For quite some time I had been dreading Tuesday, April 30th. That was the day that I knew I would be saying "Good-bye" to my fifth grade students. If you know me, you know that I love Jesus, I love to work with kids, I love to teach, and I ABSOLUTELY love my job! I have been so blessed over the past 4 years to work on the Westside of Jacksonville at a school called Sadie Tillis Elementary. I knew going into this school year that I most likely wouldn't finish out the entire year before leaving for Africa, but I had a Principal who was willing to hire me on for any amount of time the Lord allowed. In January, I knew my time at this school was coming to a close, but I really wanted to hold out until after FCAT testing was complete before I left. Last Thursday (a week ago today), I sat down all 50 of my kids and with tears streaming down my face, I told them that I only had a few days left with them before I would be leaving. It was honestly one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. My kids were so upset - which made it that much harder for me. Lots of people were praying for me, my students, and these remaining few days, though. Prayer is powerful, y'all! Friday, Monday and Tuesday were different. My kids seemed to be comforted and confident that this is what I needed to do. We enjoyed our time together and they wrote me so many sweet notes saying that they would miss me but they know that this is what God wants me to do, so they were going to let me go. On Tuesday, students, parents, and co-workers gave me flowers, balloons, treats, financial donations, and just overall, SHOWERED me with love! We enjoyed our last moments together - laughing, crying, and dancing until the last bus was called! It was great! I even got a ginormous group hug from all my students! I'm not sure if they will ever understand how much I truly love them. I have spent the last 150 days thanking God for putting each of them in my class this school year, and praying that they would come to know our Heavenly Father. I desire for them to know that they have Someone who loves them unconditionally and Someone who is with them no matter what circumstances they are in or will face.
I am so grateful for the time the Lord had me at Sadie Tillis. The people I got to work with are AWESOME and I will greatly miss each one of them. I'm already trying to convince them to come teach with me in Africa!
What a sweet gift this day of saying "Good-bye" was! Thank you, Lord, for these kids, this place, and the time you allowed me to be there!
P.S. If any of my students are reading this, you better behave for the sub! :)
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