As I was driving home today I was thinking about how I always seem to gripe about work and my whole situation.  All would agree it's a hard place to be; it doesn't help that I would so much rather be somewhere else (preferably, somewhere across the ocean).  But I still need to count my blessings.  So I'm typing this post of things I'm thankful of re my job.  I specified that this is Part I because I hope to be able to add to it in the future.  So here we go:

1.  Last year I meet some amazing people, one of which is one of my closest friends now and another who just moved down the road from me a few weeks ago.

2.  I no longer have to ride the hot bus for 30 minutes full of hot children and cranky teachers.  I'm especially thankful for that, considering the persistent 95+ degree weather and the almost daily afternoon showers.

3.  Today I had duty free lunch, and it was GLORIOUS!  The best 20 minutes I've had since school started.

4.  Today I also got to leave at 4:30.  I normally don't get out of there until well after 5, if not 6.  It was nice to have an evening at home for a change.

5.  I have an amazing team that constantly assures me all will be well when I begin to feel overwhelmed with my new responsibilities.

6.  Our principal is actually paying us what she promised to pay us, and it's not peanuts, by any means.

7.  My class is AWESOME.  Of course we have some kinks to work out, but I look at other classes in the hallway and I can't help but think God for each child He has placed in my classroom.

8.  One of the women on my team is the most prophetic person I've met since leaving England two years ago.  I love talking and praying with her; I always leave feeling so encouraged and convicted and challenged.

9.  My kids don't seem to care that I don't really know what I'm doing.  They love me anyway.

10.  All the kids from our campus last year, both those I know and don't know, always yell out my name and say hello and try to hug me whenever they see me in the hallway or the cafeteria.  It makes me feel so loved!

I'll stop there for now; the Sandman is about to make his rounds . . .

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