My Last week in Scotland!

So it has been a long time coming, but my last week has come and gone right before my eyes. Monday was great, the kids were normal but with a little more energy(which I personally didn't think was possible). I got to teach some and visit and it was all around great day. Also on that day the kids had music so I sat in and took some pictures. Here is where it gets good; remember when I saw that beautiful horse...well I've been looking for it since and I think God sent it to me because it showed up and his time with the baby. So I quickly went over and took a picture of it and the baby ( it just doesn't do it justice with the fence in the way), and I was very happy.

Tuesday my teacher went home sick before I got there so there was a supply teacher who didn't say much other than..."Since you're in here more, why don't you take the class and I'll help if needed," I didn't mind I like the kids...but she is the one getting paid not me. Anyways not much happened because we watched a movie with the other P2 class the rest of the afternoon. Although during the movie on of my favorite trouble makers (note the sarcasm) was being himself and the supply teacher said "would you like to come sit by me?" (which mistake #1 was asking him instead of telling him) anyways his reply was "no, but thanks for the offer!" Okay he is 6...so I gave him credit for being clever...but he was defiantly being cheeky!

Tuesday night was our last night working with the cumbernald church of christ youth club. The kids were sad that we were leaving and so I got alot of pictures with the kids and had a lot of fun with the girls and making faces. Adam and Melanie do a great job with those kids and it was truly a blessing to get to go for 4 weeks.

Wednesday my teacher hadn't showed up yet and I figured I was going to have a supply teacher and since I'm normally in there I got what I knew needed to be done in the morning out and then some extra things that they could do. And to my surprise I had the same supply teacher..who again told me to run with it and she would just watch from the other side of the room. Well I ended up giving her work to do (sorting papers) while I taught the class. We did a problem solving lesson and a writing activity and then they went to music then it was lunch time. I gave the supply teacher several options for the afternoon and then left. I was tired and it was only 4 hours!

Thursday was my last day and I went in expecting to be with a supply teacher but Mrs. Mardon came in and said she couldn't miss my last day! I stayed all day and did our normal stuff. After lunch they watched a short movie and then we had "Ms. Venable" time as they called it. For the last hour and a half of the day I did a open forum where they could ask me any question but I had the right to refuse. The very first question was by a little boy who asked..and I quote "if I go to America will I get shot because I'm from Scotland..because if you go to China they will shot you if you are from Scotland?" I replied..you will not get shot in America because you are from Scotland. I thought it was very interesting that the first thing they wanted to know was about violence. It is sad to think that that is what some people think of when they think about America. Well after that I gave out my goodies from America (some Tyson bracelets, magnets, pencils...and tattoos) and the kids were so excited...especially about the tattoos! Then the kids gave me some shortbread, and chocolate and a card! It was so sweet. After that the afternoon bell rang and the kids started rushing off except a few who stayed to get a picture. I took some pictures with them and then was heading for the door when....my "favorite" came up to me and said.."Ms. Venable, I'm going to miss you but Ill think about you everyday, even in my dreams." Right there in that moment I realized I had made an impact, that little boy noticed something about me and grabbed hold of it. I only hope he searches to find out what made me different (other than the fact I was from America). He proceeded to walk me to the bus stop where I met his mother and he gave me a hug and said see you when I see you, you are the best teacher ever! well, I cried as I got on the bus and then cried the whole 30min bus ride home and cried the 15 min. walk to the Carronvale...but composed myself as I walked in the door. I didn't want to leave, but I knew my time was up and it was time to move on.

That night John and Rhona (a couple that has helped a lot with the program) took some of us to a little town called Culross. We walked around the cobble stone streets. The road had 3 paths...the far sides were where the drainage went down, the small stones are where the poor people walked and the big stones are where the wealthy walked. We then went to the Palace there and the gardens and took a lot of neat pictures. After that they took us to a restaurant called Red Lion. In the girls bathroom is a picture of a man wearing a kilt that can be lifted up....well if you lift it up a loud speaker in fills the entire restaurant and says "We've got a kilt lifter in the toilet" and then as you come out everybody is looking at you and laughing. Rhona demonstrated for us and sure enough it was hilarious! After that we went back to the Carronvale and packed for London...our train left at 9:15 the Friday morning! WOW it has gone by so fast, but has been wonderful! I know God brought me to Scotland for a reason and I know I've been changed forever because of it!