Overflowing

Right now my mind and heart are overflowing with love, thoughts, compassion, and excitement.

Well, I can start with the fact that yesterday (Sunday) was an amazing day. I went to church and to be honest I figured it would be just another regular Sunday. I often forget that we go to give praise and honor to God and not always to get for ourselves. The sermons lately have not really been reaching to my heart no matter how much I have been praying and trying to apply them to my life. Honestly, I've been kinda discouraged. Like I said...I was in the "what can I get out of this" mode. Well, Sunday was different. Our pastor spoke on suffering and evil...and how Christians need to respond to this. I needed this. It was a sermon that reignited my spark. I have such a deep passion for social justice and the world. Sometimes I can forget this in the mix of everyday life. Also, sometimes the fact that I know that God has called me to do something about it can really scare me because I'm not sure what they may look like...I mean after all...I'm in West Virginia right now! Days like yesterday remove that fear and bring nothing but excitement that this is what God created me for. It is what makes me alive inside. As I was praying and just talking to the Lord, the song that was playing was "I have decided to follow Jesus." I was thinking about the often sung words. It is somewhat easy for me to say that I will follow Jesus. The hard part for me is the "though none go with me, still I will follow." I am not a person who likes to do things alone. Especially new or scary things. God spoke so strongly to me and reminded me that HE will be the one with me and that I must follow HIM and not others. It was a great reminder and a moment of surrender again in my life. I left church in tears thinking about how much God must love me. So much that He wants to speak to me directly and continue to break my insecurities a little bit at a time.

Sorry...that was a long story. Anyways, I wanted to share a little about what God is doing and think that yesterday was a part of that. Well, last night I was just telling my roommate that I really am praying that I can get to know a family (preferably one of my students' families) and truly invest into their life. With the lack of parent involvement...this has been so difficult. And I feel like this is how I truly can develop a relationship. The realization that the year is half over now made me think about this even more last night. Well...tonight I call a parent that I have been meaning to talk with. She is very concerned about her son's performance in math since this is his second year in 2nd grade. Through the conversation she went on and on about their current family situation. Heart breaking. She then shared about what she is doing at home with him each night and how she wants to see him succeed in life. She said "he has dreams." This hit me so hard. This is my prayer for my kids...that they would have dreams and know that they can achieve them. And this mom is one that actually believes in him and wants to help him! I hung up after a thirty minute conversation SO excited. I think that God has brought me the family that I have been praying for! I will keep you up to date. But please pray that I can be that teacher that will reach out to this family in need. Pray that a relationship could develop out of this and that I could encourage this mom and family in the Lord. I'm so excited!! God is so good! :)

A Per of Pants

This past week has been a long but good week so far. I've only had two full days so far with Monday off for MLK day and today getting out early for a possible ice storm. However, the week seems to have been really long. There is a chance...more than not since I live where I do...that we will be off tomorrow since it is supposed to rain all through the night and all morning. I sure wouldn't mind that! :)

So it is time for funny stories with Miss Marshall...here are a few highlights from the week:

-One of my most lively students, Fred for name sake, constantly keeps me on my toes and in prayer! :) Anyways, on Tuesday he was horrible and continued to have one of his fits while the principal came in to observe my teaching. During this time he was throwing spitballs, screaming, running around the room, falling on the floor out of his desk, and hitting another student. Awesome. Of course I tried to deal with the matter at hand...calmly...but inside I was boiling. Nothing really worked which is frustrating with this kid. It is a shame that he is so stinkin cute though because I quickly can forget all about the mass chaos he caused for my class. I filled out a BIF (Behavior Identification Form), basically just a written document that is kept in a student's files, and asked him to sign it. He started to sign it another kid's name. When I told him to write his real name, he wrote, "retard." Yep...perfect spelling and everything. He was mad that I was writing him a BIF, so he decided to put himself in the hall. I went out and bent down to talk to him to try to get him back inside. He says, "Miss Marshall, you wanna know why I'm so mad today?" I said, "Of course Fred." He then said, "Well, last night I broke up with Lou Ann. And I'm really sad. If I take home a BIF my momma says I won't be able to be with a girl for thirty years." If you are at all like me...you are cracking up by now. It was so hard to be serious. Anyways, after a little chat, we got back into the room. Great story for Tuesday.
-Today the Title One teacher that works with some of my kids came in and told me that she had to tell me a story about Fred...see a pattern? She was testing for fluency and then she asked the students to use a given word and put it correctly in a sentence. So, Fred's word was "per." His sentence was..."I bought my mom a per of pants." Hahaha! Then, his next word was "stiff." His sentence this time was, "My dog died awhile ago, and now he is stiff." I have laughed so hard over these sentences!
-Another great one today that shows a child's innocence...one of my little boys said to me this morning..."Miss Marshall, why do they make us say the pledge of allegiance every day instead of just once a week? I think they are trying to make us crazy!"

So those are a few highlights from this week. :)

West Virginia is Really Growing on Me

So after almost three months in the middle of nowhere...with 18 little people each day...lots of hillbilly enjoyment...I have to admit that I am getting used to this place...and just maybe feel like War is starting to become "home."

But speaking of home....I got to go home for Christmas! It was such a wonderful wonderful visit that was so needed. I ended up getting to go home a day early because of all the snow that bombarded West Virginia! Before I left to go home, we had 18 inches of snow! I remember specifically asking about the snowfall with the crazy roads...well my dad did at least. And everyone told me, "Don't worry...it hardly snows here!" So, I figured I would bring my winter boots after Christmas...mistake! During this snow storm, we lost phone, Internet, and water...basically we felt like we were in another world. So, Laura and I made the best of it by watching Gilmore Girls and having sleepovers. We also would look out the window and dream of going to Bluefield (an hour away where our church and friends are)...our new oasis these days.

So...home....I got to spend so much time with my whole family...including our little Dylan! He is walking everywhere now and never sits down. He is one of the greatest joys in all of our lives. I never am at home that I don't thank God for His amazing faithfulness and grace to the Marshall family! I love my family so much and am so thankful that I am so blessed to experience this much love on earth.

Those are a few favorites from my time at home. Truly, it was so refreshing. I left school during Thanksgiving break worn and heavy if you remember. It was so difficult to come back to school after that short time with my family. I was actually dreading Christmas goodbyes, knowing that I would get to be even more attached once again to my family. However, I had a few great weeks with my students before break and was able to just enjoy each day. Leaving was hard as I thought, but I felt like I was so refreshed and had a reminder of my purpose. God showed me over and over that His love is unfailing through people and experiences.

I got back to War on the 3rd of January and just today was my first full day back! Snow days are amazing! Who said that they were just for the kids? My roommate and I basically lived in Bluefield for that time and spent many days and nights with our new friends. Another area that God has blessed abundantly...He has given us such wonderful, solid, and encouraging friends that love Him. Oh...and they are around our age too!

Being back at school has been so wonderful too! God is soooo good! I know that daily there are so many prayers being lifted to Him about my 18 little ones and our class as a whole. I know that there are prayers for me, too. Thank you for that! They have been felt, and I truly believe that God has given me a fresh start and a renewed love for my kiddos. As my aunt reminded me during break, "He WILL break through!" I have had a wonderful week and am looking forward to hitting the books hard again on Tuesday...our next school day.

If I had to sum up this time in my life right now, I would say the word would be "contentment." I must admit, this is not a common word in my vocabulary no matter how much I've tried to make it. This word was something that I couldn't find all through high school and college. Bringing me to West Virginia has helped me to break the chains of lies I told myself and loosen the grip of people and things that I held so tightly to for countless years. God has been slowly ripping pieces of myself away bringing so much Truth of who He is and His plans for my life since graduation last May. I've always known in my mind that only God brings true contentment. Now my heart is actually following along! Things are not perfect, and I still am discouraged many moments, but God is clearly showing His face in so many ways! I am so thankful!

Please keep praying for me to be salt and light in a dark place. I long to give these students the hope that I experience! God IS working! :)