So, I'm a teacher now? (9/14/10)

I cannot believe that it's already my second week teaching here in Lassin, Cameroon. Wow. It's funny how if I have a bad attitude it feels like time is just crawling, but when I have a positive attitude time's not so slow. So far out of 7 days teaching, I've "wung" 2 of them (haven't planned anything 'til I got to school haha). The first day my plan went okay, but the second day, not so much. So this morning, I took some time to write out a plan. And today went much better than yesterday! Yesterday I was quite homesick, so I came home and read the Word and some Steps to Christ. That made things better. So, how's the teaching you ask? I have nothing to really compare it to. I just pray God will use me, walk to school, "teach my class", walk back home, and do the things necessary to survive. For any success I have in my classroom, I give all the glory to Jesus Christ. Today as I walked home from school with my fellow teacher Adela I let her know how I'm not really too good with children (and yes, I do understand than I am much
more critical on myself than others, but still). I told her- "Wow! When I think about what I thought I was able to do before this and what I am really doing now, I just know it's all God. I'm happy to admit that. Yesterday I got a chalkboard, and I'm finding it even easier to teach the kids with little supplies. And I really believe that things can only get better. And with that attitude, I know they will. Last week, we had no school on Friday because it was a public holiday. I was ecstatic; AND I had the grand opportunity to go to Kumbo for the day (which turned into 2 days because our car broke down). It was there that I read all of your facebook comments and messages to me. And even the blog comments, Jessi! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Those have kept me going, they really have. I am beginning to understand more and more that this will not necessarily be "an up and up" experience. Things will not really always get better, and I will most definitely have rough days. Praise God, though, that I will also have good days. The good days will encourage me to continue, and the bad ones will help me to grow. Mom, here's the bit about the kids :) The kids, the kids, the kids. I am really blessed because of them. They are helping me grow more than you or they could ever know. My class is made up of (drumrollplease) Onoria (the teacher's pet- only because her father is actually my assistant), Blessing, Leonard, Kenedy, Neli, Sportla, Ignasius, Mathias, Isaac, Bless, Ophelia, Lucia, Johnboscoe (haha), Melvin, Martina, Peter, Nelson, Nadia. I think that's everyone? Man, who am I missing? I think that's it. Don't let my forgetfulness scare you. I'm a regular Maria Schroder. I am having a good time here- it gets even better every day (that's my positive attitude talking a little bit). Thanks from the bottom of my heart for the prayers and the texts (!!!!! Amy, Paige, Grandma, Mom, Dad thanks!!). To any of my friends reading this, see later posts to see how to text me for free :) Love you all. Oh I remember now! Thaddeus.