Wow! This summer went by so fast! We are already into our second month of school here at Nizhóní. Here are some highlights to sum up each month since my last letter.

June – My momma and my brothers came to visit me the first part of the month of June. It was lovely to have them around for a bit. Sure makes me ready for Christmas to be here so that I can see them again. Summer school started the second week of June and lasted until the last Wednesday of June. Most of the students who attended summer school were able to complete the work required to move up to the next grade level.

July – Debbie and I went to Administrator’s Training in Hendersonville, Tennessee on the second week of July and we were able to stay with my cousins for the week. Unbeknownst to me, my momma drove down from Pennsylvania to surprise me with a visit while we were on the east coast. My sister and her husband came for a surprise visit as well. After Debbie and I completed our training, we headed home to the Mission. We arrived back on a Sunday afternoon and I was excited to see that Aunt Maggie, Juanita, Jenifer and Eileen had arrived safely for their visit. They had come to interview me for Sunbeam Camp at Roxbury and to help me start readying the school for the upcoming school year. We had some adventures while they were here which included seeing our fist live scorpion, driving on washed out roads to go see the hoodoos, driving through NAPI (Navajo Agricultural Products Incorporated) and spotting prairie dogs, finding wild horses, and laughing a lot. I drove them to Gallup to catch their train to head home. The very next day, my dad arrived with my new car! Not only did he bring my lovely new-to-me car but Grandma Shetterly came along with him! I enjoyed having both dad and grandma around for a couple of days. Too soon it was time to take dad and grandma to the airport and head to Supervisor’s Training in Albuquerque. Both Debbie and I passed the Supervisor’s Training with flying colors.

August – The first week of August was spent on the final things to finish before school started. Things like assigning desks, ordering curriculum, and making sure the school was clean. Orientation was on Monday, August 13th. Both parents and students came and learned about changes that have been put in place for this school year. So far we have 14 students enrolled here at Nizhóní. Three of the 14 students are Kindergarteners. The rest are 4th and 7th – 12th. 

September – Here in September the school was able to go on a field trip to the State Fair in Albuquerque. It was great fun to see all the exhibits, eat good food, and ride some of the rides. One of the stands/exhibits I went to was about beekeeping. It was very interesting and informative. I learned that one bee only makes 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime and will fly an average of 55,000 miles to collect nectar to make honey. Isn’t God’s creation amazing?

Praises and Prayers

Thank you all so much for helping me buy a car. I’m so happy with what I was able to get with the money that you all donated. For those of you that don’t know what kind of car I have, it’s a 2009 Suzuki. It brings me happiness to be able to jump into a vehicle and drive into town without having to ask if I can borrow someone’s vehicle.

Please continue to pray for the students here at Nizhóní. Some of the students have a difficult home life—some without running water or electricity—and all, including staff, need your prayers.

We are still in need of sponsors for 2 high school students ($1,000 each) and 1 kindergarten student ($750). If you would like to sponsor a student, you can call or email the mission or school. missions@navajobic.org nizhonischool@me.com 505-960-1212 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support. You help make a difference in a child’s life.

Thats all I have for now. I’m looking forward to all that is to come in the next couple of months.