Sweet Memories!

Well the year is officially wrapping up. Grades are being turned in, awards have been given out, classrooms are being packed up, and bittersweet goodbyes are beginning. What a challenging and blessed year this has been. Call me crazy, but I never once woke up dreading to go to work (I may have dreaded waking up and getting ready...Ok I often dreaded that part) I am so glad that the Lord has given me a love for my work and His children, granted that doesn't mean everyday was full of sunshine and roses.

As I have reflected on the year, I notice that I have grown and changed in a variety of ways. Some comical, some more serious, some very unexpected. One I will share is quite funny in my opinion. If you have ever worked with young children, you may have noticed that they can be a bit whiny at times. Perfectly normal and something they will usually out grow of, and I would much rather whiny than the attitudes they begin to get as they get older. Well even though it is normal, it can get a bit tiresome. I mean you should see the littlest bumps and scratches that they are in "agony" over. I once considered myself a compassionate person, but I cannot tell you how many times I have said the following words this year: "You'll be fine" (which thankfully is usually all the reassurance they need) I also justify it in my head many times with " I am just toughening them up." But I must say I have learned that a trip to the water fountain or a bandaid can instantly end all the worry and pain. Amazing! Oh Lord I pray that You restore a compassionate heart in me for these sweet little ones' aches and pains:).

A teacher has a million things going on at once, and for a scatterbrained person like myself, this makes concentrating and remembering things a bit more challenging than the average person. But oh how I do love a challenge. One sweet girl came to me in need of a bandaid, and I told her "Yes, One second." I literally turned around for like 10 seconds, turned back around, and said "What do you need (student's name)?". To which she reminded me and also said "Man you do have a bad memory." Oh my!

The sweetest way to end my 1st year happened at our awards ceremony Friday. Our principal told everyone about my plans to work MFUGE this summer, and then he had all of my students surround me and pray. I cannot say enough how thankful I am for the school that I work at. To hear the student's precious prayers and to have the support and encouragement of my co-workers, principal, students, and their families means so much to me!

God is so very good! I cannot wait to see what great things He has in store!