Day 2440. Friday and a holiday, so no normal day. The alarm went off at 6:15 am, like every day of the week, and Randy got up to make breakfast. And they had to leave just after 7 am, just like any other school day. I helped them get ready and said my good-byes to them, then went back to bed after Randy had left with Tammy and Emmy to take them to the meeting point from where they'd leave for their canoeing camp with the others. I was very tired after another short night and hoping to get some sleep before teaching at 11 am. While trying to fall asleep again, I suddenly realized the kids had forgotten their caps and their Royal Rangers scarves they have to wear at all times. I started calling Randy to ask him to turn around and get them as there was plenty of time for them to take the next train and still get there on time. I must have called him about 30 times but no answer. It bothered me so much that I decided to get up, get dressed and bring them their caps and scarves. I quickly put Sammy into his wheelchair, and off we went. So much for getting some sleep. We made the 7:35 am train which left 15 minutes later than the one Randy and the kids had taken. Unfortunately it was an old train and there were few people out and about this early on a holiday but a man helped me get Sammy over the steps and into the train. When it was time to get off, there was no one with us on the train to get off but people outside helped get him out.
We then took the subway for four stops and walked to the church where they were meeting up. Emmy saw me from the distance and ran towards me. They were still all busy packing up the cars and figuring out who was going in which car. I gave the kids their scarves and caps, then joined the crowd standing around. Tammy was excited to go in the car with the other girl her age while Emmy was in a different car. When they all went inside to go to the bathroom one last time before the 75 minute ride, we said our good-byes and walked away. After they had come back out, they took a group picture, then they left.
Randy, Sammy and I walked back to the subway, rode it to the train and took the 8:51 am train home. It was after 9 am by the time we were home, and the tiredness had already hit me bad. I went back to bed but 10:30 am came around way too quickly. It was hard getting up, and I felt the extreme tiredness for the rest of the day. And in addition to that, it was a new student I had at 11 am but I was ready for her. I taught until noon, then went to the kitchen to cook lunch for the three of us. After having eaten, I did not have time to rest. At 2 pm I had my next student, and Randy and Sammy left at that time to go do a bread pickup. I was done teaching at 3 pm, and they returned just after that as well.
I had work to do in the afternoon but it turned out a little different than expected. I got to talk to Paul to find out about the current situation and it broke my heart to hear that so far at least 6 Christians from our churches have been killed. I then ended up writing a newsletter to let everyone know what the situation is like. It kept me busy for the rest of the afternoon and was not what I had wanted to get done. When Sammy got hungry, I went to the kitchen to make his sandwich.
And then somebody contacted me about teaching their daughter and asked for a trial lesson. I told them I could do it ten minutes from then, at 6:30 pm, and that's what we did. I taught until 7 pm, and they loved it so much that they hired me. I thanked God for a new private student that needs lots of lessons. Now I just have to find time for both my new students (the other one is not private so that I get paid less than half there).
At 7 pm it was time for the bathtub, and I quickly cut up some fruit for Sammy to eat in the water. He had fun with me. Then he came out and went to bed after I had prayed for them. As for me, holiday or not, I had to sit down at my computer and teach at 8 pm. By 9 pm I was done teaching. I started working on finishing my newsletter when my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number but picked up. Tammy and Emmy were calling from their camp as they were about to go to bed. I had enjoyed getting pictures and videos from the camp all day. Emmy's face was very sad while Tammy was all upbeat and excited. He was the one who wanted them to call me so he could see me and talk to me and say good night. He was so sad he couldn't even talk, and at one point a tear escaped his eye and ran down his cheek. I tried to cheer him up, told him I'd dream of him and hold him in my arms in my thoughts. I also told him to cuddle with his sister; they're sleeping next to each other. He just nodded. Then we said good-bye and good-night. I then finished the newsletter and sent it out, then got myself some soup to eat and took a break before going back to work. Now it's after 2:30 am, and I still have to take care of the dishes before going to bed.
