She greeted her students; they came with bright, shiny faces, eager for the adventure of learning. One thing she liked about kindergarteners and the early grades was that learning mesmerized the students. Their minds were sponges eager to soak up knowledge, and they were anxious to please their parents and teacher. Her life finally seemed to make sense. The students were a constant source of joy and surprise, and teaching them was what God had created her to do. Teaching had always been a source of delight, but now it was a source of meaning and fulfillment. God was blessing her abundantly. Over the several weeks since her coming to Ecuador, she and Matthew had become good friends and, as he had hoped, they were more. Cate had not wanted, nor had she expected to feel anything other than friendship for Matthew. However, proximity conspired against her. She loved talking with Matthew. He challenged her both professionally and spiritually, encouraging her in everything she did. He was her biggest cheerleader and she found herself responding to his sincere feelings.
