That's probably why God filled my hole. Not with a husband-but with purpose. I am a school teacher. Teenagers don't normally need adults, especially if they are from good families to begin with. But 2009 was the year I met the Islands; boys who chose to move away from their families to further their educations and get to college. I was very impressed by them. Their strength, bravery, drive...characteristics not generally found in teenagers, shoot, characteristics not even found in me. These boys had some holes in their educations that I began to fill as a teacher. They also had amazing skills in basketball. Since I'm from Indiana, I relished watching excellent basketball. By the end of the year, they had filled a hole in me. I finally had purpose. I had someone to take care of. They chose me to be the teacher they wanted to build a relationship with. They became my little brothers, my sons. I spent a lot of time that next summer praising God, confessing my lack of faith, and telling anyone who would listen how God was working in my life.
Over the next two years, I gained two more little brothers, five in all, and an increasing faith in God. The years haven't been easy. I've had periods of stress that led to weight loss and insomnia, but I've also had many more periods of overwhelming joy for the way God chose to fill my hole. I've seen each of them be baptized. I've had heart to hearts with them when they make poor choices. I've fed them when they can't get home for holidays. I've beamed with them next to me in church. I've cheered as a proud big sister for their games. I've cried when they've cried. I've laughed harder, prayed more, bragged often, and loved every minute of it!
The Islands have taught me:
1. Jesus never fails
2. His plan is always better than mine
3. He is the Savior, not me
4. I can speak with tongues of angels, but if I have not love...
5. No one is perfect
6. Unconditional love is worth it
7. When God gives me a mission - it doesn't matter what others think
8. People respect you when you stand your ground
9. Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine
10. God did not give us the spirit of fear...
While this is probably my last year teaching my boys, three of them heading to college and all, I have complete faith that God will once fill my hole, albeit that hole is considerable smaller now. I am looking forward to the future. I get to experience the thrills of a new job, watching my boys play D1 basketball, and seeing how God will once again fill my hole.
I deeply regret not keeping up with this blog throughout the years as the stories have been many, but since this blog was started as a release for my complaining...I guess I didn't really have anything to write about!
God is good all the time.
