Two weeks after being in Memphis, the directors of MTR had us write a letter to ourselves that they would mail us 6 months later. We just got our letters in the mail this past week. I had completely forgotten that we had written them. It is incredible that God knew exactly what I would need to hear 6 months from the time I wrote it. I thought I would share it with you all. If you read it knowing that all the advice applies, you can get a picture of some of the things that I have been feeling over the past several months.
6/18/10
"So you have now been back in the classroom for a few months now. I'm pretty sure you are tired and worn out. I'm curious how teaching in a middle school is working out and how sharing a classroom is going. I'm so curious how the kids are!
Regardless of whether it is good or challenging, let me remind you why you are here. - God is worth it. Your students are worth it. Out of all the things you could be doing in this world, this is one of the highest callings. God's heart is for the poor, needy, orphans, and aliens. And guess what? He chose this purpose for you - to love them, bring justice for them, and push them to be the best they can be. You get to believe in kids because God believes in you. he saw that you were wroth his Son on the cross, so now you get the blessing of giving up your life so that your kids can have a future and a hope.
I know this isn't easy. I know there are moments that you want to give up. But please remember. Please, please remember the moments and school years where you pushed through. You have had the days and weeks in past years when you said, 'I can't do this anymore.' but through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, you persevered. Remember how good those years turned out. Remember the change in your students BECAUSE you stuck it out. Remember Brandy, Jameka, Tyshawn, Imani, Gregory, and Anthony.
Please know, now, that by pushing through this year you are making an eternal investment into the lives of countless children and their families. And the exciting thing is you are not alone. You have a group of 26 friends feeling the same things. More importantly your Father is walking every step with you, has gone before you, and will follow behind you. You get to have hope because he will do this through you, in you, and around you.
So be encouraged. Have hope. Rejoice in the suffering.
'Greater is He that is in you, then he that is in the world.'
'I will fight for you. You need only to be still.'
'Be still and know that I am God.'
Yourself"
There have definitely been some hard days and hard weeks, but God has really been encouraging me lately along with friends. I cannot believe I have made it through just a little over 6 months in Memphis and half way through this school year. I am now finished with all my grad school course work!! That is a huge victory! We (MTR residences) will spend the spring semester working on our 40 page capstone research paper while still doing our internships.
Christmas break is just a few short days away, and I am excited to spend time in Oklahoma - both in OKC visiting friends and at the parentals' in Enid. I'm really just excited for a break and a time of rest.
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