Each one is loved

I have gotten to the point where I have started to see some certain things in each of the students that amazes me and could also make me go crazy if I didn't have the Holy Spirit. :) My cooperating teacher has helped me to understand the kids a bit better, and so far it's been quite a journey learning more and more about them. Even though there is no way to describe them all to you, I would like to help you catch just a tiny glimpse of the kids I am with 5 days out of the week.

First of all, there is little L., (just to protect their names), a Korean-Brazilian boy who just craaaacks me up sometimes. He has a little rough voice, and when he talks to you he sort of cocks his head and sideglances at you the entire time. He is dead center in front of me when I'm teaching, and whenever I have a questions he absolutely feels he needs to answer, he raises his hand and mentions desperately, "I knooooow!" I have to swallow hard to not laugh, and instead to correct his talking without being called on. Then there's J, an incredible Chinese-American girl who is suuuuper bright, but would never brag about it. She is almost like a motherly student, and she's taller than anyone else. Whenever I'm teaching and I say something that needs affirmation or I am saying something important, she is the only one who will nod her head, encouraging me more than she knows :)

There is also S, who is one of the only full American kids in the classroom. He has some trouble getting through assignments quickly, and has to be prompted consistently to work a bit quicker. He is also an incredibly sweet boy, and wouldn't hurt a fly (that I know of so far :) One of the funniest things I have ever seen was when the kids all headed to swimming and we were sitting eating lunch with the teachers. And who walks by but S., a blond headed, swim-suit clad, (complete with a waterproof shirt,) with his goggles ALREADY ON, his towel slung over his shoulder, and the swagger of a 9-year old ready for action. OH my goodness, Christine (the third grade teacher) and I about died laughing. So great.

These are just a few of the kids and I'll try to describe them to you a bit more in the days to come. I am having a wonderful, relaxing Friday night. I corrected their memory verse notebooks tonight, while chilling with my roomate. Their verse for this week was Psalm 121:3,4: "He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not sleep; indeed, He who watches over Israel will never slumber nor sleep." What an amazing promise. Never let your foot slip. Even when we think things are sliding away and we cannot keep up, He is not sleeping. He is wide awake, projecting the plans for us, and helping us to serve Him in so many diverse and necessary ways for His kingdom. It is pretty exciting because by correcting the students' verses (which they write four times each week,) it's pretty impossible to not memorize them. One more gift from God.