it's worth it.

As of tomorrow, I will have officially completed my third week of teaching.

I'm working with children who have language delays, due to a variety of reasons. They might have autism, or down syndrome. They might have sensory processing disorder. Or they might have motor conditions such as cerebral palsy. Whatever their diagnosis, I have gotten to know these children and they are pretty amazing.

It hasn't been an easy three weeks. Combine the fact that this is my first job as an OFFICIAL teacher with the fact that these children all have very unique special needs with the fact that quite a few of them have never been in a school environment before and you have a lot of challenges in place. But I've made it out alive. And they have made it out alive. And while it hasn't been easy, it has been extremely rewarding.

Today I got to experience a child whose verbal ability is extremely limited look at me and request something with NO assistance, completely voluntarily. Up until that moment, he had not spoken to me on his on volition ONCE since the program started two and a half weeks ago.

We also have another child with some challenging behavior who hasn't really opened up to me. Working with him has been tough, but we're slowly making steps. And today he came up to me and gave me a hug. He didn't say anything - just put his arm around my waist and squeezed. And that was enough.

One little girl started with us later in the program, and when she first came, I didn't think she could talk. It was all I could do to pull a whisper out of her. And now when I ask her a question, she's answering me in a loud voice I can actually HEAR.

No matter how many challenges I face, it's the stories and moments and progressions like these that make this job completely worthwhile. No matter how tired I am at the end of the day. No matter how much work I have to do when I get home. It's worth it.

(speaking of - nate has been so great about all the extra work i've had to do lately. he has been very patient and supportive. :) also, he's in some bad pain. we think he has a pretty severe herniated disc in his back. we went to urgent care this weekend and they've referred him to a specialist to get an MRI and then see what needs to be done from there. we're just waiting to get an appointment. i've been playing phone tag with the receptionist at the office for the past couple of days. he's on pain meds and some steriods right now and he's doing a lot of sleeping and lying around. so prayers would be extremely appreciated. thanks!)