Three Years

Three years. That almost sounds like a sick joke. How the hell has three years gone by without you? I can't even remember who I was before losing you. I know who I am because of you, though.

You helped form me into a passionate learner; a fiery independent woman who gets sh*t done. I've learned how to take care of myself and am pretty proud of who I've become. I started my career as you were dying in the hospital. I had not one single clue what I was doing. Still don't, some days.

I remember the day you died too well. Sometimes I get angry that my memory resurfaces that day instead of the 22 years of life I had with you. It's not something I can control. But each day brings a glimmer of you. Some, even, bright rays of sunshine.

Sometimes it's when I'm driving to work, daily passing the funeral home we had your service at. Other days it's a powerful punch to the gut remembering just how hard your last months of life were, how hard you fought, and how painful it was seeing the man I saw only as strong suffer so intensely.

Most of my memories though, are of the countless ways you've helped make me into who I am. Your sharp, gifted mind is something I long to pick over current events and American History, now that I actually crave to learn about it. I get this swell of pride when I take care of stuff like buying new tires, signing retirement account documents, and getting the best value on things at the store.

In the fresh wind hitting my face as I drive, I picture you on your bike, coasting through Vickridge. In the smell of a package of microwaved frozen peas, I taste your baked chicken thighs that were a staple growing up. When I learn something new, I think about how much you held inside your brain. When I finish a book, I soak up memories of debriefing over Harry Potter late at night, devouring the books as soon as you finished. When I feel tired or worn, I think about how much you lived through with dignity and grit. The taste of green bell peppers reminds me of pre-dinner snacks and chats in the living room bay window with T. Marzetti's ranch dip. You'd be proud to know I love me a good Gin and Tonic. On my days off, I'm reminded of how well you got things accomplished as I run needed errands, frazzled by the constant to-do list. Every. single. time. I open a new tube of toothpaste your face illuminates in my mind, reminding me of the extra stock we always had and the hum of your electric toothbrush after every meal. As I fight to understand that state of our world, I feel both sorrow and hope for the future. You taught me to learn about the past to impact the future.

The list of memories and flashbacks are endless, and mostly ones I keep as treasure for my own heart and mind. I long for a tight hug against your scratchy face. Three years feels like a breath being sucked in all too quickly, all the while feeling like it's all I have ever known.

For all I've learned, encountered, battled through, processed, and hoped for over the last three years, I know there are years to come of even more. More life, more hardships, more depth, more community, more growth. Your imprint on my life permeates through everything. To you, Dad.

China 2018

Precious friends and family,

               I wanted to give you an update on my life, while telling you about an incredible opportunity I have this summer.

LIFE.

What a year it’s been for Ms. Klunder, the name I hear approximately 389 times a day Monday through Friday. I am finishing up my third year of teaching fourth grade in Wichita and learning an abundance about where I have been called and what it means to be persistent in love. This school year has been my most challenging so far, but also full of evidence of the daily sowing. I have taken on more roles within my school and district, having completely packed weeks every week. I started the school year as a “Master Teacher” for incoming fourth grade teachers to our district. They got to sit in my classroom for 3 hours and learn about classroom management, expectations as a new teacher, and see what a model classroom looks like. It was super humbling to share with new teachers, as I am still very much learning how to do my job and by no means have mastered anything. I will finish my ESOL classes through Newman and take my Praxis test in May. I plan to begin my Master’s in educational leadership this fall and am moving to fifth grade! All very exciting things, but the best moments have been the laughter, learning, and love I experience with my students. The life lessons my students have absorbed this year and the ways they have applied many of my “sermons,” as I call them, has been profound. Just this week I was teaching about acting on impulse, and half an hour after I had a student come up and say, “You know Ms. Klunder, I realized that I acted on impulse last week at recess when I got upset at *student* and ran after him.” WOW. That’s the good stuff.

OPPORTUNITY.

A couple weeks ago I was approached by my friend Leslie about a need this summer in China. As many of you know, I had the honor of going to Baoding, China last summer with International English Cultural Studies, IECS, with my sister Erica and Leslie.  I was a part of a team that helped with the English Week at Hebei Finance University. We left for China about 12 hours after I finished my last day of school, which was crazy and exhausting. And to be honest, as much as I would’ve loved to go back this year, I didn’t consider it with how challenging it was to finish school and go straight into traveling across the world and running hard for two weeks, despite it being one of my top 5 life experiences.

Long story short, Leslie is leading her own team this summer to Langfang University, a city close to Beijing. She has a team of mostly college students, many who have never been to China. One of the biggest ways we get to know students and build relationships is through our teaching. She asked if I would consider going again, in hopes that I could help with music for the English nights, bring teaching experience, plus help carry her load as the team leader. Immediately my heart fluttered. There have been so many little ways the Father has shown me this is exactly what I am suppose to do. The trip leaves two weeks after school ends (hallelujah). I had all these classes and trainings scheduled for the weeks of the trip, but everything ended up moving into April and May. The two weeks were wide open in my calendar. I took a couple weeks to process about it, then last week said yes to go!

 Through teaching English in the classroom setting, participating in “conversation corner” where we casually engage students in conversation so they can practice their English, inviting students to join with us one-to- one on trips to local sites, and hosting “English nights” to meet for songs, skits, a lot of laughs, and a lecture geared to start significant conversations, we are able to foster deep relationships.

GIVING.

Financial Need:

$2,500 (covering airfare, in-country transportation, food, and lodging)

Would you please consider being a part of this opportunity with me as you feel led? Financial and prayer support are both essential to this trip.

There a few different ways to give:

·        For a tax deductible donation, please visit online at www.iecschina.org and click on "support us" to donate. Be sure to enter Catherine Klunder in the comments field.

·        If you would like to send a check, please message me for my address.

·        To send money through Venmo, my account name is @CatherineKlunder

With expectancy and love,

Catherine