STORIES TO SHARE/ GENERAL UPDATE:
As I took time to navigate through the book of Ecclesiastes in this season of my own life it gave me hope as I process through the ebbs and flows of each mentoring relationship that I am observing. Covid has brought what seems like ever evolving seasons, some are quick and some feel as though they are unending. As most are aware Lynden Christian took a two-week, in-person learning hiatus during the beginning of October. We had just begun to gain momentum and started BTO meetings again for the school year. Pressing pause was hard for various reasons on both sides of the match, however, it was encouraging to see and hear how mentors and mentees were able to process through another transition together.
Since returning to school (again) four of our matches were able to meet once or twice within the last two weeks, one match closed, and one more is set to begin the first week of November. Relationships change just like the seasons and I am choosing to be thankful for the mentees and mentors, who have committed their time to get to know each other and I am thankful for those who continue to show up even when they’re going through hard things. Relationships have the ability to deepen when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, and my hope is that each of the students who have taken the step to be apart of Be The One can embrace vulnerability now and reap the lifelong benefits of connection.
A few of our pairs have taken the time to get outside and really enjoy the beauty of fall during their meeting time- when we get sun this time of year it’s important to soak in its crisp warmth. I had a mentor mention to me, “we had an amazing talk while looking at nature last week.” Let us all continue to look for the beauty amidst constant change.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1- 8
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTS/ UPDATES/ NEEDS:
- I plan to circulate through the classrooms and present Be The One to the students again, however, I am trying to be very respectful of the time teachers have with their students and trying to determine the best course of action.
- I have created interest cards to give to students and also interest cards for possible mentors.
- I have compiled a list of mentor recommendations and am working through contacting each person.