Sowing in Tender Hearts

I should be at the school on this Saturday morning, getting ready for the first day on Monday. I know, I know: I've already been working on my room for a week, you think, what can there possibly be left to do? Pictures below show that the room is ready for action...except for that pesky part called "Lesson Plans made from Instructional Planning Guides". Plans that don't make the list until after the room is ready for "Meet the Teacher".

The doors opened at 11:00 am yesterday to welcome my 19 new six-year-old best friends, their parents and assorted siblings. I love this day because of the excitement of the children, the trust the parents show in handing their most prized possession over to me, and the fact that I have the weekend to sort out the mountain of school supplies that they drop off. (In former schools, the students brought their supplies on the first day. You can imagine the chaos that followed.)

Another one of my favorite parts of this day is when former students and their parents drop by to say hello. E showed up with the cutest little wedge haircut and told me all about her soccer, swimming and running. (And, as a big fourth grader, she was almost looking me eye-to-eye!) Sisters M and E sailed through to let me know that little sister G will be in my class in a few years. (I love repeat family members: feels like I should be invited to their reunions on holidays.) M came by to let me know his little sister, R, was starting kindergarten. (She wasn't even talking the first time I met her.) K dropped in to let me know she and her best buddy E would be in the same room for the 4th year in a row. (Score!)

But the visit that brought tears to my eyes and extreme joy to my heart? R and his twin brother D dropped by with a chocolate gift (do these boys know me or what?), and a special announcement: Their birthday was this past weekend, and instead of asking for gifts, they asked guest to bring donations to the Texas Baptist Children's Home Family Cottage Program in honor of my husband, D. (Take a deep breath and grab a Kleenex.) Then, they took the money ("Over $200!" they told me excitedly) to the Children's Home to bless that ministry. With hearts like that at age 7, I can hardly imagine the wonderful adults they will grow to be. Thank you R and D: the future is safe in the hands of those as precious as you two.

And, hopefully, in all the precious hearts I've been entrusted with tending this school year.