First Encounter

Our last week was filled with laughter, jokes, a failed CDL bus test (for some) and more volunteer love than I could have ever dreamed.  We all mesh so well that I know God has some A-MAZ-ING plans for Red Cloud and Our Lady of Lourdes this school year.  I thought you all would love to have a description of my new friends here in SoDak so here we go:

 imagine a three girl part harmony going on in the background hehe :)

Claire-3rd grade teacher at RC, from St. Louis but went to school in Kansas, says the most hilarious things you never know what comment will come out of her mouth, isn't afraid to be herself and that's what I love about her the most

Anna- substitute at the high school, is very talented musically and has one of the kindest hearts I know, she also hates soup

Mickey-my kindergarten aide at RC, went to school at Santa Clara and from Northern California, loves soccer and will help coach one of the soccer teams here, does funny voice overs and has a fun personality

Liz-college advisor and alumni relations at the high school, big personality, pretty much grew up on the Rez because her parents met here, has so much to offer to this community and loves to experience everything

Kevin- K through 8 PE/health teacher, was a Jesuit novice for a year and a kindergarten aide for half that time at RC, former camp counselor, very chill personality and has some serious dance skills

Andrew-high school English teacher, born in Omaha Nebraska, loves sports, very fun to banter with back and forth

Those were the few of us newer (minus Liz since this is her second year) newbies in the Red Cloud community.  We went with our sister school companions (what we refer to as OLL) out to a pub in Gordon, NE which is about forty five minutes south of here. The volunteers also call it a border town.  It was a small town pub that have cowboys at the bar itself.  Yes, good old cowboy hat and boot wearin' men.  I made the mistake of asking the bartender about his huge Western belt buckle.  He went on about it and wouldn't leave our group alone.  He then started talking about how crazy it gets in Gordon at the first and fifteen of the month since that's when the Lakota community get their paychecks/food stamps.  That's when I knew this would become a part of my life-discussions with arrogant people like him who don't know the Rez culture.  Although alcoholism is a huge problem in this area, that doesn't mean people should generalize like that.  It's something I'll have to get used to and learn to hold my tongue better.

Tomorrow, a bunch of us get another stab at the CDL (bus driving) written test up in Rapid City.  I feel a lot more confident then last time and managed to get some solid sleep too, thank goodness.  We'll see how it goes.  Prayers would be greatly appreciated :)