we're back after the summer :)

It’s been a while, we’re still here doing our stuff, in fact so busy we’re only just getting round to updating this blog.

The school year started August 12th, the dorm filled up with girls a couple of days before; we have seven girls this year. Having a years experience under our belt meant that we were a lot more confident starting the year and more capable, less splashing in the deep end. It also helps relationally that there are no new girls this year; we can just pick up the relationships where we left off last year.

Ok, so that sounds like things are easier and we should be able to update this blog; well as always when you get the hang of something you start taking on more things. In June the dorm program here received ACSI accredited (Association of Christian Schools International). It’s a big deal within international schools and shows that we are performing to a high standard. We are at the base level of the ACSI standard and have improvements to make over the next three years which is one of the adding to our work load. It’s a good thing though; the improvements are for the whole dorm program, helping to make life better for the dorm girls and the dorm parents. There are practical and safety improvements as well as administrative improvements; it’s a steady process. We are also more involved with the dorm budget this year and are thinking of creative ways to cut spending, the increase in fuel prices is global and is affecting us here. At the moment I am working with the dorm dad of the boy’s dorm at the possibility of installing solar water heating for the dorms.

Enough about work though...

We had a sunny relaxing summer, the boys enjoyed not being at school and we very much enjoyed having more time with them. Luke started back at school in second grade with a new teacher and Isaac started at the Kindergarten. They both seem to have got back into school life and are more settled than this time last year. They still have their moments, but then every child does. I think the summer was a really settling time for us and a family which is an answer to prayer. Emily and I were sent some parenting DVDs’ from our friend June (thanks June) which are really great; the lessons learnt and applied from them are taking a lot of stress out of parenting, leaving it to be more fun and loving, it’s fab.

We’ve done birthdays recently (many thanks for the presents) so I’m now 29 which means Luke is 7 and Isaac is 5, Emily is still 21 of cause. It’s a little crazy that Luke and Isaac are growing up. With all the busyness and transitioning over the last two years we’ve perhaps not realised how old they’re getting.

Sorry to those of you who have been trying to skype us recently we’ve been having internet difficulties. Last weekend the wireless antenna was struck by lightning (frying some equipment) and it’s not been working well since. We have internet at the school, which is how I’m able to post this blog, but it’s not so easy to just pop over and check emails and skype when we have dorm responsibilities. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon. Until then keep emailing and skyping, it’s always good to hear from people.

Paul.