New Kid on the Block

This week marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I moved from a job as special education teacher at Zwolle Elementary to 4th grade teacher at Many Junior High. I must be getting old, because it seems like a BIG change. When I get everything together, I think it will make life simpler, but right now things are a little hectic. In the midst of it all, there's a lot to be thankful for.

My new co-workers have been so warm and helpful. Many of them are Christians, and that makes all the difference. Our family is saving time and money on the daily commute, and I get to be with the kids both before and after school. Brooke walks over from the high school, and we can catch up on her day while Brayden is at football practice. (Brooke also is willing to grade papers and help out -- all it costs me is snack money! :o)

Right now I have 22 students: a few with special needs, some with challenging home situations, and several who are very bright. All of them will stretch me in different ways, and I pray I will make a positive impact on their lives.

The night before school began, I was in pain from a root canal gone bad and definitely not psyched for the first day of school! It meant a lot to have several people remind me that they were praying for me. As I opened my Bible late that night, it fell open to Psalm 37. I read those familiar words in the old King James version, and they spoke to me with freshness and promise. The next day I realized I was experiencing God's strength in my weakness.

I'm also new on the "Facebook" block. (Blake would be ashamed of me, I'm sure, and Brooke thinks I'm hopelessly age-inappropriate.) To my children/critics, I will explain in my defense that it appears to be a great way to touch base with friends scattered all over the country. It's been good to hear from several old friends in the past few days. I just have to be sure that I don't get carried away in my pursuit of connecting, especially since I live in the sticks where dial-up is ever so slow.

There's something rejuvenating about being "new" at my age. God's mercies are new every morning!