A lot has happened since March. I finished the school year, went home for the summer to watch my brother get married and spend time with my family. I took another online master's class, and started a new school year, which is where I'll begin.
It has been a rocky start to the year to say the least. I really believe God is trying to get my attention right off the bat this year and show me how much I need Him. I came back from the summer about a week early, and enjoyed some time back on the island without any real responsibilities, which was nice. However, once in-service started I got really sick, and it has been a slow road to recovery. About a month later, I found out that one of my close friends from college was killed in a car accident. That just threw me for a whole other loop and caused me to think about many things. Through it all God has been faithful by reminding me Who He is, and that I can only make it through with His strength alone, not my own. I have been forced to just give EVERYTHING over to the Lord
Despite the craziness of my life outside of school, things at school have been going very well. I have a class of 24 students, 12 boys and 12 girls. So far they have turned out to be a good class that listens well and follows directions. We also have a new teacher on our first grade team, which has turned out to be a really good thing, and I am excited to see how we can make this a great year for first grade together.
Through all of this, though, and with the Harvest theme of the year being Faith Alone and going through the book of Galatians, God is teaching me not to fear man, or compare myself to others, but to live my life completely for an audience of One, and not worry about what others may think of me. This has been a humbling lesson to learn to say the least, and I feel like I still have a long ways to go before I actually learn it.
Galatians 1:10 "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Wow! What a rebuke! If I am only trying to please my bosses, parents, other teachers, and everyone else around me, then I am not His servant and am failing to do the job that He has called me to do! I need to be focused on Christ and Christ alone, and seek only His approval.
Here are a few pictures of my classroom and my life so far this year.
All ready for parent orientation.
Getting acquainted with where things are in the classroom.
On our way to lunch.
Visit from Johnny Appleseed on Apple Day!!
One of my students made Johnny Appleseed using graham crackers, apples, marshmallows, and raisins. Pretty creative!
Enjoying the new playground!
Showing off their artwork of an activity we did on learning how to write sentences.
Working hard to count and make combinations for 4, 5, and 6.
Buddy reading
Just one of my many wonderful gifts for my birthday.
And of course, I have to end with a beautiful sunset picture! This was from our view from the pool on Labor Day. A great way to end a relaxing day!
Isaiah 40:29-31
"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
