Right where I'm going to want to be...

This time of transition is on my mind a lot lately. I guess because I'm right in the middle of it. I've watched more movies made between 1930 and 1960 than I ever thought I would in a month (I adore them), I've eaten more home cooked meals than I ever did at my apt, and I freeze to death all the time (so I've started running again (this parenthesis can also apply to the previous point)). Perks of living with your grandma.

Tonight was the first fuel, and I pray that it went absolutely wonderful and that it will impact so many students the way it impacted me. And honestly, this time last week I would have completely bummed I was missing out. And while I still miss it and wish I could see everybody, I'm ok. Somewhere between watching my cousins and uncle play softball and fighting with my "daughter" in "Spanish" with my 5 year old cousin during a 25 minute car ride and a dozen hugs in the hallway today and laughing till I cried at something a 12 year old said, I realized that I'm not only where I'm supposed to be, I'm exactly where I'm going to want to be, too. And I think that's the trick. Make where you're supposed to be, where you want to be. I'm getting there.

I'm looking for churches. I found one I really like. We'll see where that goes.

Breathe in deep
Before I say
I can feel us slip away
You're almost gone
You're good as gone
August is over

My kids are writing their journal entry to this song tomorrow. "Choose a metaphor or simile to describe August. Explain in at least 3 sentences." GO!

Some things to be missed...







August is over...

When I was in middle school, every time I read a book, I would read the first chapter then the last page. I somehow had to know if it was going to be ok. I don't know when I stopped doing that...

So I started teaching last week. It's a little different adjusting to the reality that the majority of my conversations are with 12 year olds these days. And today, when teaching analogies and metaphors, I had to specify that nothing could be compared to any bodily function after a boy in my first class used pee, poop, doodyhead, and fart. I promptly threw his paper away and made him start over. I also had to ban saying Justin Beiber because it sparked an intense argument in one class. I think I may be in over my head.

Transition is a weird. I have mixed feelings. But the one thing I keep reminding myself is that this is exactly where God wants me. I can't focus on what I could be doing or used to be doing because then I would completely miss out on what I'm supposed to be doing. And I love my 7th graders...well most of them. But they are so awkward and unsure and in this limbo in life between a little kid and a teenager. I know how much they are going to grow up right before my eyes, and if I can help in even a little way, it will be worth it.

I finally know, how you stand
against the worst there is
I finally found,
The strength you've tried to tell me about

Oh, even when the sky is crashing down
You, You locked your knees and stood up straight
You, Are the strength inside my veins
Oh, I want to feel the strength you know

And what does it take to believe
In all the things you believe
And maybe I need to listen more carefully

I think maybe the trick is to get through the first chapter...the rest gets easier.