Reminders are Great

Tonight I have been reminded of where my heart is. It is a good feeling. I will share more soon.

Check this sermon out if you have some time!
http://www.taylor.edu/experience/08_09_chapel_archives.shtml
Click on 01-19-2009 sermon from Bryan Loritts, "Engaging the Less Fortunate"

2009-01-19

Pastor Bryan Loritts, Engaging the Less Fortunate (Matt. 25:31-46)

2009-01-19

Pastor Bryan Loritts, Engaging the Less Fortunate (Matt. 25:31-46)

2009-01-19

Pastor Bryan Loritts, Engaging the Less Fortunate (Matt. 25:31-46)

May the Road Rise up to Meet You and the Wind Always be at Your Back

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Man I miss Ireland a whole lot this week! I decided to bring in some culture to my students this week by teaching them things about Saint Patrick and Ireland. I made a slide show of some of my pictures... that is where the real sense of missing the place began. How could any one place be so beautiful? And why was God so good to me to allow me to live there for three months? So, today I had a St. Patrick's Day "Celebration" since we were technically not allowed to have a "party." I made rainbow jello and had some other yummy green treats. Then, I decided to challenge myself by teaching my kids some basic Irish steps in dancing. It was a blast! They loved it! I wish that I would have video taped some of it because they were just that cute! :) To be honest, it looked far from anything close to Irish dancing, but they sure tried hard...and had fun! This is something that I would like to do with all my future classes. It was so fun for me and the kids to pull something from another that could be so real with the different resources I was able to bring in.

That was the good part of the week...the rest has been gross. It has probably been one of the longest weeks ever...and it is only Wednesday! I am praying that I make it to Friday in one piece. My kids were wild Monday and have been a little better the past two days...obviously excited about today's festivities. But there is also a lot on my mind besides my kids which sometimes unfortunately comes with me into the classroom. The topper today was at the end of the day while we were all cleaning up. I had brought in my laptop and external hard-drive to show the kids a video of me Irish dancing in Ireland. The day was almost over when I heard screaming. Just then I saw my laptop fall to the floor along with my hard-drive. I went running, but I didn't make it in time. I saw that my laptop looked okay which I was thankful for. Then, I noticed that my hard drive was deformed and looked broke with other pieces from the inside now on the floor. I instantly just started crying realizing what this meant. I just bought my current laptop this summer, so all of my pictures from overseas, college, and the past 5 or so years are backed up on that only. All I could think about was that they were probably gone. The kid who bumped the stand holding the equipment is probably one of the sweetest boys in my class, and I know that he would never do it on purpose. So, I tried to stop crying since I know he felt bad...but that didn't happen. The kids were quieter than ever before and sat in their desks without a whisper till their buses were called. When they all left, I checked the situation out, and I think that things are okay. The hard drive seems to still have my information on it...it just looks messed up. That will work! So, I am praying that my pictures are all really there still and damage only occurred on the outside. I calmed down some after this, and Laura and I stopped at our little grocery store in War on the way home. In there was the little boy who knocked my things down. I was so happy to be able to tell him that everything was okay. He then found me and said he wanted me to meet his grandma who he is living with. She was precious and told me that this little boy came home in tears and said, "Grandma, I did a terrible thing today." He told her what happened and then said, "and then she started crying and I about died inside." When I heard this, I almost started crying again. I explained why I was so emotional and apologized for my reaction. I am so thankful that I had this chance to tell him things were okay right after so that he wasn't worried all night...and also his grandma. She said that she was prepared to write me a check to replace whatever was broken. So soo soo cute and sweet. God is good even in the midst of craziness! We almost didn't stop...but the Lord determines our steps!

Oh...and I got ANOTHER new student today...a second grader. So, I am now up to 22 little ones. My room is getting smaller and the noise is increasing!!!! Also, I have heard rumors that he is a wild one. Honestly, I can't take much more in this class with the different behavior issues. After talking with his aunt...he is another student with much hurt. Pray that he would be one that would adjust quickly in my classroom and be obedient. I know that God is with my little class and that He is in control! Pray that I would continually look to Him for strength. I don't have enough of my own. I am wearing thin. Please also pray that the distractions of life would not get in the way of what God has for me here with my students.

Thanks for reading my rambling thoughts once again. I appreciate each one of you and your prayers!!!! Much love! :)

Rubbin Shoulders with the Mayor

So yesterday was again another long day. There was an after-school program from 6-8 with a visiting author, so Laura and I decided to stay. We ate dinner at the "Coffee Shop" in War which we have been to once. It is a precious little place, one that you would think of in an old, small town. When we went the first time, the owner, Orbi, wanted to know who we were because we didn't look like we were from "around here." She is a short lady with curly black hair and full of personality. I mean her name is Orbi after all. Well, she remembered us right away. Her daughter is the waitress and the mom of a third grader at our school. They both thought that we were never coming again and that they ran us off. While Laura and I were finishing up our meals, an older man walked over to us and sat down at the table next to us. He said, "I bet you don't know who I am, but I know all about y'all." Awesome, right?!? Well, here it was the mayor of War! He had apparently heard about the two random girls from Ohio that are younger than 50. Because it is such a small place, I get the impression that he is not the only one who has noticed that we are here. Oh, he knew where we lived and noticed that our cars were dirty with all the bad weather. So after some small chat...the mayor tells a story about how "War is a different place if you haven't noticed." haha! Nope! :) I guess for breakfast, the whole town comes in to eat some of Orbi's food and for some morning laughs and gossip. The mayor is a regular. Well, one morning someone said, "I just got myself a new gun and it is pretty great" and placed it on the bar counter. The man next to him, says, "that ain't nothing, check mine out." He pulls his out of his pocket and places on the counter, too. This process goes on for each of the 8 men around the bar...all who have guns in their pockets. Then, little Orbi hears them and says, "that ain't nothing boys, check mine out" and pulls out her gun from behind the counter. Yep...that's War.

Well, on to today's highlight...conversation with "Fred." I bet that you wish you could meet this kid by now! :)

We are in the hallway on a bathroom break and Fred is standing on the wall waiting patiently. Then, he says hi to a girl that walks by and smiles. I ask him if that is one of his cousins (since the whole school is related). He said, "That's Lanae, my girlfriend." "Oh! Isn't she a little old for you, Fred since she is in middle school?" I asked. Fred smiled and said, "The older...the better!" I just started cracking up. Then, he went on to tell me how Lanae even kissed him on the lips and would love to marry him. His response, "I may have to wait awhile...at least a few days." :)

I felt prayers today as my kids were a little better behaved and just more joyful. It was a great day, and I really felt the sense that they are growing as students today. God is good, and thank you for your prayers!!! Nothing is impossible with Him!

Too Tired to Think of a Title

This has been a really long week so far...and it is only Tuesday! Yikes!

Well, this past Friday my roommate and I jumped in Gigi and headed up to Ohio for a random visit to my house to cure some of the homesickness that was creeping in. It was such a wonderful weekend!!! My entire family was home and off of work which was perfect. I got lots of hugs and laughter in. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it...but I love my family a whole lot!! Oh...and I was reminded about another fact to tell you about my life in War. We only have four stations...seriously. It wasn't till I was in Ohio that I realized that each time I changed the station, there was something there. :)

So, my little Dilly Bar...aka my nephew Dylan...is growing like a weed and absolutely precious. I cannot resist his smile. And he is running around everywhere now and a constant burst of energy. I think that my favorite new development of his is he and Lexie's friendship. They are precious together! I love that silly dog even more now that I see what she puts up with! :) He chases her, jumps on top of her, tries to ride her, and even tries to kiss her (which looks more like biting her). But a positive for Lexie...Dylan is starting to figure out that he can share his treats with her.

On Sunday afternoon, Laura and I started our journey home. Thankfully, I will be seeing my family again in a month, this time for a week...so leaving wasn't as difficult. After a long drive and a quick but full weekend, I was exhausted. We were almost back to War when I hit a pothole on the side of the road. I figured right away that I may have messed up my alignment since it hit pretty hard. Well, not long after, I heard the thumping start....louder and louder. Did I mention that it was 10pm and pitch black on a mountain road. Oh, and I have no cell reception of course. And...I've only watched a tire being changed, but I wouldn't know even where to start on my own. I knew that soon I would ruin my rim if I hadn't already, but I thought that there was one more little gas station left. I was right! It just happened to be the little shady "pop stop" that Laura and I always say we will never go to. Well, never say never. I went into the shop after seeing my tire and asked if anyone knew how to change a tire. They all looked clueless. The high school girl at the register said that her cousin in the car would probably know. So, this kid gets out, and I just start rambling and asking him for help. Then, I realize that he is an 8th grader at our school and the brother of one of my little girls. So, he and then some other random boy with a very thick country accent started looking for a lug-nut bar. Well, my car didn't have one. So, the other boy goes inside, buys some tobacco, and asks some random guy buying a 12 pack if he could use his four wheeler to get the lug-nut bar. Pretty soon he's back, and the boys have the tire finished in no time. I thank the boys profusely and get back into my car. That's when I just break down and start bawling and tell Laura, "I just had two 8th grade boys change my tire. What if they aren't strong enough to tighten the bolts?" All these thoughts were running through my mind as I knew we had a good fifteen minutes of winding black roads ahead still. Well, after constant prayer all the way back, we made it safely back. After another good cry explaining things to my parents, I started to calm down....a little. I was super overwhelmed, but I know that God protected us and had His hand on us this night! He is good all the time!

Last night, we also had some excitement...but good excitement. My brother's girlfriend and her friend came down just to visit War and us for the night. Laura and I met them in Bluefield for dinner and then they followed us back on the windy roads....Nicole said that she felt like she was now ready to sign up for NASCAR. :) Then, we took them to our two stores...Dollar General and Rite Aid...many options. Yes...if you come to visit...I will show you a good time! ;) I was hoping that they would get to experience some McDowell accents, but things were a little slow last night. We had a great time, and I'm so glad that they came!

So today I go into school exhausted. We wonder why the kids aren't there, but we soon find out that our school has no water. Most schools would not make the teachers come, so I first had a bad attitude and just wanted to sleep so much. But, it was a great day to get things caught up in my room. And, the water is back on...so I think tomorrow I should see my nineteen reasons to smile! :)

But now I think I need one thing...sleep.

The Devil Made me do It!

Today reminded me of my Gramps. He would always tell us little kids that, "the devil made me do it." I can hear him laughing whole heatedly right now as my mom would probably roll her eyes. :) Anyways, this week my second graders have been reading about frogs and how they change as they grow. The kids did a great job today...especially with having a two hour delay. Then, my little "Fred" suggested that we have a frog jumping contest. I figured this would be a fun idea and a way to pull in some extra measurement practice as well. The kids loved it and they jumped as far as they could. Well, Fred was mad that he didn't win, and when I looked over at him, he was bright red with frustration and mumbling things under his breath. I thought things were straightened out, so we went on a quick restroom break. In the hall Fred said, "Miss Marshall, I got to tell you something!" He walked to a corner where no one else was and said, "I think the devil is trying to control my body and I just want Jesus to be in control!" I should mention that he is the boy that tells me, "Cause I'm the devil" ALLL the time. Then, he said, "The devil told me to slam that door really hard and to do bad stuff....but I listened to Jesus." I have to be honest, with this kid's history and his accent, I about died of laughter. If you are having trouble finding the humor...call me and I will tell you the accent. You will laugh too. :)

I love that Fred does know that Jesus wants him to be loving and a good kid! So many of my little ones believe that there is a God, but I think that with so much pain they don't see the love that He brings.

Please pray for these nineteen kids. Today one of my kids that has been struggling with fights in the classroom brought a knife to school. He told me about it, but why does he even have it? I know that this little boy is has a horrible life and is struggling so much. Pray for him!