please, be my strength

Our week began and looked something like this on Sunday:

Volunteering for Young Life by selling drinks at Governor's Ball on Randall's Island. We were right next to the main stage and got to hear Cage the Elephant (the only band I actually knew.) It was awesome people-watching time and I was blessed to make some YL connections in NYC! 

I love my roommates. We did some free photobooth-ing and this was one of the results. Did I mention that we got into this music festival for free when it is normally over a hundred dollars? Oh yes.

And then the next day (which began at 6:00 AM) looked something like this:

I do not have enough space or frankly, energy,  to describe to you the roller coaster that was the first week of program at Inwood. I have so many thoughts and so much to process that it might take me awhile to get it written down. But it has been complete reliance on the Lord for his strength, even when I don't realize I am. 

The first day was rough mainly because it was a monsoon all day long. The kids were going stir crazy and I was still drenched from my walk to and from the train in the rain. (Yes, I had an umbrella.)

He showed me his grace so much in Kenia and the other tutors. He even showed me grace in my kids, like Sebastian. Sebastian is such a little gem. I could talk about all of them for a long time, but Sebastian is God's way of encouraging Mary Frances and I throughout the day. He is so sweet and generally obedient, and most of all so encouraging. Common phrases this week include: 

"This is the BEST day ever!"

"Miss Bethany I love you!"

"You are the best teachers ever!"

"This is the best class ever!"

"This is the best sandwich ever!"

You get the idea.

 The Lord blessed our eyes with a beautiful sky mid-week as a revelation of his glory. Praise him!

FINALLY it was hot, sunny and we got to go to the park. And the sprinklers came on - let the fun commence.

Today we took a trip to Victorian Gardens in Central Park, which is a kiddie amusement park. My kids LOVED it and behaved pretty well today. Mary Frances and I had two extra people with us to watch over the 12 kinders that showed up, which was super helpful.

Patrick and Jose

Sebastian and Alan

Miss Nicole and Pre-K!

My little blessing, Sebastian

Aaron taking on the giant slide

The stunning Besines, Viviana and Caitlyn

Sleepy heads on the train ride back! Melt. my. heart. They are so beautiful and precious. 

The Lord is faithful and he is my strength. I have been doing devotionals every morning with the kids, and trying to put all that I have been learning about him in kid language is tough sometimes. But I am learning a lot through it. 

Well, it's bedtime for Miss Bethany, too.

May the grace and peace and strength that comes from the Father fill your hearts with joy.