Rainy Days = Crazy Students!

     The past couple of weeks have been incredibly busy and exhausting. While the workload hasn't been greater necessarily, I haven't been feeling very well. This appears to be the sick season in Puerto Rico. Many of my students have been out sick and many of the staff at the school are getting sick as well. While most of them have been experiencing more obvious symptoms, I've just been feeling very exhausted each day. This was most evident last weekend through earlier this week, however the last couple of days I've been feeling much better. Please pray for the staff and students here at school though as many are not feeling well. I even students who have missed multiple days of school because of this.
   
     The Toa Baja Christian Church has officially begun their new transformation into a child-centered church. The first two weeks were quite a blessing with several children from the school and neighborhood in attendance, as well as their parents. Everyone seems to really enjoy the morning as well as the curriculum. In September our theme is "faith." I have been working with the 5th and 6th graders who I enjoy very much. The first week went well, but I felt that last week everyone was more relaxed and ready to have fun. This is a ministry that I am stoked about. Please continue to pray for Toa Baja church, our leaders and the children that we will be serving as this ministry unfolds. I will try to upload some photos on here when they come available.

     As I finish up this blog, I would like to share with you some encouraging words that I heard today. As I have kindergartners, my days are pretty hectic. I have been in a constant struggle of how to control them as I am getting used to this new school and its curriculum in addition to everything else I am learning to adapt to. This week has been rainy so the kids have not had recess and have been extra antsy and rambunctious, so my stress level has been a bit higher. Any teacher, parent, or anyone who has worked with children can understand this feeling. At the staff meeting today a second grade teacher shared this in her devotion, paraphrased of course: Keep in mind that it is not you who chose your students. God allowed you to have them. And he knows what each of those students needs, and YOU are the perfect teacher for each of your students this year.

     Needless to say, that definitely has got me thinking today...