Sweet Rewards

Today I started tutoring a student that I had this year. She is in summer care at school. As I walked through the gym looking for her I peeked into open doors. I wasn't sure where she would be. Hearing a voice and noticing another second grader in a classroom, I peered into the classroom. Without even calling her name she jumped up and came to me. What happened after that, words have a hard time coming to me. Hugs, hugs like she had not seen me for years not just a matter of days. Those hugs warmed my heart. Actually, I was overcome by her joyful greeting.

You see she was expecting me, she knew I was coming. Probably even knew about the time of day I was coming. Her response to me was overwhelming. I will tell you that during this brief moment in time, God spoke once again to me. One, do I respond to God like that? Do I wait on Him expectantly? When He arrives do I greet Him with overwhelming unconditional love? Two, God confirmed to me again, that being a Christian School teacher has rewards far more precious than money.

He has given me a passion for His children and the joy of teaching. Even when I find myself short on the patience, I still LOVE what I do!

Black Eyed Susans and Yuccas

You know as a walk through this daily life I continue to see God. Where so often I fail, God says, "He succeeds."

Over the last few days I have been working in my landscape or jungle by the pool. Years ago, I mean years ago, Joel and I planted Black Eyed Susans. Daisies are my all time favorite flowers. They seem to have happy little faces. Over the last several years they have literally taken over our small area. While I do love these flowers they have simply overtaken the area. This year I decided that I wanted them gone...like GONE!

I pulled a section, then Joel got the idea that we should just spray them with weed out. So I did. If you know me I am a very impatient person. So after I sprayed them I decided they were not dying quick enough for me. Working by myself, I started pulling them out again. As I pulled and pulled and cut those that I still couldn't pull out, my mind drifted to God. I began to wonder if God sees the sin in me as I see the daisies. I know he uses the Holy Spirit to identify sin in my life but I wonder if my heart is covered by the same fullness of sin as the area around my pool is covered by the daisies. God continues to pull/cut or whatever to remove the sins in my life.

The area where I am trying to pull out the flowers is also by a Yucca plant. If you have ever been poked by the ends of a Yucca, they hurt. Too bad when we sin, the Holy Spirit can't prick our hearts like the end of a Yucca. Wait, I think He does.

More Dominican Pictures

I sure am proud of Elise. Not only for stepping out of her comfort zone but mostly for stepping out on faith. Sounds like every thing is going well. Please continue to pray for the team. 3 more days!

This was another picture posted on the blog that Mrs. Spatola is writing. I think the team has been very busy. It has been extremely hot and humid. One of the projects was putting up fans.

Elise will be home on Wednesday about midnight. Please continue to pray for wellness and safe travel home. Tomorrow is a day of rest. Monday is a workday and Tuesday is a fun day. They will be going to the market and to the beach.

She Is Alive

This is the first time I have laid eyes on Elise since early Saturday morning. It is great to know she is alive and well. Please continue your prayers for her and the team.

I was jolted awake early this morning, I laid there wondering why I woke up in the middle of the night. My heart was beating out of my chest. I had a feeling that Elise needed prayer. So that is what I did for the next little while. I prayed. I prayed for peace, wellness, and strength to sustain her. I am not sure she really needed it but some times a mom knows. It has been 6 days. One week from yesterday she will be returning. And to answer your question, I have not gotten the work that I wanted finished, complete yet. I am still trying.


Thanks for your prayers.

In the Dominican

Westminister Catawba hits the Dominican Republic. The students and all the luggage made it safely. There are reports that it is very hot. Please continue to pray for them.

If you would like to follow the blog the site is partnersnchrist.org. Click on short term missions and then click on June 5-16.

Reflections

As the school year draws to a close, I always take time to reflect on the year. I have been teaching for 18 years but I always learn something.


Top 10 of 2010!
10. You have to be in the grip of HIS grace to give grace.
9. Patience - I can never have enough.
8. I have to be open in order for God to work through me
7. write down everything so I don't forget anything
6. The more I give the more I get.
5. Even when I "fail" God succeeds
4. Sometimes there is nothing I can do- I need to give the control to HIM!
3. Each and everyone of my students God created in His image
2. Curriculum is not everything
1. 5:15 is awfully early!

Each year presents and ends itself with new demands. But each year can make me become a better servant if and only if I allow it. May God be with the students that passed in and out my door this year. I pray that their hearts will be molded, that their brains will be filled, and that their bodies equipped with the good things of God.
So this is good-bye to the Dynamite Dozen.