my little babies

Well...

they're not so little.  they are 3-6 graders.  and they keep me on my toes.  several are new christians.  several of those say kids have some tough lives.  

daughter of a single mom.  dad's not around.  just started middle school. low self-esteem.  but a precious girl with a servant's heart and a gossip's mouth.  lots of teaching to do here.

cute fifth grade boy who's a little girl crazy.  adorable but he has very little self-confidence.  and he has a temper.

talkative fifth grade boy who often takes a back seat to his older brother who has bi-polar disorder.  I'm gonna have some fun quotes from this kid.  for example: when we were playing two truths and a lie today, he stopped and with genuine concern asked "isn't this breaking one of God's ten commandments?"  love this kid.

there are more, but these are the three who I am the most burdened for at the moment.  

please join me in praying for them.  

so it begins

One full in week in Tahoe under my wing.  For those of you just catching wind of what I am up to this fall, here is the short version: 

I am a semester missionary with NAMB at FBC Tahoe City, CA.  Specifically I am teaching 3-6 graders a Bible story everyday and helping them with their homework.  I am also running errands and doing whatever else I am told.

Here are my initial impressions:

• it's beautiful here. 
•  
• i'm going to be working hard.
• the girls i'm working with are pretty cool.
• the kids i'm teaching are going to be fun and challenging. 

It's been an emotional roller coaster this week.  Between the time change, the information overload of orientation, and the meeting lots of new people, I've gotten distracted by my fears and inadequacies.  But Jesus took a simple message at church today to get my attention.  

After Jesus fed over 5,000 people, he went off alone while the disciples chilled on a boat.  In the middle of the night, the disciples look up and see someone walking toward them.  Naturally, they freak out.  But Jesus tells them to calm down... it's only him.  Peter with his bold spirit, asks to walk out there to him.  Jesus says come and Peter hops out of the boat.  He walks a bit then notices the wind and waves.  He takes his eyes off Jesus.  He gets scared and starts to sink.  Jesus simply reaches out and picks him up, only questioning why Peter doubted.

I'm a lot like Peter here.  I have the courage to jump out of the boat, but I start to freak out once I'm in the situation.  For example, I had the courage to get on the plane to come here, but now that I'm in the middle of it, I am giving into my fears.  The last few days, I have taken my eyes off Jesus.  I've only focused on my inadequacies.  I've never taught this age group.  I'm expected to outgoing all the time.  I'm the only introvert on this team.  I've quickly forgotten how many times Jesus has worked through me to overcome similar problems.  My God is powerful.  And faithful.  He will work when we are faithful to serve Him.

Debbie (one of my bosses) said something really cool earlier this week: 

"When Jesus and I walk into a room together, we can make a difference."

It's is my prayer that this statement will be true of my life.  Not only here, but for the rest of my life.

For those of you who liked to pray for me, here is how you can do that:

keep the above mentioned fears in mind.  I will continue to battle them daily.

continued focus.  that I will keep my eyes on Jesus.

I will keep you posted.