Friday, October 27, 2006

Today...

I wish I could say that things are better today with school. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Ed called the principal this morning to set up a time to meet with him. The principal said he doesn't meet with parents, he has the parents meet with the teacher. Ed explained that we've already met with the teacher and that the present concerns cannot be resolved in that manner and continued to express his need to meet with the principal in person. The principal finally agreed to meet, but said he was unavailable today and it would have to be Monday. He then said that he wanted to know what the discussion would be about (as if he didn't already know). So, Ed went into our frustrations about the way things have been handled with the special ed teacher and how unimpressed we are with the way she's treated me, etc. As expected, the principal defended the special ed teacher and said that after discussing the NACD approach to reading and math with the state agency, they do not feel it is an appropriate program to use for Jordan. Additionally, the principal said that we obviously were misled by Jordan's PreK teacher in terms of the progress she was making last year because the issues we're seeing this year are the exact same from last year!!!!! (That teacher moved to a different district this year! Lucky her!) He also said that in his 19 years there as a principal, he's never changed special ed teachers for a child (SO????) Finally, the principal told Ed that we just need to decide if we want Jordan in school or not. I've been praying hard for clear guidance...I guess I got it! We kept Jordan home today because our decision was that she needed to have ZERO contact with the special ed teacher going forward. Its a crying shame that she's been subjected to her for this long. So, Ed and I have some decisions to make tonight. I've spent a good portion of the day talking to NACD and to the Home School Legal Defense Association regarding my options to homeschool. In true God-fashion, all I have to do to withdraw Jordan at this point, is withdraw her in writing! Because her birthday is 7 days past Sept 15, she's not considered compulsory age for this year, in which case none of the requirements for homeschooling have to be met!!! Yay, God!! At least we know that if we go that direction, it will be easy to accomplish! We're looking into surrounding districts and weighing our "open enrollment" options as well. So, we'll see.
My mom forwards daily devotionals everyday that I love. Today's could not have been more appropriate for what I needed: ""I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) If God simply delivered you from every hard circumstance, and never made you grow and move forward, you would never learn to trust Him completely. Life is not always fun because it's not enjoyable to lose the "training wheels" and step out and grow in faith. But God says that He will always be with us. We just can't see the whole picture like He can. God often works behind the scenes in hard times to prepare you, train you, teach you patience, and develop your character. If you learn how to hang on through the difficult times, you'll get to see His good plan for you. Sometimes you just have to step out and receive what He has for you."
I'm so thankful for past experiences seeing His mighty provision for us that make it easy for me to trust Him and to know that He is in not only in control, but has a PERFECT plan in the midst of it all. I'm so thankful I can place my trust in Him! He is so much bigger than our circumstances and He does see a bigger picture!!

3 comments:

Lori Eilers said...

Amen! God is not surprised by these new developements and I'm sure is already at work for our girl, Jordan. There will be a better plan for you all. Remember Jeremiah 29:11..."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 hope and a future."

Sarah said...

I am sooo disappointed in the Principal's response. Unbelievable!! Keep fighting (I know you will) and keep trusting that God will make his perfect plan revealed to you!! Hang in there! God is on your side. :)

Rays Family said...

"I love you and I would never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you see only one set of footprints it was then that I carried you"

This verse is always comforting to me during difficult times. You are never alone we know the pain and challenges.
Remember, you know what's best.
Anne