Lacking creativity in this title: it's a Tuesday.

Day 19: Tuesday, August 28

I got my official first teacher apple, from a new student who hadn’t been to class until today! I was feeling hungry after school so it was the perfect little gift. Some of the students were explaining that she wouldn’t be coming to school, they said “Um, Miss Henderson, she isn’t coming to school anymore. She doesn’t want to meet you.” (I should know better than to believe everything that these children tell me...because soon after, she showed up with an apple for me!) When the new student came in, the kids were excited to see her again, they greeted her with hugs and some showed her our attendance system (such a proud moment for me as a new teacher) - each day we have put our red apples onto the tree to show who is here (the apples have their names on them. A very special thanks to Mrs. Stewart for those apples!

Wardrobe accusation of the day: “you’re wearing the same pants, I think.”  Oh heaven forbid, I wore black pants two days in a row.

We spent a good portion of the morning reviewing the rules - mostly for the student that had just joined us, but I figured it never hurts to drill the routine into the rest of them...as they are already forgetting a lot of the rules. I was AMAAZED and impressed with how many rules they remembered! They kept mentioning things....such as the star sticker achievement chart, our magnet warning/discipline system, our Classroom promise board, borrowing books, areas that are off limits, hand signals and instructions, WOW! I was so thrilled to hear my students (after four days) recalling most of the rules. Well, even if we haven’t all learned to read and write yet - we know most of the rules. Awesome. Does that mean they’re always followed? Absolutely not - and that’s okay. I have to be okay with that. I don’t always follow all of the rules, either.

I typically have a morning message on the white board during carpet time - and today it said .... “Today is Tuesday. What is another word that starts with the same letter?” Several students suggested “T” words and even one of my students who typically has a hard time staying focussed, he answered with the word “TANK” and I was so happy. It felt like a huge victory at the time.

I was trying to sit with 5 students and go over some language that was much too difficult, and one girl was clearly distracted, she asked: “are you wearing makeup? I like your eye shadow.” Wow, talk about off topic! I probably shouldn’t even bother wearing makeup...

One student said she wasn’t going to bring her books home because her parents wouldn’t read them to her. It was convicting, because I know she tries to come and visit me at my house sometimes, and it would be a good opportunity to read with her, but selfish Miss Henderson wants a break in the evenings. We’ll have to figure out a system or a time for them to come over and we can think about reading together.

I had to talk with one student TWICE today and after our second discussion today about what she had done to get so many warnings, she asked to place her hand on our Classroom Promise board. Marn gave me the idea of making a bulletin board where we could post the rules we came up with, and we could all trace our hands and sign them - to put our high five / handshake promises up there....so before heading outside, this little girl asked me if she could put her hand on the promise board. CUTE. “Of course you can.” It was as if she was re-promising to try and keep the rules. I loved that moment. I put my hand on the board, too. :)

Toward the end of the day, I was totally losing my students. “I want your friend that got married to come here...and Seth, too.” (They’re like celebrities in my class now haha.)

Two of my students hugged me before leaving...I think we’re making progress. How dare I assume that they would have loved me after the first day? These things take time.

I GOT MAIL TODAY: The Principal brought it down and I welled up with tears....Mom had sent me a super encouraging card, sealed with a kiss print on the envelope! THANKS MOM!

I got an email from a dear family member and was encouraged to checkout:

1 Peter 5:8-11.....⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

 He warned that I will likely be under spiritual attack this year, and I believe it. It's going to be a good time of testing though!

Okay, this next part is quite personal, but I want to share some deeper reflection from this particular Tuesday - after getting the email from my Uncle, I was apparently feeling convicted and this is what I wrote...(very thankful for your prayers!)

I am faced with making several decisions each day - (we all are) - I want to reflect Christ, and yet I’m still caught up in pleasing man. It’s time that I really look to CHRIST - to know HIM more, to know what HE would have me do. I want to dive in like never before. I know that God has me here for many purposes...and one of them is for personal spiritual growth (He always wants us to grow and in growing, to glorify Him, right? I often forget this). Unfortunately, I’ve been frantically TRYING on my own strength to keep up an appearance. I still want to be a good friend, daughter, roommate, teacher, Patuanak resident...I want to learn to keep up with cleaning a house, cooking meals....and then I’m here to start my career and pour into the lives of students. Hm. This is impossible for me. It is absolutely, 100% impossible. I’m being faced with this reality and it is convicting. I want to sincerely thank you all for your prayers. I was emailed by someone today who is convinced that this year will be a huge spiritual battle - and it’s becoming more and more apparent...so I feel the need to share it. I appreciate your prayer more than ever, but in return - I have to put on the Armor and FIGHT. I need to fight by praying, and praying for you, too. You’re all on awesome adventures of your own and you have the opportunity to glorify God’s name wherever you are. Are you doing that? I have not been doing that. There needs to be less of me and more of Him - I need to let JESUS‘ name be exalted. My blog is called “livingpsalm111” - but am I really living it? Am I really living out of reverence for my Lord? Am I really living to praise His name, or am I more concerned about my own comfort and reputation? Hm.
I need to abide in the Father...I need to count on HIM to develop the fruit of the spirit within me. How can I be a teacher who exemplifies GOODNESS if I’m not in Christ? How can I be a faithfully determined teacher if I’m not in Christ? How can I be full of patience for my students and fellow staff if I’m not in Christ? How can I live in JOY if I am not in Christ? How will I experience true peace apart from Christ?