Off to a good start...

Today was our first official day of the new semester. Monday was a workday/recover from jetlag/catch up with all the peeps/prepare for the week. Oh how I love this community I work in. It is truly like a family, which makes it hard to be productive in the classroom and try to catch up on what we've been up to during the past three weeks. Nevertheless, the kiddos came today and reality has begun again. Plans for the week include beginning Maniac Magee and writing persuasive essays in Language Arts, multiplying and dividing fractions in Math, and understanding the parts of plant and animal cells in science. In Bible today, we spent most of the time sharing what we did over Christmas Break, but we also came up with some goals for our last semester of 5th grade. We talked about New Year's Resolutions and their purpose, then came up with personal goals. We put them up in the classroom, so that we can help keep each other accountable. Although my perfectionistic ways have mellowed a bit, I still tend to get a little carried away with wanting things in my classroom to run smoothly and in the process leave out that oh-so-important element of compassion. So, I decided that my goal for the last semester of this 5th grade class was going to be to each day remember specific reasons why my 5th graders are the best. In other words, intentionally recognizing the ways that they blow me away each day. Tomorrow, we will be coming up with classroom goals that we can aim for collectively. I am anxious to see what they come up with:)
It is so good to be back...back in Indonesia, back in a routine, and back in my classroom!

A New Year's Resolution and a Semester in Review...

You will be happy to know that one of my 2010 resolutions is to update my blog more often in order to keep you more in the loop on my teaching adventure in the tropics!
I have been in Flagstaff for the past few weeks for Christmas Break and have had a wonderful time catching up with friends and spending quality time with my family. Despite the freezing weather (yes, I have become a wuss to the cold thanks to my time in the tropics), it has been a blast being here over the holiday. As the calendar year is wrapping up and I get ready to head back for semester number two, I can't help but reflect on this past semester and give Him all the glory for what I have gotten to experience.
The contrast between the first and second year of teaching is unbelievable. Even though I moved up a grade this year from 4th to 5th, it has still gone remarkably smoother than last year. I definitely have more confidence and a stronger relationship with my kiddos, but I attribute it more to the fact that we have AC in the classroom this year! It's amazing how much better I teach when I am not completely drenched and cranky. It's great. Actually, I really think teaching has become easier because I have lived in Indonesia for over two years, the land of "rubber time" and flexibility, and it has rubbed off on me. Yes, structured and perfectionist Molly has chosen to no longer sweat the small stuff but rather embrace the chaos:)
I LOVE 5th grade. There are a few more tantrums, breakdowns and squabbles, but there are also more in depth conversations, more growth and deeper relationships. He is doing some amazing things in the hearts of the 13 ten-year-olds in my classroom which constantly reminds me of Philippians 1:6. He is doing a great work and I am privileged to play a role in it for this season. A few highlights of our semester have included a field trip to the lake, hands-on learning activities about the digestive system, spending a week in "Antarctica" during I Love to Read Month, dancing the Cupid Shuffle, How-To presentations, and a bowling party! This semester we have the Lock-In to look forward to where I am hoping they will agree to do karaoke with me:)
It has also been amazing to be in our second year at the new campus. Again, remarkably smoother than last year! This is partially due to the fact that BAIS has been blessed with some pretty amazing new staff. With an addition to administration and a couple extra hands in the business office, we have become an even stronger team. New staff means new friends and new friends means new adventures! We had a blast last semester taking random motorbike trips to different locations, spending a week in Malaysia, and celebrating Thanksgiving at the beach. All of which of course included adventure dining. The best thing I ate this semester was at a place in Penang, Malaysia called the Wet Market. It was full of vendors selling breakfast foods. We became pretty tight with an Indian man and his wife. He made the Roti (fried bread) and she made the kopi susu (pulled coffee with sweetened condensed milk). Amazing! Although this community that I live in can feel like a bubble sometimes, I have certainly been sharpened by my brothers and sisters. What a blessing!
Another highlight of the semester was a week devoted to serving outside the walls of our campus called Week Without Walls. Everyone in the school participates in projects created and run by the teachers. The theme this year was Love-ology. I was in charge of a project for high school and middle school girls that included working with the Islamic School down the street to create "Boxes of Love" for local kampung girls. It was a phenomenal experience where He showed me that love comes in all kinds of forms. We were asked to wear head coverings while working at the Islamic School. Although this was a bit outside of our comfort zones, it was humbling to see Him work through those insecurities and allow real friendships to blossom among the two groups of students. During our time with the kampung girls, we got to spread the love through games, singing, dancing and giving gifts. My favorite part was dancing the Hokey Pokey with 60 students between the ages of 3 and 17. Yes, love comes in all forms:)
Looking back at this semester, all I can say is "Great is His faithfulness." Every good thing comes from Him and I love that He has given me eyes to see those good things: good friends, an amazing class, challenging tasks, and fun adventures. It's in the joy of remembering His faithfulness that I have the strength to look upon the coming year with anticipation for what He's going to do!

First Week Down

I can't believe how much easier the second year of teaching is compared to the first. Despite the fact that I am teaching a different grade, it is amazing how smoothly this last week went. I guess it helps to have almost all the same kids:) I am so anxious to see what He's got in store for this class this year. I am confident He's going to do some awesome things in the hearts of these kids. He's already working in and strengthening mine for sure. My first week was good, but not without its difficulties. Midmorning on my first day of school, I got a skype message saying that my grandpa had passed away earlier that day. As I wrote in my previous post, we knew that he was sick, so it was somewhat expected. But, earlier that morning, I had just read an email from my dad explaining how he was doing so well and they were talking about starting physical therapy this week. That afternoon his breathing got really heavy and he was gone by that evening (morning here). I am so thankful that I can trust in the timing of the Blessed Controller of all things. I am confident that since that weekend in July when we thought we would lose him, He had been working extra hard on Papa's heart, and by Monday evening, He was done. He's now where He was made to be with his Redeemer and my Tita:) It was definitely hard to get this news on the first day of school, but I think it is the start of a year full of relying heavily on His strength. I have been blown away by the peace that has consumed me this week. It is weird to be far from home, but I have a family here who has come around me in such a sweet way and He has truly been my Comforter this week. I am so blessed and so excited to see Him continue to work.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
Isaiah 43:2-3

A Summer of Transition

When I was getting ready to head back to the states in June, I will admit, there was a part of me that was not looking forward to returning. After being in Indonesia for ten months straight, this place had become my home. I am by no means an expert here, but it had become that familiar place where you kind of know what you’re doing. It had been an intense ten months full of changes, challenges, laughter, tears and goodbyes, so I was definitely in need of a break, but I knew that my other home would hold just as many challenges, changes, laughter, tears and goodbyes. I was coming home to a world of transition and change: two of my grandparents had strokes in May putting my parents in the tough spot of making the necessary arrangements, several of my good friends graduated and moved away while I was gone, my sisters are all grown up and in unique seasons right now, and I was also going to have to face the fact that Flagstaff is no longer my home. Boarding the plane to head back, I knew that it was going to be hard, but I also had the assurance that He is the blessed controller of all things and that He would go before me.
Believe it or not, I am not a huge fan of change. Sometimes I jump right into it and make life changing decisions like moving to the tropics, but most times I like to avoid it. No matter the situation, I have noticed that it is easy in times of change to “paint pictures of Egypt” and think that everything was perfect way back when. I was doing just that this summer when I came home to all the changes: remembering back to a time when I didn’t have to worry about whether I was going to see my grandparents again, or when I didn’t have to miss my friends because they lived right next door, or when my sisters and I were all in the same town, or when Flagstaff was the only place that I called home. How easily I forget about the hardships I faced back then and the miracles He’s done in my life since those times. He has used the amazing opportunities, hardships, and people He’s brought to my path to shape me not just into the person I am today, but into a version of myself that can be better used by Him. I was challenged this summer to live in the present, not the past, not the future, but the present. I miss opportunities when I dwell on how good I used to have it or when I get caught up in the stresses that tomorrow might bring. We are not called to dwell or worry; we are called to wait on Him. He is one that can be trusted. I know that not just because of what it says in the Word, but because I can point directly to moments where He provided and protected. He never lets go.

You Never Let Go
By David Crowder

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
When waters rise
And hope takes flight

Ever faithful Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain
And disaster came
When waters rose
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul Overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul
Fills with hope
Perfect love that never lets go

In joy and pain
In sun and rain
You’re the same Oh, You never let go

Through the transitions of this summer, He opened my eyes to see that life is not supposed to be easy and predictable all the time. Change will come, and will probably not be fun, but He’s still going to be there. I am not called to have everything figured out and together, I am called to trust Him and follow Him wherever He leads. He opened my eyes to the fact that my home is neither here in Indonesia or there in Flagstaff, my home is with Him. It’s not about my job, my location or even the people around me. It’s about Him getting the glory He deserves.

So, it is with fresh perspective and an excitement for what He's got planned, that I begin my third year of teaching at Bandung Alliance International School tomorrow!

It's Storytime!

I've been working all week on the book of stories by the 2009 Sea Tribe Team, and it has been so cool to read about what He did in their lives and through their lives to impact the islands we visited. What an amazing time! One of my highlights included getting to know the INCREDIBLE high schools students that were on our team...seriously, I am so lucky:) Another highlight is told in the following story.

JC Loves the Little Sponges
While strolling through one of the islands, I came across a group of three or four year old boys who were shooting rubber bands up into the branches of a tree. Curious as to what they were shooting at, I ventured over to check it out, and to take some pictures. They all saw the camera and began posing for a photo, a.k.a. fighting to get the best headshot. We took some photos together, then decided it was time to play. The group started small as we began the counting game of Do-Mi-Ka-Do, but as word got out, kids were coming from every corner. The group grew to about 15 kids ranging from three years old to twelve, and all their eyes were on me. We all laughed hysterically as we sang “The Hokey Pokey,” sticking our elbows, noses and heads in and out and dancing around. We sang “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes”as fast as we could and as slow as we could. Sweaty, tired and out of games to play, I decided it was their turn to teach me something...then came the issue of the language barrier. I couldn’t understand a thing they were saying, and at one point they were all pointing at me and screaming something in Bahasa. After each of them took a turn trying to explain the game to me, I finally realized that they were trying to teach me Duck Duck Goose J By the end of our 20 minutes of play time, these sweet ones had a piece of my heart. I had hardly any language ability, and yet these kids listened to every word I said. At one point, I noticed a little girl holding my hand; no matter what game we were playing, she wanted to be right by my side. Interacting with kids has always come naturally to me, but in taking a step back to analyze the scene I was getting to play a role in, it occurred to me that these kids weren’t attracted to anything that I had to offer, but instead, were attracted to the source of joy inside me.
So often in our training for this trip we refer to the kids on the islands as possible distractions. We stress the importance of being ready with toys or games to take the kids out of the room during a deep conversation. This scenario is very common on the islands; Satan likes to use anything he can to distract or prevent deep connections with the islanders. Though, I learned during this trip to the islands, how important those kids are to the work that is being done. They are like little sponges, soaking up every word, and mimicking every action. For the remainder of the time on both islands I heard several kids humming, singing and teaching the songs that we had taught them. What a reason to be intentional about your actions and your words! Jesus knew how important the children were. When the disciples started to lead them away, thinking they were a distraction, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16) I got to teach the song “I’ve Got Joy” to a group of kids on each island.

I’ve got joy down in my heart

deep deep down in my heart.

J-O-Y down in my heart,

Deep deep down in my heart.

He gave it to me

and no one can destroy it.

I’ve got joy down in my heart

deep deep down in my heart

As we sang the words to that song, I couldn’t help imagine what an island would look like if these little sponges were overflowing with the joy of Christ.

These are the little rubber band shooters. Turns out they were shooting at cicaks (geckos) up in the tree. I fell in love with the one making the fish face...he would come to my house every morning ready to play or put on a WWF show in the front yard. On the last morning, I gave whole bag of rubber bands that we had brought with us.

After the games, the girls came over to our house where we decided we would play with the fingernail decals. The boys soon found out, got jealous and wanted shiny heart stickers on their nails too. By the end of our time together all the kids were calling me Kak, which means older sister.

This is just one of the many stories. Can't wait to tell you more.

Thank you to all who were lifting up our team while we were away!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

I never really understood why that song was included on various Christmas compilations, but the other day as I was thinking about how I haven't updated my blog in over three months, that song got stuck in my head. So, now that I've got it stuck in your head, I will now give you a snapshot update on a few of my favorite things that have happened throughout this first semester that I have survived.

These are a few of my favorite things...

1. Wearing a scarf in the tropics- In October we went on a trip to Bromo, the coldest place in Indonesia. We took the train for 12 hours to the other end of the island, went on a quick river rafting trip under bat infested waterfalls, then traveled up the mountains. The next morning, we woke up at 3:00am to go see the sunrise over the volcanoes. We took a jeep up the switchbacks and parked behind the hundreds of jeeps that had beat us to the mountain top. Our driver took us to a special spot with a perfect view. It was freezing at 4:00 in the morning, but the view was absolutely worth it. The rest of the morning we did a little hiking, enjoying the fact that we got to wear an extra layer in the tropics. 2. Crossing things off my "bucket list"- On that same trip to Surabaya, our driver Jojo had much knowledge on the city and all its features. Somehow on our drive down the mountain the topic of coffee came up, and then of course came the topic of Kopi Luwak, the coffee beans that come from the poop of a cat-like animal. Usually this coffee is extremely expensive, running from $100 to $600 dollars per pound. Jojo had the hook up with a place that had it for only $10 for a small pot. So, I made the rest of my non-coffee-drinking friends come along on this special occassion to witness me cross something off the things off my "bucket list." The coffee was pretty good, nothing too spectacular. The process was pretty cool and the experience was unforgettable. 2. A taste of home- Pastor Mark and Laurie (from my home church in Flagstaff) came to visit in November. They came to lead a staff retreat for the BAIS teachers, and to see exactly what it is that Charity and I do here in the tropics. It was such a sweet time of fellowship, encouraging conversation, laughter and good, solid teaching. They were such a blessing to our staff, and fit it perfectly here in our community. Both Mark and Laurie spoke in chapel and devotions and got to spend time with various families around the city. It was so cool to have them here. It felt like all of Grace was getting to see me in my new home doing what I love. I am so thankful for Grace, for Mark and Laurie and for all of you back home who encourage and pray for me while I am here.3. Coffee- There is a coffee place here in Bandung that has been around for almost 80 years. They are said to have a special way of roasting their beans. I know that Pastor Mark shares my appreciation and addiction to the legal addictive stimulant, so I thought it would be a perfect place to visit while they were here. Turns out the process includes hundreds of bags of coffee sitting in a storage room for 5-8 years. I didn't quite understand all the details, but being around all that coffee was totally worth it:) 4. Ideas that work- Social Studies and Science are both my worst subjects. I have very little knowledge and am totally intimidated by all the information I am supposed pass on to my students in a manner that helps it stick in their heads. So you can imagine how excited a successful moment in a Social Studies unit would make me. For the end of our Middle Ages Unit, I had each student choose one of the important people we talked about in our readings. They then had to research and prepare answers to various interview questions about their character's background and role throughout the Middle Ages. On the last day of the unit, the students dressed up as the character they chose and were the special guests on "Middle Ages Morning with ME and JY," a 4th grade talkshow:) They did such a great job. Their costumes were awesome and they really got into their characters. I had a blast playing the talkshow host along with my ESL student Joo Young. That afternoon we celebrated the end of the unit, and their acheivement of their I Love to Read Month class goal of 15,000 pages, by eating pizza and watching Princess Bride at my house. It was a great day in the 4th grade:)5. Indonesian Thanksgiving- On Thanksgiving Day the BAIS staff did a progressive dinner in Kota Baru. Our house was in charge of appetizers. It was a fun day of cooking and our Stuffed Mushrooms, tomato, basil and mozzarella, 7 Layer Dip, and eggrolls were a total success. It was a wonderful day full of fellowship, laughing and telling stories. The next day a group of us along with some BAIS parents went up to Garut to a Sunda Resort where we did some interesting teambuilding, ate some spicy Sunda food, played with water buffaloes and went on a scavenger hunt in the local kampung. It was so good to take a break from the bubble, spend some time in worship and fellowship, and be reminded of why I love the people in this country. The scavenger hunt was the best part, forcing us to get out there and practice our Indonesian, pour into the lives of strangers by asking them for their signature, if we can hold their baby or fry some kerupuk in their kitchen:) Not quite like the cobra, but an unforgettable Thanksgiving for sure.
6. A Water Buffalo named Mona- During our trip to Garut, I met Mona, a baby water buffalo who lived at Mulih ke Desa. She was so cute and we bonded while I gave her a bath after teambuilding/playing in the mud. It was definitely one of the coolest things I have ever done. I asked my roommates if we could get one...a water buffalo...but we don't have a yard, or a rice paddy for it to help plow. Maybe next year:)7. Cats (yeah, I know...)- So, one morning as we were getting ready to leave for school there was a visitor waiting outside our garage door. It was a tiny kitten with the cutest little face you've ever seen. Jennie and I (surprisingly) were ready to take the poor little orphan in as our own, but Emily and Emma were very much against it...only because they were strong enough to resist being swayed by the adorable blue eyes and that tiny little meow. We agreed that if the cat was still there when we got home from school, we would talk again about keeping it. I was the first one home that afternoon and there it was just waiting for me. The Crowthers came by (a family who lives around the corner during the week) and I told them our story and they agreed to take the kitten and care for it and said I could be an "auntie." I fed the little guy and took care of him on the weekends while they were away. Unfortunately for Tom (that's the cat's name), he had ringworm, so they had to give it away. Kind of a sad story I guess, but little Tom helped me gain a greater appreciation for felines.8. Christmas Cheer- The thought of staying here for Christmas was a lot easier to think about in September when it was so far away, but as the season got closer and I was reminded of all the traditions I was missing out on, all the things that have in the past made Christmas such a memorable time, the homesickness set in quickly. Fortunately, there were a lot of things to look forward to this holiday season. Our cookie baking marathon/house decorating night was a success, I even made Peanut Butter Fudge. We then had several families and friends over to help us eat all the cookies. We had the first Christmas Program at our new campus. The kids were so cute and I got to sing in the Hallelujah Chorus. Our Staff Christmas Party was a sweet time of fellowship, carol singing and eating Mexican food! I got some great packages from family and friends that included some of the things that put me in the Christmas spirit including marshmallows, potpouri, fake snow and the movie Elf:) One of the traditions I missed out on this year was the annual picture of my sisters and I with Santa. Fortunately, plastic, dancing, and Indonesian Santas were plentiful. So family, you may take your pick of pictures to stick in the album.

9. Reminders- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were very special. Emily (my roommate) and I got to have Finnish Porridge on Christmas Eve morning with our music teacher and her family. That night we went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. It was such a cool reminder of the reason for this holiday season--the arrival of a Savior, born to save the world. Emily and I woke up Christmas morning, called our families and enjoyed a cup of coffee in front of our Christmas Tree listening to good old Bing Crosby. We went to breakfast at Matt and Rachel's house (other teachers at BAIS) where we had real bacon!! It was also a sweet time talking about our traditions and telling funny Christmas stories. From there we went up the mountain a bit to the Crowther's house. They are a British family with three kids at BAIS, including one in my class. It was so much fun to be with a family where we could participate in the excitement of new toys to play with. The little one Sienna is so cute, we had a great time reading books together on the couch while the boys played war with their new army men. We ate a ton of great food including roast beef, potatoes, and pumpkin soup and trecle tart and chocolate mousse for dessert. They are such a blessing. As an end to a busy Christmas Day, Adam was able to get A Christmas Story for us to watch (an Evans' Family favorite). It was such a great holiday, reminding me of the "family" I have away from home. It was hard to not be home with family, but I am immensly blessed here and was reminded of that through these celebrations.

10. Gaining Perspective- I got my license to drive my motorbike about a month ago and no longer had an excuse not to venture out into the scary crowded streets of Cimahi. The first weekend, I went for the first time through Cimahi to Bandung to church. It was a successful drive. I made it through the pollution, the horse carts, the angkots and potholes alive and unharmed. After such a successful trip in, I chose to ride once again with the whole motorbike gang into town for a Seatribe meeting. It was a nice, smooth trip until we got to a place where you merge onto another road. I had my ipod in my ears and a little too much courage when I decided to squeeze between a car and the curb. When the car decided to move over, I slammed on my brakes, hit a rough patch in the road and crashed into the curb. Fortunately, Adam and Aaron were behind me and there were several Indonesian guys who ran to my rescue after the crash. I popped up off my bike, tangled in my bag, with only a few scrapes and a pretty massive bruise on my hip. Our Father was definitely protecting me in that moment, there could have been a lot more damage. I learned something that day though. The week before had been pretty rough, still trying to learn how to live in this community and be a better teacher. I've been working on relying on Him for my strength and not myself which requires a lot of trust on my part in His plan, His sovereignty, and His ability to handle things. On the bike, driving through traffic, things can get really hard, really crowded, kind of treacherous to the point where I am not so sure that I can handle driving through it. Trying to speed through a tight opening in traffic or make it through a crowded intersection with my lack of experience can be dangerous. In comparison, the straight and narrow path is not an easy one either. There are a lot of obstacles, a lot of potholes and other distractions. Attempting to face them alone, with my lack of wisdom and courage is dangerous. All those things are easily confronted and conquered with the guidance of the Father. Getting in that car accident reminded me that the road is not going to be easy, it’s going to be hard, and there are going to be times when I crash and burn. It isn’t my job to be the perfect driver and successfully make it through all the obstacles successfully and efficiently. My job is to let Him guide me through the crowded streets and help me over the deep potholes, and protect me in the moments where I crash and burn. I came out of that accident with some scrapes and bruises, but mostly with some perspective on the journey I am on here outside my comfort zone.

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.

My favorite things: the beauty of His creation, the fellowship with good friends, the little things that bring joy, successful times with the nine little minds I am steward over, good meals with amazing people, celebrating the coming of a Savior and learning lessons in the hard stuff are all things that help me get through the difficult days. They remind me of His love, His provision, His blessings. I can't survive here with my own strength, I can't be an effective teacher, a good friend, or a witness using my own abilities. I need Him. So, as I continue in a season of refinement, looking forward to this second semester, I remember the ways He has healed, protected, provided and blessed me in the past and my fears, worries, anxieties and doubts fade away. The dogs will definitely bite and the bees with probably sting, but we serve a Father who already knows the things that are going to hurt us and make us sad. He's the blessed controller and He is the ultimate healer of those hurts, and that's a reason to trust Him and rely on Him and worship Him.

As you look forward to 2009, remember those "favorite things" of 2008, the things that remind you of His love, His provision, His blessings and be encouraged and strengthened.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you."

Psalm 16:1-2

It's all about grace...

It's 5:30pm on Wednesday evening and I am cleaning up my desk, getting ready to head home and find myself reflecting on what He's been teaching me these past six weeks since I last posted. The phrase that comes to mind is what I have heard ever since I started going to Grace Community Church..."It's all about grace." The past several weeks have been just a taste of what I am certain is going to be a year where I lean on that grace more than ever. This requires some explanation...but first...

I have a confession to make...My name is Molly and I am a perfectionist. As a perfectionistic first year teacher, I put myself in danger of heading down a path of destruction. In holding unrealistic expectations of myself, I set myself up for failure. Not only that, but I also get in the way of Him touching those nine precious hearts He's placed me in charge of. When I worry and stress about having perfect lesson plans, a flawless literacy program, no behavior problems and a classroom that looks like it was pulled off the Mary Engelbreit website my eyes are clouded and I miss my purpose, but worse than that, I miss out on His grace.

Every morning I have the blessing of coming into work when the sun is just peeking out from over the mountains that surround our campus, reminding me that His mercies are new every morning. No matter how painful, stressful, tiring the day before was, He still grants me just enough strength to get through the next one. The minute I step foot into my classroom I've got to be intentional about laying down those unreachable expectations and remind myself of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs:

Your grace is sufficient for me
Your strength is made perfect
When I am weak
All that I cling to
I lay at your feet
Your grace is sufficient for me

I am starting to find out what people meant when they said that nothing in my teaching career would be as difficult as my first year of teaching. Although I continue to experience days where I feel like I have no idea what I am doing, I have a to-do list that never seems to end, and stress seems to be a constant companion of mine, I can't imagine being anywhere else. I was asked last week "So, are you just loving teaching?!" A twinge of guilt came with my honest answer of "Loving? I am not sure if that is the word I would use." It is kind of like asking a kid who's bruised and skinned up, "Do you just love riding that bike?!" when they haven't been able to ride more than a couple feet without falling. I am still working on getting the hang of the teaching thing, I am not a huge fan of the falling part. I do love getting to know my kids, I love working in the school community and I love the journey that our Heavenly Father has me on right now. As I get used to the days where I have no idea what I am doing, the long to-do lists and the stress, I am also starting to get used to tapping into His grace, laying those perfectionistic tendencies at His feet every morning and glorifying Him as I live out my purpose here on the other side of the globe.

Psalm 127:1-2 (Msg)
If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn't guard the city,
the night watchman might as well nap.
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don't you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?

Allow Him to give you times of rest today as you live for Him. Tap into that grace:)