Fuel for an SLP

Today was Friday; sometimes, I feel so tired by the end of the week that a Friday is more like a Monday. I did not want to get out of bed. I did not want to go to work. I enjoy working, so to not want to go is significant. Some days, I just want to curl up into a ball.

By the grace of God, I arrived to work on time. My morning appointment did not show. I was annoyed but glad to have time to accomplish other tasks.

My first group was two students who stutter. One is in third grade while the other is in second grade. One teacher reported that the student was participating more and using a strategy we had practiced the week before. The other student reported saying words she used to avoid. I was thrilled, so speech time became a time of celebration. The best part? They wanted to learn more, so they practiced math problems on the whiteboard. I was floating on air.

I also ran around my classroom with a group of kindergarten students playing zombies. It was really fun. It's also not unusual.

The second highlight of my day was exiting a student from special education services. He no longer needed speech therapy. It's just such a blessing to see the parent, the teacher, and myself supporting a student. It's also bittersweet to graduate students from speech. I'm so proud, but it means I no longer get to work with the student. He is such a good role model for pretend play; he has a convincing dragon impression.

As an added bonus, I practiced my Spanish today with a parent. We did fairly well communicating. Her daughter only translated for us a few times. I really just need to make up words, because half the time what I would have made up is actually correct.

I really am doing the job I was created to do.

Godly justice

Yesterday, after a long day at work, I drove through the alley behind my house to discover a car was parked in my space. I was confused. I pulled into my neighbor's empty space. I checked around to see if someone was visiting a neighbor, but no one else was home. My confusion turned to annoyance and frustration.

I decided to write a note with my phone number, since I parked behind the car. I wanted justice. I did not want a vicious confrontation, but this person needed to realize that her actions affected someone else.

Waiting for the phone call was tense. Finally, the phone rang with the awkward plea for me to move my car. She intended a quick trip that lasted longer than anticipated. I said next time...pause...well, you have my number so just call me to let me know. I moved my car; she moved hers and then waited for me to park. She was relieved that I offered my spot, if I wasn't home. Her name is Christine. She may call today or Tuesday if I'm not home to use my parking space.

Only God could have orchestrated justice and redemption in the same day.

Brace-less!

On 3/3/11, I wrote the following description and challenge regarding Exodus 11: 1.

"While Moses was asking for a 3-day excursion to the desert to worship the Lord, God planned for the liberation of the Israelites. God knew their deepest desires; He had seen their suffering and heard their cries. He provided for the root of their needs.

...

How will you be bold today? Let’s ask God for something we’d typically explain away as impossible. Write down the request and wait. Keep it somewhere safe, because blessed are those who wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 30: 18)."

That day, I wrote a list of 8 things. One was something I wanted immediate results; the rest were more long-term desires.

At the top of my list was "an appointment today with the specialist and/or taking care of the next step with 1 appointment." When I called to make an appointment, the soonest available was 5 days later. I was disappointed, but I put my trust in God to come through on the second half of my prayer request.

Today I sat in the waiting room, nervously. I told God that I was scared. I trusted Him to heal my wrist, but I also acknowledged that it may not look like how I want it to look like. I assumed the specialist would put my arm in a plaster cast. I began to ponder how quickly he could put my arm in a cast.

God acted upon my request in a way that I did not anticipate. The specialist looked at my x-ray reports and accessed the films on the digital database. He told me that my type of injury would not appear as healed for potentially 5 months or more. This does not mean it hasn't healed. He moved my hand and wrist around. It didn't hurt. The muscles were stiff when he rotated. He told me that I had to wean myself off the brace. I didn't have to put it on again. He told me that I could begin using it again but not to do anything vigorous until 4 weeks. I can type; I can jog; I can clap; I can drive with 2 hands! I will anticipate my return to Bollywood in 4 weeks!

He told me to schedule an appointment in 6 weeks; if I felt like my wrist was fine, then I could cancel it. He anticipates I will cancel it, thus only requiring one appointment to take care of the next step.

I was awed by God's tenderness and response to my request. I felt like Moses; I only asked for 3 days of release, but God liberated me completely. Praise God as He continues to heal my wrist and be with me as the muscles loosen up.

In case you're wondering, the first thing I did with BOTH of my hands was clap.

I will sing your praises, Lord! He healed me. :)

not alone

I'm so thankful for the body of Christ. I'm not alone. Support comes from many people. I'm learning to receive help from others. It's pretty cool! I have such incredible friends! Now i'm hoping God will heal my wrist, unless there's more for me to learn!

It's also been a blessing to contact some of the people from my 2nd Haiti team. Fun to reminisce, encourage each other, and remember that we aren't alone.

Community is such a blessing.

A few of my favorite things about today...

I drank cocoa with my breakfast.

I arrived at work on time.

I led some students in a mini-yoga session, including shavasana. One student, who reported being tired before speech therapy, said he felt like he had more energy.

One student said she wanted to be a speech teacher like me, because I'm the nicest teacher.

I was a zombie and an alien while playing with my group of kinders.

I treated myself to a massage after work. I'm so calm; I think I need to make this happen monthly!

I'm about to go to a friend's house for authentic Thai food and fantastic company!

Happy Wednesday to all! I thank God for the many blessings of today!

God surprised me with a gift!

On 2/5/11, I found a note in a Bible at the same church that the youth ministry (IOB) uses. The note expressed how I felt and was a communication from God telling me that he saw where I was. I thought about keeping it, but decided to return the note for someone else to read. Never did I imagine that I'd see someone read the note! Last night during IOB, a teen with whom I spend time with read the note. I saw her read it, and then saw that it clearly touched her heart as it had mine. I couldn't stop smiling. Finally, I hugged her and told her I had read the same note and it spoke to my heart. She also expressed a desire to keep the note but decided to leave it in the Bible for the next person. Perhaps she will be blessed to see at the next person read it. God is good; He has an incredibly practical plan to provide for us, but He also provides in such personal, relational ways for us. Praise, God for such a gift last night! I enjoy surprises and love it when God brings one that is completely unexpected.