It seems like I constantly rationalize my lack of posts, but this is the first time in a few months I've gotten to sit down and write in hopes of being somewhat coherent! Since February I completed my first student teaching placement in 9-12 English and French, which was the most tiring and most affirming placement possible. I was nervous about the unfamiliar school district, taking on six classes of students with two subjects, and the drive each day. The Lord was - unsurprisingly! - so faithful to affirm my calling each day. At the end of the placement, the students really wowed me and showered me so many expressions of kindness. One class knew that in my future classroom I wanted small dry erase boards for each student, and on my last day my mentor handed me 28 white boards. The students began asking me questions about them and asked me to grab a bucket from across the room. This class always seemed to request the strangest things, so I had no clue what to expect. As I walked around the room, they FILLED my bucket with a couple dozen dry erase markers and each told me something they learned or appreciated from the months I had been there. I was blown away! My Father in heaven has humbled me so much these past several months.
After that placement, I headed to middle school language arts. Wow... I didn't remember teachers having to deal with so many more disciplinary issues at that level, but it was awesome to have that experience! It's sad to see so many students -- many girls! -- who feel hopeless and are unsure of how to deal with conflict, so they express it through violence or physical aggression and defensiveness. I had many more incidents of fighting, Internet bullying, and drama that we all remember from being twelve. One statement I tried to reinforce to my students is, "This is only for a SEASON. Whatever you are experiencing, doubting, questioning... it is a season and by the grace of God is temporary!!" I also had a really wonderful mentor with whom I was able to share the gospel and hopefully plant some seeds in a hurting family. The Lord certainly was sovereign in that placement as well!
On May 5, I graduated from King College. For the first time in almost 30 years, it poured the rain on graduation day, which isn't significant except for the fact that graduation is held outside on the college oval each year, with no alternate plan! It was still the most perfect day. It was so nice to hear family and friends acknowledge that our Father was glorified in the events, speeches, and planning for that day. I thank God each day that I was able to go to a school which was so edifying for my faith. He is so good. I came home that day to my own bed, not so much sad as excited. I am so excited for the day when I will have that interview that is assuring and walk into a classroom that I can call my own. I am even MORE excited about the day, only 40 some away, when I will walk down the aisle to meet my best friend to walk throughout life as his ministry partner and wife.
So, as we've struggled through so many issues the last several weeks during last minute wedding planning, house hunting, job searching, and stress relieving, God has again and again and again proven Himself more than enough! After some really discouraging days of rough apartments and others way out of our budget, He provided a really great one at an affordable rent price and in a fantastic location. He has given me some great contacts through school districts that may help in leading to a job. His people have showered us abundantly with an amazing church shower and a Pampered Chef shower where we were truly blown away... pictures to come. :) He provided an extra ticket to Living Proof Live with Beth Moore in Boone where I was able to enjoy a last event with my home church gals before heading to Scott's new workplace and our new church body.... He provided a message through Beth that I desperately needed in a season where the change seemed overwhelming.
All I can say is that I am thankful. He is too good for words.
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