busy days

Hey!

Remember about 3 weeks ago when I said one week was done?  Well I cannot believe this but I am more than half way through my first teaching experience.  We only have about 15 days left of class since the last week is field day & 8th grade graduation!  I am learning more and more everyday that I need to remember this is MY FIRST 5 weeks as a teacher... even though it is the students end of the year.  There is such a fine balance between respect & behavior with loving the students & having fun.

I know every teacher has some sort of behavior management struggle at some point :) The students are very much alive, creative, funny and very very goofy.  At times it is hard to keep a straight face and pretend to be upset ;)  This week so far I have helped 2 8th grade girls with their crushes.. we have an 8th grade dinner dance next week so you can imagine what that has brought out in the girls.. I have also had to stop my whole class from literally running out into the hallway to see an overflowing toilet & I have had many students tell me how nice my hair is...?

It is interesting!  But what I am most learning right now from God is how to LOVE on the students.. be there to talk to.. be someone who understands and imputs positive messages instead of the many negative ones they probably hear ..  this song came to mind this week:

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight, her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well, little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care, your skin, your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies, disguises and hoops, they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but He's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well, little girl twenty one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And He'll treat you like the jewel you are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies, disguises and hoops, they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you, more beautiful you

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late, you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear, they can all be washed away