December

So, this past week has been a blur. I don’t know whether it was good or not, but I am now seeing more and more of how God gives strength to them that are weary.

We had week of Prayer this past week, and it was good. I had a lot of responsibility as I am the one who plans the schedule for week of prayer. I know that God is using everything to His glory but sometimes I feel that I am not doing enough for God. I simply trusted God this past week and that got me through.

I am so thankful that God took care of me, as I was pretty sick this last week. I went to the doctor with every lymph node in my body swollen and hurting. The doctor said that my throat was swollen almost shut. I also had an ear infection, and a fever. But God is good and provided that someone could take over my class. I am feeling better now though.

This week is final’s week, and so it is busy with reviewing my students and making sure that they are understanding everything.  I found beetlnut in the bathroom today and we had to do a search of middle school. I told my kids that if they ever brought anything to school they would hurt me because I would have to get them in trouble. I hope that this makes them more conscience of their actions and how they affect others. I am very happy and proud to say that I didn’t find anything on them.

I am also very excited because we got Taco Bell this weekend. I was so excited when our principal came back from Guam and he brought us Taco Bell. That was super exciting. The SM’s ate them that same night. But they were delicious. 

Weary Soul

So after a rough month, things are finally starting to look up. And so thus the blog post. I actually have time to sit down, and write one now, which is a forgien concept.

Injuries

So now that my infected cockroach bite is fully healed, I can celebrate and be reminded of the great struggle, by the beautiful scare that was left behind. But now I have more battle wounds.

After a successful Kirstin Memorial Day, the Freshman class went out to Manta Ray, which is a ship that has been turned into a restaurant. There we ordered pizza, and after consuming our pizza we jumped off the lowest deck of the boat. (For all of you reading this and knowing what it is, yes, I have also jumped off the top deck as well!) We jumped off once, and then jumped off the dock that was a little way away from the boat. The boys were pushing each other in, and Sarah, another teacher here that teaches high school, and I decided to sit down so that we would not get pushed in as well.

We had to leave so we finally stood up and started to say goodbye, 2 of the boys decided they didn’t want us to go so they pushed us in. The one who pushed me didn’t push me far enough though so my knee scrapped on the dock, and I ended up with a pretty nice gash out of my knee. Now you know my success with infections, so sure enough it got infected, and that was a chore to get back to normal, but we finally did, and I didn’t have to go to the hospital for meds.

Besides that, no major injuries have come upon me. J

Anyways, I am doing well. In all honesty, I didn’t really know how I was going to make it through after the rough things that have been happening, but God keeps proving to me that He has my back and that I have nothing to fear, because He will fight my battles for me.

I know I say this every time, but I love my kids. They make me so happy. I was talking with one of the SM’s here and we were trying to figure out who loved who more, the kids loving us, or we loving the kids. I only hope that I can make an eternal impact on them. God knows that I am more interested in winning them for the kingdom, them making sure that they can become the President, or some important person. I want them to see God in a different light, I want them to know that God is exciting and that He is interested in them, and wants to be part of their lives.

All the comments I get from them are hilarious. There is one boy, his name is Jaydon, and he is the most hilarious kid ever! He is the one that brightens up my day. The kids are just amazing, and I wish you all could meet them. Absalom, one of the older kids in the class, he also looks out for the younger ones, knew I was having a hard week after some of our teachers had to leave, he would follow me around and make sure that I had everything. One time I laid my head on the desk, while they were doing an assignment, and he looked at me and said, “Miss, it’s ok, you can take a nap. I will make sure they behave.” Little does he know that he showed me a better picture of unselfish love. God knew that they needed me, and that I needed them when I was to become a Missionary, and I thank God for that.

The Sm’s here celebrated Thanksgiving here with a huge meal, mainly consisting of deserts, but nonetheless it was amazing. We had such good conversations, and it is such a blessing to serve with this group of people.

As my family’s tradition is on Thanksgiving, we run in a 5k, but since I couldn’t run on Thanksgiving, because it was a school day, I ran one on Sunday, when we celebrated it. Lauren, another SM who is in to running, went for a run with me. It wasn’t quite a 5k, but it was just the fact that I was running.

The Internet has been lacking and so getting on and talking to my family has been a challenge. It was so nice to Skype with my family on Thanksgiving though. I got to talk to my brother, and Mom and Dad, Grandma, and Uncle. They also didn’t believe that the cockroaches could be so big, so they told me to go get one. Well, the hangout for cockroaches is our shower. I don’t know why, but I went in there and there was one that was probably 6 in long. I killed it and brought it back to show them. I think they believe me now.

Oh, and the Detroit Lions won against Green Bay on Thanksgiving, which was really nice to hear.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. God is working in my life so powerfully. I only pray that I will be receptive to the lessons he is trying to teach me. I always doubt that He knows what He is doing, but each time I have to come back to Him and apologize because He continually comes through for me, and reliance upon Him is such a necessity.

My students are gems, they have been bringing, and making so much for me. I have yet to receive a Lava lava from them, but that’s ok. (hint, hint) They know I love fruit, so they bring me food. One of the mothers always stops by the bakery and buys me cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, or sponge bread. They are delicious. They have been so good to me. This same mother invited me to a fundraiser for the Philippians and they were selling food to help benefit them. She paid for both me and one of the other SMs. She is a sweetheart. My girl students always bring me flowers, or drawings, or sweet cards. They are going to be so hard to say goodbye to.

There is an impact being made here on Yap. The group of SM’s we have here are devoted young people that love the Lord, and that love the people here on Yap. I feel like I could be doing so much more. I only pray that God will help me see what I could be doing.

While the students were trying to figure out my age, they thought they were tricking me by asking me what year I was born in, but alas, I caught them in their ploy, and instead told them I was born in 1964. They proceeded to do the math, and they figured that I would have to be 49 to which they exclaimed that I would be a grandma. Or that I wouldn’t be able to walk anymore if I was 49. I also got a, “Dude, your old!” They make me laugh. They also said that they would be writing a letter to my parents asking them how old I was. I told them that they probably wouldn’t remember, and they agreed since my parents had to be older then me.

We are having a week of prayer now, and I am praying that it will be a blessing to these kids and that they will know that God can and will give them second chances.

Continue to pray for us, as the devil is doing his best to discourage us, and bring us down, but we serve a mighty God, who won’t leave us.

I know a lot of you prayer for us, and that is so encouraging, whenever I get discouraged I think of all the people that are out there praying for us, and it lifts my spirits.

Quote of the day,

“Christians who gather up gloom and sadness to their souls, and murmur and complain, are giving to others a false representation of God and the Christian life. They give the impression that God is not pleased to have hid Children happy, and in this they bear false witness against our heavenly Father.”

So whatever you are going through now, remember that God has a plan for it, and that He won’t leave you. “In all things, give thanks…” god gave everything for us, so let’s give a true picture to the world of who God really is. Stay positive, and allow God to use you, even through the trials.

Weary Soul

So after a rough month, things are finally starting to look up. And so thus the blog post. I actually have time to sit down, and write one now, which is a forgien concept.

Injuries

So now that my infected cockroach bite is fully healed, I can celebrate and be reminded of the great struggle, by the beautiful scare that was left behind. But now I have more battle wounds.

After a successful Kirstin Memorial Day, the Freshman class went out to Manta Ray, which is a ship that has been turned into a restaurant. There we ordered pizza, and after consuming our pizza we jumped off the lowest deck of the boat. (For all of you reading this and knowing what it is, yes, I have also jumped off the top deck as well!) We jumped off once, and then jumped off the dock that was a little way away from the boat. The boys were pushing each other in, and Sarah, another teacher here that teaches high school, and I decided to sit down so that we would not get pushed in as well.

We had to leave so we finally stood up and started to say goodbye, 2 of the boys decided they didn’t want us to go so they pushed us in. The one who pushed me didn’t push me far enough though so my knee scrapped on the dock, and I ended up with a pretty nice gash out of my knee. Now you know my success with infections, so sure enough it got infected, and that was a chore to get back to normal, but we finally did, and I didn’t have to go to the hospital for meds.

Besides that, no major injuries have come upon me. J

Anyways, I am doing well. In all honesty, I didn’t really know how I was going to make it through after the rough things that have been happening, but God keeps proving to me that He has my back and that I have nothing to fear, because He will fight my battles for me.

I know I say this every time, but I love my kids. They make me so happy. I was talking with one of the SM’s here and we were trying to figure out who loved who more, the kids loving us, or we loving the kids. I only hope that I can make an eternal impact on them. God knows that I am more interested in winning them for the kingdom, them making sure that they can become the President, or some important person. I want them to see God in a different light, I want them to know that God is exciting and that He is interested in them, and wants to be part of their lives.

All the comments I get from them are hilarious. There is one boy, his name is Jaydon, and he is the most hilarious kid ever! He is the one that brightens up my day. The kids are just amazing, and I wish you all could meet them. Absalom, one of the older kids in the class, he also looks out for the younger ones, knew I was having a hard week after some of our teachers had to leave, he would follow me around and make sure that I had everything. One time I laid my head on the desk, while they were doing an assignment, and he looked at me and said, “Miss, it’s ok, you can take a nap. I will make sure they behave.” Little does he know that he showed me a better picture of unselfish love. God knew that they needed me, and that I needed them when I was to become a Missionary, and I thank God for that.

The Sm’s here celebrated Thanksgiving here with a huge meal, mainly consisting of deserts, but nonetheless it was amazing. We had such good conversations, and it is such a blessing to serve with this group of people.

As my family’s tradition is on Thanksgiving, we run in a 5k, but since I couldn’t run on Thanksgiving, because it was a school day, I ran one on Sunday, when we celebrated it. Lauren, another SM who is in to running, went for a run with me. It wasn’t quite a 5k, but it was just the fact that I was running.

The Internet has been lacking and so getting on and talking to my family has been a challenge. It was so nice to Skype with my family on Thanksgiving though. I got to talk to my brother, and Mom and Dad, Grandma, and Uncle. They also didn’t believe that the cockroaches could be so big, so they told me to go get one. Well, the hangout for cockroaches is our shower. I don’t know why, but I went in there and there was one that was probably 6 in long. I killed it and brought it back to show them. I think they believe me now.

Oh, and the Detroit Lions won against Green Bay on Thanksgiving, which was really nice to hear.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. God is working in my life so powerfully. I only pray that I will be receptive to the lessons he is trying to teach me. I always doubt that He knows what He is doing, but each time I have to come back to Him and apologize because He continually comes through for me, and reliance upon Him is such a necessity.

My students are gems, they have been bringing, and making so much for me. I have yet to receive a Lava lava from them, but that’s ok. (hint, hint) They know I love fruit, so they bring me food. One of the mothers always stops by the bakery and buys me cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, or sponge bread. They are delicious. They have been so good to me. This same mother invited me to a fundraiser for the Philippians and they were selling food to help benefit them. She paid for both me and one of the other SMs. She is a sweetheart. My girl students always bring me flowers, or drawings, or sweet cards. They are going to be so hard to say goodbye to.

There is an impact being made here on Yap. The group of SM’s we have here are devoted young people that love the Lord, and that love the people here on Yap. I feel like I could be doing so much more. I only pray that God will help me see what I could be doing.

While the students were trying to figure out my age, they thought they were tricking me by asking me what year I was born in, but alas, I caught them in their ploy, and instead told them I was born in 1964. They proceeded to do the math, and they figured that I would have to be 49 to which they exclaimed that I would be a grandma. Or that I wouldn’t be able to walk anymore if I was 49. I also got a, “Dude, your old!” They make me laugh. They also said that they would be writing a letter to my parents asking them how old I was. I told them that they probably wouldn’t remember, and they agreed since my parents had to be older then me.

We are having a week of prayer now, and I am praying that it will be a blessing to these kids and that they will know that God can and will give them second chances.

Continue to pray for us, as the devil is doing his best to discourage us, and bring us down, but we serve a mighty God, who won’t leave us.

I know a lot of you prayer for us, and that is so encouraging, whenever I get discouraged I think of all the people that are out there praying for us, and it lifts my spirits.

Quote of the day,

“Christians who gather up gloom and sadness to their souls, and murmur and complain, are giving to others a false representation of God and the Christian life. They give the impression that God is not pleased to have hid Children happy, and in this they bear false witness against our heavenly Father.”

So whatever you are going through now, remember that God has a plan for it, and that He won’t leave you. “In all things, give thanks…” god gave everything for us, so let’s give a true picture to the world of who God really is. Stay positive, and allow God to use you, even through the trials.

Cockroach tooth... :/

Today during worship we talked about how no matter how hard your life is someone always has it worse, but that despite all of that we should still look for the blessings in life. So we went around the room and my students said something that they were thankful for, among the responses were, “I’m thankful for my family.” “I’m thankful for God taking care of me.” But a lot of them also said that they were thankful for me. I am so blessed to have this class. I look around at all the other classes and thank God for mine, not because the other classes are bad, but because these kids are a perfect fit for my personality.

God does still take care of us, and care about what happens to us. That has been made so obvious to me in the 2 and a half months that I have been serving Him. I resolve to learn to trust fully, and that I don’t underestimate His power, or what He can do. I am thankful for so much. I am thankful for my family that has come behind me and been supporting me in prayer, and love. I am thankful for my friends that have chosen to encourage and uplift me. I am thankful for my students who never cease to amaze me and are always teaching me something. I am thankful for the life God has given me, and I hope and pray that I can always bring honor and glory to Him. I am thankful for my SM family, which care about me, and love me.

I have realized that if someone can love you in the mission field then it’s true love, because they most definitely don’t love you for how you look, or even sometimes how you act. I have learned also this year that complaining about your circumstances don’t change them. Complaining about things only make them worse for you and have the potential to bring others down around you. I am convinced that I will never be the same because of this experience.  

I am learning so much about myself, and the mission field points out the things that need to change in your life. I am going through a lot right now, simply because I see so much that I want God to change in me. I know I’m here for a reason. I just hope I can learn all the lessons that God wants me to learn.

I am trying to teach my students decimals and I have now realized why it isn’t easy being a teacher. I try and teach them the concepts every way I know how, and they still don’t get it. I am learning that I have to go back to more basic concepts in order for them to grasp what should be their grade level, and heavily lean on God for leading and wisdom.

I love it here. I don’t think anyone will really understand unless they have been here, these kids, and how they are so encouraging, and how much I want them to learn. I only pray that I can be the best teacher for them, and frankly right now, I feel like I am not being the best teacher.

They are taking a test now, and of course I pray for them before the test begins, but I also realized that while they are taking it, I can sit at my desk and pray for them individually. Especially my struggling students.

So I woke up Friday morning with a weird bump on my leg, throughout the day it began to look more like a blister and began to get really red around the sore. It sent shooting pain up through my leg, and so I went to our local Doctor, Mr. George’s wife, who is a better doctor then the ones employed at the hospital, she put some natural leaves on it, and it started to draw out the pain. But for some reason it wasn’t healing. So she came back today and looked at it, and asked if she could pick at it. Later I found out that the reason why she wanted to pick at it was because she was taking out what happened to be a cockroach tooth. L Nasty! So I guess we found out what it was from. It is starting to heal and I am thankful for the wonderful people that God has placed here to take care of us.

I hope you all are doing well, and that nothing is going horribly wrong. I pray for you guys and hope that God will lead in your life, like He has been leading mine.

If you could still keep our school in your prayers, for financial reason, that would be much appreciated. I know that God knows the end from the beginning and I know that He will take care of everything.

Anyways much love to all and God bless.

God's working.... And Science Class

I just had a wonderful discussion with my kids about Jesus and what He did for us. We were talking about Jesus and how He was temped. We had a wonderful discussion about why memorizing scripture is good. I am so excited about how God is using me to reach these kids. The Bible verse in Esther keeps coming back to me over and over again, “for such a time as this, I was placed upon the earth…” God has me here for a purpose and I am convinced that the teacher’s before have done a wonderful job of showing the love of God, and now they really want to follow God. I know that I am here so I can talk about God, and my love for Him. These kids are getting there, they have a desire to follow God. Which I find so exciting. I am praising God for all that He is doing. I can’t get over it.

Everything is going pretty well, I am learning so much. I think I am actually more excited to learn about the different things then my students are. I feel at least in Science and Social Studies that I am learning so much, since science was never really my strong suite, but I feel that now that I am required to teach it I am learning about things that I didn’t understand and know. And of course the kids are teaching me so much about their culture and how things are done here, that I am just learning so much, but I love it. I have learned more here than I have in the 3 years of college I have taken. That is sad, but this is real life, and I can’t contain my excitement.

During Science Class yesterday we were talking about Wind Erosion and the different ways the wind effects the sand, the different ways the wind erodes. Anyways we were talking about abrasion, the rocks rubbing together and it wears at each other until smaller rocks break off. So my class clown pipes up and says, “So abrasion is like mating, they rub together and make small rocks.” I feel like this was a moment that I should have been professional and try and stifle my laugh, but It took me by surprise and it was so funny that I couldn’t help but laugh. I didn’t respond, I just kept moving on, but it was still an interesting way to look at it, and if it helps them remember what it is, goodness, I don’t mind.

Also, during Science class (Science Class was very educational yesterday) they began to read about sand dunes and how the wind forms them. But every time they read the word ‘dune’ the whole class would irrupt in laughter. I knew that this word must mean something in Yapese, so I asked them what it means.

“Miss, dune means poop in Yapese.”

“Well, I guess that would work, it creates a pile of sand instead.”

The next section was called, “The Movement of Dunes” to which everyone was laughing, but then the paragraph in the section didn’t help matters any:

“Dunes tend to move in the direction of strong winds. Different wind conditions produce dunes in various shapes and sizes. A dune usually has a gently sloped side and a steeply sloped side faces the wind…”

The whole class was dying laughing. Needless to say I was as well. I guess it is things like this that makes a teacher’s job interesting. I can’t help but love these kids, even though they are so clingy and needy sometimes, and they don’t want to leave at the end of the day, but I guess that means that they love me and that they want to be near me. I do love them too.

God is really making a way, and I am excited where he is leading me. I am so blessed to be surrounded by fellow SM’s. I seriously thank God for them everyday. I don’t know what it would be like to be surrounded by people that didn’t care about what they were doing and constantly complaining. I thank God that I am here, and I know that God lead me here. It was all part of His great plan, and even though I don’t know all His plan for me being here, I do know that I am here for a reason bigger and greater then what I even know. I am excited to see what He is planning.

This past Sabbath I also got the opportunity to experience real foot washing. I now know what it is like to have dirty water after you get done washing feet. It made the experience so much more real for me. So thankful to be able to take part in that service. In America we always make sure that are feet look good before we go and have communion, but here when you walk around you walk around with bare feet and your feet get dirty, it showed me what God did for the disciples. I really had a better look into what God did, and felt closer to God because it. I AM TRULY BLESSED.

Again, keep praying for the financial state of the school.

We are not doing so well right now. If you know anyone that wants to donate to a good cause let us know. I will sending out letters to different organizations asking if they would be willing to sponsor the school, I pray and ask you to pray that God will bless  those letters and that they will get into the right hands, and that people’s hearts will be receptive.

Also continue to pray for my students

·         Yuka

·         Marisha

·         Kyle

·         Jaydon

·         Zoe

·         Sishra

·         Alex

·         Emma

·         Absalom

·         Joshua

·         Patricia

·         Tony

·         Tyler

Also a huge praise that one of my students showed up again for church. I was so excited to see her and she sat by me. I was so happy. So be praying for her, thankfully her Grandma is willing to take her to church, so she should be able to come anytime she wants.

Keep on praying please! God is doing great things! 

The Lord Is Good!

An update on my blog has been long overdue. I am sorry for not being consistent with these posts.  First off, I have to say that I am thoroughly blessed, and am learning so much about me, and about God on this adventure.  So much has happened since I last posted, and I will try and catch you all up.

I have now been here a little over two months, and it seems like time is flying by. I have so much I want to teach my kids, but I feel like there is absolutely no time. The school day starts at 8:00 am and lets out at 2:15pm, which is nice for me as a teacher, but not conducive to long class periods, and accomplishing a lot academically.

I feel that for once in my life I am busy, but with a purpose. It is so rewarding to walk into my classroom each morning and see all of my students smiling faces. I am so blessed to have been led here, and I thank God every day for His devoted love to me.

There have been many times lately that I have had the opportunity/privilege to use my talents for God. Looking at where I am today, and comparing it with where I was 3 months ago is insane to think about.

This past week we had our first Week of Prayer. The Student Missionaries led out in this week. I had the opportunity to share my story of how God had led in my life. I have never heard the chapel more quiet then when the SM’s shared their stories. The students were intently listening and it warmed my heart to see them actually wanting to know more about Jesus. This week of Prayer was a huge blessing not only to me, but also to the students.

During this week, my students were asking me about what happens after you die. Most of my students are from a Catholic background, so they have different beliefs then me. I had the opportunity to share what the Bible said about the topic. One of my girls was writing down all the Bible texts so she could go back and look at them later. The Lord blessed the study and they were asking a lot of questions, and by the end they were understanding. One of them was very apprehensive about what I had to say, and I told him that I would be willing to give him money if he could prove me wrong using the Bible. I pray that he will study it out for himself, and see what the Lord has to say.

This week I also found out that one of my student’s parents have been asking about the SDA beliefs, and wanting to know more about us. Praise God! I don’t know why the Lord continues to bless, but I am praising Him for it. Our end of Week of Prayer was Sabbath at the Church, and we invited the kids to come and worship with us. Principal Raian spoke for the message and gave an appeal for baptism, 4 of my students responded to that appeal. I serve a powerful God, who will bless if your life is 100% dedicated to Him. I was so excited and happy for my kids! Be praying for them. (Kyle, Tyler, Tony, and Marisha) I am praising God.

I can now say that I have survived a super typhoon, and a 4.2 earthquake, which woke me up. I like having new experiences and these were just super exciting for me.

The kids here are great and so much fun to hang around. We have started a Pathfinder club, but they didn’t have many uniforms and they didn’t have a very structured, fun program for the students. So Sarah and I, one of the other SM’s from Michigan decided to try and start it up and try and make it fun for them.

When I say the lack of supplies, I began to wonder who I could ask to help donate money, or any type of Pathfinder supplies. I asked my Dad, who is a Pastor in the Michigan Conf, to see if maybe the local Pathfinder club could donate some, or even asking the Pathfinder Director of the Conf, to see if there was any possibility that they could donate what we needed. What we were really looking for was Sashes and Scarves. They had a Pathfinder staff training which they solicited to have some of the staff bring extra sashes and scarves to donate for the Yap Pathfinders. I don’t know how many they got for that, but not enough for our 90 student Pathfinder Club.

So Pathfinder Camporee was a couple week after this and the Pathfinder Director of the MI Conf, told all the Directors of clubs to ask their Pathfinders to bring extra Sashes and Scarves. So at the Offering at Church on Sabbath they collected money and scarves for the Yap Pathfinders, they raised about $500.00, which was enough to cover the expenses of the sashes. Then after the service a random guy came up and asked if $1000.00 dollars would help! What a powerful guy I serve! I am so in awe of how my God works. He gave what we needed and more. It goes to show that the God I serve is a God that loves to do the things we think are impossible to prove to us that nothing is impossible with God.

So Michigan Pathfinders, know that you have made an impact, I want you to know that you have your own mission field, and that you helped people that are in need. I want to thank you for your selfless giving, and your willing heart. You have blessed 90 young people, and through your gift, you have shown me and my fellow SM’s a better look into who Jesus is. I pray that for this God will put a few extra gems in your crowns! Thank you!

I serve a mighty God. Who is proving over and over to me that He is in control and that He does care about this little Island?

If you know anyone that could donate, or would want to sponsor this school, we are going through some financial difficulties right now, but let me know so that we can get this school back up on its feet.

Prayer Requests

~ Financial state of our school

~ For my students

~ For our Pathfinder Club

~ For my Fellow Sm’s

~ For patience with the internet situation here

~ For me

I love all of you guys so much, and I pray that you will challenge God, and step out in faith and do something that seems impossible. Don’t settle down in your comfort zone, you will never grow while you sit idly on your butt and do nothing. Get up and Go!!!!! Get out and share what God has done for you, because He has done mighty things in my life, just in the past 2 months. I am excited to see what else he has in store for me in the future.

Little Victories ! :)

August 29, 2013

Today has been a day of small victories, but I feel like they are huge, and all I can do is thank God. After getting super sick last night, and waking up this morning still not feeling good, I knew that God would have to be the teacher in my classroom today. I surrendered my day to God, and asked him to be present, and to speak through me. And He has been answering my prayers all day today.

I was discouraged, that everything I teach I have to teach two or three times for them to get it, and so while I was grading a Language Arts Paper on finding the simple subject of a sentence, and no one got above a 70%, I didn’t know what to do, and so again I had to rearrange my lesson plans, and reteach, and give them another lesson on how it is done. So I gave them another worksheet and I just got done grading it, and most of them got 100%. Thank you, God.

I have also learned that playing music is calming, and their behavior has drastically changed. For which I am thankful. They were quiet and working.

Also, I have had to learn quickly, how to teach some of these kids. They are very smart, but some of them lack the ability of motivation. I am learning how to motivate the students. They all got A’s on their memory verse quiz today as well.

I have learned how to teach math in a more effective way. And today, I decided to try a different way, and they got it. And they are so excited. And all of them stayed in from Lunch to complete their assignments, and I finally feel like I walked away knowing that I taught them something. God is so good.

This morning, I was greeted by one of my adorable, girl students with a beautiful rose. It made my day. This is the same girl, which while we were sharing how God had answered a prayer had said, “I prayed, and asked Jesus to send me a nice girl teacher. He answered my prayer.” How little things like that warm your heart.

Daily, I have to remind myself why I am here, and it is for these students, my students, God’s students. I love them all dearly, and am praising God, that most of them are loving to learn. Comments such as, “Teacher, school is fun!” “Teacher, is it already the end of the day?” “Miss, I don’t want to go home.” I love them.

Right now they are at lunch, and there are a couple students that decided to stay in and now are drawing on the board. I will post a picture later.

Later on today, the SM’s are going to town. I love our town trips. I bought a dress that was made locally, and I am going to be buying more.

After we went to town for our weekly shopping trip, we came back and I played basketball with Van Larry and Carolita. (Both are SM’s) It was good to relieve some of the stress that has been building up. It was dark when we got done playing. And the stars were amazing. So Van and Carolita and I went up to the roof of the high school building, and sat and talked about God, and things that we were scared of about going back to our home. It was nice to talk about things, and just have quality people here to talk to about almost anything. We also saw a couple shooting stars. The stars back home don’t compare to here. You could see the milky way, and it was absolutely beautiful.

I was such a good day.  So I am praising God. He always supplies what we need when we need it the most.