When I woke up this morning I did my best to leave my expectations in my sleeping bag on my bed. We went into town to teach some kids English. It was so much fun, playing the name game and singing some head-shoulders-knees and toes and then doing the hokey pokey. There was a lot of laughter and joy in the classroom that has maps on the walls and a brilliant chalkboard that unfolds. Petrico (Patrick) and I exchanged names and were talking about school when he told me that his favorite subject is math. We made our way to the board and more laughter ensued. He was laughing at the simplicity of the equations that I gave him (he's in the fourth grade), so I challenged him with some order of operations, which he promptly solved, I laughed because that was the only reaction I could have to his speed. He's smart, funny and full of joy and life. We drew on the board putting the Romanian name and the English name next to the object (tree, bird, face, nose, mouth). No I don't remember the spelling of the words, but I do remember the look in his eyes as he laughed at my pronunciation. He's a good teacher, patient and understanding. He reminded me of some other boys I once knew, they're now grown to young men, smart, bold, daring and eager to take on any challenge put in front of them.
I didn't expect to get a lesson in faith from a fourth grader when I woke up this morning. We are asked to be bold, to walk fearlessly and to walk joyously through trials. When a problem arises we are to use the tools that Christ has given us to move through it, He will guide us and give us the tools to come through it victorious on the other side, to His telling us well done. Oh how I struggle with this. I don't always believe that I'll make it out the other side victorious, I don't always depend on Him and the tools that He has given me. I try to use my own understanding, my own knowledge, because, you know, I can control the situation. It's funny from whom we learn what lessons. A Romanian fourth grader just reminded me to have faith in the abilities that God has given me and that He is in control of all things. I have faith that God will provide for me to stay on the race, and that He has a plan for me and has given me some wonderful tools and gifts. Thank you for reading! God bless you and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I FRIGGIN' Love you!
