See You at the Pole

This morning, I was walking into the school building at around 7:20 and I noticed 3 girls standing by the flagpole. Usually, this is not the practice, as the kids are supposed to go into the gym in the morning until 7:50 when they're allowed to go to class.
I asked a fellow teacher as we walked into the building, "Do you know if today is See You at the Pole day?" He replied, "I don't think so. They might just be hanging out."
I always remembered going to SYATP when I was in school, but I never actually took notice of when it was. There were always signs or posters around school and town to remind me. I hadn't seen any, nor heard anything so I didn't think anything of it.
I got to my classroom, and turned on my computer. I Googled See You at the Pole and sure enough, today was the day. I quickly grabbed my keys and headed out to the flag pole.

I'm not sure what I expected to happen. I've never been in the role of a teacher standing out there--just always the student. I wasn't sure if any other teachers would be out there, but I wanted to go. I wanted to go because I want the kids at my school to know that I am a Christian, and that I am okay with anyone knowing that.

By the time I got out there, the group of kids had grown a little. There were now about ten or twelve and they'd started taking prayer requests. One of the little boys offered to lead a prayer. When he was finished, a few of the circle left to go inside. The rest of us just sort of stood there. Not really knowing what was next. It was okay, though, because God knew.
One of the secretaries walked by and stopped. She asked if she could stand and pray with us before she went in to work. She led a prayer, and during her prayer, more kids joined the circle.

Some of the kids had started asking for specific things to pray for, and I suggested that someone start the prayer and then anyone who wanted to add to it just speak up. The same little boy started a new prayer. Short pause, another kid speaks up. Followed by another, and another, more and more kids are joining the group at the flagpole. More and more kids are speaking up and praying.
These 6th, 7th, and 8th graders were praying for their school, their friends, their teachers, the presidential election, the soldiers in iraq, all of our churches, other kids around the country praying at the flag pole...These kids were praying for the kids who were walking by. The ones who didn't know why we were standing there--praying that they might ask questions. They were praying for the ones who knew why we were standing there and continued to keep walking. They were praying for opportunities to share their faith with each other. They were praying that others could see God in them.
I have never felt so blessed than this morning, having around 70 or so kids praying for each other. Praying for me as their teacher. Praying. It was so incredible.

I'm not one for publicly praying--it's just not something I've ever really felt comfortable doing. However, I spoke up to end the prayer. I prayed that everyone around the pole this morning would look around and see who their sisters and brothers in Christ are. I prayed that we would be able to show our love for Christ in how we act daily, and that we could encourage and be there for one another as this family of believers at Cheyenne.

We ended the prayer and the kids went into the gym.
I headed into the building through the front doors.
It was 7:50.
Time to start the day.

Something Beautiful

I have always loved hands.

And I am eagerly awating the day when I can have the beautiful hands that old ladies have.

There is something so comforting and so beautiful about the hands of an old woman.

I could look at them all day.

And judging on the number of pictures I found when I hit up google looking for something to illustrate this little entry, I am not the only person who feels this way.

:)