So, once again, it has been forever since I have written.
:-/ I was totally planning on it while I was home for the summer, but being
there is always so busy and crazy that none of the stuff I plan on doing while
there gets done. :-/
Oh well. Last semester ended well and my summer was super
great! A much needed time home with my most favorite people. I seriously can't
believe it is the middle of August and we just finished our first week of
school. Seems like such a blur.
I arrived last Friday, well really Saturday
early morning (1 am), and have been on the go since I arrived. I normally come
back about 2 weeks before school starts, but a family vacation was planned for the
first week of August before I knew I was coming back for another year. So Betsy
so graciously let me come back after it was over so I could spend the week with
my family and nephew. So glad to have had the opportunity to make those
memories! But in doing so, I had to jump right in to work for the semester. I
thank God that there was a group here that took care of our welcome back VBS
week, so all I had to do was be on stand-by and make sure that everyone was
behaving and focused and doing what they were told when they were told. That
was super nice to be able to have a few more days to figure out my thoughts and
plans and get things ready for this week ahead.
At the beginning of the week, during our morning staff
prayer time, a devotion was read that stated, "Bend me, Lord." Wow.
What a way to start off the school year. And I feel as though I will be bent
quite a bit this year. For those of you who don't know, I am going to be
teaching...in my own classroom...by myself. This is a new challenge as I am
not, naturally, a teacher. Some whom have worked with me over the last 2 years
may say differently, but I do not consider myself one. Not a classroom one
anyway. I have no concept of what children should be learning, I don't like
planning, I am not creative, and the list goes on. Thank You, God, that Betsy
knows/does/is all those things and has provided me with lesson ideas for the
students. YAY!! :-D
I will be teaching Reading Comprehension. I did teach the
reading program last year and helped out A LOT last semester in Betsy's class
on days that she wasn't there, which were many as she was dealing with a court
case as well as had other things going on that took her away from the
classroom. So I do have some experience, but all of the planning, etc, was
hers. I just followed what she told me to do. This year, it is ALL ME!
I am also dealing with getting readjusted back to life here,
being away from home and the things from there, and on my own again by myself
away from my family and friends.
So pray for me as I deal with all of that as well as get
last minute things together for my classroom and finish up my lesson plans this
weekend. As I said this is a challenge, part of the bending process that He
will be doing, and, although I was very overwhelmed and anxious and nervous
before, I am now a bit more at peace and am trusting that the Lord will not let
me fail. Why? Because He is for me. And if He is for me, who can be against
me?? (Romans 8:31)
Prayer requests:
-Besides above, the students-that they would be obedient and gain much knowledge through me as I teach. Also, that they would gain a better and more understanding of who God is.
-My relationship with with God would grow more deeply.
-For my financial support. It has dropped quite a bit over this last year.
Thanks, friends. And thank You, Father, for you continual love, grace, and mercy on my life. You never cease to amaze me with Your greatness in both my life and those around me. Thank You, Lord. Be with each of the students and staff as we prepare for the start of another school year with You. Help us as we each go through that bending process.
Some pictures of my bulletin boards:
Pictures of my time home:
