoulder still isn't good enough to do all kinds of stretching, and pulling, and lifting, and stapling. Tomorrow I'll do a little more preparation and then in two weeks time, when school begins again, I'll feel ready.
Enjoy your week and hope the weather stays nice. It was beautiful today!!

Love, Sandra

Memories

It was a wonderful cruise! We got in this morning at 7:00 a.m. but of course, you can't all get off the boat right away. What a great week away! Last night at the supper table in the dining room we saw a whale right by the ship! Amazing! Seeing the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau was a highlight. Those glaciers are so huge and so majestic! Listening to the roar as chunks of ice break off is incredible! Watching porpoises jump in the ocean was awesome. Walking around Saxman Totem Park in Ketchikan in some rare moments of sunshine was memorable. Getting a chocolate on your pillow before bed each evening was just plain decadent. Tonight I get to sleep in my own bed again but I won't be rocked gently to sleep by the waves (and no chocolate, either). Oh well, it's good to be on terra firma once again. It was a holiday I won't soon forget!

Love, Sandra

Cruising Update

Hello all,
This morning we arrived at Hubbard Glacier. What a phenomenal sight to behold! This glacier is HUGE!!! We took a lot of pictures. We got up close to the glacier with the cruise ship - only about a mile away.
The weather is cool, cloudy, and drizzly. I should have taken more warm sweaters. Who would have known when it was 33 degrees when we left Vancouver?
It's quite the experience - this cruising! We are enjoying the time to relax and all the culinary delights! Tomorrow we dock at Juneau and we are going to see another glacier and of course, explore the town.

Love, Sandra

CRUISING...

Guess what? I'm going on a cruise!!! I'm off with a friend tomorrow afternoon for one week to Alaska along the Inside Passage. I've never been on a cruise before so I'm very excited, a little nervous, and busy packing. I've heard many good things about the absolutely beautiful scenery. I am going to take a lot of pictures, I think. And being on the water in this heat will be a welcome change. As I was driving in my car this afternoon the temperature outside read 37 degrees!!
I better finish packing now. Maybe I can connect with you as we're sailing, sailing, over the deep, blue sea.

Excitedly,
Sandra

Flying

I'm amazed how quickly a day flies by! Just incredible! And the sun has come out again, after a few overcast days. I've been hearing a lot of airplanes flying overhead today. I think they're practicing in preparation for the airshow this weekend. Some of them are pretty loud! I remember going to the airshow as a young girl and looking up all day, shielding my eyes from the sun. It was hot standing on the tarmac. I think I'll just listen to them flying high and oh... here comes another one! Flying by...
"God gives wings as eagles;
God gives wings to fly and strength to rise above.
God gives wings as eagles.
When my feet begin to stumble,
And my dreams begin to crumble,
I mount up on eagles' wings."

In His strength,
Sandra

We'll See...

This afternoon I went for another physio appointment. My shoulder has gained a significant amount of mobility and the physiotherapist was pleased. I was encouraged and had noticed that the shoulder was doing better. All in good time before school begins. Now I'll be able to use both hands better for conducting.
It's been good to have a few days of rain. The earth has soaked up the moisture well and the air has been cleared of haze. Maybe it'll be dry enough this evening, however, to go for a walk. We'll see...

Love,
Sandra

August Beginnings

A pretty warm and muggy day today. I went out to the library and the air was just so hazy and heavy. You couldn't see the mountains at all.
And guess what I've been doing? Just a little planning, and preparing, and thinking, about a new school year. Oh... it's so delicious to know I can go back full-time! I think I better start getting used to waking up a little earlier. 6:30 a.m. is going to be a real shock to my system!!
A few more weeks of summer first, though. August has only just begun.

Blessings,
Sandra

The Best News Yet!!

This afternoon I had a visit with my oncologist. She was very pleased at my progress and said I could go to work FULL-TIME! She thought I was doing well and it was encouraging to hear her be so positive. I am elated!! I know it will be a big adjustment but I will be careful and take things on slowly. I'm just so glad that I can begin the year at 100%. I've had a good summer and I think that has given me confidence that my energy level is continuing to increase.
Thank you again for your faithful prayers. God is so good and I marvel at His faithfulness. He makes all things beautiful in His time!!

Singing His praises,
Sandra

A Quiet House

Yesterday morning my company left to go back home. We had a great week and I enjoyed the time together. I even washed the sheets and changed the beds. Hard work but at least it keeps my left arm moving and I'm learning to work through the pain. It's going to take time so I may as well just keep that sore left shoulder mobile.
On Tuesday I see my oncologist for a two-month check-up. What will she say? I'm always nervous and yet I want to see her so she can say that all is well. Please pray for a really good doctor's visit.
Enjoy the holiday Monday tomorrow, if it's a holiday weekend for you.

In Him,
Sandra