Sunday, May 6, 2018

For the first time in a long time I can finally blog a post that has good news in it! For the first time in a long time the weight on my heart and spirit has been lifted. It is finally May and Spring has finally decided to arrive here in Chicago. The actual Spring in the air has ushered in with it Spring to my heart. I had posted last week that I had two job interviews and had received offers to teach at both of those schools. I had also mentioned that I had hoped to maybe have one more interview. I got an email asking me to come in Wednesday to have that interview. I have to tell you that I had convinced myself that this probably wasn't going to go well. I mean I had had two successful interviews and 3 for 3 was pretty far fetching. This particular school is pretty big. It's fairly new compared to most Christian schools in the city and its teaching methods would be considered a little more cutting edge than other places I have taught. I loved the idea of working there because to be honest my own teaching style has shifted a bit from my beginning teaching methods. The way I used to teach and how I thought a classroom should look like has changed over the years. This year only confirmed my change of teaching style as the students I had needed more than my introduction and worksheets. They needed activities and games and play! Sure it's easier to have them do a couple of worksheets and call it teaching, but it's not! It was more work on me, but my kids have been so successful this year and it's because I knew that something different had to be done. Ok, did not mean to go on that rant. So, this school doesn't really do any worksheets in preschool 😊. I was feeling less than adequate to interview there and I actually believed that it was a pity interview because my husband kind of knows someone over there. When the Christian school principals have their meeting they meet at this school and so Jeremy had met the principal. So, let's just say that I wasn't expecting anything to go beyond the interview. We get to the school and I am blown away at the facility. I meet with the principal and another leader of the school. The first thing she says to me is that she has been praying for my family. It's a small circle we run in, so she knew some of the struggles we have been going through. She prayed over me and told me that she heard something the other day about when going through difficult times we just have to cling to the cross and that made her think of my family. Have I mentioned that I had never spoken to this lady in my life? I was overwhelmed by the care she had for us. We talked for a while and she wished she had something to offer me, but the only position she had open was 3rd grade and well 2nd is as high as I would want to teach. She mentioned that she might have some assistant teacher openings and I reassured her that I would work in any capacity. It does not hurt my pride not to be a lead. I firmly felt this because I had felt the Lord's confirmation that this place was the best option for my girls. We have decided to keep Chloe in 5th grade next year. I know I have mentioned that we have considered this many times. The Lord has also softened her heart to the idea and this will be a fresh start for all of us.The school is so amazing and I truly believe this is the place that can help her! Jeremy was with me so we toured the school and talked and I cannot even tell you how it seemed God had ordained this meeting. We left there and I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I told Jeremy that I might decline the other offers and have faith that something would open up before next school year.
Well, Thursday night I got an email that a position would be opening up in the preschool! I will be a teacher's assistant until November and then be the lead as that teacher takes a leave of absence. I absolutely love this scenario. It gives me several months to learn how things run at the school and learn from the other teacher before I have to take the lead. I read the email and I was trying to play it all cool and not respond right then saying "YES!", so I waited like 20 minutes to respond and I was just so in awe of how God worked this out. Friday I got an email about a teacher conference over the summer and I was way too excited about spending a few days of my summer going to a training, but it meant that I was already in their employment system. I got an another email walking me through registering the girls and their kindness and helpfulness has been so encouraging.
Many have asked about Jeremy and his job situation. He has requested that I do not put all of his life on my blog 😏, but the Lord has been faithful and has opened up something for the remainder of the school year that pays more than what he was making, offers insurance, and does not require him to attend a million pointless meetings (translation= we get to eat dinner as a family now). The Lord is working and stirring hearts and we know that God has great things in store. I will share more about some things things I have been thinking about and how it relates to what God has taught me the last year, but that will have to wait for a few more weeks. I am truly thankful for the love and prayers that have surrounded our family. I have been overwhelmed at how many have wept with us and now are rejoicing with me as God has opened up a new door for me. I am thankful that I have so many examples to point back to show my children what it really means to be part of the body of Christ. What is looks like to be part of a family all working together for God's Kingdom!