A lesson well learned

So I have been noticing for a while that I'm a very impatient person. So in response to that I did what many people should do and asked God for patience's. I have been praying for a while for this and have well gotten the chance to practice being patience. School has just ended for us kids over here. This means that at the daycare (where I work) has the kids rotate into new rooms for the summer or the kids that are able attend school finally get into the summer program. Now here's where my patients has come in handy. We have a kid that goes there that is Autistic. If you don't know what Autism is well here you go: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior.

Now when I first heard about this I had some what of a clue what it was but didn't really understand it. Now the first day I worked with him I was over whelmed and upset that out of the 50 kids I watch on a daily bases that only one kid would not listen to me. I had to tell him so many times not to climb up the slide, run over the younger kids, hit people...etc. I had enough of this kid by about 4:30 p.m. and I still had an hour and a half left of my shift. So I did what ever other teacher did there and took the kid up front so I didn't have to deal with him.

He walked up to the front with me; going through every single room along the way. I had to chase him out of almost every single room. By the time we had got to the drinking fountain he knew that I was going to leave him up front because I no longer wanted to deal with him. He yelled, kicked, and screamed that he did not want to stay up there. By this point I could no longer take him so I grabbed my co-worker and asked her to help get this kid to sit down. She tried to help but he kept getting up and running around screaming. He was causing a big scene in front of the other parents. I walked over to him and had to physically restrain him down. I sat on the ground and held him in my lap. I didn't say a single word to him for about five minutes. I just let him yell and scream and try to get run away from him. Lucky for me I'm a lot stronger than he was so he couldn't get anywhere. Than finally it hit me I should talk to this kid and see why he's so upset. So after all this I just talked to this kid and asked him what he wanted. He had finally calmed down. Crazy after a full day of no one understanding him because everyone else didn't want to deal with him. All he wanted was someone to listen to him. Simple answer but no one gave him the time of day. So what all have I learned from this? This is what I learned. If God can be patient with me, than I can be patient with this kid or anybody else around me.

Pray for patience. God will help you keep your cool when you feel you're about to lose it
Good things do come to those who wait.
Benefits of waiting on God (Psalm 40:1-3)
God encourages us to be patient and think before we speak (Proverbs 15:8)
Love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Bittersweet Ending

Today is a day where our past, present, and future all meet. Our parents and teachers deserve credit for seeing us this far; we are responsible for what happens next.

Sitting in front of the stage in that hot gym, I must admit that I was not listening to the commencement speaker. Instead, I was thinking about the moment when my name would be called to receive my diploma and how important it would be to look as cool as possible walking across the stage. I anticipated hearing the crowd cheer and maybe pumping my fist in the air as I walked across the stage. Then it happened; someone called out “Rachel Sujatha Quast.”.

As the words of Jesus, "It is Finished" I'm finally done with my high school career. I'm not going to write much about graduation because there's way to much to share. I will how ever share with you my two favorite gifts I got for graduation. The first one I got was called, " My First 60 Days after High School Preparing for my college life" One of my best friends mom made it for me. It's a personal devotional that she wrote for herself when she was getting ready to go to college. It's filled with all of her stories and struggles she went through. I'm excited to get started on this devotional. My second favorite gift wasn't really a gift I can use. It's a great reminder. I will type up the note that came with the money that I got from my teacher Mr. Burrow.

"Our time together in this classroom is ending, but I have one last thing I want to leave you with:

Several years ago a very good family friend sat down with me and handed me a $20 bill. He told me that I should always keep it with me, but it wasn't for me to spend. he said that any time I came across someone that had a need: I should use that money to help them out. I should then replace it so I was always ready to help someone else.

This was a very meaningful to me at the time and still affects me to this day. I have to admit I have never given away that bill. Not because I haven't helped anyone-I have. I just keep that bill to remind me that I always need to be available to make the world a better place, with my money, my time, and my energy.

The amount isn't that important, it's the message that matters. Don't spend this money on yourself. Wait until you come across someone whose need is greater than yours- then you can use it. Or you can do like i have and hold onto it to remind you to always use the resources you are blessed with to make the world better than you found it.

Thanks for being a blessing in my life. You have amazing opportunities ahead of you. Don't waste a single day!"

Thanks Mr. Burrow I will cherish this letter forever.

Freedom is not a moment. It's a journey.

Recently people in my life have been really into this whole Human Trafficking. This is not the only time I have heard this and it won't be the last. I feel like this whole thing with helping human trafficking thing is like KONY 2012. People have such a high after seeing video's and hearing the story of these victims. We all get pumped and excited about helping the victims and soon enough the high wears off. The problem I think for many including myself is that we want to help as much as possible but we're told that the only way we can help is by praying, giving, and spreading the word about it. I don't know about you but that's not enough for me. What's next after that?

Recently I have discovered someone close me is caught up in human trafficking. Now I thought that praying, giving, and making people aware was enough. But this has now hit close to home and those answers are not good enough. I have almost lost hope in the fact that it will actually work. I personally want to go in and take this person out and help them. I don't know how though. I need your guys help to help me figure out how I can help this person get out of this. If anyone out there has information besides praying, giving, and spreading the word let me know. Time is a factor...we don't have much time. We can't lose another women to human trafficking especially one of the people in my family I will not stand to let the devil to take another person out of my life.

I've Learned

This pretty much sums up everything I have learned through out High School. I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them. I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back. And it's not the end of the world. I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts. I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something. I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do. I've learned that it's not what happens to people, It's what they do about it. I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides. I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't. I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done When it needs to be done regardless of the consequences. I've learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it. I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel. I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief. I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean that they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do. I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions. I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. I've learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life. I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help. I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains. I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon. I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe. I've learned to love and be loved.       Omer B. Washington