It's crazy how fast time passes. It really feels like it was just a month or two ago that I first arrived in Madison, after that craziness of trying to cross the border, and ate ice cream on Kenzie's cloud bed. Yet that was 8 months ago already! When I first arrived back in Madison, I knew that my time on staff would go by fast, but I still don't understand how it is already at the end!
This week is bitter-sweet for me. I'm glad to be going home; I know that God only called me to Madison for a short time, and that I am supposed to go home now. I miss all of you back in Canada, and I'm so excited to see you all again (for more than just a short visit)! At the same time, just the thought of leaving Madison and my 'family' here makes my heart hurt. I love my people! I don't want to say goodbye!
Yesterday, at preschool, one of the children was talking about me leaving. "Miss Katie," he said, "You're leaving, but you won't forget us. And we can think about you and what we learned at school!"
Man, I love them!
Yesterday, for the first time in awhile, I ran preschool all by myself; ever since he took over for the couple days while I was home for Opa's funeral, PD has joined us at preschool. And for the past two weeks, he has been the one to teach the Bible lessons. It's kind of like I have a placement student, which is kind of strange but also really nice (the extra help, I mean). Anyway, it was really great yesterday, leading circle -I mean Oval- again. I didn't realize how much I missed doing that! We talked about how Jesus told Peter to take care of his people, and how we also need to do the same. And then the kids listed off ways that we can take care of people.
Later in the day, we made some clay dough, and the kids were playing with it. One child didn't have a roller stick thing, so I went to get him one when he asked. Meanwhile, another child gave the first child his roller. When the other children and I realized, one of the other children piped up "Justin was taking care of him!"
It was cute :)
Now, we only have two days of preschool left. Two days. That's it. Two. Days. HOW are there only two days left?! How do I only have two days remaining with these terrific, adorable, sweet, funny kids?! Seriously... I don't understand how time passes so fast!
So Friday -April 8- is our final day of preschool for the year. After I leave, a lot of YWAM Madison's staff are going down to Missouri for the DNA conference, which is about the heart/history of YWAM with some of the speakers being Darlene and Loren Cunningham, the founders of YWAM. PD is one of those going to the conference, so while he considered keeping preschool running for a few weeks longer after I left, that is not going to be happening. Once I leave, it will be finished for the year.
However, just because I am leaving does not mean that preschool is over for good! In September, it is looking like there will be a FULL TIME kindergarten (which PD will be running) as well as a part time preschool like we had this year. God is faithful, but even if this preschool was just for this one year, it would have been worth it. We talked about that in our last intercession time. Greg, the one who had this vision for YWAM Madison in the first place, and the father of one of my preschoolers, was saying that even for one year, the preschool was worth it, because you can see a difference in the children.
And it's true. Looking back to September, when the children first entered the cheery blue classroom, they were different. Of course they knew Jesus and were good kids, but I can see how they have grown in their faith and knowledge since then. Just in the way they interact with each other and treat each other has changed. Yes, they are still four and five year old kids, so they have their arguments and struggles, but in general, they share more, they are more compassionate towards each other, and they welcome everyone. And that's just a tiny bit of how they have grown!
My heart hurts so much knowing that I have to leave, but I know that God brought me here for a reason, and I know that God will be faithful to continue to be with me and show me what He has for me.
And when I'm home, I'm still going to be working alongside YWAM Madison for a short while -in the evenings, I suppose, since I'll be working all day at Zomers again. I have been helping work on the database, since they are completely re-vamping it. All this is done independently, on a computer, and since it is just Kenzie and I helping out the main person (who is also a full-time mom of two young children) on this, I offered to continue to do so after I go home.
So here I am, sitting at Cool Beans for the last time, only days from my departure from Madison, Wisconsin. I'll miss this place (Madison, not just Cool Beans!) and these people, but I know that I will see them again. I've already got a visit scheduled! :)
See you all in a few days!
Blessings,
Katie
Kenzie texted this to me the other day. Thus sums up our relationship :P Also, ignore her name on there, I promise it is a joke, because her mom called her a Lardo while we were visiting, and she is completely NOT. Kenz thinks its hilarious that when people see her name, they will think that I'm a horrible person. :P
The couple that Kenzie and I are living with are currently in the process of being licensed for foster care (the home study was on Monday, so they're almost done!). So they now have my old bedroom set up as a nursery, with a crib, change table, and toys! It is so cute and happy! The other night, I sat upstairs talking to Kelly for like 2 1/2 hours while we built towers. Such fun!
On Instagram, I follow YWAM memes. They're pretty great and when you are in YWAM, you definitely completely relate to most- if not all- of them! I really like this one, cause its so true!
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