*Waking up a little bit earlier everyday to spend time with my creator. When I do this the whole day is better. My perspective is better, my attitude is that of Christ Jesus, and I love as He Loves.
*Telling people how much you care about them and love them. Whether it be my students, teammates, supervisors, the parents of my kids, anyone that I come in contact with. This makes a big deal into relationships. I have one parent who is a single mom. She is struggling being firm with her son and disciplining him. This week, I sat down with her and just had a conversation about him not eating his lunch. At the end of the conversation she told me, "Thank you for caring so much for him and showing your concern. It means a lot." I never realized that a simple conversation like that would show that, but it did and the Lord used it.
*Spending time with people is vital to building relationships. This seems like a no brainer right? Well, what I had to learn was that even though I live with my teammates doesn't mean that we shouldn't spend quality time together. Last weekend me and four others on my team and one of the ladies from the church went and saw the Big Trees (the redwoods and sequoias). It was a 4 hour road trip to them and I can't tell you fun it was! Just to be with them out of the church setting and see everyone open up and be themselves. I also really got to know the lady from the church (who graciously took us) in a different way. The Big Trees were so amazing! I highly suggest you seeing them if you get the chance!
*Be real with people and they will be real with you. I have seen that once I reveal who I am and what I am going through with others they will do the same. I had my personal conference this week and found out that once I was real with my supervisor she was real with me and now we are closer and understand each other better. Same with others on the team, asking them how they are is important, but it is essential to tell them how you really are doing in order to help them through what they are going through too.
Speaking of the little things it amazing how much 4 year olds get enthralled over something that us as adults would never think twice of. My kids found a bush on the playground it seems to be the home of some caterpillars. These kids have absolutely fallin in love with these caterpillars. They have become our class pets. The first day they found them they were so excited and then a week later they were just as excited about them. I read them the Very Hungry Caterpillar and have been teaching them about bugs and living things through these caterpillars and they are having a blast because they are in love with them. I love building on their interest and I am having a blast as well.
We have also had community helpers week this week. We had several different community helpers come and talk to the kids and the kids got to experience some of what it would be like to be that community helper. It was a fun fun week!
Here are some pictures of the exciting things that have happened these past couple weeks:
The visit to the Big Trees:
My kids and their caterpillars
Community Helpers Week
