7th Graders!!

I know it has been a few weeks since my last post, but things have been a bit crazy over here. 

I started school on August 13th, teaching 7th grade English and History. At first I was a little worried because I have never had my own classroom like this nor have I taught two subjects. My worry disappeared as I wrote "Miss Edwards" on the whiteboard and turned to see 20 young, impressionable, nervous 7th graders staring at me. This was a big day for them. No longer were they little kids sitting at the teacher's feet while he/she read them a story. No, they were at the next stage where they had different classes in different rooms and have to use lockers. I knew they were scared about homework, about their need to "fit in" with their peers, and remembering their schedule. I looked at them with a compassionate smile, hoping to relieve their fears. I explained that this year I would do everything in my power to make it an easy transition for them. 

I want to be very active in the school and have decided to be the Under 11 girls soccer coach! I am so excited and can't wait for our first practice which is on Wednesday. I am also taking Thai lessons and am beginning to understand when people speak to me in Thai!! 

I have been teaching for a week now and going into my second. It has been wonderful and I love my classes. At CMIS, we are on a block schedule; therefore, my classes change times everyday. I am part of the Humanities department and really enjoy the other 6 teachers that I work with. Unfortunately, they are not all Christians, but I have formed a relationship with one of the high school English teachers. She and her husband are missionaries in Burma, working with the Karen!!! How awesome is that!! I spoke with her about my connection with the Karen and she is hoping to take me to a Karen orphanage sometime during our next major school break. I am very excited about this possibility. 

School is not the only thing occupying my time. My roommate Jen arrived only days after I started teaching. She is wonderful and it has been great to talk with someone and just have someone here. I now have the hang of taking her places on the motorbike...ha ha!!! At first, it was a little difficult trying to balance someone else when I had only a week to get used to balancing just myself. Nonetheless, I have been successful and now we ride everywhere together! 

The Lord has been so gracious and loving to me and I am constantly filled with an overwhelming Joy of being here in Thailand. I absolutely love this country! I have began to call it my home because I really do feel at home here. I have met two families that have adopted me and they have become great friends. Every morning I wake up to the golden sun shining through my window and the sight of a thin layer of clouds covering the tip of the mountain of Doi Suthep. The sound of roosters proclaiming a new day and the quiet laughter of locals on their way to work fill the early morning darkness. Somedays I feel as though this is a dream and I have not woken up yet. My country is beautiful, filled with adventure, but most of all it is my home!!!