confessions on that last post....

so-I poured my frustrations into a short poem-if you could call it that.....

because I could not express how much last week hurt. It hurt to hear the

coaching she is receiving in her home and how they've told her that she is

not to pray anymore.

they are such an incredible family and they really love BIS (they've told us

numerous times) but they are waging war against God. That, my friends, breaks

my heart. I remember last Friday as I sat at my desk as I realized (as I often do)

how great God is and that I need to be praying more for this family.



There are many reasons for us to be praying and God is using these reasons to

bring us to our knees and earnestly cry out to him for reconciliation, wisdom,

understanding, freedom from fear, and many other things.

Our staff is burdened with what is going to happen in the next few weeks as we will start to say our goodbyes to 2 staff members. This issue alone is causing many people stress as well as a blanket of anxiety amongst some of them. Our administration is seeking the Lord in all of these things-but I can't imagine what they are dealing with at this time. I am very impressed with their communication and how they've gone about this. It can't be easy to have started the school year with a full staff only to let 2 of them go.



Riding on the tails of all of this came the sad news of cancer. Our Biology Teacher, Beverly Fryar (who is an amazing and dear friend of mine) received a phone call that her mother has cancer. The test results have been coming back with more and more serious tones. Beverly is a cancer survivor herself and worked as an oncology nurse before she came to BIS. All of this knowledge creates a good foundation for next steps, treatments, and also the understanding of the severity of her disease. Please pray for them as they discern what God is leading and directing them to do. Mr. Fryar is our Business Manager and their son, Caleb, is a very important part of his 1st grade classroom. Mr. Fryar is also the Youth Minister for the International Baptist Church. They are and have been such a blessing in my life. They are always there to encourage me, give me rides, let me borrow their car, and really pouring into my life here. They've been been sent to pour into my life using scripture, love, joy, hope, and comfort to name a few. Please pray for them during this time.



I received a new student-little (really really tall) Betuel. He is really really SWEET! He knows little to no English and he is from Namibia. He is beginning to come out of the silent stage and explore with lots more curiousity! I am excited to be working with him. Please pray for quick understanding of English and learning his alphabet to catch up with his classmates. =)



Our annual Christmas Program is coming up-a clear presentation of the Gospel to all families. They will come to see their children perform and in the midst-they will hear about Jesus. We will perform "The Christmas Lamb" this year. A little boy goes all over the world looking for the Jesus. We get to spotlight each continent (which is neat with the unique make up of our school). Please pray that I will help the students understand the real meaning of Christmas-that they can recognize Jesus' Birth as the true meaning of Christmas. I've been reading a book by Noel Piper "Treasuring God in Our Traditions" and I've gotten several ideas to use with my students.

Speaking of reading, I also read, "Faithful Women & Their Extraordinary God" also by Noel Piper. She highlights some amazing women and it made me realize and re-realize many things about this life. This book helped me understand how they were so faithful in their sufferings and even looked forward/prepared for sufferings. Oh how I can learn from that.

Abba, Father,
You know the cries and different types of pain that these requests bring to my life. Some pain comes in rejoicing over a believer who will show Your glory in suffering.....and some will come with a response in many prayers for wisdom, comfort, and peace. Thank you for Your hope, for Your comfort, and for Your Son. I don't know what I would do without him. Thank you for choosing me and for loving me. Thank you for my beautiful parents through whom you sent some books to help me. Thank you for faithful prayer warriors and friends. Thank you for 17 days to focus on Jesus and how He began his human life. Please help my classroom and my life to be centered around Him. You are doing so much in life-please continue to discipline and show me how You want me to live.
Amen.

"I am not Christian."
"I am not going to pray anymore."
These are the words that two days ago began....
and haven't since stopped breaking my heart.
Slowly it seems like the pages are slipping from my fingers
as it feels like this book is closing and that the 1 true God
is not longer allowed in.

I must see His Sovereignty.
I must love that attribute.
He is not lost or out of control...I know this.....

I love this little girl and her Muslim faith is breaking my heart.