I just got home from spending time downtown shooting some hoops and grilling out with some of my students at the community cookout. This is the last time I will get to see a lot of them for about a month! I love spending time with them outside of school because I really get to see who they are when we are in a more relaxed environment. Many of the “not so good” ones end up being truly amazing kids that I fall in love with even more as I watch them help their peers, cook meals for others or even simply help clean up. They are such good kids . . .they just make bad choices from time to time. I really hope and pray that they make it out of the trap that their environment has caught so many kids their age in. I went to Wal-mart shortly after and ran into another student of mine who I developed an amazing relationship with this year. I don’t think I have ever squeezed on a child so hard! She became one of my girls who I always looked forward to seeing in the mornings during homeroom. I loved our talks and just making her smile, but most of all I loved how one day she curiously picked up my devotional and asked what it was. After explaining it she decided to read the devotional for that day. Ever since that she would pick that book up and read it every morning before she left for her classes . . .she would even yell at me if she forgot haha! She loved it and I loved sharing it with her. It sparked amazing conversations between she and I and another girl about God, and faith and how that all applies to our life. Just to see these girls grow just a little bit through the word of God and these discussions was incredible and touched my heart! I love them! 
So on my way home from the store I thought to myself. . ..self. . .How can I leave them? How can I just up and leave these amazing kids who I have put my whole heart into? How can I not be there with them this school year. . .be there to listen, to help, take home from school, to coach, to laugh, to love. They mean the world to me and are probably one of the hardest things I will give up to go on this trip. I know that I am supposed to go on this trip. I am so excited and there is nothing that will stop me don’t worry. School really started to consume my life and maybe that is why God is asking me to step away from it for a little while and step closer to Him. I don’t know where this trip will lead me and I dont know where I will be when I get home. . .that is the beauty of it all. . . but I am so excited to find out!
With this blabbering that is pouring out of me right now please do me one thing. Pray for my kids! That God will keep them this school year. That He will provide them with a new teacher that will love them and take care of them. That they will stay healthy and strong and have the wisdom to make good decisions. That they will continue to love each other and take care of each other and that they may remeber the potential that they have to make a difference no matter how small. Pray for me that I may find peace as I leave these incredible kids. Love you all!
