Wisdom Through the Challenges

                With a new start taking place on January 3^rd, this semester has been nothing but an adventure so far, in both positive and negative ways. I gained two new girls this semester (positive!), but lost one last semester (negative). My 3^rd/4^th grade class of ten has been a great joy, but I am growing in boundary-less ways as I seek God’s wisdom through the challenges.

                We went on a field trip to Albuquerque a week and a half ago. Praise God that two men from this campus volunteered to join me on this 13 hour excursion! We visited a park after the four hour drive, where my students consumed their lunches and played tag on the new playground. It’s always enjoyable watching these children discover new environments. They had great fun on a roller slide and multiple variations of monkey bars and moving bridges. Explora Science Center followed the park. We divided into three groups. Bruce took three of his boys and one of the girls, Ray took three girls, and I took two girls and a boy. My student’s faces lit up with unspeakable joy as they ran throughout this discovery center yelling “Ms. Matheny! Ms. Matheny! Look at this!” From mirror rooms, squirting water, and playing with rhythms, to flying an airplane, musical instruments, and of course that bike on a string that their teacher just “had” to ride, it was the best place we could have gone. Explora even had an elevator that was bigger than my living room, complete with a couch, two lounge chairs, and a coffee table inside! We had to ride that four times!

                After Explora, we went to check out an indoor mini golf course. Yes, it could have been better. The kids enjoyed learning how to play and hitting the balls around, but in reality they really just wanted to play the video games. On the way home we made a pit stop in Gallup for McDonalds. They found themselves, once again, scurrying throughout the play area.

                I am very privileged to have a job that allows me to be with my children in nearly every aspect of their lives. As I drove all of us in the fifteen passenger van, I peered through the rear-view mirror. Looking with awe at the ten children I have acquired throughout the past six months, I realize how blessed I am. We’re like a family and I couldn’t have asked for more when I graduated with that degree in hand.

                Yes, this semester has offered challenges. My classroom has been filled with bullying, as well as great outbursts of misbehavior. I’ve sent a child to in-school suspension, and another child’s glasses were broken from fighting on the playground. I punished a girl yesterday for stepping continuously on another child as she sat at reading corner. That’s when she shut down. Due to her actions, she was unable to participate in the Friday afternoon movie I had planned. Instead, she had to sit at her desk. 3:30 rolled around and she sat there, head down covered in her hoodie. I informed her that the busses were leaving in fifteen minutes to take her home…no response. I finally had to call her dorm parent. As I stepped out of the room for a minute, she grabbed her belongings and stormed out. I hate sending kids home for the weekend upset with me. This child is my bubbliest. She had never shut down on me prior to that moment and it breaks my heart.

                In my personal life, January has brought about an overflowing washing machine, a 23^rd birthday, the opportunity to run more with this summer-like weather (I’m up to 7 miles), a snowshoeing adventure with my friends in Flagstaff, and a massage gift certificate that a friend won and gave me for my birthday. I will be heading into Flag today to use it.

                Sometimes life can feel extremely overwhelming. I feel incapable of having so much responsibility. Yet, in the midst of it all, God has blessed me in ways I could have never imagined. As I continue to educate myself on the greatness of God through reading my bible and several other Christian books, I am amazed at how wonderful His plan is for my life compared to what I had imagined! I am beginning to see my life unfold in ways that are better than I could have ever dreamed and I hope I never take it for granted.