The Tooth

What a week. It all started on Sunday, when I found out that our third grade teacher was sick. She had been sick over the weekend, but it had gotten worse, so we went to the hospital. That isn't actually as scary or as helpful as it sounds, but she got her "doctor's" visit and medicine for $12, and later we supplemented with some Gaterade and tea. Still, she wasn't better on Monday. So I offered to sacrifice my body and sanity by taking BOTH the 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. My plan was to get the 4th graders started on their assignment, then go work with the 3rd graders on their assignment. That worked for most of the morning, and those 4th graders were actually very good--definitely the best I have ever seen them! But the 3rd graders weren't quite so loyal to their substitute, which made things somewhat difficult, but we made it. Still, I felt like I was in a video game, and half of my week's life force and been taken out. Would I make it to the next level still alive? I didn't know, but could only pray and take it one day at a time.

Another highlight was learning that we are gaining a teacher this week. This strengthened my faith so much, because I had been praying for awhile, but this week, I was praying with all my heart because I knew I would have to teach 2nd grade when I was done with 4th grade, if we didn't have a teacher. I just really want to be a registrar. That's what I came here to do, and as much as I love the kids, I think I'm getting too old to keep up with them. ;) Anyway, I was really praying that God would miraculously provide a 2nd grade teacher by next week, but since we hadn't heard of any that could come sooner than September 15, my faith was weak. Then, Wednesday night, I heard that we amazingly ARE getting another teacher! Now, if all goes well and they actually do all show up on the plane tonight (I am still praying just in case), then I can do my real job. Praise the Lord!

I have so many stories from teaching 4th grade over the last two weeks. Here is just one example. A few days ago, my old friend, Yuka, had a loose tooth. (This seems to be common in 4th grade--I was always having to let kids go out of the classroom to spit out blood because of a loose tooth!) Anyway, it was obviously ruining her morning. She slept through most of Bible and recess. Eventually, she got back to wiggling it and told me it was almost ready, as she opened her mouth for me to inspect. Sure enough, there it was dangling by a few little roots. You know, as a kid, you get used to that, but since I haven't seen it in a while, it was kind of grossing me out. Anyway, I went around to another group, and came back later to check, and Yuka put a small, white thing in my hand. I should have known what it was, but her and Patricia are always putting small, round things in my hands that they find off the floor--beads or left-over air gun pellets or something. I really just thought that's what it was because I wasn't paying attention. I held it absent-mindedly in my hand for the next, oh, 20 minutes before getting ready to have the blessing for lunch and dismiss them to go outside. As I was folding my hands, I looked down and realized...yes, that was Yuka's tooth in my hand. I wanted scream and laugh at the same time, but instead I just smiled and had prayer. I gave Yuka her tooth back and told her to make sure she gave it to her mom. :)

I am tired, and sometimes that makes me feel down, but God really has given me what I need for each day, and I am quite positive that I made it through this week without crashing or getting sick because of your prayers and His grace.