My Little Platoon

“Oh my aunt came back

(Oh my aunt came back)

From the city zoo

(From the city zoo)

And brought with her

(And brought with her)

A nut like you!”

This song is chanted repeatedly by my seven eight-year olds as we march back from music. Valerie leads. Everyone else repeats, changing verses each time.

Today was bitter cold, windy and biting our noses. My seven little troops jogged behind me in a straight line from one side of campus to the other. I felt like a platoon leader, and think camouflage polo shirts should be created, to top it off. This small army may be young, but boy are they strong, and bright thinkers too! My platoon has a thinking mind, strong hearts, and smiles that light up the world.

Bible class lasted an hour today. Usually I only plan for thirty minutes, and try to stick to it due to schedule conflictions. However, I felt that our conversation was more important than handwriting. Gathering the class on the rug at reading corner, I pulled out a picture book on Moses. We have been discussing Moses now for eight weeks. Today was our final test, and I felt that reading the story one last time may aid my students. After reading the story of Moses, one of my girls asked where the Ten Commandments are now. I explained that they are located in the Ark of the Covenant (described in the book of Exodus), but that no one knows where the ark is currently to be found. The conversation went on to include how Noah’s Ark has not been located. Puzzled, one student questioned, “Ms. Matheny? How do we know we’re going to heaven? I mean, how do we REALLY know?” I put the book down and looked at my students. All seven pairs of eyeballs were on me, filled with curiosity. These students were genuinely interested in how to enter the kingdom of God. I told them, “Boys and girls, if you believe with your whole heart, and your whole mind, and your whole soul that Jesus Christ came to earth and you’ve prayed that He would come into your heart, then you will be with Jesus when you die. When you accept Him into your heart, the Holy Spirit will enter your body. Remember the Holy Spirit? We talked about it last month.” The conversation continued and came to the story of Cassie Bernall, the young woman who professed her belief in God just prior to being shot at Columbine High School. We talked about how the worst somebody can do for us is kill us, and then we just get to go home to our Father. Is that so bad?

One student then commented, “Emma and I were looking in Matthew yesterday and found Matthew 24:36.” This third grader then proceeded to grab a bible, and locate the verse. She read to the class, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” With that addition, the discussion changed to the end times, Satan’s influence on man (particularly the incident with Adam), and magic. The magic part came from the fact that two of Pharaoh’s magicians in the story of Moses mimicked his action of turning his staff into a snake, through the use of magic.

It was fascinating as I sat there, right in the middle of this profound conversation with YOUNG children! These students are brilliant, and their minds travel deep. Jennifer stated at the end, “I’m just afraid that my mom and dad won’t be in heaven.” Comforting this young girl, I stated, “Jennifer, all we can do is pray and tell them about Jesus and His love. We have to keep praying.”

Our bible verse for this next week comes from the New Living Translation. Philippians 4:6 reads, “Don’t worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” This verse continues, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

That’s all I want for my students, in a nutshell. I want my troops to understand that we shouldn’t worry, but rather PRAY! I have this verse taped to my front door, as I have to remind myself of this EVERY SINGLE morning. I want my children to experience the peace of God. I want this peace to guard their hearts and their minds as they live their lives for Christ Jesus.

I moved on from Bible class in awe. Sometimes I question, “Do these children even care or do they just pretend to please us?” Today I received that answer. They WANT to know. They are just waiting for someone to tell them.

Moving on- my students are absolutely wonderful. Their creativity and attitude continuously impress me. In fact, my students have finally filled up the marble jar! Marbles are put in every time I see good character in the classroom: orderliness, attentiveness, wisdom, etcetera. Because of this, we are traveling to the North Pole! Yup, the tickets are purchases and we are heading on the Polar Express out of Williams come December. I think I may be more excited than the students! This train ride consists of Christmas coloring prior to departure on the train, an hour long Polar Express ride, including hot chocolate and cookies, a stop at the North Pole to get a visit from “Santa”, a gift, the story of the Polar Express, and Christmas carols! I have always desired to ride this train, and my seven children are the perfect ones to take with me. My students understand that Santa, Elves, and the North Pole are just for fun and that Jesus’ birth is the reason for Christmas. I feel that this fun trip will be a good bonding time for us.

In my personal life, college friends gathered last Saturday in Flagstaff, Arizona to send off our friend Bethany as she became a wife and ran away on her honeymoon to South America. This day was complete with “The Kurtis and John Show”- traveling all the way from Denver, Colorado! Being a bridesmaid was an honor beyond description. I watched this relationship begin five years ago, forming into a deep friendship, and onto love. It was incredible to watch the process and see the love of two people I care about greatly expressed on that stage. As a side note- hanging out with all my college friends wasn’t half-bad either! This wedding was more of a serious party- one giant reunion.

In general, life is good. My students are interested in God, in learning, and in life. Events are happening in my future to look forward to: Colorado for Thanksgiving, North Carolina for Christmas, the POLAR EXPRESS!, my dad’s retirement and move back to the mainland. Tomorrow night is a very exciting evening, as I attend my first 2.5 hour long ZUMBATHON!, raising money for breast cancer research. Bethany just got married! Jenn has a nice man in her life. J My family is planning on backpacking the Grand Canyon again this year! I am getting back into running, and I feel great. Even though some days are hard, my life has been blessed. I am going to tell God what I need, but gosh darn it! I’m going to thank Him for all He has done.