Monday was difficult. (With multiple situations to take care of and major difficulties with students.)
Tuesday was busy.  (Trying to get things accomplished before I was out of town on Wednesday.)
Wednesday was fun, since I was away. But things were difficult at work with one situation after another (as told by my assistant).
Thursday was pleasant...busy (again), but pleasant.

I am amazed at how God knows when I need encouragement.  This week is a prime example.  Last Saturday, I received in the mail, a very unexpected letter from a friend at church that included a note of prayer.  Today, I received TWO unexpected phone calls.  One from my pastor's wife thanking me for visiting her Sunday school class the last three weeks and encouraging me to continue coming (like I wouldn't...I love it).  The second: from a friend that I haven't seen in a year.  We get together once a year when I go up to her town for an annual conference and she was calling to find out when I was coming to visit this year (among other things).  It was great getting to talk to her and I am looking forward to getting to visit them in November. 

It's not that I wouldn't have had a good week without the encouragement from these friends, but it felt kinda like salve on a wound...very refreshing: to know that others are thinking about me and praying for me.  I know this and I know that my good friends are: but somehow, when people that I don't talk to on a regular basis call or write and say the same things my good friends say, it's comforting and reminds me how much God cares.

Tonight, I am just thankful for friends: good, stick by you, "family" friends, and once in while, but I think of you/pray for you friends.  I am thankful that God is gracious in every situation and that He provides patience and strength at all times: in the amount I need each day.  I am thankful that God doesn't give us too much or too little of anything: but just enough.  I am thankful that He is my sustainer and my rest.  I am thankful that He is my provision and my Living Water.  I am thankful that He is the God of All peace that passes understanding.  Tonight, I rest in the knowledge of His love and His sovereignty.  I rest in the knowledge that He is in control and nothing is out of His hand. (I have been very aware of that fact and feel His peace even though when I talk about all that happens each day, I think..."boy, I must sound like I've had the worst day possible, but really it wasn't all that bad, at least that's how I feel". I have been given such a peace each and every day.)

It's been:
       two weeks of struggle.
       two weeks of prayer.
       two weeks of peace.
       two weeks of wisdom.
      and two days of God's provision.

The past two weeks have been a struggle at work.  Difficult times with difficult situations.  But throughout it all, God has been faithful and I am at peace.  Thursday, I prayed for an undeniable miracle.  I prayed to see the Hand of God in the life of a child.  And it happened, not as I expected, not as I hoped, but in such a way that I could not deny that God was the Author of that day's occurrence.  Friday, one of only two times in the past two weeks,  the day passed without incident.  I got to teach all of my students.  I saw a smiling face from one of my children that frequently gets upset.  God answered my prayer: tangibly, undeniably, and unexpectedly.  I know that there are still so very many days of prayer left.  So very many answered prayers to come.  But this week has been a triumph (even if it was just for one small day). 

Please be in prayer for me: that God would continue to give me wisdom as each day comes, as each situation arises, and as the needs of each child change.  Please pray that I would have continued patience to deal with each child individually, as well as, the teachers, administration, and parents involved in each situation.  Please pray that these three children would learn to submit to the will of the adults in charge and have peace in their lives. 

Thank you Lord for the peace that I feel.  Thank you for taking each situation and shouldering the burden for me.  Thank you for taking away the worry and uneasiness.  Thank you for being a God who cares.  Let me show Your love to each and every student, but especially these three.  Amen.

I was going to update on Sunday, but as you can see...

I wanted to share a praise and a prayer request.

I have been feeling really unsettled with my place in the church fellowship that I am attending.  I don't feel the need to leave the fellowship, I just don't know my role at this point.  I have been very frustrated with my Sunday School class, but just didn't know what other options were available for me.  On Sunday morning, a friend of mine (whom I usually sit with) started to talk to me after the service and told me that she and another friend were discussing starting a women's ministry and my name came up.  At this point the other friend came over and after a little bit of talking, she invited me to her Sunday School class.  The short version of this story is that I went to her Sunday School class and felt very pleased with it.  They were having breakfast so we didn't do a full lesson, but what my friend told me about the way they study the Bible made me want to stay and at least check the class out again.  I am looking forward to what God has for me in this new class.  

In addition to the Sunday School class change (possible), I am also going to be helping on the Tech crew for the first worship service and received my schedule today.  This excites me because now I am not just "attending" a service, but helping serve the needs of the body.  That makes me happy.  That is what I think "Church" is all about.

In terms of the prayer request:  (1) I have to explain to my old Sunday School Teacher why I left (if indeed I do leave).  (2) I know very little about being on the Tech crew, so it will be a learning experience (although, I am pretty good with electronics and I know that once they show me what to do, it shouldn't be a problem). (3) There was a discussion with my friends about a "women's ministry".  I don't know what that means really, but I know that if it gets started, I will be involved in some way.  So, prayer for what's to come or even what's not to come.

Thanks for rejoicing and praying with me.