Okay, so it's been six months since I posted my "summer of no" entry.  I didn't intend to say no to blogging, but as the summer of no turned into the winter of yes, I managed to extend myself about as far as I know how to extend myself.  And so here I am, in the waning days of my Christmas break, finally getting back here to write.  I am so glad that I spent so much of my summer recharging my batteries physically, spiritually, and mentally, because the fall and winter definitely brought on unforeseen challenges and opportunities.  

First, I am teaching 50 more students than last year.  Seeing 50 more students a day isn't that much of a challenge, but making my way through 50 more essays or 50 more tests or 50 more of anything else for each and every assignment, well that takes a lot of endurance (hopefully cheerful endurance, most of the time).  

In October I accepted an invitation to go home to Kellogg to do a one-day inservice for the Kellogg High School English department about teaching AP literature.  I haven't ever planned a 6-hour lesson before, and I found it pretty intimidating, but I couldn't have asked for a better audience.  It turned out to be a really great chance to reflect on what I do.  I know that I'm a better teacher for having done this, and I'd love to do it again.

In November my brother Kevin and I were tasked with creating a 2-hour program celebrating our church's 70th anniversary.  It turned out to be sizable undertaking, but I couldn't have been happier with the result.  I discovered again what a great writer my brother is (especially for a science teacher/administrator!).  He wrote beautiful tributes to many members of our church and inspired me to write a few of my own.

And finally, I helped a committee of talented folks plan and direct our church's annual Christmas program.  I'd say I significantly underestimated the energy and time this project would take, but in the end, I think we managed to entertain and inspire our audience--and, most importantly, focus on the birth of Jesus.  

I have at least two more blogging topics rolling around in my head.  Let's see if I can get to them within the next 6 months!