Hard Things

I had kind of a rough week...

This week a few of my students told me some things about their lives that just made me so sad.  It's so hard to understand what goes on in some of these little kids' lives.  I don't know how they are able to carry on at school and deal with some of these things when sometimes their worlds are just turned upside down.  Little kids should not have to go through hard things.  I wish they could just forget everything, be kids and just play. 

We are not allowed to go outside for recess if it is below 25 degrees, so you can imagine how wound up my kids were after a whole week of indoor recess.  Ahhhhh!  Whew, they were SO wiggly by Friday!!

We're supposed to get freezing rain tonight and I am seriously hoping for a snow day!  I'm worse than the kids, hah! :)

Two Dollars

On Friday, little Alex came in with a sparkle in her eye as she showed me her two dollar bills and some spare change in her change purse.  She told me that she wanted to buy me a present.  I assured her she didn't have to buy me something with her well saved money.  I totally forgot about that conversation.

On Monday, she came in beaming.  She had wrapped a present for me in a Dollar Store plastic bag.  She stood expectantly, waiting for me to open the plastic bag.  With her two dollars, she had bought me a beaded chain for my recess whistle and a little box of chocolate!  She watched carefully as I took off my old chain, threw it away and put my whistle on her new beaded chain.  I think she was waiting for me to "try it out," but I assured her that I would blow the whistle for her when we went outside for recess.

Though a chain and box of chocolate might not look like much in the eyes of the world, she used the only money she had to buy me a present from the Dollar Store.  It means a lot to me!

Living in the moment

It's that time of year again.  I hate New Year's Resolutions, mostly because everyone always makes them and then no one ever keeps them!  I don't think I've ever made an official New Year's Resolution.  Though I don't want to label it a resolution, I guess I do have a goal for this year.  My goal is to strive to live in the moment.  So often I get so focused on the future.  I think about next school year.  I think about next summer and how I'm planning to take classes.  I think about next month.  I think about my life in 10 years!

Not that those are bad things to think about, but I am missing life!  Well, not really missing it, but not enjoying it as much as I could be.  I am learning that sometimes a plan only keeps my eyes on the end goal and misses the enjoyment inbetween.  So, my "New Year's Resolution" is to stop. think. and enjoy.

Homeless in Detroit

Yesterday, Josh and another friend of ours and I went to serve the homeless of Detroit.  The other two had gone before and driven around downtown handing out meals to people they saw on the street.  They told me about some awesome stories as they just sat there and talked with the people eating their dinner. 

We headed out about 4:30 with even more than the last time.  We made up bags full of coats, gloves, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste.  We took 20 sandwiches and bowls of soup, crackers, fruit and candy.

We started to get disappointed because we could find hardly anyone on the streets like they had the last time.  We decided to go to a shelter instead, to donate all of our bags.  The shelter pointed us to a group of homeless people across the street.  We handed out everything we had.  Amazingly, we had just enough for everyone to get a bag and just enough soup to fill the last bowl.  It was pretty cool how we had just the right amount.  God knew how many people would be standing on that street.  They were very appreciative and showed their excitement for the things they were given.  One man asked us to pray for him and then he even prayed for us.  How humbling it is to be prayed for by a homeless man.  Though it took me out of my comfort zone, I never felt unsafe.  Discomfort cannot compete with serving the Lord's people.  What a great opportunity!

Back to school tomorrow......What a wonderful Christmas break!  Now back to reality! 

They Aren't Supposed to Find

This is taken from Lysa TerKeurst's blog:

"There are things mommies aren’t ever supposed to find. They aren’t supposed to find themselves in a firehouse frantically looking for their child. They aren’t supposed to find their child’s name on a list of those who won’t be coming home. They aren’t supposed to find a dress to wear to their child’s funeral.  They aren’t supposed to turn their calendar and find a date circled for the birthday party they were supposed to be planning next month. The one that won’t be. Or walk to the mailbox and find their child’s dentist appointment reminder card. The receptionist forgot to pull that one out.   Or find a book they know their child would love. Only half way to the check out counter they remember, they’re gone."

When I heard the news about the shooting in Connecticut, I think I subconsciously chose not to dwell on it or make it personal.  It was not until Monday morning at school that it became very personal.  At our staff meeting that morning, as we talked through changes in our safety procedures,  I put myself in the situation.  I was thinking about the principal, the secretary, the psychologist, the first graders that were murdered.  I looked around at my principal, secretary, psychologist, and first graders that were standing in front of me.  After the announcements and a statement from the principal over the PA, we all have a moment of silence. 

It's sad to me that it takes something like this to snap me back to reality.  That same day I was frustrated at my students because they are anxious and squirmy, waiting (not so patiently) for Christmas.  When I heard the news that afternoon, my frustrations were simply gone.  I have absolutely nothing to complain about!  It was not until Monday morning, after hearing the names and seeing the faces of the six year old students in Connecticut, that I took a closer look at my six year olds and  realized how much I love them.

Miss Hornback Eats?

On Friday night, Beth and I went to Greenfield Village Holiday Nights!  One of her co-workers sets off the fireworks, so we got to go back and see how they work.  Pretty awesome!  The whole night was really great and it got me in the Christmas spirit :)

Last week my class had Polar Express Day, our Christmas party.  Any day that is supposed to be a "fun" day and treat for the kids, is usually not very fun for me, haha.  Anything out of the regular routine gets them all wound up!  We watched the movie, did a craft, ate pizza, cookies and hot chocolate.  During the pizza party, one of my students looked at me peculiarly.  I heard her whisper to another student, "Woahhhh, watch Miss Hornback eat!!"  Haha!

What a fun time of year!  Next weekend my family is headed 5 hours south to Waverly, OH for the extended family Christmas parties.  I'm so looking forward to Christmas break!!

Christmas Time is Here

I was thinking today about all that has happened in the last year.  Last year on this day, I was teaching in South Korea.  I was excited about coming home for a week for Christmas.  I was loving my students and nervous about returning to America for good in the next few months.  At this point last year I wasn't even sure that I wanted to teach.  I was part of an amazing church and small group.  I thought of Korea as the "glory days" and felt as if I would never be as content as I was at that time.

Christmas time is here again.  I can't believe a whole year has passed.  It has been an exciting year, filled with confusion, waiting, surprises and blessings.  God has replaced each one of those areas of contentment with new blessings.  One year later I am teaching in a great district only one hour from family.  I am part of an amazing church and small group.  God has even given me the blessing of being in an awesome relationship with Josh.  God has certainly answered prayers, even the ones I haven't prayed.  I have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas!