First week of school: I made it!

The first week of school has officially passed. It was a long week. Now, finally I got to sleep in as late as I wanted...even if that only lasted till about 8:15. Since my last update, I have probably gone through every wave of emotions. I felt very overwhelmed and helpless for a few days, but once the children were under my care everything seemed to be alright. This year I find myself in charge of 25 little minions. (Although that number may still be growing and changing. I would ask for prayers for a positive attitude about that because it seems very overwhelming, but is almost completely out of my control.) If you're wondering about my "minions" please see this lovely picture of my bulletin board.

As many of you are well aware of, I had a very special relationship with my class last year. We had a wonderful chemistry and I simply fell in love with those children. So coming into this year, I was feeling a little nervous. I was praying that I could love these children as much as the past children, even though there are 25 of them. I do feel absolutely blessed. These children are very different, but from the first day, I knew that I loved them. They are charming and adorable. They have hilarious things to say, notes and pictures to write, and hugs to give. They are quite talkative, which may prove to be a challenge because there are so many of them, but I still love them. They do seem to be really into music, so I am excited to see how they respond to that as the year goes on.

Just a few short quotes etc.... =) I'm sure there were more and there will be more to come...

Miss Kalk: (In an excited, high pitched voice) Hello, Miss Yoder's class!
Student: Miss, why she say that like that?
Me: What?
Student: she said it like an alien.
Me: What?
Student: You know her voice was high. Like a mouse.
Me: oh...I think she was just excited.
Student: oh.

I received an adorable note my first day:
Dear Miss Yoder, you are the best. You are christ centered and fun. Love, __.

While I am a little nervous about how I will continue to have the strength this year, I feel that God is definitely going to be upholding me. I created this card this summer, but I took a picture of it, because I felt this is what I am going to need to remind myself of daily. =)

Also, in case you were wondering about the rest of my non school life... I haven't been very proactive about taking pictures of my friends and housemates...oh! or my new room. I'll get on that. But the weather has been more or less rainy. I capture this picture of a rainstorm coming our way the other day when taking the children to the buses... 

If you would like to pray for me, you can pray for the following:
1. Patience and understanding with the students, coworkers, and school in general, I know that some of the situations with large class sizes are stressful for many because this has been caused by combining sections.
2. Joy and love to overflow onto my students and coworkers. I think it become easy for me to get caught up in what I need to do, but in reality I need to focus on what those around me need.
3. All the new teachers, the honeymoon stages are probably starting to wear off, so please join me in praying that they would make connections that feel real and where they feel understood and loved.
4. Our safety in our homes and neighborhoods

Love to all of you,
Jennifer