Life is Good

Finally, a few minutes to post....

Friday saw the last day of my adventure as 

a student supervisor...at least for the summer.

Wow!!! This has been stretching and rewarding at the same time. I was known as the "peacemaker" in my family growing up and have always hated confrontation or conflict...avoided it at all costs. 

Yet, in my job, I was forced to confront pretty much daily...usually, as simple reminders, though a couple of times I wondered if I was in danger...especially when I broke up my first fight.

I also grew up without having ever seen, touched or knowingly smelled drugs, so it had to be God who would give me a "little hunch" about someone or a situation that seemed "off"...and sure enough, as admin. would follow up on my questions...someone was found guilty.

Thankfully, the rewards far outweighed the challenges...I had the privilege of speaking into many lives, everything from an eating disorder, breakups, challenges students were having with friends and teachers, and a really in depth talk about forgiveness and it's true power and purpose to bring a victim freedom. Maybe as staff, we need to be creative in our language etc, when it comes to God....but let me tell you, God

 IS Love and forgiveness, so I was able to share Him 

without ever mentioning His name...and  His power and effectiveness to reach deep into the heart are not diminished one bit.

By the end of the year, I had made many connections and even had a little "clique" who offered to pay my salary if the funding was not approved for my position next year...we laughed, as the students were obviously not in a position to do that, but I appreciated the heart behind it.

I am not sure what the fall will hold for me, but am truly thankful for this experience, I have learned so much about who kids really are and that a little respect goes a long way...even with the tough cases. I have learned to walk in my authority even when it is difficult yet love and show compassion and see the good in all people...that a kid messed up in drugs etc. can still be a really nice kid...that kids dabbling in witch craft are at least open to the supernatural and believe it is real, that some of the kids who dress the scariest are actually, some of the greatest kids and the ones who look and seem so "normal" are really the most messed up....I learned to look at the heart and not the appearance or mask.

I pray that I had even half the effect on these students that they have had on me.

I am blessed .

Now, I am ready to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer: beach days, laid back routines, maybe a road trip or two...my friends and family.

To top it all off and start the summer off right, a wonderful new store opened yesterday in the mall....(a summer gift to me, though I'll share with all of you), 

(This is the motto by which I begin every single day)

My senses were on over load as Jonathan and I smelled tin after tin of aromatic tea infusions...ahhhhh

So, once having the amazing "Tea Master" demonstrated, I absolutely had to buy one, (pictured below), this thing is wonderful and not a single tea leaf made it's way to my cup...if you love tea and want to experience it in it's truest form...or want to broaden your horizons to include this life altering experience, you really must

check out this little beauty.

I also picked up this incredible smelling Strawberry Kiwi "tea" to make ice tea with this summer. It has actual little pieces of dried fruit etc in the tea...you really must go in and smell some of these teas, they are incredible.

A successful new adventure, summer vacation, and new tea...life truly is good!