The joy I get from my job grows exponentially once students arrive. Sure, there are plenty of frustrations that come with them, but these students are the whole reason that I do what I do. Invariably, they help focus my mind to what my job is truly about. Despite being physically exhausted, I was mentally invigorated by the end of the day.
It helped that I received word from Janelle and Trevor at around noon that they made it through the section of the Sterling Highway that had been closed due to the fire. They said that, not only was the smoke thick and were charred areas all around them, they saw flames still burning along their drive. Still, news that they had made it off the peninsula lifted a significant burden from my chest--one that I had not realized was there until it was gone.
By the end of school, I had a chance to talk with them as they were being ushered through the fire zone on the Parks Highway. Amazingly, they were hardly slowed there at all. I praise the Lord that they will make it to Fairbanks as originally planned--if a little later--and that Trevor will start his journey as a college student tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the younger boys generally had a good first day of school. They really like their new teachers. Rowen was giving multiple "thumbs up" whenever asked about his day. Unfortunately, Connor had a few disappointments as his best friend has moved away, other friends of his are not in his class, and (he emphasized this) he won't have music this year as the district was not able to hire a teacher to replace the amazing one who left at the end of last year. Hopefully, his year will get better as it continues.
It helped that I received word from Janelle and Trevor at around noon that they made it through the section of the Sterling Highway that had been closed due to the fire. They said that, not only was the smoke thick and were charred areas all around them, they saw flames still burning along their drive. Still, news that they had made it off the peninsula lifted a significant burden from my chest--one that I had not realized was there until it was gone.
By the end of school, I had a chance to talk with them as they were being ushered through the fire zone on the Parks Highway. Amazingly, they were hardly slowed there at all. I praise the Lord that they will make it to Fairbanks as originally planned--if a little later--and that Trevor will start his journey as a college student tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the younger boys generally had a good first day of school. They really like their new teachers. Rowen was giving multiple "thumbs up" whenever asked about his day. Unfortunately, Connor had a few disappointments as his best friend has moved away, other friends of his are not in his class, and (he emphasized this) he won't have music this year as the district was not able to hire a teacher to replace the amazing one who left at the end of last year. Hopefully, his year will get better as it continues.
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