New Chapter

Written on January 13, 2014
Edited on April 20, 2014

For 6 and ½ years I have taught in the same school building. I have moved multiple times (5 if I counted correctly). Some rooms have been nice and spacious (especially when you only have 6 students) while others have been tight (like that time I was in a half classroom with 9 students). There were definitely moments of frustration- when the power went out, when the heat just didn’t seem to work, when technology broke down, when there were unexpected visits and people crowded into the back of your classroom to observe ‘the foreign teacher’…. and on and on I could go. Despite all of these things these aren’t the things that stand out in my mind. Don’t get me wrong I love our new school building and after many years of praying and planning it has been a huge blessing to be able to move into our new space. At the same time it is a bit bittersweet. The building we were in for so many years has so many sweet memories.
Here are just a few:

1-International Days we hosted outside- one of my first introductions to the International community we live in
2-Tri-school events where students from a local Chinese and French school crammed into our classrooms to hear the Christmas story and to complete crafts and activities.
3-Weekend practices for a staff number in the talent show- still can’t believe I did this!
4-Open Houses where families from around the world entered our classrooms and interacted with other families.
5-Mother’s Day teas in my classroom where Moms and their children enjoyed each other’s company.
6-Multiplication Musicals, class skits, and presentations where staff, parents and students visited our classroom.
7-Participating as a Science Fair judge two years in a row- checking out student projects with my students.
8-Having Ben visit my classroom to read stories, present about Texas, check out projects, and interact with my students.
9-Serving as our school’s elementary principal for two years- having an office space, attending meetings, and being able to be a voice for the elementary team.
10-Dress-up days for unit parties- 13 Colonies and Ancient Egypt as well as school-wide school spirit days.
11-Attending weekly assemblies and discussions that have stemmed from what was shared.
12-Literature Nights run by me and my roomie
13-Two accreditation visits- both completely different
14-Baby and wedding showers

And on and on I could go…now on to a new chapter… what memories do we have in store next?

Childlike Faith

Written on: April 2nd (in route from Beijing to Wuhan)

We were all a child once. We knew no limits, we dreamed big, our biggest worry was the monster under our bed or if our best friend would share their markers with us during art class. There was an innocence… a gullibility at times… we trusted, we loved unconditionally and we looked at life through rose tinted glasses- life was an amazing adventure in which even the smallest victories were looked upon as huge successes…but somewhere a transition happened. We began to see life for what it was really worth. We began to notice heart break, suffering…we learned about sickness, disease, sickness, addictions…the chaos of sin. We began to find it hard to trust others and found it easier to live inward rather than outwardly accepting those around us. Is this normal and why does this happen?

Over Spring Break Ben and I were in Beijing for a few days. During our stay we visited the local Zoo. One particular exhibit that stood out to me was the polar bear house. A group of Chinese children in matching green athletic gear were running from window to window in search of the polar bear. Words cannot begin to describe their excitement as they shouted to their friends about the polar bears whereabouts. When they finally saw him they quickly all ran to the windows trying to get the best view. We didn’t exactly share in the student’s excitement. All we noticed was how the habitat didn’t seem suitable for the polar bear and that he was clearly unhappy. So why the difference in our reactions?

I believe that as adults we quickly lose focus. We spend so much time worrying about our circumstances (our surroundings-our habitat so to speak) that we lose sight of the one who is in charge. Rather than focusing on the here and now (the excitement of being at the Zoo for example) we spend our time making ‘to do’ lists in our head, pondering and worrying over everything under the sun. This means many times we miss out on the little blessings that the Father puts before us. For the students we saw at the Zoo they weren’t focused on the crowds, the hot weather, or the bugs…they were completely content to watch the animals with their friends.

How often do we forget to slow down- to stop and smell the roses so to speak? Have we as adults become so consumed with the negative of life that we have lost our childlike faith and trust? So as I return to the chaos of life my hope and prayer is that I will remember my trip to the Zoo and the lessons that were brought to the forefront from a group of excited little children. For He said…. “Let the little children come unto me…”