Summer is fast approaching. Next week will be my last week of school at Cary Christian. I think I might actually miss the kids even the little troublemakers! But, then again...I think a break is needed.

This past week my desk was covered with birthday cards from my students... for your entertainment, here's a sampling of their kind words (with their spelling & punctuation):

"Happy birthday Miss Coda! I love you! You are a great teacher. My dearest teacher, your hair is pretty." [obviously from a little girl]

"Happy Birthday Miss Coda!!!! Thank you for grading our paper's."
[I guess he was pleased with his grades this quarter]

"Dear Miss Coda, you're the best asistint teacher in the world!!"

"...I love it when you read The Chronicles of Narnia"
[You can really only get the full effect by seeing the card - accompanied by pictures from The Magician's Nephew and the Last Battle, labeling each character.]

"Happy Berbay, Top seacret"
[this one is written in code, I have not yet deciphered it]

"You are cool i'm wishing you a happy birthday"
[one of about 5 cards from this little fellow who reminds us of Eddie Haskell]

"...I hope you get good presents."

Then there was Jay...
"Miss Coda, I didn't make you a card, so here, you can have the Lesson 23 word search."
"Thanks Jay!"
"...and there's something inside"
A coupon fell out: "Free Trip to Wacky Land!"
It doesn't get much better than that, folks.

Oh, wait...maybe it does... I opened Sean's card:
"Happy Birthday!!!! Free trip to the home of Seanseans Island Banawnawn in....
Please read backwards below
dnal ykcaW"

Like I said, I think I might miss them this summer!

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Joseph Hart, William Walker

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

Jeremy Riddle, Sweetly Broken