Things we notice from the hill

EVERYTHING runs down hill!  When we have big rains...

the water cuts through the driveway like butter!

I am fascinated by the power the water has as it starts at the top of our hill and heads down to the road.  We have been watching the effects.

We have also watched the end of the driveway wash away into the road.  The county came by and scooped our driveway back onto our driveway and packed it down.

I first heard something and then saw what was happening.  I had been waved around this crew on my way home from my early morning class.  I walked down to talk to the man and he told me they start at the county line and work back to clean up gravel off the roads after heavy rains.  They want to keep drivers safe from loose gravel.  He was kind and explained that eventually we will get a letter from the county.  I told him we were new to the area and asked for recommendations for someone to fix this.  He shared a contact and the guy came out to give an estimate.  "We are from Michigan...we are flat landers...this is all new to us...and it is hard trying to find reputable people to do a complete job..."

What do we do?  Grading...asphalt...concrete...rock...sloping...ditches...it is all a new game for us in hill country!  And it is an expensive project!  Yikes!  For now...things are back in place and smoothed out...till the next big rains.  Maybe for now it will be cheaper for Ted to get a tractor and teach me how to drive it and I can learn excavating?  HMMM?!  He lets me drive the lawn mower and wagon!

 

"My name is Kari. I am here to help you learn English."

I know that God gives us desires based on the talents He blesses us with to use.  I have learned that He can use those talents in many different ways...often beyond the scope of our ability to see or think.  Ted has had the desire to offer ESL classes to the workers in the plant.  The initial research into a local college proved to be very disappointing.  They were not very user-friendly!  The plant runs 24/7 and 365 days a year.  There are two shifts each day, 8 am to 8 pm and 8 pm to 8 am.  There are four groups of people who work those shifts on rotating days.  Ted asked me one evening if I would be willing to help him provide a class.  "Of course!  I can do that!"  So I took the online ESL class and received my certification...which I added to my 25+ years of teaching experience.  I worked with the HR gals, and we came up with a plan to work with the shifts and to make it easy for the workers.  I set my alarm for 5:15am May 21 and followed Ted to the plant.

I was prepared with lessons...way more material than I will need or be able to use at this stage.

We meet in the conference room at 7:00 am.  I will teach every Tuesday and Thursday.  One day, I will have another class at 8:15 am.  We will go for 45 minutes.

We will run this class for 12 weeks and then assess.  The goal is to help these workers increase their English skills so they can be promoted to the next level.  Part of my plan to make them feel comfortable and not nervous....COOKIES!  Their faces lit up!

Who doesn't love a good homemade cookie?

The lessons are being custom-made for what they can do and what they need to be able to do.  We are using daily conversation, as well as, terms they use on the floor of the plant.

The B shift group is asking great questions as they try to understand and make connections...so the lesson included way more than my plan.  I am trying not to overwhelm them.  It is fun to see their enthusiasm and willingness to try!  English is hard!

                                        

My goal is to make it fun!  God has given me another teaching job...this time...with adults!

Settling...resting...puttering...resting...

 

I did it!!!

I started last Thursday taking the class for ESL teaching.  I chose a company that was known worldwide and accredited.

I spent 120 hours going through all the material.  It was all reading with quizzes throughout each module.

The final test was 65 questions.  I passed with a 98.46% on the first try!  I was so excited.

I am now ready for the next step that God has for me.  Ted has details to iron out.  And I need some of my teaching tools that are buried in storage.
 

Our first Saturday in Tennessee...helping Teddy with the driveway fix!