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hisprayerwarrior
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Name: Gerrie
Gender: Female
Interests: Christian life, music, crafts, my grandchildren:)
Expertise: Me an expert? No, but I like to encourage people. I like to teach, and seem to be good at it.
Occupation: Education/training
Industry: Education/Research
Message: message meEmail: email me
MSN: signergirl
Yahoo:  gerrielf
Member Since:
1/7/2006
 Lifetime
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| New Baby GranddaughterRejoice with us, we have another new baby in the family! Little Mila (pronounced Mee-la) Desi was born today June 29th at 6:55 am, and she weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces! And she was only 4 days overdue:)
My daughter-in-law had contractions all day yesterday and of course all night, too. They went to the hospital yesterday afternoon but got sent home; they went again around 11 pm last night and stayed. She's a real trooper, stayed very calm the whole time, and just relaxed as much as she could. They gave her something for the pain and later an epidural and I'm really glad because then she could relax and sleep a little. She was SO tired after the birth!
And I'm so honored she let me stay in the room with her and daddy (my youngest son) when she gave birth. The nurse-midwife said she was very impressed with how well she did!
She and baby were moved to another room and after that she slept I'm sure. Baby is a sweetie and is easily soothed, even though she cried when they were poking and prodding her and the lights were so bright!
Of course I was up all night too and came home and slept. Im still tired but don't want to get my days and nights mixed up because tomorrow this grandma has to go to work! (I get to teach the high school deaf kids for 5 weeks of summer school.)
As I "gain" a new grandchild, I "lose" another: my son and his wife and 6-month old baby left last Tuesday to relocate to the island of Cyprus, in the Mediterranean Sea south of Turkey. Monday night I went to visit with them and we went out to a nice dinner together. I'll miss little Calvin, he was just starting to know me and I could sing him to sleep -- but I'm very happy for his other grandparents to have him by them, too, that's important. Calvin will grow up bilingual, learning both English and Greek.
So now there are 5. First granddaughter will be 10 years old this July, then there are the two 7-year olds (one is Mila's older brother), and little 6-month old Calvin, and now Mila. I highly recommend being a grandmother:)
Love to all,
Gerrie
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| Finally finished!Finally I'm up to writing. The stress from going to school and working (teaching) full time was building and I just didn't feel like writing. When I counted it all up, I realized I took 6 units during fall semester, and 12 units second semester this year! Some days I'd teasingly tell my students that I was lucky I knew my name:) I've enjoyed reading the blogs from everyone, though.
Last week I finished my last two college classes, and it was also the last day of school where I work. May 17th I again took subtest 3 of the state test for American Sign Language (it was the only one I hadn't passed last fall). It takes a month to hear whether you pass or not, which adds a little bit of nail-biting.
I thought the stress would just melt away immediately, because after all, I was finished! But it didn't. Last week 3 times I got the squiggly vision that is the precursor of a coming migraine. Once was at school during a final exam my students were taking, once was just as I was looking for a parking place at graduation (teachers had to be there), and once was at home. I'm fine now, but wow what a week!
Summer school started Monday, and I'm teaching deaf students. It's fun but physically exhausting signing for almost 5 hours straight. The good news is I get to have a job I like, another month of "pay" and it's only half days for 5 weeks.
Other good news is that not only am I finished the courses, today I got official news in the mail that I passed the state test! That means I'll never have to take this test again, and I am officially "qualified" to teach special ed AND ASL as a foreign language! Today I was told at school that I'm going to have my own classroom next year:)
Praise God that He gave me this job (it was definitely miraculous), that I've been able to do well, that I've been able to do college and pass this test, and that I'm able to come back even in the climate of teacher layoffs.
Now for the fun of "getting a life."
Love to all,
Gerrie
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| Long time no writeLooking at my list of blogs, I noticed the last one was dated April 5... it's been six weeks since I posted last? Eeek! Well I've been busy...the kitchen is almost done... last to go in is under the cabinet lighting, and to line the recessed circle ceiling lights... my son is doing the electrical. He's doing a great job but it's taking a bit of time, because he works full time, last weekend had a marathon 31-hour day (he works for the electric dept (as in where the people get their electricity) of a city... if something breaks, guess who they call?) When it's all done I'll post a picture... and to whoever commented that doors would be a good idea, yes, we have cabinet doors now:)
For Mother's Day my two sons took me out to Macaroni Grill for a late lunch. I got to play with the newest baby grandson (5 months old now), and even got him laughing! My daughter and her little family were driving back down from having gone to Seattle for the funeral of a beloved family friend (my grandson is named for him).
The weather here is weird this week...hot, then rainy and chilly, then hot again... my daughter was to have surgery to correct carpal/cubital tunnel syndromes, but had to have it postponed due to her getting sick with a flu-like cold. I know, we don't have real winters...
This past weekend I attended an "ASL celebration" in Long Beach... got to go to great workshops, met 3 other high school ASL teachers, and learned some new things and found good videos to get for my students. Next Saturday is my state ASL test... I took it last November and passed 2 out of 3 of the subtests...so this time only need to take the one... it's the hardest, which is why I went to the workshops... I covet prayers for passing this test, from anyone who is willing.
It looks like I won't be laid off, so this would be the first summer with no need for job hunting, after two summer hunts in a row. Pray for Ideaguy's wife so she doesn't have to hunt! Oh yes, Xangpastor's wife, too.
I'm in the last two college courses I have left for my credentials... they both end the same week my teaching school year ends, and I can't wait!! Only 4 more weeks left:) It looks like I get to teach summer school to deaf kids, too:) So far so good, the courses have gone well...
That's about all the news... hopefully it won't be a whole six weeks till the next post:)
Love to all,
Gerrie
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| ExperimentI'm taking a new course called Technology for Teachers I. One assignment was to write a "newsletter". I couldn't think of anything to write about school so I did a silly little thing about "my family"... I'm going to try and post it here.
Spring 2008
Gerrie Goes to School Again!
The job teaching ASL at South Hills High School requires a single subject credential. Gerrie’s credential is in mild/moderate special education. This credential is preliminary level and expires in 2009. So Gerrie went back to school. At first she took only one class at a time at Azusa Pacific University. But then in the spring she realized if she did that, she would be going to school all summer taking classes at University of San Diego.
So she decided to enroll at USD to take the online courses required for all teachers: Health for educators, and Technology for Educators 1, and Technology for Educators II. These classes are simultaneous with the APU classes during Spring 1 and Spring II sessions.
It’s hard, but worth it. She decided that the extra stress was worth being able to finish by middle of June. So when the High School year ends, her college year will end, too! And by Fall 2008 she will have two clear credentials: a mild/moderate special education and a single subject credential.
Tyler Leimbach Reads at Fourth Grade Level
Grandson of Gerrie, Tyler, loves to read. He goes to Bradoaks Elementary School in the city of Monrovia, and is in second grade. He is also into sports, plays video games, plays with his dogs, goes 3-wheeling in the desert with his parents, and participates in many other physical activities with family and friends.Page 1
You’d think with his love of physical activity, that he’d stick to books that have lots of pictures or are easy to read. But, surprise! He loves to read story books, and even some chapter books. His teacher reads to the class and some of those she has read are part of a series. Tyler has fallen in love with some of those, too.
And here is the best part: Tyler reads at the fourth grade level! That means he is two years ahead of what is normal for his age. We are very proud of him – Go Tyler!
It Took 60 Years, But Better Late Than Never
Gerrie’s kitchen is being remodeled. It was very ugly and old-fashioned looking, with original cabinets and plumbing from the 1947 building of the house. It’s a small room, only ten feet square. Without knocking out walls and moving plumbing, there can’t be many drastic changes. But with custom-built cabinets, new granite countertops and tile flooring, it’s surprising how different you can get it to look.
First came getting a drawing from Home Depot. Then finding someone who could build cabinets (just “happened” to meet someone at Panda Express). This person then brought together a team of professionals who do drywall, painting, countertop, and tile floors. Gerrie already had a plumber and her son is an electrician.
Coordinating the team was the challenge. Availability of the plumber became the fulcrum around which everything else was scheduled. It’s working!
The prices were right and the workmanship good. We’re not done yet, but we’re almost there!
Before After
 
Love to all, Gerrie
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| This "Holy" WeekI wrote this to a friend, and then it dawned on me I should post it here.
Some people call this "holy week". I know it's important to celebrate and appreciate the death and resurrection of our Lord. But I have trouble making a "big deal' of the "one day", because in my mind it should be a big deal every day. Please don't get me wrong, I LOVE Easter and what it means. I just think that to celebrate and remember the Resurrection once a year isn't enough.
Scripture draws an analogy between what the high priest of olden days did once a year on what is now Yom Kippur, to go into the Holy of Holies once a year and sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat to atone for the sins of the people, and what Christ did, entering the "holy place" once and for all with His shed blood in hand, as it were, to give US access to the very throne of God in prayer.
That His sacrifice is what makes us the "adopted" sons of God; we are justified by His death and saved by His life. That His resurrection is what makes our future going to Heaven possible.
I think about this all year long... and am so grateful for it. That Christ's "intercession" for us, and the Holy Spirit's coming because He went to heaven, make it possible for me to have a parent-child relationship with the Owner of the universe.
I just thought I'd write and wish you all a very blessed, happy, spiritual week this week and really, always. I see many of you as being very spiritually minded, so I know this all means something to you.
God bless,
Gerrie | | |
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