First Week of School Accomplished! (And I didn't die!)

Wow, school is hard... I have only been with my students 3 half-days so far, and I already feel exhausted! I think most of that is my fault, though, for not going to bed early enough... getting up at 6am regularly hasn't ever been required of me before, and it is definitely not my favorite.  Our students are great, though, and I already love them all! I even impressed myself because I learned all of their names after the first day. I can't believe I'm really a teacher's assistant on the rez... it's so crazy where God leads us sometimes. I'm pretty excited about the school year, although if we don't get some good routines and expectations in place next week, it could be hard to get them to settle down and focus.  There are a few of the students who are pretty behind and not up to grade level yet. It's pretty common, though, in the school district across all grades to have several students who are testing in 2 or 3 grade levels behind.  It is so sad to see, but so hard to fight or find a solution to.  The classrooms have way too many students and most of the time we can hardly get past the behavior issues to get to the real teaching and learning.  I am making it my goal to try my hardest with the students who are behind and intentionally praying for them. I'm sure that the kids who are struggling the most probably have the most issues at home or have been through the most, so they are in the most need for structure and education. Although, what they really need is Christ. I still don't know what it looks like for me to share the love of Christ with these kids in the classroom. I want them to succeed in our 1st grade class, but I feel like that is so little compared to the all the hurt, evil, and pain they will have to struggle through.  I'm still not sure what to do with that. Anyway, school has been pretty good so far, but I'm still trying to find my place and purpose in it. I would really appreciate prayer for that and for the kids who are already struggling to keep up.

I also have a huge answer to prayer to share with you! Some of you know from my emails that I thought I was coming down with a cold, but I only felt a little bit of a sore throat coming on for a couple days, then I was perfectly fine! It was definitely an answer to prayer, and, I think, a miracle. I almost never stay healthy when someone else in the house is sick or recover so quickly from feeling sick. I was so relieved and happy that I wouldn't have to deal with sickness on the first week of school. And I have to thank all of you for praying for me! If I didn't have you prayer warriors on my side, I don't know what I would do. Thank you so much and praise the Lord for His abundant blessings!

Peace

A Teacher's Assistant and a Blog

I never thought I would see the day when I would start a blog... I also never thought I would see the day that I would be working in an elementary school classroom, but both of those things have happened, I hope for good reasons! Actually, I know these have happened for good reasons. Just as we (me and my roommates) talked about during our Bible study tonight, I know that God is in control of our lives and not only gives good gifts, but has the best plans for us.  So, all that to say that I've started a blog, believe it or not. I wanted to let people have the chance to read about what's going on without constant emails (although if you want email notifications on new posts, that is still an option).

Tomorrow is the first day of school at North Elementary! I am so nervous and not really sure if I am ready! But I know that the teacher that I'm working with will be very helpful in getting me started and more comfortable. I just am not sure if I'll feel more like a student than a Para in the classroom. Although I am still anxious, I am also excited to meet all of our students and start getting to know them. This week will be a little different then normal because we are going to have early outs tomorrow and Wednesday because of the heat. Most of our classrooms have AC, but a few of them are not working. I think it will be nice for me to start out with a few half days, so I don't get too overwhelmed!

A few prayer requests:
For the first day of school, that it would be a great start to the school year and that it wouldn't be chaotic or stressful, for teachers and students.
I am still not feeling quite the best although I'm not feeling any worse, so continued prayer for healing would be much appreciated.
Also, this weekend, Melany, Bethany, and I and a few others from Melany's mission team are going to take several kids to the Lifelight christian music festival in Sioux Falls. So please pray that the kids we take would have open hearts to hear what the speakers and the musicians have to say, and please pray for safety in travels and smooth planning and logistics.

Thanks so much for reading. I think of you all often and miss my friends and family back home very much. Please let me know if there is anything I can be praying about for you.
God bless!