So now I'll brag, part 2.

An assembly of 200 students is VASTLY different than 1300 students.
High schoolers are so different than middle schoolers.
When you know everyone in a small school, you just talk to the person on the stage next to you- nothing's formal.

These are the things I experienced today as we hosted our Back to School Assembly. It has rained everyday this week EXCEPT today. I was so grateful for a clear sky this morning and a venti iced chai on my way to school. Sometimes God just gives us His goodness. I'm so thankful.

These are a few things I've experienced over the last couple of weeks at school...
1. I have one student who's goal this year is to teach me Spanish, teach me to dance, and says genuine nice things asking for nothing in return.
2. My thug child is maybe one of my favorites. He reminds me so much of a past student but he just likes me for some reason and He's smart. He's so smart and he doesn't mind being smart. Although he was upset that I didn't tell him happy birthday, even though I didn't know it was his birthday. Sorry!
3. The girls in Student Council have the strongest personalities but they are really coming around. I think they've decided they liked me but don't tell them because then they will probably change their minds.
4. They are calling me Ms. Gillespie- not Miss, miss, miss.
5. I was asked last week why I was not wearing a dress. I've worn one almost every day since school starts. They just pay attention.
6. Did I mention they do their work and they don't complain? Except this one. And I'm going to defeat that monster ASAP. THEY DO THEIR WORK. I just want to make sure that's clear. They want to make good grades. They ask for help if they don't understand.
7. Oh yeah, and I just need to say for the record. Krista did the worm at the assembly. The kids went nuts. It was AWESOME.
8. I've received a candy bar from one of my sweet girls twice.
9. My Juniors are such perfectionists. They color in the lines, outline everything, and always use a ruler. I hate to even ask them to hurry as I think it will make them feel bad. They are so sweet.

I think that's enough. Enough to brag about. I get up in the morning and I don't want to be awake but IF I am, I'm glad I get to work with these kids. Seriously so glad. Just love them. Also a great staff to work with.

What do you have to brag about?? Hope it's more than the fact that it's just the weekend!
-Melis

You. Are. Mine.

I have struggled with insecurity today. 

I have fought with the enemy.  

He won a few small battles but that's it. 

I have been anxious and have cried.

I have confessed and have been honest. 

I have been alert and have been watchful.

I have stepped back in humiliation for God to tell me how in humility He served me.

I have set my eyes on Jesus while the enemy has fought to remove my sight.

I have shaken the hand of my adversary and God has fought him in a war that only He wins. 

I have held my shield of faith against me while I waged one-on-one with my sword of Truth.

I have prayed out loud and have also reminded the enemy how weak He actually is.

He has told me I am not to be trusted,

But my God speaks that I am trustworthy.

The enemy has confronted me with how weak I am and My God's strength finished the sentence. 

The enemy has said I am inadequate and God has reminded me how fearfully and wonderfully I have been made. 

The enemy has reminded me of how unworthy I am to have a job I love and God sweetly spoke to me of how deep a call He has placed in me.

I have called a friend and they said everything will be fine.

I asked Jesus and He said when I wander, He will search and find me. 

In my worry and anxiety and fear, I give the enemy steps to gain.

In my declaration of God's glory and my good over everything in my life, I have given supreme authority to the creator of all things and I have given Him the full range of the battlefield. 

Make no mistake, the enemy is not set back by my own misgivings and imperfections. He thrives there.

And yet, as I sat worried and a little shaken by how hard the enemy has fought today. God yelled over all my shortcomings and faults and worries and stresses and He said something that finished the war completely...

"You. Are. Mine." 

Those three words were enough to silence the enemy. 

He cannot wage war any longer. 

It has been won. Jesus is victorious. 

He takes the battleground singlehandedly  and carries His trophy across the field. 

From the pit I jumped in.

From the roads and hills I wandered.

From the deep place of isolation.

He kept me. I am His. 

Or as He speaks softly close enough that only I can hear, 

"You. Are. Mine."

I pray those words speak life and that only. May the enemy be silenced in Jesus's name. 

 -Melis