Adventures in Muncie: Long Overdue

It's been a really long time since I have blogged. Sorry about that! Life has been a bit crazy these last few months. I am currently enjoying the beautiful fall weather of Montana. Yes, I am no longer in Kazakhstan in case you missed the change in location. It has been fun spending time with my family and getting to know my niece (she is two). I will be here until the end of September, when I head to Indiana to complete two practicums in eight weeks in order to finish up my master's degree in Special Education. It's going to be a busy few months, but I am looking forward to all I will learn while being in the classroom.

Here's some of what has gone on in my life during the last few months:

We had a busy summer delegation season. Our company conducted two English camps at two different orphanages.
I taught a beginners English class for children whose families were part of our Ray of Hope Club. One of the children had Cerebral Palsy while the others had relatives who had Cerebral Palsy. It was fun to watch them all learn. I generally don't like Teaching English, but this group was fun and they learned a lot in just 1 1/2 months.
My English club continued to meet. We planned activities for children from the orphanages who were at summer camp on a couple different occasions.
I continued to teach Nurdaulet how to read in Kazakh. By the end of the summer he was sometimes able to read the Kazakh words for mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and horse.
My cousin, Jeff, came to visit. We had fun exploring the mountains near Taraz and also had a couple nice days in Almaty before he left.
Jim Nelson came to visit with his daughter, Sarah. It was especially good to have some time with them to remember Liz's life and her love for the Kazakh people.
Interlink's board of directors determined that I would not be returning to Kazakhstan, as originally planned, in January. Interlink has a policy to only send expats out in teams and since there is no on else prepared to return with me in January, they determined it would be best for me to wait for a team to be formed before returning. As a result, we had to shut down out work with children with disabilities for the time being. As a result, I spent most of August preparing to come back to the States and organize and pack things well both at home and at the office.
A great tea time with some of the mothers of children I have been working with. It was fun to hear their dreams for the future for themselves and their families. I look forward to keeping in touch with them even though I will be in the States.
Special goodbyes at the office and with friends. It is hard not knowing when I will be returning, but I am so thankful for the special friendships I have been given in Kazakhstan. I am looking forward to the day I am able to return.