Week 4

This past week was my 4th week at PTM. I returned from a 2 week vacation and was overjoyed with the love that I received when the kids walked in the door my first day back. It was so great to see their faces again and to hear all that went on when I was gone. Many of the students couldn't believe that I went to the beach and "slept over" there. I felt so blessed returning.

This past week at PTM was filled with two special field trips. On Wednesday I planned a photo scavenger hunt to Centennial. Zach took 3 boys and I took 8 girls to run around the park in search for our list of items including: ducks, the Parthanon, the train, a Frisbee game, making a pyramid, the model plane, and much more. The group of girls that I took were so great and really enjoyed our day in the park. Unfortunately, the girls lost to the boys team. However, afterwards, the girls took our left over lunch bread and we fed the ducks. Overall, it was an awesome day!

Our second feild trip was to the bank. We took twelve 4/5th grade boys and girls to visit the Fifth-Third bank downtown. Unlike Centennial Park, we were blessed with cool air conditioning. Our tour guides (Ms. Tracee and Ms. Buffy) also treated us to pizza! After a nice lunch Ms. Tracee taught the kids how to write a check and balance their "check book". We started out with a good amount of money, but the kids learned that mortgages, utilities, food, and other bills cost money. As we talked about balancing our check books, and watched our money slowly dwindle, many of the kids talked about getting money from food stamps or the women getting child support. It's so strange to me the 4/5th graders mind would jump to food stamps and child support - thinking it is a given. As I looked round the room I prayed that when they grew up, none of them would ever have to be in a situation where they were in need of food stamps or child support. After our lesson from Ms. Tracee, Ms. Buffy took us on a tour of the bank. We even got to see the vault. After our field trip, Elizabeth told us she wanted to be a banker. I hope that she pursues the dream.



All in all, another awesome week at PTM. I also finished my grant to Lifeway this past week. PTM has applied 5 times for it already, but I hope the 6th time is the charm! I can't believe how much this place has already impacted me. I feel my faith growing as I witness so much love from children who not only don't have as much material things as me, but haven't grown up in a home with supportive parents. Every time I see a child perform a kind deed or receive a hug from them it reminds me of Christ's love for us.