The way to hell is paved with good intentions

sometimes I just can't handle it! I love my students in such a complete and special sort of love. I want to help them and hold them and carry as much of their burdens as possible...but it's too much. I can't love them enough. I can't help everybody. I can feel sympathy and care for students who are being raised by their grandparents because their parents left them. I can hurt with the students who are from a poorer family and don't have the same opportunities as the other students. I can sympathize with the students who are so unsure about themselves and who feel so unimportant...but that's all I can do! I want to do more, but I can't. For me this is a new sort of torture when I can feel the pain and the needs of those around me and yet I can't do anything to help.

1. How I praise Thee, precious Savior,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.

2. Just a channel full of blessing,
To the thirsty hearts around;
To tell out Thy full salvation
All Thy loving message sound.

Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.

Lyrics: Mary E. Maxwell

Of boys and rings

So, on Tuesday one of my third graders put a ring on my finger and said he loved me. I kissed him, of course, because that's what you do when a boy puts a ring on your finger. I guess I knew it wouldn't last forever and that he'd change his mind eventually and find a new girl. BUT I hadn't expected it to happen the very next day! It was Naomi's birthday and I guess he felt he had chosen the wrong English teacher because he took the ring off my finger and gave it to Naomi. =(

Then today, Racky, one of my fifth grade boys, gave me a ring. He has a matching one. I don't know how excited i can get about this one. The only two things he can say in English are "I love you" and "goodbye." That definitely does not bode well for a long term relationship.

This is the first ring. If you look closely you'll see two skulls on it.

This is the second ring. It's a litle more simple and it's green. =)