Back in the "up" swing

Nice. Happy New Year to you all.

Have to get back at a post to say Christmas break was a blessing and very restful for our family. The beach in Thailand was all that you could imagine it is (so beautiful and quiet, sleepy where we were, although it was completely packed with Russian and European travelers.) Bangkok, in Thailand, is the perfect retreat if you need to have a taste of the first world again, which we enjoyed. Basically, we were enthusiastic to return to school this past Monday, with a very restful break behind us. We hope you enjoyed something of the same over your Christmas time.

Steph and Julia were sick, though, over the break, and they were long ones! Julia woke up not well on Boxing day, and was unable to eat or stay awake all day! We were planning to start our vacation with a long drive the next day and were seriously questioning whether we could leave or not, as she was still pretty feverish. We made it though, and for the next 3 days, she was exhausted, layed down or slept for alot of the days, and ate virtually nothing. We were in Koh Chang at the beach and by the time I finally couldn't take it anymore, and said I was taking her to the doctor the next morning, she rallied, and like a switch went off, she was fine! The next day, Steph was throwing up all night and ill for the same length of time. Poor kid. She caught it just in time to miss most of new years eve show at the hotel and all of the food (for 4 days.) No one else has been sick since, except for Maya who had a bit of an episode just today. Again, she seems fine, but tired tonight.

So, the Weisses have started the New year with our annual birthdays! Maya on the 9th, and Dean on the 14th. We arrived home from holidays the day before Maya's birthday, so it was quiet, but she openned a few gifts and managed to get a cake. She had a party just yesterday, with a bunch of gr. 1 girlfriends, and it was very fun.

Dean, on the other hand, has had quite the week, being the only administrator here at Logos now until March, as Dan Hein and his wife Jessica are in the States having their second child. His first week was intense, new students to organize, tours of the school, sorting out an amazing amount of scheduling and timetable issues, but it all went fairly well. So, Friday was his birthday--On a surprise, I ordered a lovely cake from a great shop here in town called "Bloom," to have at school for all the staff. It was delicious! THEN, I announced in morning devotions to all the staff, that anyone who would sing to Dean today and correctly guess his age, would get candy! And, around his neck I strung the largest necklace of candy that he could hand out! Ha ha. He made sure he got rid of it as early in the day as possible, but he certainly had the most birthday's songs sung to him in his life! The whole elementary took a turn at it, as well.

We're heading now into week 2, and I have a very exciting news: The Logos High school is currently in the preparations of presenting "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in May, with which I will be very involved. We are already beginning to live, eat, breath and SING Joseph, so it's really exciting. The preliminary plans have been in the works since even last year, and now, we're ready to give it a go! So, Logos is more than excited to present it's first ever large scale musical/drama production. We have the stage, thanks to Jog-a-thon money, the new school facility with the auditorium on the top floor, and a strong fine arts program that can support this size endeavor. God is good! This is such an opportunity for the students to do something of such a high quality. Will be giving plenty of updates as this transpires!

While there are always diffiuclties and challenges here of what always seems like the extreme nature, it is nice to feel a bit of lightness now and then, and then to just enjoy it. Birthdays, parties and cake! Hearing all those kids singing Happy Birthday to Dean--it was fun! We received a parcel LOADED in stuff we could use, from Tim & Sylvia Smith. Yay! And, the International church we attend on a bimonthly basis, is moving to their new facility next week. After a year and a half of looking for a site and building, it's these kinds of lovely upswings that are just a blessing and something to be so thankful for our here, enjoy as long as they last! Preparing for Joseph is high on my list of things to enjoy and be thankful for.

So, here's cheers to new years, 2011. We hope and pray you've had a blessed beginning and continue in health and joy throughout. We will talk to you soon.
L
:)