Overcomer is a current song on the radio station we listen to in the car. The lyrics remind me of the girls, but especially, Ruth.
You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You're not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when He reminds You
That you're an overcomer
Overcomer video
This week marked Ruth's first three full days in an American high school. Prior to school, I met with administrators, took Ruth to meet her principal and counselor and tour the building, and she attended orientation. On day one, she was up on time, came down smiling beautifully, took the bus, and made it through the first day. She found the right bus to bring her home and immediately launched into a litany of questions.
The I.D. I had told her about didn't come - The lock and locker we'd discussed wasn't provided - She wasn't understanding most of what the teachers were saying - Would I please help her figure out the papers she brought home and organize her supplies?
Several phone calls and e-mails resolved the initial challenges. We have several more issues to work out. However, even with the challenges, she has come down with a smile each morning. She faces each day with a positive attitude, is now comfortable walking to the bus stop by herself, and diligently worked on homework with us at night. She even spent some of Saturday reading aloud from her French textbook.
This girl is an overcomer. We can't wait to see what a few months' time brings.
Thanks to all who continue to have us in your thoughts and prayers. School begins this week for the other two. I have a feeling this word will represent the trio well.
Diametrically Opposed
-Two points directly opposite each other on a circle or sphere.
-Completely opposed : being at opposite extremes
We currently exist in a reality where each day can be
diametrically opposed to the next. We've experienced a bit of Little Shop of Horrors and some scenes more likely found on Little House on the Prairie.
Today, for instance, I provided the girls with some simple flash cards on numerous topics - Coins, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and some basic word-building. After a brief amount of time with the girls, I went on to other tasks. Shortly after this interaction, the girls came to ask how to pronounce some of the numbers again in English. They wanted to practice saying the names of the numbers. They asked me to write out all the names of all the numbers. Having the words in the dictionary wasn't enough. They wanted each numeral and written name on a legal pad that they could count, repeat, and write in their own hand. While I was making dinner, I could hear their chanting of names of numbers. It wasn't too much longer before they were downstairs wanting to recite the words to us. At one point, two girls were practicing words and one was practicing the guitar. Moments like this help us somewhat make it through the scenes from Little Shop of Horrors. :-)
As the calendar continues to move on, despite our best efforts to slow it down, the girls are faced with the start of the school year. Each of the girls has shown excitement for school in their own way. They've asked if they get to ride the bus, when we will shop for school clothes, and when we will buy their supplies. Soon enough, each of the girls will be on their own in the wilderness of an American school. Fortunately, I've had some encouraging conversations with school administrators and look forward to working closely with the adults that will have primary contact with the girls.
We continue to need support in many ways. We gain strength from your thoughts and prayers, and we will never be able to adequately thank our family and friends for their love, patience, and generosity.
Thank you for being with us throughout the adventure.
