Surprises From Some Super Boys That Made My Day!

Sunday was the last week with this particular group of 5th grade boys in my Sunday School class. Every year, promotion is bitter sweet. It thrills my soul to see my classes make some spiritual progress during the year and I always enjoy teaching Sunday School.  I usually get attached to my classes and wish I could keep them another year. This year was no exception.

I began teaching Sunday School when I graduated from high school in 1971 and taught for something like 35 years--with only a few years off along the way.  My first class was a fun group of 3rd grade boys who gave me the teaching bug!  I have taught grades 3-12 in Sunday School over the years and up until now, always liked the Jr. High classes best  However, This last class of 5th grade boys was the best I ever had and that's saying a lot because I have had many good classes. They were a very special group in that most were regular attenders, they all got along great, they were very open and eager to participate, willing to accept challenges, eager to learn; therefore, a pleasure to teach.   Over half completed the Dare To Be A Daniel evangelism course geared to Jr. Highers during the summer.  I am so proud of them!

We had some fun socials but Sunday, I was blown away when I received gifts and thank you notes from several of the boys. This was a first for me!



Matt was there early and gave me a Gift card for Olive Garden and this thank you note:

I was so surprised and immediately thought we could go Monday for our anniversary!

Then, a little later, Kyle arrived with another note and gift card for PetSmart!

I thought, wow!  They know what I like now.  I often referred to my pets and they met my cats and dog when I had them to my house for a party and a pool tournament. 

A bit later Jacob came in with a big shopping bag for me and I pulled out a Browns fleece throw and a decorated notebook that had this wonderful note written on the first page:

When I read that my heart soared and I felt I really had a successful year with these guys.  These thank-you notes are precious to me!  What a blessing this class has been to me all year long and what a great finish!  We went to McDonalds then to celebrate their promotion and have one more fun time together.  I was overwhelmed with joy by their sincere, honest expressions of love and thanks. Other boys mentioned to me how much they liked the class too and when we got back from McDonalds, we all hung around for just a bit longer in our room.  It was just one of those special moments. 

I didn't expect anything like this because it never happened before in all my years of teaching!  I admit though, that my teaching has improved over the years and maybe I found the right mix this year; however, I think it was just a very unusual group of guys that made the class so good. You can be sure we will stay in touch and they will continue to be in my prayers!

From this to this.

When I got home, I went to work on ordering a collage of the boys to hang on my wall and put the notebook from Jacob right on my computer desk to use instead of my pile of scratchpads and small papers with notes.  The thank-you notes from the boys will go into my Sunday School photo album that I keep for every class I teach. Now I get to start all over again with a new group of boys this week!

What brings you joy?  This is hard to beat!  

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