“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

            I’m struggling to write about the last few weeks, mostly because I don’t know how to relate the deep satisfaction and joy that I’m feeling.  How does one describe the love of an indescribable Father? How do I put into words the feeling that results from the knowledge that God delights in me? ME!?! This selfish, proud, miniscule, sack of dirty rags? Incredible.

            Indeed, I have been feeling the fullness of His love recently. I am dumbfounded by the extent to which He is blessing me. Honestly, I am LOVING my job so far. Save one monotonous spelling class, I have loved every single class that I have taught.  I mean, come on. I’ve gotten to discuss with 7^th and 8^th graders the significance of reading literature that increases our moral imagination and bring greater understanding of transcendental truths that can guide out lives. I’ve gotten to share Richard Weaver’s theory regarding order and personality in the context of my 11^th and 12^th grade composition class. I’ve reviewed and reiterated man’s desperate need for a Deliverer and God’s amazing grace in elementary and middle school bible classes. I’ve initiated the 4^th grade English class into the “English Codetalkers Cadet School” where we complete code-breaking missions daily. I’ve scared the living daylights out of a few middle schoolers by introducing them to public speaking. It’s been a blast.

            Though quite different from my wonderful preschool experience last year, I am thriving in my new classrooms. It’s fun to have real conversations and discussions about real life issues with kids who have a larger than 50 word vocabulary. HOWEVER, those kids that I had last year with the tiny vocabularies.... Yeah. They are awesome. Whenever I need a little pick-me-up, I pay a visit to the preschool department. I’ve developed quite a routine. First, I peek my head around a big curtain in the pre-KG class where I make faces at the kids until everyone notices and starts laughing and pointing at “MS. LEE ANNE!!” Second, I head over to the pre-nursery class where I greet the youngest in the preschool department. In this class, I am always warmly greeted by Kanyinsola who runs up to embrace me and answer my questions about her day with a whispered “fine.” Finally, I head up to the nursery class where I see all of my students from last year. In this class, I wreak havoc. For example, when I walked in a few days ago, all of the students got up from their tables and ran to attack me with hugs. After horsing around for a minute, I announced that I needed to go teach the big kids. They responded by shouting, “NOOO, don’t go!!!” and slamming their bodies against the door so that I literally could not leave.  How’s that for a self-esteem boost, Ms. Lee Anne? But… I think I own the nursery class teacher, Ms. Kelly, I huge letter of apology every single time I walk in that room.

      Sufficed to say, I’m having a grand ol’ time over here. Though I will also say, my jammed packed school schedule + online classes + various other bible study/Sunday school responsibilities are becoming a bit exhausting. I’d appreciate prayers as I continue to juggle my workload. I especially would ask for prayer regarding my Bible class, which I desperately don’t want to receive back-burner treatment in light of my other responsibilities. I’m praying for a beautiful harvest for the Kingdom this year and don’t want to neglect the labor that such a harvest may require, regardless of my other duties or fatigue.

Until next time…