Miss Marshall

So I now have three days of teaching in. In my last post, I wasn't sure when I would begin; however, I got a call the following morning to come in. Meeting my students wasn't as I expected since I didn't welcome them into the classroom first thing. However, I was still really nervous and excited at the same time. My students have had a retired sub for the past two months and from what I've heard, are way behind. They all clapped for me when the sub introduced me as their new teacher. I know that God heard my prayers about attachment issues...there were none!!! I think that they are all just so excited that someone is there for them. I have been asked several times, "Miss Marshall, are you coming back tomorrow." I am so glad that I can say YES!!!

Even though I am THRILLED to have my own classroom and to be working with these students...it has been three rough and long days. I am exhausted....however, not enough to go to bed quite yet! ;) I have two students with special needs...one who is pulled out for a few hours during the morning. However, both of them are very disruptive and hard to handle. In my student teaching, I never dealt with these issues, so I am learning LOTS!!!! Please pray for me as I try to help these students as well as teach all of the others. I know that I am not doing well at that yet. As far as the other students, the girls all try really hard and try to pay attention. The boys...not so much. They are for sure trying to see what I am made of. I am remembering my professors saying over and over....be tough at the beginning or you will lose control. This is so hard for me, but the Lord is giving me the strength to get through this rough time. The past two days I have seen a small improvement already...it is enough to make me encouraged and know that with consistency, structure, and LOVE, I can reach these kids!

Most of my students come from broken homes. When we say broken homes, it doesn't mean the same thing. Several have parents on drugs. And several are in prison. Some students have already told me about their situation. My heart breaks for these kids. Hearing these stories makes me know that I am here for a purpose. These kids need love and hope. Those are two things that I am confident that I can give them...no matter how much school work they learn.

Well, I will leave with a few pictures:

My first night seeing my classroom...moving in



Where I teach

My very girly bedroom :)

I Just May Live in a Holler

Tonight my roommate. Laura (another Laura), were discussing that people consider where we live a holler. This for some reason really entertained us. Seriously, we live in the middle of nowhere.

Some things I have noticed so far....
-I can say "I'm going to War" almost everyday since that is where I teach/live
-After I say one word, people know I am not from "around here"
-Everyone says hi
-Things are much slower....even when it comes to professional jobs (ex. 1 school board taking forever to get my paperwork done in order for me to begin teaching. Ex. 2 the manager of the bank wanting to spend an hour with me)
-I feel like I live in Cheers with an accent...the place where everybody knows your name.
-The closest fast food is down the mountain...20 minutes away.
-y'all is the word(s) I hear most
-My cell phone never even recognizes a signal on this mountain.


So....those are just a few of the many everyday things I am experiencing. As far as the scenery...it is absolutely beautiful! I am overwhelmed at God's creation and thankful that I get to see it so abundantly. Never would I have thought that I would be driving these winding roads with guardrails and mountains everyday.

I guess I can fill you in on a little of what has happened so far to get you up to date. My parents and I came down on Saturday. Due to the winding roads, mom got car sick. So, we stayed at the bottom of the mountain in a motel that is indescribable...let's just say we were the majority of their guests! On Sunday, we moved me into my little house with Laura. I am really thankful that I have a roommate...especially one who loves the Lord and has similar interests and life callings. From painting to nailing pictures up to organizing to Wal-Mart runs an hour away....we put in a full day. I had to fill out paper work down the mountain on Monday, so I met Mom and Dad at the motel. We had some brunch at McDonald's (taking advantage of the fast food...never thought I would say that!). In the afternoon Mom, Dad, and I went to the school to see my classroom and move some of my things in. Half the stuff I brought with me is teaching things since I have been saving for so many years. I cannot wait to finally be able to use these things and have students use them, too! My classroom is really nice but really messy/overcrowded. After moving things in, it was time for Mom and Dad to get on the road. Saying goodbye was difficult knowing that is really happening...reality set in quick. As sad as I was to know that I can't be with my family till breaks and summer, I am so excited to teach and know that this is where I am supposed to be at this point.

Feeling really overwhelmed with so much to do Monday night, I asked God to just give me something encouraging. I read that days passage out of "My Utmost For His Highest," and it was just what I needed. It was titled, "What is a missionary?" Basically it said how it is obeying God's call and allowing Him to work things together. Many times we set the picture up ourselves and do what we think God wants for us instead of allowing Him total control and organization. When He calls us, He is behind everything. I am certain that this is the case with me being here. The timing, my roommate, the school, and so many other things are confirmation that the Lord wants me here. For that I am overjoyed!

So, I tried hard to get things done last night, and then got a call later in the evening from the board of education. The state didn't send the approval in yet, so they said I couldn't start today (Tuesday). This was actually a blessing I believe since I had so much to do before meeting the kids. So all day today I worked on things for my classroom. Tonight I went in for a few hours to set up some more things. I'm sure the kids think that they have an invisible teacher. Please pray for my students! They have had a hard year, too, with subs and probably feeling like they don't belong since they are a split class as well. I want it to be a family environment and for them to be able accept me quickly. Also, please pray that I will catch on to all the things that they are doing academically. With 2nd and 3rd grade in one, I have double of every subject. So, there is a ton to learn....and NO time!! However, the Lord is faithful! I am so excited that He has chosen me to be these children's teacher!

The newest news...I am not starting tomorrow morning either. I got another call from the board and again no news from the state. There is a possibility that it will come early tomorrow. If so, I may be in the classroom in the afternoon. crazy. Thankfully, this summer has taught me to live for today and not worry about tomorrow. The Lord is in control!

I am going to head to bed now. Thanks so much for reading this and being a part of my life. As I mentioned, I have no cell reception. However, I have internet, so I can email or skype. And I have a local phone which means that you can call me. Please do one of these because I would love to talk! :) Let me know if you need that info! Also, I will put some pictures up of my life here soon!

Much love,
the country girl

So the newest update....West Virginia here I come!

So you may be thinking, WhAt?!?!? I honestly have been hesitant to post this. If you have been following my journey through the past few months...you know why. It seems like things change at the last minute. Well, I think that this time is the real thing.

I guess I need to go back to the beginning of the summer. Sometime at the end of May, I talked with Paul (youth pastor at my church) and he told me about something called "Operation West Virginia." Basically there is a Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA) pastor down in West Virginia who is looking for young, mission minded people to teach in a public school and to help with church planting on the side. Since my heart is to combine the two...I thought this sounded perfect. However, all summer I have been looking but no jobs for elementary. Well, about a month or so ago TONS of spots opened. I ended up applying for NINE!

Since the last time I wrote, I decided that I better start looking for employment elsewhere since teaching didn't seem to be an option. So, I got hired at Cracker Barrel a few weeks ago. My second day of training, I finally got a call from West Virginia after weeks of waiting. So a week and a half ago, dad and I drove 6 hours each way to the mountains of West Virginia for an interview. Just being down there was so encouraging to me. Let me tell you, this is a mission field of its own. God has already brought so many things together....like my roommate and house! There are two other people that are doing what I will be doing, Dan and Laura. They both started at the beginning of the school year. Well, out of all the schools in the district, like 6 or 7 elementaries....I got called to interview at Southside which is a k-8 school. Turns out that Laura teaches middle school english there. That is the only school that we would have been able to be in the same building with two different ages of kids. And...she rents a house 3 miles from the school....and she wants a roommate! God is so good! So, when Dad and I were down there, we got to have dinner with Ken (CMA pastor), Dan, and Laura. Also, I got to take a peek at Laura's house...aka my new house! The whole time down there, I just felt a peace.

On Tuesday I got the call offering me the job. Even though I was excited, I was hesitant to let anyone but family know since all the craziness of the summer. However, I have already filled out the paper work and think everything is ready for me to go! I'm aware that there are going to be some hard times ahead. For one, my students have been used to a sub for two months now, and I don't have a clue where they are academically. And besides meeting my roommate for a few hours, I don't know anyone down there. Oh, and I have NO cell reception....this will be really hard for me!! I know that it won't be easy and that I'm sure there will be lonely nights....but I am SOOO excited!!!

I remember a friend telling me earlier this summer that maybe God had something special for me that would be better than just teaching. I think that this is it! Talk about the eleventh hour! He is so faithful, and I am soooo thankful that I get to begin doing what I have always dreamed of....teaching! I know that God has been with me each step of this journey and that there is a reason that all of this has happened and a reason that I am going to War, West Virginia. I have learned so much through this process. One thing has been to be thankful for today and not to worry about tomorrow. I truly am so thankful that I have been able to spend so much time with my family these past few months. I love them so much! And I have been able to hold my little nephew and treasure thousands of baby smiles and hugs. I am so blessed!

So plan now...run like crazy to pack everything I own, finish waitressing at Cracker Barrel, get lots of family time in, go through my collection of teaching items and plan for my classroom and students, oh....and get a car...

Please pray for me this week that I would be productive and that God would start to prepare the hearts of the little ones that I get to meet SO SOON!!!! :)