She was but nine years old when I met her, a mere child, but I was not yet a teacher, nor did I know how to be.  I did not realize then, but that girl would be the one who taught me more about teaching and kids than I could have ever learned in my many classes.

She was one of those kids who needed someone to lead her.  She would be reached in a special way, a way that I did not know.  I tried on my own to befriend her, but she did not need a friend.  What she needed was a teacher, a mentor, someone who believed in her.  I had tried to be her best friend, I let her get away with more than I should have.

This is not what she needed, for she did not see me as a role model.  I had no control over my group or kids in general.  She helped me to see this.

This girl has since graduated from elementary school and is now in the seventh grade.  To this day, no she still does not see me as a teacher, but only a friend.  I am not sure of the impact I made in her life, but I know that she is one of those kids who needed a special touch that I could not give her at the time.  She needed a role model to show her the way and guide her on the right path, someone like her big sister to look up to.  Someone who showed her tough love as it was needed the most.

I recently saw her sing, as she released her first album, and I remembered the impression she made on my whole style of teaching.  She helped me learn to be a teacher first and then a friend, for this is what kids need the most.  She now sings with passion, with maturity, but she is still so much a kid; a kid with so much potential to be a great leader in her generation.

It is true, that a little child will lead them, as she truly has led me in ways that she may never know.  I love her dearly and I am honored to have been able to be her leader.

Children’s Ministry at The Rock has changed so much since I first began this mission of impacting kids’ lives for the Kingdom. These changes have both stretched and challenged my walk with God dramatically. I have seen prayers answered in numerous ways. I count it all Joy to be used by God in this area.

It is an Unexplainable Blessing Every week: The reasons are too numerous to count!!!

Where do I begin???

The Fifth Graders of 2006 will always hold a special place in my heart. I have known many of them since third grade. I am so blessed to be able to see them and talk to them about life now that they are in sixth grade. I miss them, I love them, and I am excited to see them growing in their walks with God.

It has been fun so far getting to know my new group.

Krystina is finally in my group after two years. I love that kid. We have a special bond because I let here come to third through fifth grade when she was a second grader. She is a great kid who loves to be challenged. She comes every other week because she comes from a split family and spends time with her dad on alternating weekends. I cannot imagine what that is like. I have loved getting to know her mom through being her leader.

Sophia is a great kid who I have a special bond with after seeing her during special church events. I have been able to connect with her because we both have younger siblings that annoy us. I am able to use this to encourage her to keep on loving her little sister.

Karli is such an honest person. She is not afraid to share her feelings about anything. I am blessed to be her leader, finally. We have a unique connection because I taught her class at school one day. She has been challenged in the area of being more positive toward people. I look forward to seeing her grow throughout this year.

Noelle! What else can I say? I love this kid. I remember the first day she came. I kind of took her under my wing and then she couldn’t be in my group because we split them up and she went with Miss Lea. Then, Miss Terina. Then, finally, my group and she gives me a hard time ~ . But, I love her for it. She knows a lot more than she gives herself credit for and I look forward to seeing growth in her life this year.

Phyllis is another kid I have known for a while. I love her. She enjoys challenges and I look forward to getting to know her better.

I was able to bond with Sierra and Ingrid who both went to Ireland as I had. I have been able to meet several new kids already, and more will come I am sure.

I am constantly challenged in my quest to show them what a real relationship with God is and how to present God’s Word as real and authentic. It is a challenge I willingly take on each week.

Furthermore, God has used this ministry to teach me what it means to love and serve others unconditionally in all aspects of my life. He is continuing to mold and shape my heart to develop the qualities He wants me to have and to see people the way He wants me to see them. I am so blessed to be able to serve my Lord and Savior as well as to learn from Him in this way.