My wife since 1991, Kimberly, and I have been elementary teachers for over 20 years. I began my teaching career teaching ESL (English to Speakers of other Langauages) in Nanchang, China. (That's a WHOLE other story--Communism and my big mouth weren't the best combo pack!)
Upon returning to Michigan, our wedding was planned for October, but, even in 1990, teaching jobs were s-c-a-r-c-e! We were interviewed over the phone by principals in Yuma, Arizona, on the boarder of Mexico and were hired "sight unseen." School had already started there, so there was a sense of urgency. So, we rented the smallest U-Haul, half filled it, and drove across the country.
I taught middle school choirs and a guitar class. Kimberly taught 5h grade. After six years and the birth of a very white boy with electric orange hair, we decided to try moving back to our home state of Michigan.
Lakeview Community Schools hired Kimberly and me. This time I flew my eight-month pregnant wife home and I rented the BIGGEST U-Haul truck and pulled a van behind it. Nothing creates sweaty palms like 5 lane rush hour traffic with an giant old U-Haul stick shift! We now were a family of four: Kimberly and I, Zechariah, now 19, and Jacob, now 16.
The Tanis family set down roots with a modest home on five acres of mainly woods, surrounded by State land and Amish neighbors. As part of our boys' education, we learned to raise chickens, ducks, African pygmy goats, alpacas, pigs, and a plethora of cats and dogs.
We love the Lord and belong to a "Little House on the Prairie-type" of church just off our dirt road. I provide most music ministry, and have been able to use my stained glass window construction experience to bless the church with 10 windows so far. I'm about to begin the last eight.
I will begin with physical symptoms I began to experience the last part of 2007 in the next blog. Thanks for "hopping in the car" with me and let's explore and find some answers together!