Roller Coaster Rides

Roller coasters have been a frequent topic of conversation in our house lately.  Last week, Matt joined Carson on her 6^th grade end-of-the- year trip to Carowinds.  Two days later, Zane was also able to visit the same amusement park.  (For those of you who haven’t heard of it, Carowinds is an amusement park in Charlotte, NC—not too far from us.)  The biggest attraction at Carowinds right now is their new roller coaster called The Fury.  It is an incredible ride—billed as the world’s tallest and fastest coaster.  (If you are really interested, you can search for videos online to see for yourself.)

Personally, I love roller coasters!  I LOVED going to Six Flags as a teenager and riding anything and everything.  As an adult, we’ve just never really gone to an amusement park. I’ve never really thought about why, but now I think I know.  Matt hates them.  He went with Carson on this trip, and the most daring thing they rode was 2 kiddie roller coasters.  He also enjoyed riding the carousel. Apparently, roller coasters are just not his thing, and although Carson looks just like me, she gets this same trait from him.  Zane, on the other hand, is my coaster lovin’ child.  He got to Carowinds and the very first thing he did was ride the world’s tallest and fastest coaster—The Fury.  That’s my boy!!

Well, I didn’t get to go to Carowinds this past week, but I had a roller coaster experience of my own.  It was called “The Last Day of School”.  I’m really not sure that I can adequately express all that I felt, but I’m going to try.  It is the end of the school year.  I am exhausted.  It is so nice to spend this weekend NOT doing lesson plans.  These past couple of days have been spent working in an empty classroom.  I love the quiet, yet I miss the conversations and the laughter that comes when the students change classes.  

Yesterday morning we had our awards program.  Afterwards, my 7^th graders came to me to get their report cards and then….that’s it.  They are off for the summer.  Did I tell them everything I should have?  Not about science or math, but about God, about life.  

Then there were others that I know will not be back next year.  Did I give them anything that will last a lifetime?  

Then there are the seniors.  Graduation was last night.  You would have thought my very own children were graduating.  I was prepared with many tissues.  I can’t help it.  I love these students!  As annoying and trying as some of them can be sometimes, I love them!  

So, I’ve been on this “HAPPY, sad, ENERGETIC, tired” roller coaster over the past few days.  When all is said and done, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  God has graciously given me the desires of my heart, and I am working my dream job.  Really.  

I’m so thankful for the lessons learned, and that I can rely on God for the strength and wisdom needed for this ministry of teaching.  I’ll enjoy my couple of months of down time, but I’m already thinking about next year and the next thrilling roller coaster ride.

Climb Every Mountain

Although I’ve been out of school for a month now, I’m just now getting to spend a few weeks at home.  We have had some amazing opportunities to travel over the past month!  Part of my travels included flying to Reno, NV for a few days while Matt was in school there.  

Our 17th anniversary fell on the weekend of his 2 week class, so we planned a trip to San Francisco for that weekend.  Neither one of us had ever been there, so we tried to fit as much as possible into this short amount of time.  One of the things we did was to visit the Muir Woods National Monument.  Muir Woods contains a Redwood Forest.  We rode a bus up a long winding road to the park.  When we arrived, we were excited to walk through the forest and see those historic trees.  We had not planned on any “real” hiking, just walking through the main part of the park….THEN, Matt saw a sign that said “Ocean View Trail - 1.7 miles”.  Ocean!  The Pacific Ocean!  Well, we hadn’t really seen it yet….  I was hesitant.  I didn’t really want to hike 1.7 miles up a mountain and back, but….if there was a view of the ocean, it might be worth it.  So, off we went.  

The first thing we encountered was a flight of stairs that rivaled any flight of stairs from The Wilds.  I thought, “I can do this….I’ve been to The Wilds lots of times…”  After the stairs, the trail narrowed.  It was basically one lane...if you met someone coming down, you had to lay against the side of the mountain so that they could pass without falling off the trail.  The path was rutted and full of tree roots.  Have I mentioned that it was steep?  At one point, Matt kicked a rock off the trail and I never heard it hit bottom.  The sound just faded away as it continued to fall down the mountain.  I had to pay close attention to each step so that I wouldn’t fall into the tops of the Redwoods as we climbed.  It was a steady incline all the way, and after a while my legs were like jelly.  I tried to take my mind off how miserable I was by praying, and by imagining what that ocean view would be like.  

Obviously, we were high up on a mountain, so I didn’t expect to be at the beach, but I did imagine that we would be seeing waves crash against a rocky shore from our high vantage point.  We continued up, one step at a time, for what seemed like forever.  There was no place to stop and rest, then finally we came to a small clearing where there was a bench.  As I sat there resting, we contemplated where to go.  Now there were 3 trails, and only one of them was marked.  It was called “Lost Trail”.  Well, that didn’t sound very promising, so that left 2 other options.  As we sat there, hikers began to arrive from each of the 3 trails.  A lady who had just come from the Lost Trail asked the others, “Did you see an ocean up there?”  The others who came down from the other trails all shook their heads--”No ocean view”.  Seriously?!?!?  I have come all this way and there is no ocean view!!  I looked at Matt, and said, “I’m done.  We can go back now.”  

He insisted that if we had come this far, we might as well finish, so we continued.  The next part of the trail got really steep again, and for a minute I really thought he might just have to leave me on the side of the mountain. :)  We FINALLY reached the top, and it was an amazing view, but it was NOT an ocean view.  We continued to follow the trail around, it changed from rutted and full of roots to a smoother trail through tall grass….for a little while anyway.  As we started down the mountain, the trail was still narrow, but the ruts and roots returned.  I still had to pay close attention to my steps, but downhill FELT so much better.  When all was said and done, we hiked 4.5 miles round trip.  

As miserable as I was during parts of that hike, I was so glad that I continued on and finished it.  We have had lots of fun joking about it, and I am glad that I can say that I did it.  I’ve been thinking a lot about the experience, and I’ve thought about how it parallels my Christian life.  There are many times that my way takes an unexpected turn, and sometimes the way is hard.  As I walk, I have to pay careful attention to my steps to make sure that I stay on the path and to prevent stumbling.  Even when the way gets easier, I still have to pay close attention so that I don’t get off the trail or fall.  I need to be in constant prayer for guidance - no matter how difficult the path.  And in those moments when I don’t think that I can go another step, God gives me the strength to keep going.  It is my tendency to “imagine” the view that God has for me at certain points along the way.  What happens when it is very different from my expectation?  Do I get mad? or Do I thank God for what He has chosen for me?  I take comfort in verses like:

As for God, His way is perfect:  the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.  - Psalm 18:30

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in His way. - Psalm 37:23

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. - Job 29:11

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. - Isaiah 55:8

I am truly thankful for the experience and for the spiritual reminder as well.  When mountain climbing opportunities come your way, whether literally or figuratively, embrace it!  Be thankful for it.  You’ll be glad you did!

Identify Yourself

Well, it's been a super-long time since I posted anything.  This school year has kept me extremely busy....  I've been teaching mostly new classes which required lots and lots of work outside the classroom.  Of course, that leaves pretty much no time for writing blog posts.  BTW.... I still absolutely LOVE teaching, and am still pinching myself that I actually get to do it!

At our school, each homeroom class in the 7-12 grades is assigned a chapel day.  It is our job as a class to conduct chapel from start to finish.  I am the 7th grade homeroom teacher, and because the 7th graders are all new to this, we are assigned a date later in the school year.  For months, I had been thinking and praying about what we ought to do.  A few weeks ago, I got my answer.  Our adult SS class was studying evidences of the Christian life at the very same time that I was teaching early church history in my World History class.  All of what I was hearing and studying during that time came together to produce my theme for my class chapel.  
Instead of stressing out a 7th grader and having one preach before the rest of the high school, I decided to write something that the class could present as a group.  Here is the message we presented in chapel this past Thursday...

As we go about our daily lives, we usually look at people and make assumptions about them based on the things we can see outwardly – dress, actions, the places they go, their friends, their priorities…

What do people see when they see you?  What message do you send?

The Bible tells us that when you accept Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in you.  The presence of the Holy Spirit should be seen because of outward evidences in your life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

You are made new!

One who has accepted Christ as Savior, is generally referred to as a “Christian”.  Do you know what “Christian” means?  It means “little Christ”.  Are you a “little Christ”?

In the early days of the church, those who followed Christ were very different from the other religious people in the culture of the day – the Roman Empire.  Because of persecution in Jerusalem, the Jews were being scattered to other parts of the Empire.  These followers of Christ were so different, that the local people in Antioch gave them their own name – Christians. 

Isn’t it interesting that the non-believers of the day looked at those who claimed to follow Christ and said, “These people are ‘little Christs’. Let’s call them Christians.”

Are you a Christian?  Would the people in Antioch have called you “little Christ”?

One of the most dramatic conversions recorded in Scripture is that of the Apostle Paul, formerly called Saul.

We first see Saul standing by watching Stephen, the first martyr, being stoned.  Acts chapters 7-9 tell the story,

the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet named Saul….and Saul was consenting unto his death.

And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest.  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,

 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord?

And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.  And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias.

And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

What a miraculous transformation!

If you’ve been saved, you’ve experienced a miraculous transformation, too!

We have all been born in sin.  Accepting God’s free gift of salvation, and being clothed in His righteousness is miraculous!

Have you been transformed?  What are people seeing when they see you?

Identify yourself!

Just DO it!

No, this is not about Nike…  J

Recently, I was reading one of my favorites--Philippians 4.  Something new jumped out at me.  I love it when that happens!  It was verse 9:  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO:  and the God of peace shall be with you. 

One simple word.  Just two letters.  Do.

What are we supposed to do?

Those things that we have learned, and received, and heard from Paul

 For the believers at Philippi, this would have included their personal experiences with Paul’s ministry.  We, too, are benefitting from Paul’s earthly ministry through his writing.  (That’s kinda cool to think about, isn’t it?  As a matter of fact, I never really thought about it like that until just now.  Gives me chills!)

There is so much to learn from just this book alone!  I just want to focus on Chapter 4 for a minute.

I tend to skim over these first three verses because they deal with specific people at the church of Philippi; however, we should use these as a pattern for our own relationships now.

Verse 1 – He encouraged believers to stand fast in the Lord.

Verse 2 – He encouraged unity in the Lord.

Verse 3 – Help fellowlaborers in the gospel.

Here is where we tend to start paying attention:

Verse 4 – Rejoice in the Lord….always.

Verse 5 – Let your moderation be known unto all men….in other words, Be reasonable!

Verse 6 – Be anxious for nothing.  Make your requests known unto God by prayer and supplication.

Verse 8 – Think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report.

Then we come to verse 9…..

Do these things!  And when you do, the God of peace will be with you. 

Verse 7 details more about this peace from God – And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Now let’s face it.  That’s a pretty overwhelming To Do list, isn’t it?

I love a good To Do list…especially when I can check off lots of stuff!  (Shhh….Sometimes, I even put things I’ve already done on my list just so that I can check it off.   Admit it. Some of you have, too! )

I had to ask myself.  How many of these things can I check off?  Honestly?

In reality, most of my stress or anxiousness in life comes when my heart and mind are not focused on Christ.  Verse 7 tells me that if I will DO these things, a peace that defies understanding will keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.  How wonderful is that?!

The results sound wonderful, but how in the world can I accomplish such a To Do list?

The answer is waiting in verse 13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

What a promise!

I am constantly trying to DO.  The lists are endless!  As much accomplishment as I feel when I complete my lists, I will only experience true peace when I work on my spiritual To Do list.

Don’t be overwhelmed.  Start on this list….all your others may just fall into place.

Go ahead.  Just Do it!

Back to the Blog!

....for the summer, at least! 

Wow!  When I posted about my new teaching job, I knew that I probably wouldn't have much time to update the blog.  Boy, was I right!! 

I just wanted to give a quick update on my school year.  I am still rejoicing at the opportunity God has given me to minister to high school students.  There were many days that I would just look around and have to pinch myself.  :)  I love teaching!  Yes, I am exhausted.  I am so sleep deprived that I compare it to when my kids were 5, 2, and newborn.  Figuratively, I feel like that I have been barely treading water while gasping for air since August.  I am so ready for a chance to actually plan a little bit before school begins again.  While I welcome my first summer at home EVER (as a wife/mom), I am looking forward to beginning again.

Words can't really describe all that I have learned and experienced during this school year.  My heart is even more burdened for my students.  I pray for them.  I desperately want them to see and know God in a very real and personal way.

My "race" has taken a really sharp turn in the past few months.  We went from part-time working mom and police officer dad working 12 hour swing shifts to full-time teacher mom, and dad with a new job and normal schedule.  These changes have all been gracious answers to prayer.  Each new situation brings new people for us to impact for Christ.  We are so thankful for God's leading and provision in our lives. 

I look forward to sharing more thoughts throughout the summer.  The next post is already "brewing".  I treasure the extra time to read/meditate/study God's Word.

Zane's story

I wrote the following story two years ago.  I found it tonight - Zane's 12th birthday.  If you know the story of Zane's birth, I'm sorry for bombarding you with it again.  I just love to rejoice over what God has done for me and the blessing that is Zane.

Ten years later…

 A child’s birthday.  For a parent it is typically a very happy occasion remembering with fondness that wonderful day your baby was born.   (At least I’m assuming that’s what a parent would typically be thinking.)

Each year, on Zane’s birthday, I experience such a complex mixture of emotions.  I have so much fun planning and trying to make the day special.  Overall, it’s a fun time…BUT then I also remember the circumstances surrounding his birth, the things I felt physically and emotionally, the lessons I learned spiritually, and the people that I shared these things with us.

At my regular check-up (at about 28 weeks), my blood pressure was a little high.  The Dr. that saw me was not my regular Dr.  Mine was out of the country.  Since my blood pressure was high, they had me lie on my left side for 20 minutes, then they checked it again.  The BP had come down some, so they let me go…no special instructions.  They even gave me permission to fly to Kansas 2-3 weeks later, saying that I should be fine.  (When you’ve never been pregnant before, you believe everything the Dr. tells you.  You really have no reason not to.)

I did fly to Kansas.  While I was there, I experienced incredible swelling and really bad back pain—especially my back between my shoulder blades.  My BP was really high, too.  I felt horrible, but I just kept telling myself that it was just because I was pregnant.  My next checkup was scheduled for the Monday after we returned to SC on Saturday, so I figured I would just ask my Dr. about it then.   We flew into Atlanta on Saturday, and drove back to Columbia the same night.  We got home in the wee hours of the morning.  I forced myself to go to church that morning, but I just couldn’t go back that night.  I was miserable. 

Monday I was scheduled to begin teaching a class of new hires at Wachovia’s call center in Columbia.  I wasn’t scheduled to get the class until after lunch.  My Dr’s appointment was around 11am, so I called work and told them that I would be in after my appointment to begin class.

Matt’s sister, Sarah, was living with us at the time.  I asked her if she would go to the Dr. with me just in case something was wrong.  Matt was working. 
At my appointment they did the routine stuff:  urine sample, weigh, take BP.  You know, nurses hardly ever panic, but I knew something was up.  She took by BP twice.  Then she went and got someone else to take my BP.  The next thing I knew, they had me in a room with the blinds closed, the lights off, lying on my left side.  They told me to just relax.  I ask you.   How in the world are you supposed to relax at a time like that??  They still hadn’t told me what my BP was.  (We found out later it was 2??/ 153.)  They kept asking me questions like, “Are you having problems with your vision?”  “Do you have a headache?”  My answers were “No”.  My only complaint was that I generally felt bad, and I still had that pain in my back.

My memory gets a little fuzzy, but somehow Sarah knew to call Matt.  The Dr. came in and told me that I was being admitted to the hospital.   She said that I would be on bed rest until the baby was born.  Matt got to the office, and they let him take me next door to the hospital.  We finally got in a room, and I got hooked up to more IV’s and monitors than you can imagine.  They tried several medicines, but my BP would not come down.  They put me on this torture drug called Magnesium Sulfate….it makes you feel like a blob of jello.  You lose all reflexes.  They did this b/c they thought I was going to have a stroke or go into convulsions and they didn’t want me thrashing around.  Thankfully, neither of those things ever happened.

I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.  Since, nothing was bringing my BP down, they decided that the only option was to deliver the baby.  Usually, once the baby is delivered, your BP returns to normal.  So….around 4:30 that afternoon – at 31 ½ weeks along -  I had an emergency c-section.  I heard him cry, but I couldn’t hold him…I was more critical than he was.  They whisked him away to the NICU.  He weighed 3 lbs.  Again, my memory is a little vague at this point.  Matt was standing at my head during the c-section.  After Zane was delivered, something happened and my heart slowed.  They started squeezing things through my IV.  I just remember opening my eyes and seeing lots of masked faces looking down at me asking me lots of questions.

Next, I remember recovery.  I remember the Neonatologist coming to talk to me.  Mostly, I remember my dear friends Kristen and Kim being there.  (If others reading this were there, I’m sorry…I blame my fuzzy memory on Magnesium Sulfate! J)

At this point, things were so out of my control, that I just did what I was told, trusting my life and my child’s life to God.  I didn’t get put in a regular room right away, but I really didn’t comprehend that.  The Magnesium Sulfate that I was on made me feel like I was crazy, so I was pretty much in another world.  I found out later that I was listed in critical condition for at least a day afterwards.  Even after delivery, my BP was not coming down.  I was eventually put on BP medicine.

Finally on Wed., they took my off the Mag., and Matt got to take me up to the NICU to see Zane.  Up to this point, all I had seen was a Polaroid picture and his tiny footprints.  I was scared!  I really didn’t know what to expect.  Matt assured me that it would be ok.  We got up there, and I really didn’t want to look around at all the babies.  It broke my heart to see all those tiny babies hooked up to all sorts of machines.   Zane was in his isolette.  He was so tiny!  He was hooked up to an IV, a feeding tube, several monitor leads, a pulsox light, etc.  The nurse wrapped him and gave him to me.  I just sat there with tears streaming.  I spoke to him and he immediately turned his head toward my voice…it was amazing!

 
The next few weeks were long and scary.  Every gram gained was a huge milestone.  The threat of infection loomed.  The pages and pages of information about what could possible develop or happen to a preemie was overwhelming.  I felt SO guilty!  If I had not been sick, he wouldn’t have had to be premature.  I spent many hours sitting next to his bed.  Those memories are bittersweet.  I spent a lot of that time praying.  I would also sit there and sing quietly to Zane---mainly to calm my own heart.  Sometimes, when I couldn’t even articulate what I was thinking or feeling, I would just sing.  I probably sang lots of things, but the one I remember most was “My God is Near”.  The chorus says, “When God is near, all the world seems far away.  When God is near, every fear is set aside.  When God is near, how can I stray? How can I falter?  I’ll stay upon the altar.  I know my God is near.”  To this day, I cannot sing that without being taken back to those days next to Zane’s bed in the NICU.

We have some fun memories too.  Every night Matt would tell him a Bible story.  The first one we chose was Zaccheus—because he was a “wee little man” like Zane.  My parents got to come when Zane was about 2 weeks old.  Zane looked extra small next to my Daddy’s giant hands.  We got special permission for Aunt Amy and Aunt Emily to see him…normally just parents and grandparents.  Jed wasn’t old enough…he was only 12.  Amy came and stayed with me for a couple of weeks.  She helped me at home, and drove me back and forth to the hospital.  I was not allowed to drive until 6 weeks after surgery. 

Zane got to come home after 4 weeks.  He did amazingly well.  All those things that could have happened didn’t.  When he came home, he weighed 4lbs 6oz…still very small.  We had a monitor that we had to carry around for a few months.

God taught us so much!  I kept thinking that maybe He chose us to go through that ordeal so that we could help someone else.  I don’t know the mind of God, but I do know that I’ve known several people since then that have experienced to same thing-- Including my dear friend, Kristen, who just 3 years later experienced it times two!

There are so many people who did so much for us during those weeks---I don’t dare start naming them.  You know who you are.  We love you all so very much.  God used our own biological families as well as the family of God to help encourage and sustain us.

I am overwhelmed by God’s love for me and for the sustaining grace He gives during difficult circumstances.  He does give more grace as the burden grows greater---not before, but when.  I have an overactive imagination.  One of the greatest lessons learned is that God gives grace for what IS happening, not what I IMAGINE might happen.

We all experience different things in our lives.  I think a lot of times we are guilty of comparing ourselves and our experiences to others’—ranking them as better or worse than our own.  God has a perfect plan for each of us.  I was created for His glory.  Whatever He allows in my life is for His glory…not to be compared to someone else.

So, ten years later…

Zane begins 5^th grade on Monday.  If he had been born on his due date (Oct 12) he would only be in 4^th grade this year.

Zane is the sweetest, most tender-hearted kid I know.  He was saved when he was 5.  He is sensitive to the Spirit’s working in his life.  He has a heart for souls.  He talks regularly about the possibility of going into a ministry of some kind when he grows up.  As long as he follows God’s leading, I’ll be happy no matter what he does.

He’s a very responsible big brother – adored by Carson and Levi.

I am so thankful that I have such wonderful memories to share with Zane.

 
To God be the Glory!  He has done great things in my life!

My Gift

“God in His love always wills what is best for us.  In His wisdom, He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about.”

I have looked at this quote posted near my computer in the church office for several years…most of the last eight years, in fact.  Today, it came down….along with my kids’ notes and drawings, and my Auburn stuff, and photos….

The quote is true.  It is always encouraging to be reminded of the truth in it.  It is another thing altogether to see it played out in your life in a BIG way.

God, in His love, has chosen to give me my heart’s desire.

Sixteen years ago, I received my teaching degree.  I just assumed that my next stop in life would be school teacher.  God had different plans.  I worked in banking for 8 years – 5 of those years I was a corporate trainer (so I DID teach, just not in the traditional manner).  A lot changed in those 8 years. Having 2 small children made it nearly impossible to continue working until midnight and traveling, so I began praying about what God would have me do.  After several months of praying, God opened the door for me to work a very flexible, part-time schedule as our church’s secretary.  My new schedule allowed me to be at home, with my children more often.  As our family grew, my schedule would change to accommodate.  The job, which was more like a ministry, was ideal for our family.

Fast forward to now.  Another 8 years has passed.  All 3 children attend a Christian school.  God has been faithful to provide tuition all these years.  Over the past year, our job/financial situation changed dramatically.  God is faithful.  He has provided our needs in so many miraculous and unexpected ways.  He has used faithful family and friends to encourage and strengthen us.  My relationship to God has grown stronger – being truly God-dependent has a way of doing that to you.  The latest in the long line of miraculous and unexpected provisions for us is that I have a new job/ministry!  Not just any job…I get to be a teacher…at a school – my children’s school!!  There are too many details to name, but suffice it to say that God’s hand in this couldn’t have been more clear had He written it in the stars!

Today, my stuff came down.  It will get moved to it’s new home in my classroom.  I am so excited!!  Words can’t even describe it, really.  I’m trying not to drive my family crazy when I babble on about all the things I’ve been thinking about and planning.  I have tons to do over the next couple of weeks, and I may not have a chance to post again for a while. 

I just wanted everyone to know about my HUGE answer to prayer.  Honestly, I didn’t know if I would ever get to teach.  I am so thankful for this wonderful gift from God!

“God in His love always wills what is best for us.  In His wisdom, He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about.”