there's a what on my bed...

The other night, I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep. All of the sudden, I saw something move very quickly across my comforter...something very black moved across my very white comforter. I flung back the covers and flipped the lights on as quickly as humanly possible. Frantically, I grabbed a shoe to find this unfriendly visitor, which I found on the other side of the room. (Either it was really quick or I am an excellent flinger with incredible force and power...most likely the latter.) I quickly made it clear that I didn't want this unwelcome visitor as I repeatedly crushed it under my flowery shoe. The below picture is post mortem.

The bobby pin is to show you the size. When the legs weren't crushed repeatedly, it was even bigger.

Needless to say...a spider in my bed was only one of the bumps in the road this week. I had my first parent-teacher conflict because of a miscommunication, the fifth grade had a slight emotional explosion one day, and I wanted to jump out the window because I was so overwhelmed. (Don't worry we're only a few feet above the ground...it would just be a jump out the window to run away into the mountains of Kandern.) Teaching is fun and so rewarding but it is also very draining some days. There are many things that keep me going...right now it is sixteen children whom I have grown to love and cherish. There are days that require more patience than others but overall the kids bring me so much joy.

Just today, we were having a discussion on Genesis 43. In this chapter, Joseph meets his younger brother Benjamin and he weeps in private because he is so overwhelmed with love for his brother. I had so much fun using my dad as an analogy as a man who doesn't like to be seen crying. (Sorry Dad I'm outing you on the Interent) I told the story about the day that we dropped my brother off at college. To say the least, our family was not at our best emotional state. My mom and I, both sobbing hysterically, pretty much had to be dragged out of the dorm. My dad, Mr. Tough NJ "Mobster" man, put on his sunglasses so that no one would see the tears coming down his face. How does this connect to Genesis you may ask...do not fret, I can make it connect. I used my dad as a comparison of men who don't like to be seen crying (aka Joseph running to the other room). Needless to say, my kids and I were laughing a lot as I retold the story of my dad being the strong man.

I have one week left with these children. My prayer is that I make the most of each day with the incredible children God has blessed me with for this time. I am very excited to come home but I am also grateful that I have more time here in Kandern with the people I have grown to love. Even though this week has been full of ups and downs, I can still say confidently that God always provides exactly what I need, emotionally, physically, relationally, spiritually. He is my Everything and I am so grateful for all the way He provides.