All things work together for good...

This past week has been very difficult for me. In several areas of my life, all at once, I have been attacked. I have been made to feel low, unworthy, and insufficient. Most of this, I believe is spiritual attack on the campus of Sun Valley. This past week, in particular, my children have been exceptionally rude and disrespectful. Both the boys and the girls have been bullying one another. Names that should never be said have been said. One of my students today punched another one in the face! I could not believe it. You know why? Because one student told the other that they could not go on the Merry-Go-Round because they owed Ms. Matheny time, when in all reality, they know I will come get them when they owe me time. A bit of humor came out of it, however. As I was trying to read the “what happened” slip he wrote for Mrs. Knowles, I saw “I told him he could not go on the maragoron.” Maragoron? Took me a while, but I did get a slight laugh out of that one once it came to me.

Besides the behavior of my students, staff disagreements have occurred as well. There has been quarreling amongst the adults. It always amazes me that I am the youngest staff member here. I figured that, working with people older than myself, most of this would not take place. I was wrong. We lost our nurse and both of the boys’ dorm parents today. The nurse and one parent left campus, the other parent is fulfilling another position. This definitely put a strain on my classroom environment. These boys are CRAVING attention and love. I can tell in many ways:

1)      When my boys hug me, it takes a lifetime to end.

2)      My boys get super excited when I come over to clip their nails.

3)      My boys will rest their heads on my shoulder when they sit next to me in chapel.

4)      And the list goes on…

It’s so frustrating watching my 8 to 10 year olds left hanging once again. They have a lack of stability already in their lives. This does not help. At this moment, several men on campus are stepping up and assisting in the dorm.

Another incident that occurred is with a lady who came to visit. She applied for the position of animal education. The hope is to use the sheep, horses, and chickens in an educational manner with the children. When she was riding one of the horses yesterday, she was thrown and now has three fractures and remains at Flagstaff Medical Center.

Pastor David reminded us last night in bible study of Romans 8:28, which reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to HIS purpose.”

I have to continuously remind myself that, as long as I continue to pray, surround myself with the Word, and do my best to stay in the center of God’s will, things will work for GOOD. However, I also must remind myself that this is for good according to HIS purpose. Not my dreams. Not my plans. HIS purpose.

It’s a challenge, but I know that God is going to bring something great out of all this. In times of challenges and frustrations, I need to lean on Him most. I need to be like my boys. I need to hug the Word and never let go. I need to rest my head on the shoulder of God and remain in His comfort.

Please continue to pray for Sun Valley. God is doing great things here, even if they have not all been revealed to us at this time. Pray that God will be with these boys. Pray that God will fill us all with energy as we fill numerous positions. Pray for the lady who is recovering in Flagstaff with fractures. Pray that God will provide financially, as the budget is too low to complete payroll at the end of this month. Pray that as vacations are drawing near, we can all be rejuvenated. Pray for the students when they go home, that they will be safe and remain close to Jesus.