I realize it's been a while since my last update.  I would say I have been busy, but the truth is more likely that I have been lazy.  My days at work are very busy and it seems there are not enough hours in the day.  However, I am leaving work on time instead of staying late to finish some of the things I need to do.  The advantage is that I am more rested than before, but the disadvantage is that I don't get everything done.

I have a lot of students with behavior problems this year.  Yesterday and Today I have been dealing with a student who is exhibiting behaviors that he hasn't had this year.  While a lot of people are suprised by these behaviors and feel that it is a lot for me to handle, I have been very calm about it.  I am not upset by this student's behavior for the simple fact that for the first half of last year he had these same problems.  It has been great that he has done this well so far.  I know some of the issues are linked to what is going on at home and that is hard to deal with because they are not linked to things that we can control.  This makes it difficult to help him.

My other two students have calmed down some and I have not really had the daily problems that I was having with either of them.  It is kind of nice that not all three of these students are currently having problems at the same time.  I know that one day this will happen, because the probability of it not happening at some point is slim. 

I know it sounds like all I have at school is problems and that is not really the case.  There was really only one day that I felt like quitting.  Over all, I personally am having a great year.  I feel like I am teaching the kids even despite the daily interruptions.  My team is wonderful.  I know that I couldn't have a class without them.  It would be impossible to get anything done if my co-workers were not as supportive as they are.  They willingly and easily take over any of my classes so that I can handle situations as they come up.  My co-teacher and I juggle the students who are having problems and I don't feel like we step into each other's territory unless asked.  It really is a great year in terms of working environment.

It is also really, really nice to not have to go to evening classes anymore.  I am able to come home every night and rest or run around with friends...although most nights, I find myself at home on the couch or at the computer just resting.  I have found that it is easier to get up in the morning as well, and you would be amazed to find out how much of a difference it makes to get up 15-20 minutes earlier in the morning.  Overall, things are going really well.

I promise, I will try to update sooner next time.

I knew there was a lesson somewhere: 

I went to prayer meeting/Reality Check (a monthly women's meeting) last night and found it hard to worship.  My mind was so wrapped up in the things going on at work.  It was difficult to take my mind off of "ME" and put it on "HIM".

But I am so very glad that GOD is faithful...even when we are self-absorbed.
He answered one of my prayers very specifically.  He continued to answer it tonight as well.

He also gave me reassurance about the situation at work that is controlling my entire school day.  I have one student who is having difficulty with school in such a way that my entire day is controlled by what he does and how he acts.  I realized this today, because he wasn't there and all day I kept thinking that we were forgeting students or that I should be doing something else, or that I was missing something.  The truth is that I actually got a lot of work done and my students got taught today virtually without interuptions.  All because this one student wasn't there.

I am still asking God to take control of the situation but last night he showed me that He has already won the victory.  That he surrounds me and indwells me and if I just look to him to be the SOURCE then things will be taken care of.  Even though, I am in the valley with this situation, He is still in control. 

He used this child and his very distinct behavior to show me how I react to God.  A friend of mine was praying last night about us: people and how when we get upset and afraid we run AWAY from Jesus instead of turning our face towards Jesus because all he wants to do is help us...but we won't let him.  My student is six and when he gets upset or afraid he runs away and then I have to chase him all the way down the hall and all I am trying to do is help him, but he won't (or can't) let me help him.  We do the same thing to God and the way that I feel about this little boy, God feels about us, only on a much, much bigger scale. 
It is an unbelieveable picture of God amazing love and patience towards us.  I know that God has shown me just a fraction of how he pursues us and wants to comfort us...I just need to remember the lesson he has taught me.