L-E-A-R-N-I-N-G

It's been a while since I've posted...so sad!  There were so many things I've been wanting to share about and get discussion about from my readings from class, but so little time and energy.  This was my first official week in my assigned classroom, so it's been a whirlwind!  If you've ever worked with small children, you know how time flies because you are constantly busy, going from one activity to the next.  Not working for a month and a half because of transitioning and not finding work right away, it's really hard for me to start working an 8 hr. day with these little guys. By the way,  I really desire to let every word that comes out of my mouth be praise and glory to my God about this job because He has given me this job (thank you!!).  I do not want to whine about this job as if I do not want it or am not grateful for it.  There are definitely frustrations and God knows them, but just to communicate that to anyone else who reads this, I want that to be clear.  God has provided!! :)

Things from today that were just funny, weird, frustrating, cool, etc.:

- A boy from my class called me over to his cot during nap time with much urgency.  He was holding up his finger like it was hurt.  I rush over to tend to him, and he begins to show me something on his finger.  I reach down to pull off whatever it is, only to feel the ouey goeyness of what is a big, fat, booger from his nose.  Sick. (And he smiles real big of course at the horrified look on my face).

- Throughout the day, we use a positive behavior reinforcement system (PBRS) (my own label) sometimes called skittles.  They teachers before me have created a board that has everyone's name written on an apple. When a child is asked to follow directions repeatedly because of not behaving, their apple is flipped.  Well, if their apple is not flipped by around lunch time, they are rewarded for the good behavior with a single skittle.  There was a boy who would not follow instructions this morning, (regarding  a safety regulation) so his apple was flipped.  He had forgotten it was flipped, so when it came time to pass out skittles, and he didn't get one, he was pretty upset.  He didn't put on a show or anything, but just sat there, covering his eyes and cried.  He cried all the way through lunch.  I couldn't help but feel sad for him.  He wouldn't talk to me or look at me when I attempted conversation about it.  After lunch is nap. He laid down and was still quiet and feeling sad.  I was cleaning up lunch and thinking about him, and about consequences.  There are always consequences with our actions. He knew the rules from earlier, but chose not to follow.  This isn't exactly discipline, but this reminded me of the passage about how "the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom he recieves.  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ....For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yeilds the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

From that situation, I was reminded so sweetly of how our Father loves us so much (those who chose to believe in Him and repent of their sin) in that He chooses to teach us and discipline us. It is such a loving thing for Him to do.  It is who He is.  It would not be loving to not give discipline.  I really felt the urge to tell him (the boy) that I loved him and that we give them  these certain consequences because we do.  As the kids were getting sleepy on their cots, (all 21 of them!) I just walked around and told em I loved em.  I don't know how often they are told this, and I don't even know if I can say things like that to children at this center, but no one was going to stop me today!! :)    (I would definitely have a different "system" of discipline than using skittles, but ya know).  

- I grew in confidence today.  There were children who actually listened and paid attention to me today who normally don't listen to the lead teacher.  ha!  :)   I'm learning about tone of voice and how to be creative in having children follow instruction.  You don't have to yell at children for them to understand or listen to you.  I almost lost my voice yesterday trying to talk above them.  Today, I did project my voice but I got more creative.  

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Through my readings, I've recently been seeking understanding in church membership as well as church discipline.  Before I post stuff about the material and scripture I've studied, I want to know what others think about these pieces of the body of Jesus Christ.  

What does membership in a church look like? Why does membership exist in the church and when did people start following that system?  Is it Biblical?  How is it harmful?  How is it benefitial to growth and how does it glorify God?