School Year in Review 2012-2013

My heart breaks a little at the end of each passing school year. The life of a teacher is a wide mix of emotions. The students become like my children as my care and concern for them deepens throughout the year, and then it's over; they move on leaving you "behind" to start over with a new group of students. 

This year though, something was different. In my time at New Paris Elementary, I have never had a group of students that reached so deep into my soul as this group did. There was just something about these kids that filled me with joy, reminded me of my passion for children and concern for their well-being, and brought me to tears when I felt as if I were failing them. Maybe it was the life change of preparing to move to Peru that enabled me to get close to these kids knowing they would be my last group at NPE (for now). Perhaps it was our spiritual talks that flowed more openly with my entire class attending Bible class every other week. Or it possibly could have been the kind hearts, the humor for sarcasm, and the eagerness to learn and explore new ideas that allowed me to really dive deep and reach out to these students.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a perfect year of roses and sweet smelling honeysuckle. We had our ups and downs. I had my moments, days, and weeks of utter frustration (late homework, endless hours spent helping students with math during recess, behavior problems, etc.), but on a typical day those moments of frustration were turned around by a smiling girl standing at my desk with a dandelion she picked at recess or a laughing boy telling me a funny story about something he observed. (And let me tell you, this group noticed things no other group before them noticed, and they pointed out every connection they could in reading, math, science, or just plain every day life.)

As we began to wrap things up this week, I had the kids spend time writing yesterday about third grade. I left it open ended and told them to write about whatever they chose...learning, field trips, friends, etc. Most of them wrote about our trip to the Chocolate Factory and others wrote about our awesome new music teacher. However, what touched me most were the kind words they had to say about me, nearly bringing me to tears. Classes in the past have said similar things, but something about the way these kids so eloquently shared their writing almost brought me to tears.

You are the best teacher ever!

I am praying for you in Peru!

I wish you didn't have to leave me. I want you to be my teacher forever!

The kids in Peru are going to be so lucky when you get there!

I always wanted you to be my 3rd grade teacher.

I love you, Miss O'Connor, and I don't want you to leave!

I will miss you a lot, Miss O'Connor!

This morning as the children filed in for their last day of 3rd grade some came to my desk with gifts and/or cards thanking me for our year spent together. Others gave me candy they had received from our custodian wanting so badly to give me something, yet having nothing else to give. Then one little boy scribbling a quick note on a sheet of paper, covered it up as I walked by.  Later tday, on my chair near my desk was a note that said, "Miss O'Connor, please go to 4th grade with me. I don't want to leave for summer vacation without you!" My heart melted knowing the family situation and home life this child would be facing. School is his distraction; it's an escape. Another little girl hugged me at the end of the day and wouldn't let go; another child quite possibly fearful of the summer she faces away from school.

As the kids left, I had them do the usual before break "Handshake, Hug, or High Five" as they crossed the threshold from our classroom into the world. Most of the students opted for a hug, and a few hugged me and wouldn't let go. As I choked back tears, I couldn't help but smile. It's a bittersweet feeling, but when all was said and done at 2:55 today, I knew that I had given my all to these children, and I hoped that in some way they saw and felt the hope and love of Jesus Christ this year. 

I held back tears and a smile of pure joy and delight spread across my face, yet now as I type this I'm starting to feel my eyes water and my throat tighten.  I could not have asked for a better group of kids to have as my last group at NPE. I'm thankful for the mark each one has left forever on my heart, and I'm proud to call them "mine". God knew just what I needed this year as I transitioned out of this phase of life and into the next, and these kids were just it. 

Parents, if you're reading this, please know that I feel honored that you entrusted your children to me this year, and I pray many blessings over you and your families. Thank you for making 3rd grade such a fun year! Thank you for the gifts, notes, and time you have given this year!

Just a few of the things I received today that so very much touched my heart. 

~A devotional book by a missionary about Jesus's Calling

~A journal to record my adventures in Peru

~A printed Peruvian flag with information about Peru the student had researched on his own because he wanted to know more about where I would be living

~And on top of those, I received flowers, a few notepads, gift cards, and some yummy treats and refreshing soda to enjoy this summer.

Visit to the Consulate

Two trips to Chicago in 4 days time - one for business and the other for play - makes for one exhausted girl. I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't blogged much since Spring Break, but with things beginning to happen for my move to Peru I felt it's time for an update. School's been crazy, and honestly, blogging is often something I do in my leisurely time - something that I've desperately been lacking in the midst of ISTEP testing, end of the year assessments, and the end of another academic year in general.

This year's ending is different though as not only do I have to "pack" up my classroom for cleaning, but I must pack up my classroom and move out so that someone else may move in. It's a weird feeling knowing that someone else will be teaching in what has been my classroom the last 3 years, saying good-bye to many wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much about teaching and life, and passing on students to fourth grade knowing that next year I won't see them in the hallway, and I won't be around to watch the grow as they progress through 6th grade. It's a bittersweet feeling, and I feel like my emotions are all over the place. I'm sad to say good-bye, but I'm overjoyed to take on this next step, my life's dream, in the upcoming months.

Anyways, onto the main reason for this post...The Peruvian Consulate in Chicago - what an adventure! Mom and I took the day off work on Thursday to head up to Chicago and begin the visa application process (not knowing what all it would entail, I wanted to be sure to get a jump start so that there is plenty of time should things go awry). I had called the consulate numerous times and left multiple voicemails asking for business hours, information on what paperwork was needed for my visa, and the process in which the visa would be returned (mail or pick-up). Every call went unanswered, and every voicemail was left unreturned. I tried emailing, too, but again no responses were given.

On Thursday, Mom and I decided to take our chances, take a day off work, and head up to Chicago to see what this whole visa process was about. I had done my research online as best I could with no help from the Peruvian Consulate, and I took every government ID document I've every been issued with me just in case. We arrived at the consulate and the place was chaos. There were about 20 people in the room, some seated, some standing, most looking very confused. After standing near the window and being ignored while other person's names were being called out, I asked a man if there was a place to sign in. Apparently the man behind the counter was hoarding it behind the glass, so I asked for the notepad, and I signed my name. I was called up to the window a short time later.

At the window I was greeted by a woman who spoke little English and a man who spoke only Spanish. I decided to speak Spanish since English didn't go so well, and every Peruvian in the place stopped what they were doing to stare and listen in. I handed the man my visa application along with my passport, a letter from the school, my flight schedule, and 2 passport ID photos. They asked for my $30 payment, so I handed the man $40 (in the form of two $20 bills); however, he wanted exact change. {Peruvians don't like giving change if unnecessary, and I have no idea why.} He asked me to sign my name and place my fingerprint on the application, and then he told me to return on Wednesday to pick up my completed visa (which would be placed in my passport). WHAT?!

I explained that I live 3 hours away and that I work, so returning in 6 days was nearly impossible. I asked if there was any way the visa could be processed that day or returned to me via post. There was no way the visa could be processed that day, but a postal return was possible IF I could walk to the post office a mile away, get a cardboard self-addressed, stamped envelope, and return it to the Consulate. {Now why wasn't this piece of information online? Had they returned my phone calls or emails, this was one of the questions I had asked.} This being our only option, we thought it best to take the 2 mile total hike and return.

However, before leaving I asked for a recipe. No, I'm not kidding, I asked for a recipe. Ha! A few people chuckled behind me, and when the man behind the counter looked at me very confused I knew I hadn't used the correct term. I panicked and turned around looking for someone to help me out. At least 3 people shouted the correct word for receipt to me, and I then tried my question again. Ud. puede darme un recibo? {Will you please give me a receipt?} "No," he said, "not today. It will be sent with your passport." I told the man I would return shortly with the proper envelope and postage, and Mom and I left for a jaunt down Michigan Avenue. We returned with the envelope, the man took it, and I left.

Now my passport sits in the Chicago Peruvian Consulate with $30 and a proper envelope waiting to be returned to me. I have no documentation to prove I paid the fee. As a matter of fact, I have no evidence that I left any paperwork at the consulate at all. I was refused any sort of document saying they had my passport or that I paid. I'm a bit concerned that I won't receive my passport back or that it will come without a visa put in it, and I will have no way of proving anything.

I'm clinging to the fact that the Lord has miraculously worked out every other detail of this career move to this point, and I seriously doubt He's going to leave me hanging now. Sending up many prayers that my passport arrives in my mailbox within the next few weeks. If you think of it, please send up a few prayers for me, too!

*As I start to prepare more heavily for this transition, I would like to invite you to subscribe to my {hopefully} monthly updates. I do plan to blog and give updates using this blog and on Facebook; however, more personal prayer requests and updates will be emailed out once a month {at least that's my plan}. If you would like to join this email list, please comment with your email address. I would love to add you to my list of prayer warriors! 
*I will also be making prayer cards to send out. If you would like to receive one of these, please comment with your address. Once these are made and ordered, I will be sure to send one out to you.

**All comments are sent to my inbox and not published until I approve them. Any comments with email or address information will not be published to this blog.**

Thank you for all of your support as I follow the journey the Lord has placed before me!

~One last side note, for those of you who are wondering, I am continuing to pray for the nations. I am currently praying for France and working my way through the countries beginning with F & G. Perhaps I will update you on my Prayer for the Nations challenge in an upcoming entry. Now that school is finishing {this week}, I should have quite a bit of free time.~