Everyone needs to go see the new movie, "Waiting for Superman." This is a must see for current and future teachers of America. This movie is a "deeply personal exploration of the current state of public education in the U.S. and how it is affecting our children." I recently saw this movie and found myself bawling throughout it as I related the children I tutor on a weekly basis to the children in the movie. I left the movie and knew I had to do something - I was inspired and motivated. I decided to start some new motivational activities for the kids at tutoring. I created a system where each student will get a sticker next to their name each if week if they come to tutoring, get their work done, and are respectful. They can get an additional sticker if they bring in a progress report/test/report card and have improved their grades. Once the poster board is filled up with stickers, we will have a pizza and ice cream party. I have also planned a field trip to the Birch Aquarium on November 13th, and the kids get to come for free as long as they have been attending tutoring. The kids were VERY excited about these ideas when I announced them at tutoring last week. They loved getting to pick out a sticker and place it next to their name on the poster. This poster is already working -- kids who didn't have homework spent time reading before they went outside to play! We have about 10-15 kids coming to tutoring and it is so awesome :)
Even though tutoring and my job have been blessings in my life, I have really been missing Sharon a lot lately. She has been on my mind more than usual and I have had a lot of dreams about being reunited with her. Last Friday, I got an email from Auntie Donna. It made my day! She had responses from Sharon and Richard to the letters I had sent them. Auntie Donna's email said:
"Last night I gave the letters you left with me for the toddlers to Pocy. I asked her to give them to the children when she got them ready for bed. I also asked her if she could ask them questions and maybe write down some of the things they said about their letters. I never dreamed that it would happen and happen so fast. This morning Pocy gave me a sheet of paper with the toddler comments on it. I am such a cry baby anyway but this is so wonderful... I had to pretend I needed to blow my nose.
Here are the responses:
RICHARD: I learn at school ABC TO Z and 123 to 100. We do writing, words and drawings.
Today I played ball at school. It is called "Monkey in the Middle."
My favorite subject is Math.
SHARON- "I am learning ABCD...... Today I was playing with Faith and Martha".
These simple responses to my letters gave me so much joy - I too, wasn't expecting responses from them since they are so young. I knew they wouldn't understand most of what my letters said, but I was content with them knowing that the letters were from me so that they would know I still thought of them and love them. I am going to continue to write to them until I am finally reunited with them this summer. It is Sharon's birthday this month so I am sending her a birthday card with some stickers. Jane also told me this week that she found out Richard is #1 in his class at school now and she told me he is becoming a very smart boy. This was such exciting news and I am so proud of him!
Last Monday, we got an email from Mary Paul with the following prayer from Ephesians. She told us to place someone's name in the blanks that had been placed on our heart to pray for. I have been praying this prayer for Sharon and Karla every night this past week.
Ephesians 3: 14-21:
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that Sharon/Karla may be strengthened in her inner being with the power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in her heart through faith as Sharon/Karla, is being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that Sharon/Karla may have power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that Sharon/Karla be filled with all the fullness of God. AMEN"
I have found comfort in this prayer and hope that God is working in their lives and will continue to do so.
I have been working on the IAA blog and recently put up another post so check it out:
http://www.intoabbasarms.blogspot.com/
