The First Three Snow Days of School

Student teaching has had a very interesting start! It has held surprises that I didn’t expect to encounter; but these have not been surprises in the classroom. I have been more in awe of the wonderful grace of Jesus as I get settled into my time down here. It is quite obvious that God wanted to take me from my comfort zone in Dubuque, IA down here to Murfreesboro, TN to re-learn what my life should look like living in complete reliance on him. I am so blessed. For a while, I was wondering whether God was trying to stop me from coming down here….

First, my housing fell through in November.

Second, I didn’t have the funding that I knew would be necessary to survive while down here.

Third, I didn’t have a job down here.

And fourth, about 3 hours from arrival, my car was acting up pretty badly.

But in all of these scenarios, God provided for me. I am reminded that he wants me to be flexible. Everyone can recognize that this is the lesson that I need to learn, right. Miss “List-maker” & “Plan Every Minute” kind of girl. But in all honesty, in all of these moments when I was brought to my knees asking God to provide for me, He drew me closer to himself first. Then in each scenario, in his perfect time, HE PROVIDED! Everything that I have NEEDED!

As far as my student teaching is concerned… I wonder as to the road ahead. Mrs. Porterfield (my mentor teacher) has spent many weeks of the first half of the year out of the classroom. First she got the shingles for three weeks, second she pulled her back out, and finally a few weeks before Christmas her doctor ordered her home to rest. What’s in store for me? Will this be a lesson that I spend the rest of my life learning? Or will I grow from this now and find other challenges ahead of me for the rest of my life? I look forward to what Christ is going to do in me. Worrying about how and when I will learn these lessons is unimportant!

For a while, I was just frightened at the prospect of what God could have for me. Afraid, actually, more than I’ve ever been of anything in my life; but just seeing how he provided for me this first week has touched my heart. I hope that in the good and bad times I will continue to sing His praises. As Colin prayed the night when the car was acting up, “there are major dilemmas in life that we often look back on and see as mere speed bumps in the road…” May I look at life in light of knowing the Master Planner and Designer!

K, I promise... My next post will involve some stories about my students. I just wanted to share something from this time of transition :-)