One little chat...well, and a game of pool!

So, last night after school there was a MAP Celebration party at the home of one of the teachers I work with. I typically go for a little while and leave because it's not the typical crowd I run around with, but last night proved to be a bit different...

I got there early, thinking that I would leave early, and there were a few teachers there. One of them was my tall friend, Artistguy. Artistguy was hired the same year I was in our building but I didn't know a whole lot about him. I have worked with him a little, but not very much because he has mostly taught the younger kids and I've been with the older students in our building for several years. I knew that he and his wife had adopted a child a few years back, and that he is an inspiration to his students, but that was about as much I knew about him.

My favorite saying that Artistguy has in his classroom for his students is that "You are the author of your own life story." That has stuck with me over the years as various situations has come forth in my life.

So last night, Artistguy and I just started chatting, and the next thing I knew, I learned a whole lot about him, and was grateful for the time spent with him. He is transferring to a different district next year because his own daughter begins school in his hometown, so we will be losing him. (Sad for us, happy for him!)

But, in that time spent with him, I realized that you really really don't know someone until you sit with them and really get to know them. He shared his life story on how he arrived at my school, and I was inspired by his own life story. He has come through a great deal to get where he is today, and I can see where his students will continue to be blessed by the testimony he has to offer.

It was amazing because I didn't realize how much he believes in God. The more we talked, the more encouraged I was to hear how he gives God the credit for every step of his life. That made me smile.

One of the highlights of the chat was when I shared my heart about Lostboy, and he shared that he had Lostboy last year. We spent a decent amount of time discussing strategies on how to reach him, and I was grateful for his feedback. I've been longing for some feedback, and it was good to hear a perspective from someone who has had him in class. I can't wait to try some things next week. In my opinion, the entire chat was time well spent. I like that.

So, after the chat I joined the crew playing pool. I will be the first to admit, it's been years since I've played, and I wasn't even very good when I did play, but I enjoy the game. Rockin'Robin and I won our first two games, and then lost the third. I will mention that one of the games was against Mr. P and his partner, so that was fun.

Overall, it was a neat evening. I am blessed to be a part of such a special group of teachers and staff. Overall, we really do care about each other, in both good and bad times. I am a blessed gal.

So, today I have NOTHING on the agenda. I like that idea. I think I'll be a bum.

Later!