Last Day of School

Yesterday was the last day of school. It was a perfect day. Once again I was blessed and encouraged beyond words by the parents and students. They have been so sweet and supportive since finding out about my move to Africa. At every turn they have done something to bless my trip...from donating items to buying me a bicycle in a box (it had to be in a box and they found a really nice one...thanks Stacy and John) to giving financially to writing encouraging notes. There has been an outpouring of blessing from the 5th grade families. I have been grateful for their love and support...it has been a constant source of encouragement.

It was an emotional day saying good-bye. The Lord blessed me this year with a memorable group. They were so much fun...but as I think about my years of teaching there have been so many memories from each class...so much fun...all four years at Mission Hills and the 13 years of teaching at other schools.
I love teaching...I love the kids...I love the joy in doing what God has called me to do.

Less Than a Month to Go

It's a good thing that I already shipped most of my clothes and personal belongings on the container we sent that's headed for Africa. It's also a good thing that I had to move in March from the house where I'd been living the past eight years...even though at the time it was very difficult for me.
Right now I have less than a month before I move to Africa and I don't have the huge responsibility of packing and needing to move hanging over me. All that hard work is done. I can concentrate on the little details...oh the little details. But the big details are taken care of. I am so thankful.
Back in March I was not thrilled with packing and moving but now I can see everything from a different point of view...God knew it needed to be this way. Less than a month to go and so many details I don't need to be concerned about...Thanks God. :)

Rest

I have had an "on the go" kind of schedule for about the last four months. I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time hanging out with my friend Freya during the two months I was staying with her. We'd see each other in the morning and sometimes in the evening but I feel like I have been running non-stop for a long time.
Today I took a small nap. I think it was about 10 minutes...just enough to get myself out the door to school to grade the stack of papers that keep calling my name. That nap felt so good.
I don't want to be so busy that I don't make time for rest. I am so thankful to the Lord for all that He is doing...so many wonderful miracles of provision for the things we need for the orphanage. I know that in the midst of life being so busy that the Lord wants to bless me with times of rest...He is good that way.

I want to go to church on Sunday and worship the Lord with all my strength...not exhausted. I want to go to work and enjoy these last two weeks of school with my students. I don't want to feel too tired to get out of bed. It's time to draw all my strength from the Lord...including physical. "Lord, help me to take the time to rest."

God is Amazing

Yesterday I took the day off work to go over to the health dept to get some shots. During the three hours I sat waiting for them to call my name, I had time to do a little thinking.
I recalled a conversation I had with my mom about a month ago. She has had pneumonia for a couple of months. It has been very discouraging to watch her health decrease. We had a heart to heart conversation during this time when her health just didn't seem to be getting any better. My mom shared her heart's desire for me to go to Africa...no matter what may happen to her. We both cried. She needed to say the things she said to me and I needed to hear her say them. I thanked the Lord for a mom who has so understood my heart in moving to Africa. All I have felt from her is support.
Asking the Lord to touch my mom and heal her has been a constant prayer of mine for the last few months. I have had such a strong sense of God's hand during this time. Spending the day with my mom when she was hospitalized could have been depressing but instead it was a very special time together. God is amazing.
This past Monday my mom went to the doctor for the results of all the tests she'd had the week before. Not only did all the tests come out fine, but the doctor gave her a clean bill of health in regards to the pneumonia.
Thank you God. You are amazing.