Summer's End; New Beginnings...

Here it is the end of my summer break, which of course isn't summer in Nigeria but rainy season! Anyway, I have two more days of my break, then the weekend and then I report with the other teachers on Monday.

I hardly went out of town during the break. It was hard on the kids, but at least they had soccer camp to attend and some friends were around. As for me, I enjoyed my usual "favorites": baking, reading, watching NCSI shows, Food Channel, and Travel Channel. I also spent some time doing a little organizing around the house.

Even though nothing grand happened, I do feel refreshed. It was good to have time to tickle Daniel, share some late-night chats with Annette, and drive Nat to soccer practice across town. I find it is during the summer breaks that I feel I have more time to do "Mom" types of things. The kids are at that age where I don't want them to depend as much on me, but it's good to have time to be there for them and allow them time to develop their own levels of independence.

Becoming independent is never easy and I think letting go is even harder. I remember being excited to travel alone for the first times, get a job, and go off to college...but now to anticipate some of those opportunities for my kids is even harder. Now I know what's out there and its hard to let them stretch their wings; with all the security and health issues going on today it is especially hard.

Nonetheless, I continue to rely on the same God for guidance, protection, and trust that whatever happens, he is still in control. Watching a TV show with my daughter the other night reminded me that since my kids are black (or brown as they say), they will face challenges and attitudes that I may not understand so trusting God in those areas is like trusting someone leading me with my eyes blindfolded.

That element of trust is nothing new since I've always enjoyed change and accepting new challenges I've learned how to trust God. Granted, that doesn't mean it's easy or doesn't involve additional prayer because it does! It just means that I feel safe knowing God is in control. There's a hymn we sing here that includes the line, "...in the hollow of your hand..." I like knowing that God holds me in the hollow of his had, but I don't see him squeezing tight. He holds me loosely, knowing that I will want to stretch my wings and flutter here and there. I guess that's what I try to do with my kids too.

With a new school year starting there are new beginnings; I like new beginnings too...you never know what new challenges and opportunities are just around the corner!

New Beginnings, New Challenges

I reported back to school today and have a few days to get ready for the first day of classes on August 6th. It was good to be back.

I am fortunate to work in an environment where we have the dual purpose of educating our students and showing/teaching them how to live for God. These past years I think I have learned even more than my students!

It looks like it will be a good year. I thought I would have a lot of students, but my class numbers are much lower this year, which is good because last year I couldn't spend as much time on skill building, like giving essays and other assignments that took longer to mark.(Last year I had about 83 students 2nd semester and this semester I'll have around 50. Plus I had two new classes)

Even so, there was one point today where I started to feel overwhelmed when I was trying to focus on what needed my attention first. I had to just sit down and remind myself that it was God who called me to the task and trust He would continue to show me how to carry out my work. I really believe that it is Satan that fosters doubt in each of us and if we don't contradict him right away, those doubts will just build and build until we can't do anything!

So, if you start stressing out about any new challenge, just trust that the God who brought that challenge your way has already given you the tools to tackle the challenge, you just have to pick up those tools and start using them! Not only that, God knows our needs even before we ask them, so trust the solution is in sight!