Shaking, I stepped into the classroom bright and early that morning with absolutely no idea how the day was going to unfold. Never had I been in a room with twenty-seven students I had never met before. It was the beginning of the fourth grade, and I had been homeschooled nearly all my life. As the teacher began to instruct, the tears flowed down my cheeks. Trying to conceal my reddening face, I put my head down on the desk. Periodically, the teacher and her assistant would come to check on me, but I kept my lips as tight as a brand new pickle jar. Could I ever break out of my shell? Would I be able to share myself with others, and make some new friends? This experience transformed me because I became more friendly, ambitious, and excited about life.
At age 9, my mom got a teaching job at a new school. Naturally, my two siblings were pretty excited, because we would all finally be able to get a taste of what most other children our age do every day. But me, not so much. The only time I had ever attended “normal” school was in first grade, but my mom was my teacher, so I’m not really sure that counts. I was nervous. When school began, I really missed my mom. Because she was a teacher, she had to stay late every day while I waited in After Care. For about the first six weeks, I did not talk to anyone. Some of the teachers and assistants tried to make me feel better, but nothing worked. One day at recess, these two girls from my class, Sara and Nicolette, walked up to me. “Hello!” they said happily. “Would you like to play with us?” A simple few words from them made all the difference to me. Throughout the year, they started introducing me to their friends, and I met more and more people. By the second year, I had more friends than I could count! These days, people see me as one of the friendliest people they know. This experience helped me to be friendly.
Attending a private school for the first time also made me a more ambitious person. After I started speaking to everyone, the teachers saw that I had potential in certain areas. They would encourage me to try out for different things, to expand my horizons, so to speak. Within the two years I studied there, I ended up earning quite a few awards and having great experiences. Dancing became one of my passions, and I received the certificate for Most Improved Dancer. I also started choir, piano, and art, all of which I deeply enjoyed and excelled at. I even took up Mandarin! In 5th Grade, my essay was chosen in an essay competition to be read at the end of a special program in our grade. I got to read it in front of the whole elementary school! I had changed from this shy girl who could barely talk to the student right next to me, to a public speaker. This has stuck with me through the years, as I try my best in every activity I take part in, and truly enjoy public speaking. Going to this school helped me to become ambitious.
Now, instead of cowering into class, I walked in with a smile on my face. This was because I knew the worst was behind me. I knew that with my new friends and new opportunities, each day could be a brand new adventure. I have a beautiful family to encourage me, and a heart full of hope to keep me going. With this excitement for life, I have pursued the things that I love to do. One of them is helping to lead the music at my homeschool drama class. I instruct on the various harmonies and parts, and I have written a couple of songs for them, too. I also sing for the Children’s Ministry at my church and participate in community service activities with my youth group. I will also be continuing my piano classes and starting dance again soon. Becoming more excited about life was one of the results this experience afforded me.
In conclusion, this experience transformed me into a more friendly, ambitious, and eager person. I never asked for all these blessings. I never predicted that I would be transformed into a different person by the conclusion of my years there. But I know how it all happened. I know why it all happened. I believe God was watching over me the whole time, and he was changing me into the person I am supposed to be. Because of all this, I know He will use me for great things. So, I am going to keep a smile on my face and joy in my heart. Jeremiah 29:11 “’For I know the plans I have for you’ says the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you, and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.”