To my beautiful, wild, crazy, curious, ridiculous, LOUD, loving, hilarious, mischievous, creative kids:
I have no idea how to begin this or even put into words exactly how I feel but I’m just gonna go for it. You all know I can ramble on sometimes, so this may get kind of long but just take a break and read it in chunks if you need to. Because I really do want you to read every word.
So. You know I love you, right? Like, seriously. You know that I love you and care about you and want the best for you and want you to be safe and happy and whole and I want you to be strong and brave and stand up for yourself, right? I want these things for you. NOT because I’m your teacher but because I love you. We spend everyday together and I know about your funny moments, your not-so-funny moments, your hopes and fears and yes, even your allergies. I know all of these things about you and they matter to me. YOU matter to me. Just because I’m leaving, it doesn’t mean you don’t matter to me or that I don’t care. Actually, I’m leaving BECAUSE I care! I care about you enough to want to set the BEST example I can for you. I want to show you what is good and right and just and honorable. Why? BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, DUH! And going on this trip to help needy people all over the world is my way of leading by example. I want you to see what I’m doing and be inspired to follow your heart and change the world. Journalism kids: remember Janet Kim’s story, “My Father’s Hands”? Money can’t buy happiness, right! Don’t forget that!
I know you’re sad I’m leaving; I’m sad too.
I know you don’t want a new teacher; I don’t like that idea either.
I know you want me to stay; but I have to go.
I have to go out into the world and love on other people just like how I’ve loved on you everyday(well, minus the yelling hahaha!). But I know that God has called me to go beyond my portable at GCJ, beyond the city limits of Jacksonville and beyond the borders of America. He’s called me to follow Him around the world so that I can love and encourage and talk with kids all over this world. Kids who have no one to hug them each day. Kids with no parents or guardians. Kids who haven’t eaten in days and don’t know when they’ll eat again. Yeah…. He’s called me take my love for you guys and spread it all over the world. I hope you understand that when you’re missing one of my hugs or jokes or random stories, you can take joy in the fact that I’ll be sharing those things with orphans and needy kids all over the world! That’s pretty cool, right? So, before I go, I have some important info for you, so please pay attention to me one last time, ok:
GOD LOVES YOU. SO SO SO SO SOOOOOO MUCH.
He knit you together in your mom’s belly and he knows the hairs on your head and He knows your name. In fact, your name is written in his hands! He knows the desires of your heart and he wants what’s best for you. And there’s NOTHING YOU CAN EVER EVER DO THAT WILL EVER MAKE HIM STOP LOVING YOU!! So be brave. Do what’s right and stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. And don’t do it for treats or recognition; do it because you’ve got a good heart and you know your right from wrong. Do it because I taught you better than that. And, most importantly, do it because that’s what pleases the Lord.
Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know some of your “friends” may make fun of you or exclude you if you start being a leader instead of a lame follower. But you know what? You wanna know what Bible says about that? It says:
Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead… Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.
So shake your haters off, find REAL friends and believe in yourself. Believe that you were made for so much. You each have gifts and I hope you realize what they are so that you can start using them to change this world we live in. That’s what I’m trying to do: I’m trying to make a change in this world. And I pray that you look at what I’m doing as so much more than some cool trip. I hope you know that I’m doing this trip for you and your friends and my friends and your family and mine too. I’m doing it so that people can see how I’m trusting God with my life and hopefully they’ll be encouraged to do the same.
I will miss you. You silly people mean so much to me and you will be missed. You’re my kids! Keep being yourselves; keep dreaming; love each other and help each other. You can do anything! So get out there are change the world. Let your light shine before others! I believe in you! And don’t forget: God loves you. And so do I.
Be Well,
Miss Payne
