Some days...

Have you ever had one of those nights? I was thinking earlier today that I would update this blog tonight after the girls were in bed. I was thinking about some cool things to share, positive stories to relate, and a few funny things too. Then tonight happened. Actually, it was really just the last hour and a half. An hour and a half, and I can think of few positive things to say anymore. I will get to them though, because I am determined that not all will  be negative!

When working with these kids, you get used to a lot of back talk, a lot of disrespect, and a few rude names thrown in your direction. Usually, it doesn't bother me much, but tonight it went a little crazy. To simplify, 5 of our girls went to go run laps at 8:30 at night because they chose to be defiant. Hopefully the message got through, because I could use some sleep tonight. It's really hard sometimes to feel like you get through to anyone. These kids have some of the most amazing mood swings. One minute they are fine, the next the world is out to get them, and you have ruined their life. I greatly admire parents, now more than ever.

Enough of the tough stuff, because that will always be there. Here are a few random things in the last few days that encourage me (or at least keep me from crying most of the time!)

• I'm teaching these kids dum dum ditty. Oh yes, dum dum ditty. If you have never worked at camp, you may have no idea what I am talking about, but if you have you know. Basically it's a simple song with different hand motions/clapping rhythms. They get it, and keep asking to do it again. :)
• I  introduced the shaking out the prayer hands. I know many hate this tradition, but I now know why we do it. It gets everyone focused and quite, at least to start prayer time. (Nearly impossible for everyone to stay that way but they start out on the right note)
• www.freerice.com Best invention ever! Mardell, the administrator, mentioned that vocab is a big things these kids all need to work on, and I remembered this website that quizzes you on vocab. Not only does it make it a game, but they also donate 10 grains of rice for every correct answer, so it's supporting a good cause. It's free too, and has other subjects (including multiplication tables, which are also a struggle).

Well on that note, the CD is wrapping up (one more song), so I am off to bed soon. The other day I came across a verse that helped me keep my perspective. 2 Chronicles 20:15 b says "This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s." While we may fight in the battle, it's God's battle not our own. We simply do our best, and that is all. God is the one who wins it for us. He never asks for more that we can give, and he will never leave us along. God never lets us go, whether through the calm or the storm. I find great peace in that, even as I hear the voices of girls who were supposed to go to bed nearly an hour and a half ago. Because the battle is God's, and he is victorious.