Little Bit of Poetry and Some Lessons Learned

This week during literacy centers, Charity had me run the center on poetry. We went over shape poems, haikus and limericks. I never realized before how fun limericks are. As a small group we wrote a limerick together. Here are two examples:

Billy the Buffalo lives on a boat.

His best friend in the world is Chunky the goat.

They eat spam from a can,

and drink hot spicy jam

That burns as it goes down their throat.

Eating fried chicken makes Frederick quite happy.

Although after a meal he behaves rather slappy.

Dancing around

and making strange sounds,

His performance deserves a loud round of clappy.

I had so much fun writing these with the students. They are so creative!

This week is Spiritual Emphasis Week. We have chapel everyday with special speakers that have traveled here from the states. The elementary kids are learning about "Building a Foundation of Faith." I am loving it, our speaker, Karen has been talking about how a strong foundation consists only of Jesus Christ and nothing else. She read this amazing book today called Sydney and Norman. It is about two pigs. Norman is one of those perfect pigs that always looks put together, is on time to work and has always done well in everything. Sydney on the other hand is a mess. His house is a mess, his clothes are a mess, and he can never seem to do anything right. One day both pigs get a note from God asking to meet with them. Norman is certain that God is going to tell him how wonderful he is, and Sydney is just sure that God is going to tell him how disappointed he is in him for missing the mark again. Norman walks into his appointment with God, and God says "There are three things I want to tell you: 1. I love you. 2. You are not a great as you think you are. and 3. Your pride makes others feel bad about themselves." Norman is totally in shock, he doesn't expect God to tell him that and walks home with a heavy heart. Sydney comes into his appointment fifteen minutes late with his shirt hanging out and a hole in his pants. Sydney cringes as God smiles and says "Sydney, I have three things to tell you: 1. I love you. 2. I love you. 3. I love you." Sydney can't believe that God would love him despite all of his imperfections. Sydney wakes up the next morning a little more content, and Norman wakes up a little more humble. By the end of the story, I was in tears. Isn't it cool though, when God uses something like a children's book to soflty remind your heart of his love, mercy and grace?

God has shown me so much in the last week. I am in the midst of some anxiety with the increase in my responsibilities fast approaching. This week I took over math, in a couple weeks I will take over Bible and Language Arts, and in about four weeks I will have full control of the classroom for six weeks. Yesterday, as Charity and I were mapping all this out, I nearly fell out of my chair. Although I was on the verge of a breakdown, I had to remind myself of Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD himself goes before you, he will not leave nor forsake you. Do not be discouraged, do not be afraid." I have to constantly remind myself to take it day by day. A month ago, I was terrified thinking about taking over just one subject but he has gone before me this week and math has gone really well. I have a choice to make when it comes to worrying, I can choose to be hard on myself and wallow in anxiety, or I can choose to rely on God for the strength and ability to teach. In the last two weeks I have been convinced that not only is teaching a ministry, but it is the ministry and the purpose to which I have been called. If this is the purpose to which I am called, then that means God's going to do his work through me, which means that I have nothing to worry about. In my weakness and feelings of inadequacy he gives me strength and ultimately, it is him who receives all of the glory, not me.
Please be praying for all the staff at BAIS though, as Ramadan is fast approaching and can be a really dark time spiritually.