My first full week

Hard to believe that just one week ago I had just left Belgium and was headed to China.  I'm quickly settling in to my new role as the summer preschool teacher at New Hope.  I have several groups of children that rotate thru my class during day.  This week I've been busy on getting to know each of them, and figuring out their routine.  Besides my role in the classroom, sometimes I get to chance to show different groups that are visiting the orphanage around the property, and introduce them to the babies…super excited to link of with one of the ShowHope groups thats scheduled to arrive this morning  

Ni hao ya’ll

Ni hao ya’ll

It is hard to think that I have been here for almost a week already! It has truly flown bye. With every transition there are rocky parts, which I have been able to work my way through with my awesome support group at home and here. But there have also been some fun adjustments! Preschool class is a whole new adventure and I am so glad that I will have it to help keep me busy throughout the week. I have a total of 5 classes each day Monday- Friday.  My first two classes are the “kindergarten” classes which I have 4 kids in the first class which is an hour and half long. Then I have 3 different kids for the 2^nd class, which is an hour long. For both of these classes we are working on ABC’s, colors, shapes, story time, songs, and playtime! Soon we will be able to add in arts and crafts, the first step is getting the kids adjusted to having me as their teacher. After my morning classes I have a couple hour break because of lunch and naptime. During the afternoon I have 3 classes with my little ones (each class gets younger as the day goes on!) for 45minutes each class. There are between 3 and 4 kids and each one. At this stage we are just having playtime and singing songs. It is all about them getting to know me and me them and then hopefully we can make our way into doing story time and some other fun stuff. It has been fun but I have been really thankful for having Anne’s extra hands this week and I am not sure what I am going to do without her! I know that everything will work out and go just the way God wants it to!

Since Anne is only here until Tuesday I am taking her on a bit of site seeing tomorrow. We are going to be off to the great wall and the pearl market! It should be a fun day and I am excited about here getting to see a bit more then just life here at hope!

That’s all for tonight! Here are a few pictures for class.

~Stephanie

**As I am writing this blog Anne is mixing up some weird tuna stuff and throwing sprite at me! Life is not dull while she is here! Oh and to make things more fun we have been without water for over an hour!

My first few days

I am so glad that ya’ll want to follow my adventure this summer! I have arrived safely and I am getting settled in. Thankfully I have not been affected by jetlag to bad. The first couple of days were very laid back and I got to spend time with Jen, Mel, Dana and Anne going to different rooms and playing with kiddos. Today was my first “work” day! It was also the day to say “see ya later” to Jen, Mel and Dana as they are headed out on the rest of their trip before returning home. Last night I found out that I would be taking over and running the preschool class this summer! I had my first 2 classes this morning and will have 3 more this afternoon. Chelsea was around but she had me running them as much as possible on my own to get the kids adjusted. I will have 4 sweet kiddos in the first class and then I had 3 younger ones in my second. I know the afternoon kids are younger then the morning so their class will be a little different. I am excited and nervous all at the same time about this big step. I am posting a few pictures of the past couple of days and this morning in preschool up as well. I hope you enjoy them! The kids are stealing my heart super fast and some of them can even say my name already.

 

I would like to put a big shout out to my momma and sister for helping me post my blog up, until I am hopefully able to get it all set up here.

 

~Stephanie 

Flat Nicolas is on his way!

Let the adventure begin!

"Goodbyes" and "See ya later's" never get easy no matter how many times you say them or how long/short the trip will be. This morning was a hard one as I cried and hugged everyone saying "see you in 10 weeks". I know that there are some wonderful things set in store for me this summer while I am in Chin@. I have been a huge ball of emotions this last week as I am nervous, scared, excited, and happy about my trip. As I sit here in the airport waiting for my flight I am thinking about what is waiting for me on the other side. The smiles of the babies, seeing old friends, and just the feeling of getting this adventure started. But the other side of me is thinking about those I left on the other side of check- in and their sweet faces. How I miss them so much already and I just want one more hug. 

Over the next several weeks I will be posting pictures from my trip. But I do have one special type of pictures I will posting. Nicolas and I made "Flat Nicolas" and "Flat Stephanie" so that we can take each other on our adventures around while we are apart. I am going to try and make a file of just the Flat Nicolas pictures but I am sure that everyone will have fun following where he is going next! 

Well, I need to close out and get ready for my flight. Lots of love and the next posting will come out once I have arrived! 

~Stephanie

20 days and counting down

Hard to believe in roughly 20 days I will be in China! These last couple months have flown by and before I know I will be snuggling with babies.

Many of you have asked about what else I need for my trip. I am posting a list of supplies that I am still in need of collecting some supplies for the preschool classroom.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C45AFAE2BA13-supplies

Beyond Blessed!

I just want to say that I am feeling beyond blessed by everyones love and support!!!! Not only have I reached my personal fundraising goal but I am not able to bring 4 suitcases with supplies over with me!!!! Now, I need to get working on filling all the suitcases with some fun stuff for the preschool classroom!!!

Thank you again SO much for your prayers, love, and support as I am preparing for my 10 weeks in China this summer!!!

~Stephanie