Name the Turtle

I need some name suggestions for my new, female turtle. If you have any good ideas...please submit them in my comment box. I'll be taking suggestions for the next week.

I have a meeting with my new boss today. I'm trying to shake off the nervousness I feel. All I did last night was dream about it.

I started a new job in August and I was enjoying it for the first two weeks, but then I began to find that there was a very difficult co-worker there who seemed to have decided not to like me. A lot of the things she said hurt me and I didn't understand what I had done wrong. Normally I can turn people off towards me by talking too much, or saying the wrong thing but I had barely said anything except ask questions because I was still training.

I talked to my mom about it and she was trying to ask me if I was sure that this wasn't all in my head. I was sure. This was different than other kids at school picking on me. This girl had decided not to like me and I wanted to know why.

The next time I went to work, I tried my best to keep my brain thinking positive. I was trying not to be overly sensitive. I would let silly things slide off my back until I got blamed for doing something that wasn't my fault. Not only, did a coupld people get upset with me, but when I told who had done the particular thing, they went and made sure I wasn't lying. When my story turned out to be true they were still scoffing at me. What's wierd is, I felt like I had a really hard time fitting in with my new co-workers. It wasn't just the one girl anymore, it seemed like most of the people working there only put up with me. I would try to engage people in conversation when the store was slow but they would avoid engaging themselves in conversation with me.

To be fair, there were some nice people who worked at the store. But the one's that weren't very nice were the one's I'd work with the most.

"Are you sure this isn't all in your head?" My mom's question echoed in my brain.
"I really don't think so. I'm actually trying to give everyone a chance and I'm getting shut down!" I think.

I wasn't expecting the worse. I only thought things would get better as I worked there longer. On wednesday, I called my boss about my work hours and while we were talking he told me a couple of people had complained about me and before I finish training we have to sort that out. He wouldn't tell me over the phone, only at a meeting. I hung up the phone even more confused than I already was.

I was shocked. Most of the time, I know what I could have done wrong. At the lest, I have an idea. This time, I am racking my brain to see if there was anything I could have done and my mind came up blank. I've never been in a situation like this before.


I've thought about telling my boss my side of the story. Telling him that I felt persecuted and giving out names of the people who treated me meanly, but that wouldn't feel right to me. I don't want to put anyone else through what I am feeling.

But until 12:00 today, I have to shake off the nervousness I feel and wait to hear what I have done wrong.



Prayer for Our Enemies
Lord Jesus Christ, in Your great mercy You prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified You, and You taught us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Lord, I pray that You forgive those who treat me unjustly and speak out against me, and that you bless them and guide them according to Your will. Take away any bitterness I may have in my heart against them. Lord, may Your forgiveness, goodness and love be revealed in all of us, to Your praise and glory. Amen.

Miss Erica the Sunday School Teacher

It's official, I am now a sunday school teacher for Kindergarten through 2nd grade. I have been praying that this would work out and thanks to the Lord, it has.

Now, that I'm "older" I'm thinking about all my past teachers and authorities. I used to say as all kids used to say, "I'm never going to get upset with my kids. They can do whatever they want. It's their life." or "If I ever become a teacher I'm not going to make them work, I'll play with the kids all day."

I guess another part of growing up is seeing your perceptions change and noticing that you actually do need order in your life.

I was hanging with my two of my favorite girls. One of the girls is four and the other one. The younger was just learning to walk.

I was babysitting and I had quite a bit of energy that day and so did the kids that I was with.

The four year old put on a cd and we all danced. The one year old grabbed hands with both of us and we "ringed around the rosie". My heart was swelling with joy when I saw both of them laughing and so happy. I was bringing happiness to these children. I took a mental picture because of the wonderful feeling it brought to me. I saw the image of God in these precious children.

Later, right after the mom arrived I picked up the four year-old and gave her a hug. She whispered in my ear, "I love you, Erica."

Smiling, I put the child down. "I love you, too." I reciprocated.

Thank You, Lord for being able to look into the eyes and love those whom you love.