Random little lessons

Yesterday, my little cousin was helping me with some work for school. I knew that this could be a risky move because the stuff he was helping me with is easy to tear. But as he was helping me, I realized I really could careless if he tears any of it because I was just enjoying his help so much. I am not one of those people who would rather do everything myself so that I make sure I get it done right, but there have been times where I have denied help to make sure that something is done correctly (or at least the way I want it done). As I was working with my cousin, I realized how precious these moments are.

Think about those sweet pictures where little ones are working alongside their moms in the garden, their dads on the car, grandmas in the kitchen, or grandpas in the workshop.

Sure your favorite plant may get pulled because it was mistaken for a weed or grease may get all over the place or an egg may get dropped on the floor or your thumb may feel the pain of a missed swing of the hammer, but the risk is worth it! You can always spend time at the zoo or go to a museum or go to the park, but I know that the most precious times for me were when I was working alongside my mom, dad, aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas. For some reason now that I am kind of on the other side of that, having little ones work alongside me, I still treasure those moments, no matter how much the task at hand may get messed up.

I feel sorry for people who hold too tightly to control to allow someone who might not really be qualified to actually help. They are missing out on some sweet times! I really can't say why I find these moments so precious, but they are some of my favorites.

Just a little closing note that my mom and Nanny will appreciate...My mom still lets me have these little moments with her (which trust me, is indeed risky business). Just a few weeks ago, I went to help her in the kitchen with some spaghetti. Being my easily distracted self, I forgot that I had an opened box of uncooked spaghetti standing up on the counter. As I went to turn around, my elbow knocked it off the counter and all over the floor, to which I immediately fell on the floor speechless and crying because I was laughing so hard. You never get too old for these sweet moments.

Divine blessings

I cannot even begin to say how completely unworthy I am of the people the Lord has placed in my life! Like the word "unworthy" doesn't even do it justice. New friends and old friends and just passing through for a season friends, close family and distant family, co-workers and all the in between: I am blessed beyond measure. Words fail me as I try to communicate this but I will do my best.

I look around at the people the Lord has given me, and I am so humbled. These people speak truth in my life, and give Godly advice and wisdom. They desire what's best for me and want to see me cared for and happy. I know that they will gently, in love, tell me when I am not being rational or tell me when I am just flat out wrong. They love me for who I am and push me to be better! They know my heart, my desires, and my passions! Challenging me every step of the way, whether through word or through the life that I see them living for Christ.

So I take this time to first praise the Lord for who He is and for His divine provision of Godly, precious relationships in my life. Secondly, I want to thank you all for putting up with me and loving me and for allowing me to share this life with you:) Lastly I challenge myself to be available and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance of who I need to love and serve on a daily basis. Who has God placed in my today that I can serve and love and be intentional with?

God you simply leave me speechless!

So I guess it's about time.

Well I felt like I went from one big thing to the next, and by big I mean overwhelmingly exhausting in every sense of the word...emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. So I can honestly say that I am so thankful for three incredibly lazy days to recover and just be. Because of the quick turnover from camp to school it took me a little longer to process all that I learned and was a part of this summer. So I hope you will allow me this opportunity to do just that.

* Everyday when we went on site I would tell my kids "Leave all that you have out there with those kids. You should come back on the bus exhausted because you gave it all you had." That was what we as a staff did our best to do as well...in everything from worship, to night life, to Bible study, to conversations at dinner...we gave all we had to give. Now it's time to bring it home. I am still learning what it means to give all I have in different areas of my life here at home. It looks a lot different here, but I believe God calls us all to leave all we have out in the world we live in. From work, to family and friends, to all the people and challenges in between, we should crawl into bed every night exhausted knowing we gave it our all and then some.

* I also told my students to make the most of every moment and every opportunity. After my first week on site and with students, I quickly learned that 1. time is precious and 2. I am not guaranteed another chance to love and minister to these children. There were so many children that only came out once or twice at site and there were some who were regulars for a while and then just stopped coming for whatever reason. And with students the week went by so quickly! As I started a new school year I realized how true this was with my sweet students and even with friends. You just don't realize how quickly a school year goes by or how quickly life changes for people at our age. So I pray that the Lord will show me how to make the most of every opportunity with the wonderful people He has put in my life.

*I will wrap it up with this (because I could just go on and on). There is no greater joy than being hot and sweaty and tired and dirty and losing your voice EVERY week:) when it's done for the glory of the Lord. I am so thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to love and be loved and bless and be so very blessed by students, adults, children, and that sweet sweet staff this summer! In the month and a half that I have been home, I have been overwhelmed by the challenges as well as the opportunities that the Lord has given me to put into action all that He has taught me this summer. The good, sweet, exciting and yes, sometimes emotional kind of overwhelmed. I pray that the Lord will continue to use the lessons learned this summer to challenge me and mold me more into His image.

Oh what a week...

Let's just say these last few weeks have been quite the challenge. They have been such a challenge that it has been hard to see the good times for all the...hhmm...let's just say "exhausting" times. Sometimes as a teacher I have trouble seeing past the discipline to the beauty of my job. Sorry let me explain better. Many times I leave school feeling like ALL I did was discipline all day. More so this year than last! Well this has definitely been one of those weeks. Mostly due to the fact that I am still in shock that I am still having to tell them the same things over and over and over and over and over. Trust me that is NO exaggeration! So I am going to take this time to reflect on some fun times that I did have this week with my class...

Yesterday I was asking my class to tell me about a time that they wanted to buy something but didn't have the money for it, so they would have to save for it. Most were about toys, which is the expected response from a 2nd grader. One student replies: "One time I was in this furniture store" (which I immediately begin thinking: What would a kid want from a furniture store?) "And I wanted this massage chair, but it was like a few thousand dollars."

So sometimes I may or may not laugh out loud with my students, which don't get me wrong is fine and all but done at the wrong time over the wrong thing can cause chaos, so it has to be done with some discretion. But today it happened and it was so cute. I had only 9 students today due to the long weekend. 2 of my students were not doing what they were supposed to so I called them and asked what was going on. The girl said "He was playing with my tutu" But when she said it she got really shy when she got to the word tutu (she was wearing a little saints or LSU tutu for football day). A little giggle started around the room and then I just started laughing. I mean we all just laughed. It was definitely something I needed.

Overall I still believe I have the best job. It's just wearing me out, so I am thankful for Labor Day weekend!