One Week

It has been one week of teaching.

I can't even begin to express the immense feelings that go through me as I think through this past week.

I think it's mostly wonder. Wonder at the fact that I'm actually here, actually having the privilege of having these precious lives entrusted to my care... to educate them, love them, and help them grow. Wonder at the amazing grace I have been shown at the opportunity to speak truth into twenty-one little lives.

There is complete joy and fulfillment in waking up in the morning knowing that I was born to do this. I thrive off of teaching. I thrive off of being called Miss Rozsa. I love little voices, small hands scrawling furiously on math assignments, writing about themselves, sharing their passions with me. I love when we laugh together, and I love introducing them to things I love. I am fascinated by their receptivity toward my culture and my heritage: a whole line of fourth graders begging for me to say their names in Hungarian. A shy girl asking me day after day when I'm going to bring my fiddle. The whole class eagerly clapping at the thought of Dr. Rozsa bringing cow eyes for them to observe/dissect. Oh. And the whole class wanting to have a pet pig... (pigs are my favorite animal).

Children love learning. Their love of learning drives me to a burning desire to learn too... to learn to become a better teacher for them, but also to keep exploring, devouring books, and writing what's on my heart.

There is a fair bit of exhaustion too. I could use a good week of rest. Now more than any other time, I recognize the importance of Sabbath rest, of boundaries in work and play, and in being able to put aside perfection for "good enough." There are always things I could do better. I will learn. But I don't need to be perfect immediately. Perfection will drain me. Right now, even though it feels like I'm keeping my head barely above water, I'm thriving.