32. Or: Four.

Some highlights:

A discussion of the weather this morning results in a split vote between "partly cloudy" and "sunny." There are two clouds in the sky!" the ardent defenders of p.c. assert. The two clouds in question were very small, streaks of cirrus against a brilliant and otherwise cloudless blue.
Sunny takes it by two votes, but the sunny faction graciously asks that "partly cloudy" be put up on the weather board, too. I am impressed with their diplomacy.

A worship and prayer session is our follow-up to the Ascension story this week. Just like the disciples returned to their quarters to pray and praise God after they saw Jesus ascend, we took our cardboard disciples off the wall where they stood under our cotton ball clouds. "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
We sang the chorus to 'He Reigns' --
"It's all God's children singing glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns... It's all God's children singing glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns.
And all the powers of darkness tremble at what they've just heard.
For all the powers of darkness can't drown out a single word....:
It's all God's children singing glory, glory, hallelujah, He reigns..."
They sing with gusto. They hold their cardboard disciples. We worship with the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us.

Later in the day: Two boys come up to me beaming with pride: "He asked me to open the refrigerator for him, because he needed help, and I did it." "And I said thank you!"
I love that this was report-worthy.

Next came: Friday, parent-teacher conferences. A strange step into the world of 'what if'. what if the day didn't start so early... what if we talked more to one another... everything changes, then suddenly: Wham. Back to the routine. A bit like waking up and then being slammed back into the strange and heavy dream you were having before... but I'm thankful. The meetings I did have went well. The folk who were not able to come... I hope I get a chance to talk to when I have the kind of energy that is rare on full days of teaching.

Friday evening: Sara Groves, in person, and the amazing kids and staff of New City Church bless me richly. With memories, hope, and rest in Christ. In Almighty God. Thank You.