Little Victories

I have been up hours and hours past my bedtime almost every night this week. 

I don't say this to complain. I say this because with every goal, dream, and desire we have comes dedication, strong will, and sacrifice. These things come from passion, and remembering why we have that dream in the first place. 

I am only a handful of months away from graduating and becoming a teacher. While that thought is a little scary and overwhelming, I am overcome with emotion because I know that all the late nights, tears, and frustration will be worth making a difference in the lives of students. It's not easy and I get discouraged more often than I care to admit. But teaching is what I love doing. It's what God has called me to do. 

I want to tell you a story about a student I had in my classroom in Philadelphia. This boy, let's call him Michael, would come into class crying every day. He would walk into the room, sit at his desk for a moment, unpack his backpack, then return to his seat with his books in front of him. He never said a word. He just cried. For weeks, it was the same routine. My heart broke for him almost immediately. All I wanted to do was help him, to figure out what was going on and to make it better. Being a teacher is more than just teaching the curriculum and giving assessments. Being a teacher means you are filled with compassion, empathy, patience, and grace. 

It took lots and lots of patience with Michael. Every morning I would greet him with a smile, help him with his things, and sit next to him during morning reading. I would talk to him, offering him encouragement and an ear to hear what was wrong. He hardly spoke. It was mainly head nods and more tears. After the first couple weeks, I noticed he started to follow along with the class and pay attention to the head teacher's instructions. He would complete his work in class, still clearly upset with the occasional outbursts of tears. But then he started raising his hand. I remember that moment, the first time I saw him participate in class. He would answer questions and write on the board. My heart leaped because I knew that a bigger breakthrough was coming. 

It only took a few more weeks until the day came when he didn't cry at all during class. This may not seem like a big deal to some people. Maybe they're thinking, Finally it's quiet in here and I can focus. He was so disruptive. I'll be honest, I didn't notice at first. I saw a student who was eating breakfast and reading his books in the beginning of the day. That was our routine. I think that I didn't notice at first because I saw a student working towards being successful. I saw a student who wanted to learn. I believed in him from day one, and when I saw him working it was like that's how it had always been. I saw the student I knew was there all along. 

Those are the greatest joys of teaching; the little gains. Knowing you helped a student take one more step forward when they never thought they could. I still don't know what was going on at home or in his life that made him so upset during the day. But I know that being patient and showing him grace showed him the love of Jesus, whether he knew it or not. 

It's these seemingly small victories that make it all worth it. It's seeing the breakthroughs, the success, and the joy in a child's eyes while they're learning that reminds me why I do what I do. 

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." - Psalms 127:3

Children are a gift. I am honored that God has called me to share his love with them and to teach them about His son. I am learning more every day that teaching children about Jesus goes beyond a Sunday morning. It's every day, in every moment, with everything you do. 

Every action, every word, and every expression has the potential to show Jesus to a child whether you mention his name or not. 

Let's make them count. 

Much love + blessings, 

Becky 

Embracing the Uncomfortable

I am not a morning person. 

In fact, I am the last person you want to talk to in the morning. That is, until I've had my coffee. Waking up when it's still dark out isn't fun. The only thing I really like getting up early for are deer, fish, and planes. 

But this semester there's a new reason: school. I have the honor of teaching and assisting in a 1st grade classroom at Julia de Burgos Bilingual Elementary School in the heart of Philadelphia twice a week. In all honesty, when I found out I was placed in the School District of Philadelphia I was less than thrilled. I immediately began to think about traffic, driving, my dislike towards cities in general, the differences between me and my students, and pretty much every other negative thing you could think there is.

My first day did not go as I had hoped. I was pouring, dark, gloomy, and stressful. That was just the 2 hour commute to the school. Once I was in the room, I felt at home. But after that commute I began to think about everything that could go wrong throughout my time in Philly. However, this morning was a different story. 

I woke up a little late and thought to myself, "Great, it's only day 2.". 

During my drive, my attitude began to change. It started with seeing the sunrise, something that I had not experienced on my first day. The sky was full of cotton candy clouds as the sun made it's appearance. I thought, "Wow! THIS is what I get to see twice a week!". 

Notice the word get. God transformed my spirit of negativity into one that recognizes the blessings in the midst of change and new experiences. 

As I reached the outskirts of Philadelphia, I felt my heart begin to change - a stirring in my soul. A phrase popped into my head that has been on repeat the entire day. 

I feel like I'm going to grow to love this city.

Now, if you know me at all then you know that I don't like cities. I don't like the traffic, the congestion, everything being so fast paced and close together. I like my fields and back roads and wild animals. But I still felt this stirring and then an indescribable joy take over. 

I feel like I'm going to grow to love this city. 

I walked through the doors of Julia de Burgos Bilingual Elementary School with a new attitude. One of love, joy, compassion, and peace. I greeted the students, watched them unpack their backpacks, and saw a new generation rising up to change the world. It doesn't matter if they are from downtown Philly or the cornfields of Lancaster. They are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers, fathers, businessmen, teachers, pastors, counselors, secretaries, office workers; they are world changers and they are full of potential. 

My heart has already grown to love this city so much, and I thank God for making me uncomfortable. It's through our discomfort that we are stretched, and it's through being stretched that we grow. 

Allow God to make you uncomfortable. Don't remain stagnant because you're scared of what might happen. Instead, be excited for what could happen. 

Much love + blessings, 

xoxo Becky

Whispers

It's a Tuesday in the beginning of the semester, a time when I'm not really thinking about anything other than school work and deadlines and other responsibilities. But as I am sitting in the Outdoor Classroom embracing the gorgeous weather and scenery, God is whispering.

I was reminded of the intimacy we have when we are in relationship with God.

"It's nice to know I'm not alone. I've found my home here in your arms." -We Dance

We are never alone. God is just a shout, cry, or whisper away. He excitedly embraces us when we run to him. There is nothing too big or too small, no reason for us not to be welcomed into his arms. Even when we are angry with God, he still loves us.

I was also reminded that while it can be painful and difficult to have God close doors, nothing compares to what he has in store for us in the future. He closes doors because he loves us so much.

// I'm going to stop for a minute. I started this post in the morning, and have been trying to organize my thoughts into a somewhat coherent mess out of the the jumbled hot mess that they are, but I think I'm just going to run the train on the track it's going. Bare with me. \\

God uses music to speak to me a lot, and sometimes I don't even realize he's trying to get my attention. But this morning was different. Almost every song that played had a small, very specific message for me. And while I would love to write about all of them, I think the most important thing I took away from today encompasses all of them.

God whispers.

Let me say that again.

God whispers. 

I don't know about you, but when I heard about God speaking to other people I always imagined a strong, deep, clearly audible voice shouting from the Heavens so you wouldn't miss it. I quickly learned that that wasn't always the case (because it's God and he can do what he wants, if he wants to shout he totally could). I struggled with this for a long time, and I still do at times. I wanted to really know when God was trying to speak to me. I wanted it to be dramatic.

There have been times where I was 100% sure that God was talking, and other times I had to consult mentors and leaders. Today he showed up so many times with small, fortune-cookie-like reminders.

That's when I realized that he whispers too. All we have to do is listen. I needed to escape the craziness of senior year, field classes, homework assignments, and church responsibilities and embrace God's presence. I made my life a little quieter for an hour and began to worship his love and power and grace.

God wants to meet us where we're at. We just have to be willing to shut out the world and listen. Listen for his whispers.

I hope and I pray that you would rest in his presence and hear him. He hears you.

Much love + blessings,

Becky

Chasing Peace

Stress is something that is inevitable in life. Whether it be a job, a relationship, a fender bender on your way to the grocery store, making tough decisions, or a medical situation, we all experience some kind of anxiety and stress. Maybe things just didn't go the way you wanted or expected them to go.

According to my plans and desires, I should have just gotten home from Africa. But I didn't. And that's okay. Instead I am spending time with good friends and pastors in Ohio, something I probably wouldn't have taken time off work for. Despite being heartbroken and discouraged about Africa, my heart is full of peace.

Peace in our Father is something I have been continually chasing after for years. It can seem so far away at times, and other times it's just right there. When I get into tough situations or things don't go the way I thought God wanted (like Africa), I run to God and ask for his peace and comfort to cover me. Well, I try to do this every time. It doesn't always work out that way. There are times when I get angry at God and just cry out "Why?!". But I've learned a very important lesson about God through these outbursts and tears. 

The why doesn't really matter, it's the who. And that who is our Heavenly Father who loves us SO much that he sacrificed his son, who spins the galaxies in perfect harmony and placed each star thoughtful in the sky, who breathed life into the Earth and spoke the universe into existence. He is PERFECT in all his ways and wants nothing more than to see us joyfully and willfully chasing after him.

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

All we have to do is go to him. That's it. Jesus I need you. Give me peace in the midst of the unknown. I don't understand what's happrning, but you do so I know that everything will be okay. Thank you for your love, grace,and peace. All of which I don't deserve. Thank you for your sacrifice and paying the price for my life. I love you and am chasing after your heart.

Much love + blessings,

Becky

He Hears You

"When You don't move the mountains I'm needing You to move

When You don't part the waters I wish I could walk through

When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You

I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!"

-Trust in You

Lauren Daigle has quickly become one of my favorite Christian artists ever since I went to Outcry Tour last year in D.C. I love whenever her songs come on the radio when I'm driving (which is pretty much all the time). This song plays often, but it caught my attention the other day. When I found out the trip to Zimbabwe was cancelled, I argued with God. I didn't understand why it happened after He had called me to go. He gave me a verse (which you can read about in my last post), and now He has given me a song.

There are so many things we wish for in life. We ask God to move mountains, part waters, and answer our cries. It's important to know that God hears. When he doesn't move the mountains, part the waters, or answer right away, that doesn't mean He's not listening. He knows the desires of our hearts. He knows every thought and every feeling. After all, He created us. 

He created us uniquely and perfectly for a purpose. So that mountain you're asking Him to move, He might not move it because there's a forest fire on the other side. He might not part the waters you want Him to because of sharp rocks on the ocean floor. He might not give an answer right when you demand one because you don't need an answer in that moment - you just need to trust Him. 

"I will trust in You"

Honestly, it took me a few days to get to this point. I trust God with my whole heart, and I know that his plans are far greater than mine could ever be. But when an opportunity for me to use my gifts and passions was ripped out from under me, I felt lost. Through angry prayers, an overwhelming amount emotion, and lots of tears, I found peace. 

Arguably the most important thing I learned from this whole experience is that God hears me. Our Father hears our cries, our frustrations, and our desires. But in the midst of our struggles and questions, don't forget that He also hears our thanks. 

Thank you God for entrusting me with this life. Thank you for giving me a passion to reach children, to teach them about You. Thank you for my family and friends who encourage, love, and build me up. Thank you for giving me a heart for the world, the desire to see all that You have created. Thank you for paying to price for my sins, thank you for loving me so much that You would send Your son. 

My prayer for you is that when you have mountains and waters in front of you and are crying out to God, that you would trust in Him and know that He hears you. Rest in His perfect love. 

Much love + blessings, 

xoxo Becky

I Don't Understand, But That's Okay

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'"

Jeremiah 29:11

God is so good, and knows exactly what you need to hear in a specific season or situation. Last week, I received a call that I was not expecting and hoped would never come. My long awaited trip to Zimbabwe has been cancelled. I was overwhelmed, heart broken, and full of questions. Some of those questions I may never have the answer to. 

My biggest question was "why?". Why would God give me this incredible opportunity to do what I love and what He created me to do, and then it be taken away? Why did I come so close to my fundraising goal just to have it yanked out from under me? Why did this happen so close to the trip dates? I was obedient in following your call, so why did this happen? Needless to say, I was a little angry with God. There are still many things I don't understand about what happened. I may never understand it fully. But then God gave me a verse. 

Jeremiah 29:11. 

"Plans to prosper you, not to harm you."

"Plans to give you a hope and a future."

God's plans for my life are far greater than any I could come up with on my own. They are for good, not for bad. They aren't to cause pain or harm. They are so I can have a prosperous life, using my gifts to serve his Kingdom. While I am disappointed and saddened by what has happened, I know that my desire to go to Zimbabwe can't match up with what God has in store for me. I am SO excited to see what He has for me next, and it can only be bigger and better than Zimbabwe. 

I want to thank everyone who has contributed towards the trip. While I will not be using the funds, they will be distributed to other individuals who are following God's call in the missions field. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would love to talk to you more, and answer any questions I can. 

Thank you so, so much. You have all been a huge blessing to me, and in turn we are able to bless many others. 

Much love, 

xoxo Becky

|| B R A V E ||

"You make me brave"

This lyric has played in my head and been engraved on my heart since last year. God does indeed make me brave. He gives me the courage to jump into new things and fearlessly follow his calling. He is calling me out beyond the shore once more. Africa. 

I now have the opportunity to cross another ocean and make my way to Zimbabwe from July 7-19. I have been invited to travel with Global Passion Ministries and work the the Graham family who run an orphanage and aim to reach the forgotten and abandoned children of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is located in southern Africa and borders South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, and Zambia. Because it is located below the equator, seasons are reversed. Summer is from October to April and winter is from May to September.

One of the largest international issues in Zimbabwe is human trafficking, and the government is making no effort to stop the exploitation. They are also currently facing one of the biggest AIDS epidemics in the world, and they have a higher number of orphans in proportion to its population compared to the rest of the world.

Throughout my time in Africa, I will be helping teach children in the local school about Jesus, give any support needed in the orphanage, and love on some awesome kids. God is going to do amazing things in Zimbabwe, and I can’t wait to see them happen. I would love for you to partner with me and help change the lives of children in Africa.

The first way you can partner with me is in prayer. Pray for safety, strength, courage, and for lives to be changer. The next way you can partner with me is financially. I need to raise $2,900, and there are a few ways to do help. You can follow the first link below to make an online contribution, or follow the second link to purchase a t-shirt designed by myself where all the proceeds go towards my journey.

https://www.youcaring.com/becky-scott-537417

https://www.booster.com/beckys-trip-to-zimbabwe

Much love + blessings,

Becky