In Which I Return, Bereft of My Voice

Hi Everybody! I (Rachel) am back from my sojourn! I must tell you that I am now officially self appointed as a "mute nanny". I'm not kidding. I have lost my voice. I can only speak in a high-pitched whisper that puts one in mind of Castello (sp?)when he is scared! And I assure you, it did not come from yelling at the children:) This was the fourth day. I spent 10-12 hours a day at the family's home, getting up before there was a hint of dawn in the sky and leaving around dark. Most of the children had colds, and it appears that I have caught some strain of something. I do not feel bad, but I have no voice at all. I could be legally dumb at this moment, and feel that it would be profitable to learn conversational sign language! The Lord really blessed me though, for the children did not try to test me. I felt completely helpless when I realized that I would have to whisper. You've no idea what it felt like! So I just said a quick prayer that was as desperate as, "Lord, you're going to have to be my voice since I don't have one! Please speak for me to these kids in their hearts!"
And you know! They were very patient, trying not to smile while I did an impression of a mouse which was meant to be, "Let's do chores and then play outside."
I was sort of panicking before that prayer. For the other three days I had run myself to ribbons telling them stories, singing them songs, and reading to them. Therefore, I was quite put out to discover my inability to communicate. What was I to do with four young children until 5:30 or 6:00? But I managed to get them to understand that we were going to put on our coats and play outside. Thank you God for making it 50 degrees after freezing temperatures all week! So there I was, playing hide-and-seek and tag like a school girl when lo and behold, there appeared the father and mother of the children! And hour and a half earlier than expected! I felt as if I wanted to cheer and shout and make a hullabaloo, but instead I squeaked out my surprise and happiness to see them so early. And that is the end of my journey. As I told Morgan, "There is nothing like going away to make one appreciate one's own family, quirks included". I also learned something else: it is interesting to baby-sit kids from a conservative Christian family, because (though we are conservative too) each family has their particular convictions that must be dealt with. For instance, the four-year-old of this family informed me that they were not allowed to say "Oh my goodness!" (yes, I am guilty of putting that saying into a story I was fabricating for their amusement! Shame on me! :)
But all in all it was a good experience for me, a help to the mother, and I can say with no malice that they are done with me and I was done with them! Thanks for all the prayer! Oh! Remember to look at the post below this where Sarah displays her awesome baking! :)
(Aren't you glad that I can at least speak on the computer?) -Rachel

I Ain't No Mary Poppins! ;)

Hey Guys! I know this is twice today. But this is a really quick thing. Starting Monday I will be watching 4 kids for a family from church at their house all day. (Monday through Thursday this week)I have to get up really early (4 o'clock to be exact) in order to be there by 5 o'clock. Please pray for me because I don't know these kids real well, and the one-year old has never been fond of me. I'm praying that she doesn't scream her head off all day! ;) I'm excited about the opportunity, and it is an answer to my prayers for ways to make money, but I'm still a bit nervous. I just wish I knew what the kids liked doing. The Strother kids were easy because they would sit and let me read to them all day long if I had wanted to. I am praying these children like stories and make-believe sort of things.(Because that is what I'm good at doing! :) Does anyone have any ideas of what to do with children all day? This is a ridiculous question because I constantly watch our kids all day, but I know them well... I guess I should just run the other children's day the way I would with my siblings here at home, but what if the kids are absolute sports fanatics? I don't know a blessed thing about sports, and they aren't allowed outside for long since they all have colds! Horrors! But since God led me to do this, I have full faith that He will provide me ideas and patience and smooth my path for me! To bad I can't take them through chalk-paintings or snap my fingers to clean everything up! Anyway, I'd appreciate any ideas of how to entertain 4 acquaintance-children! :) -Rachel