Friday was my last day as the teacher of 1st grade at Sonlight Enrichment School. The ten weeks I taught fourteen first graders left a mark on my heart. The miracles of this time will forever be one of those altars to the Lord that I have erected. I watched God's faithfulness to me personally at a whole new level and depth.
- The Lord provided daily curriculum...even if it came in the middle of the night.
- He provided the energy needed for any teacher of 1st graders, more less one at age 52 with a room consisting mainly of boys
- He provided new friendships
- He provided financially
- He let me see a part of me that I had lost confidence in
- He allowed my ending of home schooling to be bittersweet....I can say that I close my doors after 24 years of teaching with satisfaction
- He met me..............that really says it all
As we enjoyed field day on Friday, I also enjoyed first hand something I have never had...teacher's gifts. It was so much fun. The precious hand-made cards and letters... the gift cards allowing me to enjoy special tea, cupcakes and yogurt... the gift sack that reminds me to relax. Look at the "duct tape" rose... she doesn't know how many times I have talked about needing duct tape on this blog... duct tape to keep my mouth shut... so this rose just made me smile. Each gift will remind me that this year marked a place in my heart.
Some precious parents told me that I did a good job...a pat on the back...WOW! home school moms don't get many of those. To see their kids respond to me with a hunger for learning was truly an unexpected gift.
This summer many of us will continue to get together to allow Benjamin time with his friends and additional learning opportunities. We have decided to have a camp-out. We are also going to continue our study on author/ illustrators with a Book Club and swim day.
My heart is still pulled as God closes my individual home school room and Benjamin enters a classroom full time next year. Benjamin keeps confirming God's word, but my own identity is in being a teacher. I look at my bookshelves and wonder how I will adjust...Benjamin will be fine. It is time to say goodbye in order to say hello to what God has in store for both Benjamin and me.
I don't know how next year will progress, but I do know that this year will go down in my memory book. Truly, God sees our needs and meets them... not only the financial, but also the heart's needs. My first grade class and the women of Sonlight Enrichment School met a heart's need I didn't even know I had.
I am sure you touched the hearts of many others these past 10 weeks! Always so good to stop by and hear of your faith and Gods provision and goodness.
ReplyDeleteThis year has been quite a ride! I am still hoping the Lord will let you get off the rollercoaster, but if not, He has kept you safe all along the way. Love you, friend:)
ReplyDeleteNew chapters always seem to involve special surprises, along with the challenges. I can hear it in your words. There is so much ahead Janette. I know you blessed each child and teacher during these weeks.
ReplyDeletexo
I understand this more than I can say.
ReplyDeleteI just typed a big old melodramatic part about WHY and deleted it so as not to make this comment about me. (Working on that...)
I love the gifts that you were given, and I would love to see how the duct tape rose is made.
I'm so glad that the teaching at school helped fill the void that I know so well and create a transition for you into the next place that God has for you.
I am positive, even though we have never met, that a classroom full of first graders in Texas was blessed this year.
(Will you go back in the fall, or will you be too full time in the new venture to do that?)
Way to go, Janette! Job well done!
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to see what the Lord provides for next year!
God does see the deepest needs of our hearts... sometimes, He pushes us to places we did not want to go... or parts we did not want to see... until we get to the other side of this leg of the journey... and it makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteYou had some great moms from your class who could appreciate a great teacher for their treasures. blessings and hugs ~ tanna
The best teachers are born to teach.
ReplyDeleteYou were born to teach!
Being grateful is a HUGE lesson. And yes, teachers, are always learning,
(So, are the rest of us).
Enjoy your "sand pails".
It sounds like God met you in ways you didn't even know you needed. He is writing this story and looks like you be entering a new chapter...I am excited to hear what he has in store for you...he has been so faithful
ReplyDeleteI so understand Janette! Touching the lives of these young ones is amazing and yet challenging. Right now I'm working on lesson plans for teaching summer camp to 3-4 year old children. Our theme is around the world. So I check Pinterest and other places for ideas for simple crafts.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the parents appreciated you. I love that tag on the bag about enjoying this time off. I'm sure they were blessed to have you for the time they did. Will you continue teaching in the school next year?
Blessings and love,
Debbie
i cried for a few weeks after sending our youngest
ReplyDeleteon to school, then one day i looked up and sensed
the goodness of it.
i pray that the Lord continues to bless you with a
GREAT job that you love . . . and especially for
your husband.
Well I know that God will lead you and things will just work out.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you had such a wonderful time teaching.
I am sure it will be so incredible this summer.
This blessed me, too. God is so good and you are so willing to do this new thing.
ReplyDeleteOh Janette - this was such an uplifting post. You deserve every rich blessing that came your way through this experience. And I know that God will bless both you and Benjamin as you go forth into new adventures.
ReplyDeleteGod goes before us - and He is already working on the wonders He will unfold next year.
GOD BLESS!
I like the last three on your list especially. A good testimony to God's faithfulness even in His grace in helping you cope with the end of an era for you--those many years of homeschooling. I can testify that you will adjust in time and God will give you new things.
ReplyDeleteWow. Big changes. I don't do change well (in case you haven't noticed). Over and over what I see is that regardless of my plan, God's is better. I'm praying you through your changes. I'm praying for Benjamin too. Can't wait to see what God wants to share with us through you during this new stage of your walk. I'm always edified when I visit!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
Goodbyes can be difficult, unless you have something new to say hello to. Thank you for this post. Such a wonderful testimony to the faithfulness of God!
ReplyDeleteWONDERFUL and blessed you are -- all the best always.. So glad it all turn out to bless you and your dear family..
ReplyDeleteHugs
Rejoicing with you for all the Lord's direction and provision these last few months. More good things are coming your way!
ReplyDeleteLove you~
What a beautiful witness to the faithfulness of God, Janette. I can't wait to see how next school year unfolds for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness. It takes a watchful eye to capture them as sweetly as you have here.
ReplyDeleteThe best is yet to come!
Hugs,
Kathleen
Janette, isn't that the way God works, filling in a need before we even know we have it? Change is bittersweet, leaving the familiar for the unknown. Yet, as you have so beautifully illustrated, when we let go and trust Him, we find more than we ever imagined down the path He has chosen. God bless you, Janette.
ReplyDelete