A few Fridays ago, I was alone in my classroom for the afternoon during conference time. Teachers were bustling around the school meeting with parents, preparing for the next week, and eagerly looking forward to the Thanksgiving break ahead. For once, my classroom was quiet. Peaceful. And all I can remember thinking to myself is "This is a season I am going to look back on and want back."
School isn't perfect, but there are actually large chunks of fun in every day. Last year, I never. ever. in a million years. would have said that consistently. But Kendra reminds me of it often... this year has been really different, in a great way. I have HARD students, don't get me wrong. I love them all to pieces, but each of them is in their own little place on the autism spectrum and they push my buttons in their sassy and innocent ways, whether they try to or not. They say the darnedest things, such as "Boy would I!" and "This tastes adorable in my mouth!" and they drive each other mad all the time. But they also give you the funniest facial expressions and come running over so concerned when you say "My ears are bleeding!" because another little one was screaming at the top of their lungs in the highest pitch you could ever imagine. Their hearts are so good because they are so perfectly created, even in their imperfections. But then again, that's all they could say about me too. Created so beautifully imperfect. And in the transition between schools. God has been so faithful. I asked a lot of "Why?" questions, knowing that answers had to be there somewhere but really not understanding why I was being picked up from a place that I had grown to love and put into yet another new school environment, my third in three years. But my new staff has been nothing short of amazing, and I am learning that my "why?" questions might just have to be changed into "Why not?". He knows why.
WyldLife might be pretty close to perfect. Ok, that's not totally true, but the amount of love I have for these 6th-8th graders is a little ridiculous. I am seeing amazing fruit come out of my time coaching volleyball at the middle school this fall and it has been so fun to keep up with those girls and get to see them in a more relaxed setting. We are building incredible relationships with parents who are allowing groups of middle schoolers into their homes to read the Word and spend time with each other and walk with us leaders through this crazy thing called Life. We are overjoyed at a new teacher contact within Horse Heaven Hills and the opportunities that having her in our lives will bring for these kids. We get to send leaders in to eat lunch with our students and love on them in their natural environment-- the whole heart behind the ministry of YoungLife. We have a consistent, growing, AMAZING group of dedicated kids who are coming week after week to be loved on and laughed with and even tormented a little while they drink blended Thanksgiving dinner and have marshmallows covered in mustard dropped into their mouths. They are so brave, both with their actions and their words. I am so humbled to know and lead them.
This fall has been a season of traveling to Spokane quite often, friends moving to far away places, beginning to coach club volleyball for the first time, and settling into Year 2 in the Tri-Cities. It has brought new adventures, new people, and new perspective on the life I am living here. While I still long for the red dirt and bright smiles of my Ghanaian home, I am also striving to live a beautifully broken life here in the good ol' US of A as well. I am continuously humbled by a God who cares about things like getting kids to camp and connections between a coach and her players. But I also know that this season will pass, and I will get deeper into the mess that is life, remembering that "Thankfulness is not some sort of magic formula; iti s the language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with Me. A thankful mindset does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations. I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-proved help in trouble" (Jesus Calling, 11/22). Until then, and through then, I rejoice. A savior is born.
Merry Christmas, dear friends.
