October 2017 Summary

In Their Words -  McCoy Missionary Homeschool Family Attending Storytimes & Checkout Sessions 

"Having Ms. Watts come to Davao is a true answer to our family’s prayers! 

Our homeschooled children love books so much, the public library is always on our To Do List when visiting the US. (Usually on the way home from the airport after 17+ hours of travel!) However, with no libraries in our area, you can imagine the groans and complaints of our children. We have prayed for a solution, and for a source to feed their “literary hunger”. Our 8 year old especially breezes through history pieces and chapter books; keeping up with our avid reader before was impossible! Continually shipping books is way too expensive for a missionary family abroad! 

When Ms. Watts came to Faith Academy, her passion for education and her thoughtfulness of the homeschool families was truly God’s gift! This has made a world of difference!! Our children squeal when they know “Library Day” is upon us, and the only groans we hear are when they have limits on how many to check out! 

Not only that, but Ms. Watts weekly has read, sung, danced and taught my children, along with many others, during Library Time, inspiring them to learn new things and encouraging them in their reading journeys. Having a weekly library group to join was a tremendous answer to prayer, for our children to have outside stimulation and socialization while still being homeschooled. She has patiently built a relationship with my kids, and continues to invest in the homeschool community in Davao. 

Thank you so much for sending Ms. Watts to Davao, and helping answer the prayers of a missionary family!! She is an inspirational person, creative and thorough in this specialized gift that she brings to our area!"  - Mrs. Jenny (& Eric) McCoy, http://www.fire-international.org/ 

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Literature Enrichment with "Dorothy"

Students enjoy having "Dorothy" visit their literature enrichment classes to share announcements and to chat with them.

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Library Skills Cooperative Reference Game: Boys versus girls. Each team had an atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, Guinness Book of World Records, and a thesaurus. Each team member found a detail in a reference book, and asked the other where to find that information. It's a fun way to interact with reference resources.

3rd Grade Reference Game Teams
4th Grade Reference Game Teams

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Puppets "David" and "Dorothy" Attend a Birthday Dinner

Birthday celebrations are such a cherished part of life in the Philippines. These ladies are members of my church's Esther Care Group. I appreciate group members inviting me to two birthday celebrations the first weekend of October. The dinner pictured honored Ate Babes (back row, second from right).

When group members asked if I would participate in karaoke at this birthday celebration, I agreed...only using my puppets that they want me to share at our  upcoming Christmas outreach ministry. (I sing Biblically...I make a "joyful noise.") My little friends and I never got inside to the karaoke machine - "David" and "Dorothy" were having too much fun on the patio with children and the young at heart.

"Dorothy" receives three generations of smiles

Leonila invited me to her granddaughter's "bat barakah." This is a beautiful and heart-warming "Blessing Ceremony and Rite of Passage" into adulthood on the 18th birthday. Eighteen ladies (including Mom & Grandmother) shared memories and spoke blessings on the honoree; of course Dad (our Pastor) had special words of blessings. An awesome celebration and rite of passage!

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Chance Meeting with a Chicken

Life is full of surprises and  adventures large and small. What do you do when you see a big chicken coming down the grocery store aisle? Grab your phone camera of course...a "Kodak moment"! This character was in the store promoting free-range chicken products. 

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READING Corner

A book that I am being blessed and encouraged by is Age is Just a Number - How to Age Without Growing Old by Harold and Darlene Sala. (ISBN: 9789710096633, OMF Literature Inc., http://omflit.com/)

During the Esther Care Group Sunday on a recent morning after worship,  I shared a quote that especially spoke to me from this book. Referring to Psalm 71:18 - "Brothers and sisters, this is your job--to declare His power to the next generation. Use whatever years are ahead of you to make sure you have fulfilled your responsibility to those who follow in your footsteps." (page 27) 

September 2017 Summary

  

Arrival Day of "Dorothy" Puppet. September 1 was a long awaited day - when I received the girl puppet I had ordered from Amazon.com. Many thanks to the Korean missionary pastor husband of my library assistant who had a conference in the U.S. We appreciate him bringing back some much needed library supplies also. Dorothy received a warm welcome on her day at Faith International Academy.

Now I have a soft (rather than wooden) David, Dorothy, and Grandma Gracie in the Philippines for my three ventriloquist voices. I plan to use these puppets for library sessions and community ministry.

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Faith International Academy SPIRIT WEEK 2017 

During the week of September 11-15, we showed our school spirit  on campus. The themes for dressing up each day applied to all K-12 students and faculty / staff were invited to join in. Yes! I enjoy dressing up.

        Monday: Color Day - part of the ORANGE Team.

Each team consisted of Kindergarteners through 12th graders for the games and relays plus teachers and staff. It was heartwarming to watch the interaction among the various ages. For example when a statue creation only allowed a certain number of hands and feet touching the ground, the high schoolers sometimes put the younger ones on their shoulders, around their waist, and on their shoes.

       Tuesday: Famous or Historic Person Day

-     Fanny Crosby 

For me it as an honor to represent this woman (1820-1915) of God who wrote over 8000 hymns, despite being blind from infancy.  Many of her hymns are sung around the world over 100 years after she passed away. Some of my favorite hymns by Fanny Crosby include: "Blessed Assurance," "To God Be the Glory," "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross," and "Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, Our Blessed Redeemer!" 

I played some of Crosby's hymns on my Kindle to help distinguish me from other famous blind women in history. I enjoy this music while taking walks.

       Wednesday: Book, Pun, Meme Day -  Gary Paulsen, My Life in Dog Years

Last year I shared Gary Paulsen's, "My Life in Dog Years" as a read-aloud with grades 3-4-5. He describes his life by telling about his eight favorite dogs. Some chapters are laugh-out-loud funny...some suspenseful.

       Thursday: Cartoon (superhero/villain) Day -   Bugs Bunny... “What’s Up Doc?”

Not visible in these pics is my white fuzzy tail pinned to trousers.

       Friday: Pajama Day - “Beary Sleepy” Thanks cousin Bettye for the care package PJ's! Yes, most of us wore our PJ's all day (OK, I shed the Pooh Bear slippers).

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Eye Injection Pals. Another eye injection treated as outpatient surgery at Davao Doctor's Eye Center came on September 21. This is what we are required to wear. The wait goes faster when laughing and talking with fellow patients. It was my privilege to pray with fellow patients. I felt for the lady on the right who was having an injection in both eyes for diabetes complications...first time. This was my ninth time I think, fourth time in the Philippines.

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Bunnies! 
An unexpected special treat was getting to visit a first grade "show-and-tell" where bunnies and other pets were shared...after a student tipped me off that her and her sister's bunnies would make an appearance. Bless her heart...Eden offered to give me the rabbits when her family moves to Africa in a few years since they can't take them on the plane. I thanked her, but I plan to retire before the date she told me that her family leaves the Philippines. I  miss my dwarf "Peter Rabbit" and the many times I used him in children's and other ministry, especially nursing home visitation.

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September 30th I attended a WALK THRU THE BIBLE - Biblical Character Series course called "CHOSEN: When God Calls Your Name" on Mary, the mother of Jesus. This powerful study includes:
Session 1: When God Changes Everything
Session 2: When You Feel All Alone
Session 3: When Life Breaks Your Heart
Session 4: When Life Must Go On

There was an extra session for persons interested in leading this mini-course. I felt God nudging me to connect with "Walk thru the Bible" and get leader materials in preparation for future doors.

Announcing: June-July-August 2017 WattsLine is now posted

Announcing:  

 June-July-August 2017 WattsLine 

  

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