Its nearing the end of the 3rd week of school here. My students and I are settling into routines, although we are still spending a lot of time introducing new routines and procedures as we begin to start curriculum and centers with the other 2nd grade class. I adore my students and really have the sweetest class. These fourteen 6, 7, and 8 year olds are going to be the loves of my life for the next year, and will probably always hold a very special place in my heart. God has blessed me beyond measure with these little people.
One especially sweet moment happened just 15 fifteen minutes ago. We usually begin our day with Morning Meeting on the rug (calendar time, place value practice, counting practice, days of the week, today is..., what's for lunch, etc.) then head into Bible time. This semester the Bible curriculum is "Walk through the Old Testament" so we'll be learning all the main bible stories of the Old Testament from creation to the Israelites going into the Promise Land.
Last week was creation and this week is all about the Fall of Man. We read the story on Monday and today we had a discussion about it. They discussed where the Garden of Eden is, first it was in Thailand, cause we have lots of fruits here, then they decided it couldn't be cause it's too hot here. So then they decided it must be closer to Israel, cause thats where the Jews are. Then, one student asked, almost demanded, "Why would God put the tree in the Garden if He knew they would eat from the tree?!" So I opened his question up to the class to think about. After some deep thinking time, several students said it was cause God wanted to test them. I then asked them if they wanted to know what I thought (yes they did), so I said,"Well, God isn't the type of guy to go around setting traps for us, going heeheehee I'm going to trick them. But He also doesn't want a bunch of robots who have no choice in loving and obeying Him. (insert some robot sounds along with "I will love God. I will obey God" robot voice here). He gave Adam and Eve a choice, and He gives us choices. And if we love Him, we're going to do our best to obey Him.He loves us no matter what we do, but He wants us to choose Him." They laughed at thought that God would go aroung trying to trick us and at the robot voice. But their eyes got big and serious with the thought that God gives us a choice to love Him.
After a quiet moment, one boy raised his hand slowly, and asked if we could pray for his little sister because she had smashed her finger badly. Soon enough, I had 7-8 other students with serious prayer requests, such as safe travels for a dad going to the States because her Auntie was dying of a problem with her brain, and another aunt who was in the hospital back home with something really wrong in her body, and dads gone on trips to the Philippines, and Singapore. We had a beautiful time
where each student who wanted to could pray, and all the others had their hands folded in their laps, heads bowed, and eyes closed. Each prayer was sweet and most sounded like they were talking to a friend. My heart just overflowed with joy at this special time, and I thank God for the short moments like this.
Please pray for my little people, and for more moments like this. Pray that God would give me answers for their tough questions, and their relationship with Him would deeper because of these times.
Love to you all!