Questions, questions, questions

Goodness gracious, if my life has had a theme lately, it would most definitely be questions.

Example one- I teach children's church for kindergarten-2nd grade every other Saturday at The Journey. Last Saturday we were learning from Ezra about the Jews rebuilding the temple. We didn't even finish our story for the day because we got delayed by so many interruptions. I encourage my kids to ask questions related to what we are reading- almost my entire class is made up of 6 year old boys, all of whom are curious about everything under the sun. I try my best to keep us on topic, but some weeks, like this one, it was a valiant but hopeless effort.

Here is a sample-
Ms Kelly what shape was the temple?
Ms Kelly what color was the temple?
Ms Kelly was Jesus a real person? (perfect example of a good time to let it go off topic...)
Ms Kelly I need to throw up (thank goodness for classroom assistants) (he was fine)
Ms Kelly why does the bible have so many big words?
Ms Kelly what kind of clothes does God wear?
Ms Kelly my shoe is untied
Ms Kelly you just said the temple lives in us now. Do I have bricks in my belly?
Ms Kelly is that why Nelson had to throw up? Are there bricks in his belly??


Ay yi yi. I love them to death

On Friday, I taught a 30 minute social studies lesson to a class of 3rd graders. We were talking about all the landmarks in America and whether they were natural features or man-made. One of my students could not understand how a bridge could be made by people because it was over water and people can't just swim out there and build a bridge. This launched me onto a 5 minute tangent on how bridges are built before I looked up and saw how lost my kids were. I realized my ship was sinking fast and thankfully reeled everyone back in before all my lesson completely went down the toilet.


As crazy busy as I have been writing term papers, doing projects, working my butt off, training for a half marathon, trying to start studying for finals, AND trying to raise support on top of it all, I haven't been sleeping well. The second my head hits the pillow every night, my body desperately tries to sleep but my brain starts going a million miles a minute with my own question reel-

Am I going to die in Nashville this weekend while trying to run 13.1 miles?
Am I going to pass my finals?
Am I going to finish my term paper?
What am I going to do my independent study on? What am I going to spend the next YEAR of my life researching?
Am I really gonna cut it as a teacher? Do I have what it takes?
Am I doing the right thing going on project this summer even though the smart thing would be to work and save money?
Am I going to be a good student staff member this summer?
What are the girls I disciple going to be like? Will I be able to help them grow?
Am I going to raise enough support for this summer?


All of this really boils down to one question. The root of all of these questions, no matter how diverse, is the same.

Do I trust God? Do I trust that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He promises to do?

As I wrestle with this question day in and day out in every form possible, I find comfort only in the truth of God's word. One verse in particular has been on replay in my head. I have been continually turning up the volume on my "Truth Player" as the lies inside my head get louder and louder. When I am stressed, exhausted, and overworked, my "Lies Player" hits me full blast telling me I am not good enough and I never will be. So I pray for the strength every day to wake up and choose to listen to the Truth instead.

That I WILL never be good enough, but I am not in this alone. I serve a God who is, was, and always will be more than enough for me. A God who will fight for me and be my source of strength. As the semester draws to a close, please join me in praying for the strength to drown out the noise of life and draw my strength from the fount of living water.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 
Deuteronomy 31:6

To everyone who has given thus far, I am SO thankful for you. To everyone still interested in giving, please call me. I would love to chat and share stories about how God has changed my life these past two summers. To everyone else, please keep me in your prayers. I love you all.

Kelly