Bekah Goes Back to School

Thank you so much for praying for me Friday! I had such a great experience...I wanted to share it with you!

A few weeks ago, my friend Amy contacted me to see if I'd be willing to speak in the classes she teaches at Taylor University. Amy and I had a couple of classes together when we were in college, and then we worked together ever so briefly when I first graduated. We've stayed in touch and she's teaching some classes in media writing...hence my visit.

I've never spoken in a college class before unless the topic had to do with finances and budgeting, so I was nervous about this!

Then Amy wrote again and asked if...since I would be in town anyway...I would be willing to speak in Lakeview Christian School's chapel service for 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grades. You have to know how petrified I am of that general age group, but I figured it was one of those doors God opened, so I should walk through it. So I took a deep breath and said YES!

And that is how it came to be that last Friday, this girl went back to school.

First up...chapel!! Lakeview is a smaller Christian school here in Marion, so I didn't have hundreds of kids to prepare for, but I did want to do my best for the ones who were

Here was my view prior to heading to the front to speak!

 I talked about the section of Scripture in Joshua where the Israelites set up an altar of stones to give honor to what God had done for them...and recounted experiences from my own 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade years and how God worked and moved in my life.

I have to say...for being scared of kids, these kiddos made it a great experience! They were respectful and kind and I appreciated their attention as I "built an altar" of rocks in front of them.

 Once chapel was over, and I'd had a chance to meet a few of the students...it was time to head over to Taylor to speak in those classes!!

The first class was an advanced writing course, so the students were older and had more of an idea of what they hoped to do with their careers. The last two classes were intro classes, so the students were a little more reserved. I gave the same talk to all three classes and they were all SO kind.

 

There was a question and answer time at the end of each class - man that made me sweat!!!! Some of the questions were harder than my smarts extended!

 I used to want to be a teacher, and I've never regretted NOT pursing that path. I know it wouldn't have been the right fit for me. But even so...it is really a great gift to now and then have the chance to pour something into the lives of students. Even if for just a day. 

So after talking for three straight hours, my voice kind of hated me. But that's okay! Had a BLAST.

And that's what it looked like to go back to school for the day. Thank GOODNESS the visit yielded no homework!