Revolving door

I'm always so surprised with how quickly my life changes. There seems to be a permanent mark of accerleration. And I perfer it this way! The very next day things have already rotated many degrees. First off, two kids left my classroom. One was Cole who's move has lead him to a teacher Mr. Most across the hall. What caused this move was constant sly remarks and name calling by some boys in our class. I was so sad to hear about this happening and that it couldn't have been resolved a different way. The principal reiterated that it wasn't my fault, but I it makes me wonder what I could have done differently to prevent this. I was so unaware and so oblivious. Adrian is the second student to be moving, but his location will be a farther distance. Today was his last day and I made sure he left with a letter I wrote to him about my determined belief in him and how proud I was of him. I hope those words can cancel at least two or three of the negative ones that are thrown at him day and night.

As an added bonus I got the infamous pink slip in my box this afternoon meaning we have a new student next week. CRAZY WEEK will be the official title for it because we lost one student, had one move to the next door classroom, and gained a new student. Three major changes, one day to adjust!

Another change has been a proposal that I've not decided how to respond to yet. Amy Rogers who I wrote about in the last email has asked me to teach her two sons while living in Kenya. I was thrilled but have not concluded if this is the direction I want to take. For some reason it seems like a step away from my dreams and so I need to give it further thought and ask her some defining questions.

Future plans? Glad you asked!

I have felt a lot of clarity on my future and have been getting this direction straight from God himself and then it's been confirmed through other people. Since you asked what my future held here is the answer in a long winded way, but I don't feel that this could be answered in brevity. When I came back from Australia I felt that I could do both teaching and Africa. I thought it might be teaching during the year, Africa during the summer. I'm still not totally sure what will manifest but this is where my heart is leading. I really feel like I'm still seeing in part but that there is more direction then even two weeks ago.

Well, my life continues to unfold like a red tapestry. It's beautiful and the closer I look the more I'm aware of the intricate details. Here is some of that detail, I've been planning on going back to Kenya this summer. But, I'm not sure what will happen with the violence over there. There is a chance that it might not happen. I'm really praying that I will be able to go and support them in the rebuilding and reconstruction.

But, there has been some more open doors as well. There are some job openings to teach at a sister school in Nigeria. I'm feeling excited about applying. I can see how God could have perfectly arranged for this to happen. It is only open through the Tacoma School District. It's required that you have three years teaching experience. And my principal was principal over there for five years and just got back last year. She said that she would write me a really great recommendation. The commitment would be for two years. And I feel it would be an amazing next step towards starting a school/orphanage in Africa. God has been expanding my vision for teaching and Africa even just within the past weekend.

I also got off the phone with the directors wife of the mission I'm working with this summer. They said that they are thinking about moving back to Kenya like in a year or so but that they would need a teacher to work with their autistic son. I have a lot of experience with this and am wondering what God has up his sleeve. I've begun to see glimpses of the future an there is a great excitement and anticipation in my spirit. I'll continue to keep you updated on these changes but I'm excited to see where God is leading.

Chapters of my life

If I was to write you a story about my classroom and the experiences there it would be titled GOD MY VINDICATOR! My teaching continues to be a challenge. BUT I can see how everything is really purposeful. I'm learning so much and I feel that if I can see the big picture of why these lessons are important than I can handle anything. It's been really amazing because I've been challenged by God to live up to His standard and not to compromise to the standard of the school district of the school or the individuals on my team. Over all of these there is a heavy spirit of apathy and victim mindset. He has challenged me to be the atmosphere changer and bring the presence of God into everything I do. Recently there has been a lot of opposition to me. My teammates will start to yell at me, my parents will refuse to come to the conference or the guardians will storm into the school to report an issue. But, the great thing is since I've been working for God I've built a reputation with the administration of being fair, consistent and dedicated to my students. They have stood up for me in every issue and I'm seeing justice and vindication. It's been beautiful and I've been learning that if I take care of myself and walk in integrity, then God will take care of the rest.

One of the chapters in this story about my teaching would be called MIRACLES IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL? IT IS POSSIBLE! Also there are some real miracles in my students recently. That has been giving me motivation to continue. One of my students Adrian has changed so much just in one day. I prayed for the apathy over him to be broken and the would have motivation to work. The next day he was different. He was productive, staying in his seat, not having side conversation, raising his hand with answers or asking for help. I've rarely seen this from him. I took time out in the class to brag about him to the other students and then gave them the chance to brag about him and complement him on the things that they've seen him doing. People began to sit next to him, they initiated conversations with him, they would put their arm around him. I feel as if all of heaven has encouraged each of us in this classroom to reinforce these positive choices he started to make. It's been miraculous to watch! I'm excited to see what God continues to do!