New York!!!!

After 2 days of traveling in a car, getting lost several times, and making a million stops; I am New York!!!! I am sitting on the floor of my room at the Flushing YMCA, which feels like a hostile. And let me just tell you the Asian women are not shy. Listening to some music, talking to my family on the phone and catching up on facebook. Its been crazy, I am exhausted, and a little shaky; but I serve a God who sits on the throne and he's taking care of me. I have to admit after sleep and a shower I do feel much better now. My hair is still wet, and I have the air blasting but it feels really good. I should probably go dry my hair before I get sick.

But before I go, I want to ask you all to pray. God has already been revealing to me stuff he wants to work on in my life. It's hard and it hurts. But when God is working it always turns out well. Pray for strength and peace over these next few weeks and months. I love you all my few and faithful readers.

Floodzone

When I started teaching my class almost a year ago I never thought it would mean this much to me. I thought I was just helping out these little kids who nobody would commit to. And now as I prepare for my last 3 weeks for them, it brings tears to my eyes.

I have to come to love these little faces that stare up at me each week. The cute little way they say my name. I've enjoyed these little darlings so much. I love that I got to watch Hannah join the rest of the group when we got Hannah safe snacks (cause Mama Holly taught me how to read the labels). And watched her grow from this shy little girl to this crazy kid who kept jumping on my back today. I watched Audrey be brave in the face of one of the scariest things- Cancer- and she had no fear. I cried with her mother as we celebrated that she was better. And I couldn't stop smiling when that hair started growing back. (Side note- SHE GOT DE-PORTED!!!! THAT LITTLE GIRL IS CANCER FREE IN THE NAME OF JESUS!) I watched the smiles on faces like Emily when she recognized me and said Missssss Patti in her special way. And yes she puts about that many S's on it. I loved getting kids like Cross, Kadence, and Weston who we thought would have fits when they came in my class, and haven't had a single one yet. I loved seeing babies I rocked to sleep in the nursery grow up into these walking talking toddlers. I loved learning gentleness and patience. I loved learning how to be undignified in order to teach kids to praise Jesus.

It's crazy. I never thought I'd love these kids this much. But now the thought of leaving those kids, the thought that they will be without a teacher again... it breaks my heart. For those parents that are reading this, thank you for the priviledge of letting me teach your kids. I have loved every minute and learned so much.

And I realize I was made for this. To teach and be taught.

So here's to the lessons learned and the ones that are coming soon.