We are still in a lockdown as the government is being very cautious before reopening again, which means we are getting comfortable using media to stay connected. Clubs, youth groups, and church all connect through video chats, and we are still getting creative for all the different games we can play online! One of the club girls even asked if she could create a game for us to play on an online club. It is fun to see the kids grow in leadership skills even while confined online. For English Class and Little Linguists, I have been creating videos for the students to watch at home. The English Class video included a read-along where the students needed to talk to the main character, Pigeon, of the book. The students were given the task to always say "no" to Pigeon, but Pigeon can be very persuasive. One mother wrote me that her daughters held strong to their "no" until Pigeon said, "If you let me, I'll be your best friend!" At that moment, both sweet girls, who are friends with everyone, declared "YES!" It is wonderful to be able to stay connected with many of the students in this way.
We had "second winter" this spring in Czech, which is pretty unusual (from what I have experienced here before.) All the snow melted pretty fast, but the cooler temperature hung around for a few more days. When it finally started warming up, everyone went outside to enjoy the sunshine. While we can't meet right now, I noticed how encouraging it was to simply wave and say "hello" to a friend or club student outside in passing. During one of these times I was outside at the park a former Little Linguist student recognized me (even with a mask) and said, "Hello, Kendra!" I was a surprised that this little girl remembered me since she had been coming to Little Linguists three years earlier, but "graduated" as she had moved onto preschool. (Little Linguists is a Mommy-and-Me toddler class). The little girl continued to tell me that she has been watching the videos I put online for the Little Linguists as her mom still follows the Mother's Center's updates. I have heard that other preschoolers were watching the videos too as their mothers look for activities that they children can engage in while spending much time at home. I had been wondering how to stay connected to the families who had previously attended my Little Linguists program but children are still too young to attend my English Classes for kids (as I start at Elementary level). It was so encouraging to hear that the preschool kids are watching the videos also!
Our ELIM team is currently in a state of "divide and conquer." We all have different activities of our own during this time, but the club kids are always close to our thoughts. When another leader would be leading club, others of us would be writing with students that don't attend online clubs just to chat, or sometimes we hop onto club to simply join in on the activities. I've enjoyed writing the other leaders as we have all been outside during the nice weather, and we share the different kids we have seen out on our different walks. The conversations always seem to include, "I saw [student], and he/she has really grown!" Some of our team is also continuing work on our building. They shared that for one of the building projects they counted that they would need sixteen and a half bricks to continue. Our team leader called to order the materials they needed to complete the work, but they were told that there were no bricks left at this time. (Since everyone is home, there are many people doing home renovations!) A few minutes later, our leader received a call back as the company said, "We found seventeen last bricks. How many did you need?" It was amazing to see how God looks at each detail so the work could continue!
I always enjoy exploring new trails around the city, and it was on one of these hikes that I found an old, covered well. Curiosity has always been a quality of mine, and the little door was unlatched, so I peeked inside. I found the well to be inhabited by this little guy in the second picture, hanging on inside the well. He didn't seem as surprised as I was, and I closed the door and left him alone... after quickly snapping a picture for you all to believe me.
One of the items I thought I missed when I was in America was my bike. Last spring, I spent so much time on my bike riding around the city and exploring new trails. My mom was generous to let me borrow her's last fall when I was in America, though I was surprised to learn that what I really missed was the hilly Czech landscape! I had grown used to the quick drops of the hills and the beautiful views from the top and it made the climb up the hill worth it. (And the trails that I normally take have gradual hills with a fun, adrenaline decline!) I finally got my bike out during the nice weather and went on my favorite trail - around the reservoir. For those of you who have read the novel I published last December, you'll understand why this is my favorite route.
For more information about my novel, I recently created an author website - www.kendrahavlicek.com . Check it out for more information about the book, an author vlog (with a bike trip to the reservoir!), and a sneak peek at what's next!
Even though we already had a second winter earlier this month, the weather this weekend got a little brisk again (even a couple flurries fell), but I'm looking forward to more nice weather days to take the hammock out soon on bike trips. However, I am especially looking forward to when I will get to take bike trips with the youth group, meet with club kids and classes, sing with the Littles, and sit for coffee with friends from church, but all that is hopefully on the horizon. These extensions of our lockdown situation are a bit like all these "second winters," but we believe and hope for the coming of spring.
Have a wonderful Easter weekend! HE IS RISEN!