I am back in Wanblee after a four-day weekend in Omaha. Thank you to so many of you who sent back materials, greeted me with hugs and smiles, and made my homecoming so special. Thank you to my friends the McClellans, for once again feeding my body and soul and providing me refuge for the night on Wednesday. The photo is my car as I left this morning, the car was loaded to the top and I have more to bring back later in October when I go home for the SMART reception at CSM. The materials that were sent make such a difference here.

It was amazing to be home in Omaha and see my family, friends, CSM students, and PEO sisters. I didn’t realize just how homesick I really was; until I headed back today. Oh, the things we take for granted:

  • A Hot bath
  • Showers with real hot water and water pressure
  • Heat in our homes (I came home to a very cold apartment and no heat)
  • Dishwashers
  • Wonderful stores and groceries right in our neighborhood.
  • Radio stations!!!
  • A plethora of TV stations
  • Wifi and high-speed internet
  • My full closet of warm clothes
  • A glass of good wine
  • Eating out
  • Laundry right at home
  • BTN network with my Huskers (Even if they did lose)
  • A haircut and my nails done!

Thank you for the pants for the boys. We now have met that need. We will still need candy, small prize items, and gift cards for the celebrations for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas here with the High Horses. The teachers are sponsoring a trunk or treat at the school on Halloween, so the children will have a safe place to trick or treat. There is a bin at the Lutheran Church of the Master for donations. Jeff will continue to check this for me.

Ongoing needs:

  • New underwear (all sizes)
  • Socks (all sizes)
  • Gloves and Mittens
  • Snow boots
  • Hygiene products (deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, or soap)
  • Leap Pads (someone donated a whole box of Leap pad programs – but no Leap pads)

I arrived back in Wanblee this afternoon, to a full food giveaway with Pastor Dennis, from Colorado. He is going to begin reaching out to the school as well. It was wonderful to walk into the Kennedy Center and be greeted, many welcomed me home to Wanblee, I am beginning to build a family here as well.

While checking my email, I received a very heartfelt plea from a past student, Sister Rosemary Arrah. Rosemary is from Cameroon Africa and is in the middle of a very stressful political situation. It is not something we are hearing about on our news channels but is very dangerous, and people are being killed, schools have been closed and Sister Rose is in charge of a school she started there. She is doing what she can for her community, students, and sisters who depend on her.

Please keep her in your prayers. She needs so much right now including help to keep her community afloat.

The sun is setting and I must finish plans for tomorrow as well as some grading I did not take home to Omaha this weekend. God bless each of you that have been supportive of this adventure of mine. I look forward to seeing my fifth graders tomorrow and hearing how things went with the sub. Continue to pray for a fifth-grade teacher to take this position. I will be leaving at Christmas time and as of today, there are no candidates in the pool to take my place. Future teachers out there, here is a job where you are really needed. These children need good teachers!!