Tiny Christian schools mean lots of shared space which has its pros and cons. During 4th period our athletic director shares a room with me and teaches a leadership class. Don't tell him I said this but its the best! Nathan does a really great job teaching and sparking some great thinking conversations. Seriously don't tell him, we are sworn enemies (sometimes).
I sit in there and act as a fly on the wall/extra student/extra teacher. Whatever the situation calls for. Its been fun to listen to their conversations and I noticed a few of my students were speaking differently than they had been in the past. Namely Daniela Montenegro.
Daniela and I have been wanting to get together since last school year! (Story of my life.) FINALLY Sunday after 1st service we went to the old faithful Clayton Plaza where nothing was open at 11 am. -_-
Good thing Duran coffee was abierto. We both had cookies and creme frappes and sat and talked for about an hour and a half.
I always have an agenda when I sit and talk with my kids. Todays agenda was: What happen in your life this summer that has made you so drastically different?
Daniela was never a bad kid. There weren't any behavior issues. She's always been well mannered with the exception of a few sassy comments ;-). She came back this school year boldly proclaiming Jesus. You could tell that her priorities had changed. Turns out Daniela went to visit her grand parents (who are missionaries in the States from Panama <-- Thats cool) and while she was there she went to a retreat and God rocked her world.
SIDE NOTE: I love that God loves us enough to go out of his way to set up encounters with him that change our lives. Our God is good.
This is the cool part, Daniela has lived her faith out loud so much in the last couple of months that it has effected young and old alike! She is literally living I Tim 4:12.
Her mother was sitting with me during parent teacher conferences and was just bragging about how her daughter gets up at 5 in the morning to be with Jesus. She was telling me how that has challenged them as parents. How cool is that!
Daniela talks to her fellow gymnasts about Jesus and her mother was telling me how this other kid's mom was thanking her because Daniela was having a positive influence in her kid's life.
Last and my fave: Daniela was telling me about her new coach from Spain. One day he was upset after practice. Daniela asked him why and he just expressed some frustrations. Daniela's response was: When you don't know what to do you should ask God.
UNREAL
I never had the boldness to approach people so confidently especially not adults! That is awesome!
This man starts to question her about this God and why would He be concerned with his problems. She suggests that he just says a little prayer that night and ask God to show up and see what happens.
Talk about FAITH.
The next day he comes back and thanks her because he found a solution to his problems.
WOW! You're going to get sick of me telling you how wonderful my students are and I am going to keep posting stories that keep proving my point.
I wonder who will be my next victim...
The gorgeous Daniela and I
Totally awesome!
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