Time for a Break

It's Saturday!!

That means I got to sleep in until 6:15am (When you wake up at 5:15 during the week this extra one hour of sleep is glorious...and the best part is not having to get up just yet. Laying there knowing I have no commitments this morning is a good feeling) 7:30 I'm up with pajamas still on but ready to slowly get the day started. The eggs are on the stove, coffees brewing, laundry is in the washing machine, happy upbeat music is playing in the background, the sun is shining through the window, and it's the first day of spring break, baby!!

I'm going to be honest this update won't be your typical "Here's what we're doing down here letter" but rather a post of vulnerability. Slumps. We all have them. Yes, even missionaries believe it or not. For me this past month has been hard. If you're a teacher you understand when you have 23 students (active first graders at that) it's hard to keep patient. I was becoming irritated with all. the. things. From asking questions after I explain something because they weren't listening, to blaming others, parent meetings because of misbehavior, being called "Miss!" countless times, students interrupting me while talking to other students, getting asked "What do I do when I'm done?" the list goes on...

It got to the point where I just snapped. Seeing the look on that child's face made me realize how much I need Jesus. I need HIS love to get through each day. I need HIS patience to love well. I need HIS guidance to shepherd the hearts of these kids. They didn't deserving the way I was acting toward them nor was I conducting myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. I confessed. God forgave. I apologized to my class for being "irritated" knowing it was a big word for my English Language Learner students trying to find ways to explain it, "you know when you're really tired and you're just frustrated and angry at every little thing?"  "yes," they said. "Well that's how I've been feeling and acting towards you and I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" and in chorus they all said, "of course!"

So I've decided to make a list to remind myself why I do what I do and why I love it.

Top 10 List of Why I Love Teaching First Grade
1. They forgive and forget so easily
2. They love learning and are like sponges soaking up every word
3. The little things excite them in life
4. They start making connections with everything in life between subjects to their own personal experiences
5. Their faith in Christ is so genuine
6. You can act silly in front of them and they have no judgement and just laugh along with you
7. They're not ashamed to give you a hug
8. They affirm you of how you are "the BEST. TEACHER. EVER." even though they just got in trouble by you five minutes ago
9. They're funny and make you laugh
10. There's never a dull moment! It's a messy job that involves cleaning up vomit, peed pants, and sometimes even poop but someones gotta do it! (and then it makes for a good story to laugh about at the end of the day)

I'm so thankful and looking forward to this very much needed week off and pray that the Lord would renew my spirit and fill me up with His Love to pour out and finish this last stretch of school year strong!

I encourage you if you're in that kind of slump right now. Take a minute and pause asking yourself why are you there? It's probably because you're not relying as much as you need to on the Lord. Repent. Ask forgiveness and ask the Lord to bring to mind the things He has blessed you with thanking Him for giving you this life and moment to live. It will make all the difference and help you change your attitude.

School ends June 3rd. And for those of you who don't know I have decided to take on the same role for at least one more year as the first grade teacher at ECA. I've learned so much through this year and look forward to another year at this place where Christ is being taught and proclaimed and students are receiving the Word of God daily!

In Colombian News...
If you haven't heard in the news this past week Colombia was shaken up by deadly landslides in the southwest part of the country taking the lives of over 250 people. You can read more about it here. Families have been separated, people wounded, and homes lost. It's been encouraging seeing the local Church in Colombia take action to send relief teams down and collect non-perishable items for them. Please keep Mocoa, Colombia in your prayers. That the Lord would be glorified through this tragedy and people would come to know Him.

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We are still at about 75% of our monthly support goal. Please pray about joining our team financially and being part of the work and change God is doing here in Colombia through Christian education and college ministry. If you're feeling called to give you can do so by clicking here.