CHAMPS, Serving, and Da Bears :-)

CHAMPS - We have a new program in our class called CHAMPS.  The kids are encouraged to be champions in their behavior by following the CHAMPS rules.  There are pictures that go on the board and tell the kids who/when can they talk; who/when can they ask for help; when and if they can move around the classroom; and how they are to be participating. 

God is using this program to work in 3rd Grade already.  All of my students responded very quickly to these procedures.  They love earning points and its easy to redirect behavior by pointing at a picture.  While it is tiring to be changing the pictures A LOT during one lesson, I am so blessed at how God is using this program to more clearly communicate behavior expectations.

On Fridays, we have free time (which they earn with their CHAMP points).  Those that don't earn the points have to sit out of the free time fun. Some of my students have a hard time earning CHAMPS.  I have been praying so hard for God to work in their lives, and that they would see his grace - for them to keep trying and to know they are loved when they fail.

When one student didn't earn CHAMPS and the Friday Free Time, they became upset.  Being reminded to extend them grace, I wanted them to know that I saw that they had tried hard all week and that I still loved them so much.  But, the student walked away from me, really upset at me for taking away free time. 

This reminded me of times when I have drawn away from God because I feared the consequences of my actions or have gotten mad at God for not giving me mercy when I felt like I deserved it.  But, the truth is, God's mercy is never deserved.  We can never earn his grace.  Because He is God, He is free to give blessing or to give judgement when he pleases.  Thankfully, he always chooses to give us grace and mercy - more abundantly that we could ever imagine.  The Lord was gracious to this student - as they earned CHAMPS the following week :-)

"The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.    

He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.  

 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

  For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust."

Psalm 103:8-14 (ESV)

  Daily life with my students:
There are so many life lessons that are learned in 3rd Grade.  Some of my girls learned that we have a choice when we are hurt by a friend: to either let that friend make us feel bad or remember who we are in Christ Jesus. 
A lot of miscommunication happened and had caused hurt feelings between them.  We talked and prayed together.  What a lesson to learn that sometimes we think something is true (like someone talking about us) when it is not.

The boys in my room are learning about picking friends who bring out the best in them.  I noticed that certain students behaved better when a few of their good friends were sick.  They were surprised to hear this news.  We were able to talk and pray about picking friends - and how friends in Christ help us to be more like Jesus is.

Serving my lovely children while feeling stressed (a day with a few breaks - yet my time was spent dealing with student issues during this time instead of planning) was and is tiring.  This would leave me feeling low on energy and spiritually drained.  The Lord brought some comforting verses to my mind:

"Come all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:28-30

"If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and honor, forever and ever,  A-men."  1 Peter 4:9-10

 It's so easy to forget to bring Jesus into our service.  My exhaustion showed me that I was depending on myself more than I realized.  Praise God for opening my eyes and drawing me into a wonderful quiet time with him where he reminded me of His Strength I can draw on.  It's impossible to serve when you have nothing left to give.  Thankfully, Jesus has provided a way for us to be filled with his love and have that love overflow and bless those around us. 

Chicago Bears Fans in 3rd Grade:
My students love to draw me pictures and have recently discovered that I love American Football and love to watch the Chicago Bears.  I have a whole collection of pictures now of my favorite team  beating the Packers :-0  This all started when a student asked if he could bring in a monkey with a football jersey on.  I asked which team it was and he said all he knew is that it was wearing green and gold...

Uh, Oh!!!!  I teased him that those colors would never be allowed in my classroom :-)  The look on his face was priceless.  He then told me that his cousin had the monkey that was wearing the blue and orange, so he would trade monkeys for me.  This just made my day.

I'm thankful for Jesus allowing me to have these moments of connection with my students. 

 

Look at the score, now.  Are they turning on me?

Prayers/Praises:
On our October Break, my friend Katie and I will be traveling to the coast to run an English camp for a school in Cartagena, Colombia.  This is such an exciting opportunity to use our English to connect and share the gospel with these people.  Please pray for our planning and our time there serving this school with the love of Jesus.

Report Cards for 1st Quarter are right around the corner.   Please pray for a strong finish to the quarter for me and all of the students.  This is coming into a busy week for me, so please pray that I would find peace and comfort in Jesus and not get stressed :-)

Please continue to pray for Maria and I as we meet and try to get to know each other.  It is my heart's desire to pour into her this year and be a blessing just like I have tremendously been blessed by a discipling relationship.  

The Farmer's strike is still in negotiations - no new updates.  Things are at least more calm around here.  Please keep praying for President Santos and the farmers as they try and work out their problems peacefully.

Grace and Peace,
Carrie