God is good all the time, & all the time God is good

You know when you're little, you want to be things out of the ordinary. You really don't know what you want to do when you grow up. I have wanted to be a teacher, since day 1 of kindergarten. I never thought that 2 months away from graduation, I'd say the same thing. In kindergarten, I wanted to be just a teacher, in middle school I wanted to be a fifth grade teacher, in ninth grade I wanted to be a second grade teacher. What happened to the other three years of high school? Well read on..


The summer between my sophomore year and my junior year my family changed churches. We fell in love with the people at the church, and how inviting they treated us. There was one little boy who MELTED my heart. Never in my life seen anyone like him, and completely fell in love (he was in 3rd grade, NOT a teenager). After talking to him and telling him my name, he called my name looking for me every Wednesday, and Sunday. He would look for me on Wednesday's to eat dinner with me, and on Sundays to sit with me in church. I can truly say that I cannot imagine life without him. Sometimes it's the little things that count. The little boy who had melted my heart so very much had autism. His mother and father were his adoptive parents, but they treated him as if he was their very own child. They love and care for him so very much that it has become an inspiration to me. From day one I have said that it takes a special person to parent a special needs child and they are VERY good at it, I might add. They were blessed with patience that some people honestly do not have (but so desperately need). 




In one years time I have interacted with three autistic kids. I can ultimately thank one person, God. If it were not for God, I wouldn't have a heart as big as I do. I love all of my "children" (my not so little babies, at work and church) with all of my heart, I honestly do. I hope the best for all of them, and will FOREVER love them, no matter what. God has given me the BIGGEST opportunity, by changing our churches to see my biggest passion in life. John 13:7 says, "Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.'" Now is later, and I do understand that one of the reasons for our church move, was so that I could see this passion I love so dearly unfold. He also has opened many doors for me. I was very fortunate to get a job at a daycare, and not only that but to be able to work and go to school at the same time. Starting out with 18 kids most days was very hectic, and crazy. When things calmed down and summer rolled around my class number was a little slimmer. I got a big opportunity to stay with the age group that I really enjoy teaching. 



I want to thank my mother, she inspired me to do what I wanted to do, no matter what others tried to tell me. My mom is leaving me, a high school senior (graduating in 2 months), with this quote "Do what makes you happy, and you will never work a day in your life". While I do feel like I am "working", I am truly happy and blessed with the 3 special needs children in my classroom, and all of the others that bring joy to my day. We all complain that life "stinks", and is hard, but in reality we should be thankful for the things God has given us. 

God has so graciously given me eternal life, a family that loves me, a heart for children, all of my needs, some of my wants, a job that I love, and so much more!!


On with my journey, this past summer brought me closer to a friend of mine that I wouldn't trade for the world. Everyday, when he gets off of the bus at work and runs into the classroom I can't help but smile. He is almost always happy, and very well behaved. He loves, Coca-Cola, candy and cookies. When I first started with him, he didn't know me, he only really knew my name but when i sat down and spent time with him, he surprised me. I never under estimated him, he just blew me out of the water. It's amazing what kids will do, or how much they will improve when you just care, and love on them. Some of the children just crave attention. While in a 2nd grade class earlier in February I realized very quickly that ALL high schoolers are role models for the younger generation. As the youngest of my family, I had no idea how much admiration younger children have for us. One little girl cried her eyes out because she couldn't read her book to me, she had to read it to me the next day. This little boy took my career into a whole new direction. I had decided that I was determined to be a special education teacher not just for any grade but for the children in my class. Primary grades. I will forever be grateful for his parents sharing him with me, and allowing me to love on him like I get to. It’s something that is part of my life that I can't imagine without. "Making one person smile can change the world- maybe not the whole world, but their world."


Have you ever heard the quote "There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he cannot do."( - Dr. Temple Grandin)? Well this is so very true. I'll say about 2 months ago I started interacting with a little boy in my class. He likes juice, cookies, goldfish, and “dillas” (quesadillas). He likes to sing 5 little monkeys, Wheels on the bus, Farmer in the Dell. He loves to spell words out with puzzles, and likes to count. During one of his EIP meetings they were told he might not improve very much. Lets just say that he has improved a lot since that meeting. In just my classroom alone he has traced numbers and letters, said the days of the week, and he told me "bye-bye"! He is one very bright little fellow, I couldn't be more proud of this little boy! He is so very smart and I know he can do it! I felt this quote was perfect for him. He shows me everyday that he can do it, and he will do it! (Whatever it maybe!)  He will continue to surprise me and improve each and everyday!  I also want to thank his parents for allowing me to work with him, and love on him as well. 

To all of these kids: "Never be discouraged and know that the devil will try to tell you that you can't "I know you can do it, and I believe in you. Never let anyone tell you, you can't because you CAN, each one of you has shown me that you are smart and will succeed in life. 


It has been the very best blessing to work with these children, who have helped me find my passion and flame it everyday. 



"By learning you will teach, by teaching you will learn."--(Latin Proverb). I love this quote. I learn something new everyday. When you listen and are still they will teach you things that you didn't even know.