Life After Bulgaria

33 hours after landing in Lincoln I started a new job as a media para at an inner city school (in other words I work in the library at an elementary school in the heart of Lincoln).  Many of the children in attendance come from lower income households or single parent homes.  There are a lot of behaviors and a couple of weeks into my job I was punched and called a b***h by a cherub faced 1st grader.  I did not take it personally knowing that his behavior is learned.  In fact, the behaviors don't bother me as much as the children who are neglected or do not receive 3 square meals a day.

3 weeks into my new job I met a little girl.  She is so timid that she does not speak, often times not even when she's being spoken to.  Even though I had encountered her before, one day in particular she caught my eye.  I felt God nudging me to make a connection with her and one Friday morning I did just that.  Standing alone in the gym before school I asked her if she wanted to walk and talk with me.  She nodded her head yes.  I asked her a few questions and the flood gates opened.  She had a captive listener showing interest in her and she basked in the glory of the moment.  I learned that she has a brother and a sister, she likes fruit loops and Barbie, but Hannah Montana is her favorite.  She carries princess chap stick in the pocket of her backpack which she unzipped and proudly showed me her favorite, Snow White. 

For a week I've prayed for her while thoughts of her consumed me.  On Thursday morning I learned why God put her on my heart.  For privacy's sake I will not share the details here, but she has more weighing on her mind than any first grader should.  I could tell she was consumed with it all as she shared many personal details with me.  Try as I may I could not keep the tears from spilling over.

I've made a new friend; one I will protect and advocate for.  As a matter of fact, just like my heart grew when I gave birth to my second child, and stretched even more when I gained a niece, my heart has enlarged by 444 students.  I feel very passionate about the children at my new school home and feel God has placed me exactly where I am meant to be; even if it is emotionally challenging for me right now.

In the past month my life has changed.  My protective bubble popped, my naivety gone.  God is at work in me, as staggering as it may be, and I can't help but wonder what's in store.

****

In other more random news, I had a great weekend.  My cousin, Erika, visited from Iowa to share with us her creative ingenuity and help make decorations for my sister Natalie's upcoming wedding.   There was a chill in the air, a candle burning,  pumpkin spice coffee, and cupcakes.  Even better was the engaging adult conversations.  At the end of the day Erika got to meet Samantha; living, breathing proof of answered prayers.

While I tediously cut out muffin cups & hung on every word of the people around me, Steven had some quality time with the girls.

****

Next week Gracie returns to work and I will start watching Samantha in the evenings.  I am tossing around the idea of having a weekly update on my family's time with her.  What should I call it?  Adventures with Sam? While straight forward and to the point, it's not as catchy as I would like.  What are your thoughts?