One Week Down...

So, I've been in Nashville for just over a week, but it seems like I've lived here for a really long time. Between seeing the community of East Nashville, taking walks, talking for hours on our front porch, eating and cooking as a community, and working, I have fallen into a laid-back, yet busy life. Every week we have a community night and then later in the week a spirituality night. We plan the spirituality night (last week was awesome and included art, prayer, yoga, music, a St. Ignatius Spiritual Exercise), the community time is orchestrated by former JVs. We have 3 former JVs who are our support people. They counsel us and are our go-to people here in Nashville. We went to the Family Wash Thursday night to see Paul Burch & WPA Ballclub. Chris Scruggs was their guest artist on guitar which was a special treat. Ed, one of our support people, bought the drinks and even my molten chocolate cake. Yum! Nashville has a lot of free or cheap entertainment options, especially during the summer. Sophie's famous quote is, "I'll do anything that is free." I really thought that the city would intimidate me, but in reality it is easy to get around. I'm saying that though because a few of the JVs in my house have Iphones. We just look up directions and go where we want. So, maybe that previous statement is mute. We'll have to see when friends come to visit.

So school, well, hm, what to say? School is really rough. It is hard to say that. I love the 4 tenets of JVC and want to love my job, but I just can't right now. I've come into a really rough place where the students don't respect themselves or others (especially their teachers and even more so their White teachers). It kills me that I have to fight extra hard for their respect. Yesterday, my entire afternoon was filled with diffusing arguments, breaking up fights, trying to explain dialect differences between Black English and Standard English, and talking to staff, security, and parents. To say the least, it was emotionally tiring.

On Thursday, when I had the class ask me questions so they could get to know me, one girl asked, "Why would you put up with us?" It was such a shocking question that it took me a minute to respond. I eventually explained, "I believe you are all young, bright, talented, funny, caring, and respectful young adults. I have faith that you will learn to show those things to me, other staff members, and your classmates." Probably the best part of my jobs is being able to use Jesus as an example when counseling or asking them to dig deep within to find the root of their disrespect. Yesterday, I felt God on my heart, so I piggy-backed the other teacher after she had a discussion with the whole class. It was freaking amazing. I didn't think a single thought. All I did was let the Holy Spirit speak through me. And do you know what? Some of them got it. They apologized and improved their behavior for the rest of that period. I guess I'll consider that my one victory for the week.

I've decided that finding joy in the very very very little things at work is going to have to pull me through until things change around. I have faith that it will get better but fear it might take longer than I can handle.