My Cup Runneth Over

Can joy be felt? I am so joyful right now, that it is no longer just a sentiment or an emotion. It is palatable. I feel as if a stranger could almost touch my joy. Allow me to share with you some reasons why.

First, if you could just meet my babies, you would understand. I have the most wonderful children. All day long, they do things that make me love them more. Even when they do wrong, I better realize how much I love them because I know that the consequences I give are to make them better people, not just to get them to obey.

Today, two of my students did something that nearly brought me to tears. I was sitting down in a chair beside a student when she threw her arms around my neck and gave me a huge slobbery kiss, as only little girls can give. Another baby--the hilarious one that is on a kindergarten reading level, though not in my homeroom--also gave me a huge hug and a big kiss before leaving. She squeezed me real tight and I almost cried as I hugged her back. She has had a horrendous life, yet is like a bubbling brook, overflowing with life. She calls me "Miss Prenz-ill" because she can't say my name. Physically and intellectually, she is very much like a first grader. I call her Crazy M and I am extremely fond of her. In fact, as she stood on her tip-toes to give me a hug, I couldn't help but think that this is what it feels like to have a daughter. These children, they are not just my students. I honestly love them as if they were from my own flesh. And can you believe that they actually pay me for this?

God also has continued to show me amazing favor in this place. I was observed by three very important people: the Little Wound literacy coach and former Middle-School-Teach of the Year, my principal and my Teach for American program director. Thanks to our Father, I receieved really, really good reviews. They think very highly of me as a teacher, to which I just shake my head in disagreement. In terms of executing lessons, I am simply average, if that. But I am so passionately in love with my kids, that a lot of my flaws are glossed over. The children sense and embrace my affection and in turn are willing to work extremely hard. For example, yesterday my principal was to observe my class. About two minutes after she came in, a staff member told me I had to attend a special ed meeting. My principal, TM, told me to leave and said that she would watch my kids. I put T in charge and instructed the class to share their writing with Ms. Mendoza as well as what they were learning. When I came back, TM was extrememly impressed. She said that she was just in awe of my kids. In fact, when one of my students shared about what she would change in the world and ended by looking her in the eye and telling her she loved her, TM said she nearly cried. As she was leaving, I asked her when she planned on observing me as I had not been in the classroom. Pausing, she turned to me and said, "I observed your kids. It's all I needed to see." I left that day praising God for His incredible favor.

So I just wanted to thank all of you for praying. God is answering our prayers and using me for His glory.

So much love,

B