James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
Today I found so much joy in being at site. Starting with devo's this morning, Christina spoke about how it was our 4th week. we are half way through the summer. I cannot believe how fast time went. It seems like I just finished learning everyones name and by the next time i blink, it'll all be over and i'll have to live and hope that I was able to make a difference. The joy came through a video she put together of all the memories of the first four weeks. It had photos from training days, first few days at site, the kids throughout the four weeks, and just some intern fun! It was so encouraging to see how far we've come.
When we got to site, we had harambe, like always. And then, because it's Tuesday we had Bible Lesson in the Sanctuary. We started practicing all of the song that the kids will be preforming in church on the 11th. While we just started it was so much f un to be able to lead them in songs, both fun and goofy songs and some serious songs. (I can't wait to see their performance!) While I didn't expect this to be that joyful of an experience the joy came during afternoon enrichment, while playing Trivial Pursuit in recognition on the 80's. One of the girls, Alyssa, who is usually found inside during recess. Was singing "Pharoah, Pharoah" a song I had had the opprotunity to teach them earlier that morning. It was exciting to see the girl, who usually doesn't listen when she's told to sit down, had listened to a song in Bible Lesson this morning.
Another joy of the day was when the 5th and 6th graders were getting ready to leave Arts and Crafts... I remember when I was in the 5th grade and had to go to reading. There is a slight difference from me and them. They were so excited to go reading. So excitied to meet their volunteer. But, what they were really excited for was to finish their books, to find out what was next and see how things turned out in the end. While this has no correlation to me because I don't read with the kids, seeing them excited about reading filled me with joy. Seeing how excited they were to be at PT and especially in the reading program.
After 5th and 6th grade left Arts and Crafts, it was 3rd grades turn: joyful. More time times than not, 3rd and 4th graders come with a sarcastic "joyful." But, today even after my slight lecture about listening and how disrespectful it is to not talk when it's your turn, their unconditional love was still in the prescence the entire time we divided the fantastic group from the fabulous group. The love was there when we made thems it on the patio in total silence for 2 minutes. Their love was there when there was no line to get soil, but more a few here more running all over the front lawn of the church hitting each other with their grass seed filled knee high. Their was there when Zyien thought it'd be a good idea to throw his Chia pet in a tree and love was still present in the hug that followed the remark of how it'd have to stay in the tree and he wouldn't be making another chia pet. And, love was in the room after we rushed the 3rd and 4th graders in from outside; barely in time for lunch. Even though the 3rd and 4th graders chia pets have no eyes, there was joy in the making.
It was a good reminder that we are halfway over with the program. I am half way done with the mess of a good thing I have gotten myself into. And, the next time I blink and four more week are over, I know it is love and joy that I will have in me and that each child will have in them. Even with each of the day to day problems we encounter whether it be discipline, running out of art supplies, confusion about an activity, or pouring rain: joy will always remain.
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