Whispering Thanks

When I mentioned in a previous post that it might be a little quiet on this blog for a while, I had no idea that the very next week I would completely lose my voice.  
And now, a few weeks after that period of uncertainty and silence, each and every word that gets muttered from my lips is done with a strong sense of gratefulness and appreciation.
I mentioned in one of my latest posts that I would be helping with the teaching load at my children's school.  Well, by the end of the first week, I was voiceless!  Feeling completely useless and plagued with the doubts in my head questioning how long I would be out of the classroom for, I began a course of antibiotics and other medications along with an intense course of "prayer".
Praise God, in under a week, I was off "office" duties and back teaching in the classroom.  Another week or so of a particularly sore throat was a good reminder not to over-use it and just this week, I have felt the pain lessen and the strength returning.
School is going well.  I have increased my work load from my initial commitment, meaning a steeper learning curve to get my brain "back in the game" but also with a fresh reminder of why I love teaching.  
Those of you who know me personally know that I never wanted to home-school but this experience has been such a blessing to be classroom teaching and to have two of my own children in with me and Spencer just a few steps away in the next room.
I don't understand why this all came about like this, but I am determined to make the most of it, enjoy it and cherish this {unplanned} opportunity.
But enough about me, Dave's work at ZOE Children's Homes continues to be rewarding and an area that we are both passionate about.  He is very much enjoying teaching karate to the teenage boys as well as a basketball class twice a week.  

He has become part of a working group with the aim of strengthening working relationships between NGOs and the government which he hopes will boost Thailand's efforts as, together, we fight human trafficking.
He also recently enjoyed speaking at the ZOE Sunday fellowship.  He loves the opportunities he is having to teach the teenage boys as a part of the Friday night church service too.

With all the wonderful things happening through ZOE Foundation Australia and his ongoing Child Protection role, he is really loving all the variety in his day.
A highlight from this week was going to hear Nick Vujicic live in Chiangmai.  I heard there was about 12,000

people there and by the car park traffic jam after the event, it certainly felt like there was that many.
He was so inspirational and encouraging.  All our kids did well to focus on what he was saying but particularly Tobi could be seen hanging off every word.
I am currently doing a Christian Life and Witness course at our church on Tuesday nights in preparation for Franklin Graham who will be coming here as part of an Abundant Life festival later in the year.  I am finding it personally challenging and I hope to finish the course a different {and more equipped} person than when I began.
Eliana was pleased to have her plaster taken off a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed being back in her dance class this week.  She read a poem at Chapel this morning and continues to delight us with her love of life.

Spencer has been lapping up his "work" coming home very excited to be learning more about the alphabet and the "at" words as well as entertaining us with his repertoire of new songs.

Tobi is looking forward to his upcoming 8th birthday and hanging out at Pizza Hut with a few friends.  He is becoming quite quick with his times tables and loves getting stuck into a good book.

All three of them are very "into" Lego at the moment. They have a game that is being continued before school each morning and has been going for the past one and a half hours {giving me the chance to write this blog}.  It's so lovely seeing them all play together so happily.  I love hearing all the interesting twists and turns their "story" takes, all the while as they build new creations to go along with it.

So it is with a grateful heart, a strong voice and the satisfaction that it has been a great week, that I leave you.  
Unfortunately dinner will not cook itself!  
Much love from our house to yours.