Jolly Rancher

What is a single Jolly Rancher worth? 

not much....maybe a few pennies

Yet, it depends on how you come to get that Jolly Rancher...

Walking down the hallway of a school crowded with children...

A 5th grade boy giving you a hug and handing you a Jolly Rancher out of his coat pocket. 

"Why are you giving me this Jolly Rancher"

"Cause you are the best"

"Oh thank you, I think you are the best."

Not sure why or when he decided to give me that Jolly Rancher- probably just popped into his head at that moment, but....

This is a boy with emotional problems.

This is a boy whose family lives with others with no place to call their own.

This is a boy who gets picked on daily. 

This is why I wanted to teach...

This what makes the hard days worth it....

So this one Jolly Rancher-  it is priceless

Break my heart...

"Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." 

Bob Pierce, World Vision founder

I love this quote and really want to be able to say it honestly, but oh it hurts so much!

There is so much hurt in the world....how can my heart not be broken by things happening not just across the world, but in my own backyard:

kids with no home to call their own

kids who yell, kick, and hit as their way to cope with abuse

kids who swear and threaten others because of  ????

kids who have no one to love them

kids that are bullied 

kids that feel like that they will never succeed

kids who don't get a good meal at night

kids with disabilities that struggle to learn each day

It is reality and it is not just far away in another country. I don't want to believe it. I don't know how to deal with it and make it better. 

I feel like I am not enough...I am weak...I am unable...I am overwhelmed...

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Thankful....

So many things to be thankful for....

Being able to celebrate birthdays with family for the 1st time in 3 years!

A 9 year old birthday party for a nephew and a 90th party for my Grandma

Meeting college students from Brasil!

Fall leaves pretty on the trees and fun to kick on the ground...

Books on CD.....

Family in the same time zone

Hugs from students....especially on the rough days

Co-workers who understand and take the time to give good advice, etc

People making decisions to follow the Lord

New and old friends in St. Cloud and the Cities

Voting in person for the first time in 3 years