2nd Grade Tears

In the past week I have had 7 students burst into hysterical tears.  Having an overly-emotional teacher must have rubbed off on them :)

Claude is one of my students that the Lord has given me a special heart for. Claude is very active, extremely social, and always pushing the limits. I always have loved the troublemakers!  

Today Claude cried so hard he threw up. He was crying because he was jealous that I was giving a compliment to another student. After talking with Claude he explained that he does not like when I compliment or encourage other students because it makes him think he is not good enough. In his head when I say Sally is a great friend it translates into him being a horrible friend. 

After all the tears were wiped away, hugs were given, and I assured him of my love I couldnt help but think of the deeper issues going on in Claude's heart. Ultimately Claude desires to be loved. He wants to be valued. He longs to matter. 

What a picture of my own life. I am constantly looking for love and value in the wrong places. I am looking for other people or things to find my identity. I want to matter to others no matter what the cost. 

My prayer is that as the Lord teaches me to find my value in Christ alone my students would learn it as well.

Daily God is using my students to show me areas of sin and brokenness in my own life. I am so thankful and blessed by each one of my 2nd graders. 

Jacmel Adventure

This past weekend a few teachers went on an adventure to Jacmel. It was incredible to see a different side of Haiti. 

Check out Amber's blog of the trip! 

http://alertsfromamber.blogspot.com/2011/11/jacmel-part-1.html

a quiet saturday in haiti...

Kellyanne, my roommate, is gone this weekend.  It was a quiet and lonely Saturday here without her at our house. I spent the day doing lesson plans and just relaxing. 

For dinner I went over to the Mattenley's for pizza. It is always nice to spend time with their family and be in fellowship with others. They open their house every Saturday and it is such a blessing! 

After that I came home and listened to the Tennessee vs Alabama football game. I miss watching good SEC football. After the game, I skyped my friend Jeremy from college. It was nice to talk to him and catch up on things in life. 

With the change of pace and down time I had today I was able to reflect on many things in my heart. 

In college I was always around my best friends. I never ate a meal alone. Sarah and I would always cook dinner together or go to Chickfila. I could go into Katie's room and have a conversation about our feelings at anytime. Going over to Heistands and spending time with their family was so refreshing and felt so comfortable. The Gregory family was so welcoming, and I knew I was always welcomed there. I constantly was around people that I loved and who also loved me. What a sweet season of my life! 

Not a day goes by that I don't miss college and my best friends. I think of Boone and all the memories that I made there often. I can easily dwell in the past and miss out on what God has for me now. 

I pray that God would show me what He has for me in this season of my life. I pray that my eyes would not be blinded to the things that He is doing around me. 

I pray God would give me a renewed joy for teaching and for the children in my class. I pray God would give me a heart that burns for Him. I pray that I would trust in God's goodness and feel His almighty love. 

Waterfall Adventure

Monday we did not have school because it was a Haitian holiday. Amber, Katie, Irene, Robbie, Josiah, and I went on a hike to a waterfall. Here are some pictures! 

The view on the way up. 

All of us in front of the waterfall. 

I love this picture just because of the palm tree :) 

Waterfall 

Muddy Monday

Today Amber, Katie and I played football in the mud. It was a perfect way to end a rainy Monday! I am so blessed by these girls :) 

True Community

I am beyond blessed by the people here in Haiti. Friday night I spent the night at the Ackerman's house up in the mountains. Mrs. Ackerman is the kindergarden teacher at QCS, and her husband works as a nurse in local clinic. We had great conversations about missions and life in Haiti. It was such a blessing to escape the city and be so welcomed in their home.

On Saturday night about 20 people got together to have a game night. It was so much fun to play games and get to know the different/ funnier sides of people. There were people of all ages there and in all different walks of life- singles, newly married couples, couples with young children, couples with older children, and couples that have retired. It was a late night full of fun and laughter.

This morning after church the Ooostland family took me out to lunch. Their daughter, Jenna, is in my 2nd grade class. It was such a blessing spending time getting to know them better. 

God is so incredible. I am amazed at how he knows my needs, wants, and desires even more than I know my own. I am in awe of how God uses his people in all walks of life to further His kingdom and bring Him glory! 

I miss American football so much. Yesterday there was a soccer match. I guess for the time being I will be a soccer fan...sorry Dad!

Quisqueya Soccer Team