An "Official" Ending for a NEW Beginning!

I would definitely have to say that this week has truly been one of the hardest, yet one of the most exciting weeks of my life. God has truly been holding my hand all the way through the tiny baby steps to the giant leap I finally made on Tuesday. For several months now, I have been sensing that God had a change in store for my life. Many of those signs were very painful for me and yes, I tried to ignore many of them. Yet I truly believe that they were all just preparing my heart for what was to transpire. For the past nine years, I have been blessed to be provided the opportunity to have approximately 350 precious nine year old children call me their teacher, I have formed life-long friendships with the most AMAZING people, I have truly felt like a member of many different families, I have traveled countless miles, I have worked endless hours past three, I have cried enough tears of happiness and sorrow to form a lake, I have learned how to stand up for what I believe in, I have had the MOST AMAZING volunteers,I have had the MOST AMAZING experiences, and boy have I grown-up a lot!!!!!!

I have known for a couple of years that a brand-new elementary school was being built about two miles from our home and that it would be set to open the year Carson started kindergarten. I have struggled for some time with what would be best for my family instead of what would be best for me. After many conversations with God and with me truly watching for God, it was made clear to me as to what I should do. I realized I should find a way to provide Carson the opportunity to be able to go to school in the community in which he lives, not one that is thirty minutes away. I knew in the back of my mind that the ONLY way that would be possible, would be for me to try to pursue employment at that school. As a mother, I could not expect nor would I allow someone else to take my child to school each day and be responsible for picking him up. With me being thirty minutes away, there was ABSOLUTELY NO way I would be part of his daily school endeavors. So, I took baby steps at first. I followed all policies for my school and district. I then contacted the principal of the new school and remained in contact for several weeks. And I prayed! I waited! And I prayed! I sought out assistance from one of the most amazing former-principals and personnel directors ever! And I prayed! Finally, the inevitable occurred - - - I received my contract. So, now I panicked! And I prayed! I asked for and received a brief extension on my contract and breathed a little easier. And I prayed! Finally, I was told on the morning when contracts were originally due that I had to turn mine in that day!!! I no longer had the two week extension, I didn't even have a full day to make my decision. And I hadn't heard back from the principal from an email I sent him over a week ago. So, I prayed and watched for God. Less than an hour later, I received an email from Kelli telling me that there has been approval for the principal to hire two new teachers. I spoke with the principal and set up a district interview for the very next day. I then decided to take a HUGE leap of faith and turn in an unsigned contract. I turned it all over to Him! The next day, I was offered a position at THE school, the one two miles from my house, the brand-new school Carson will call his OWN!

As the next eight weeks or so draw to a close I know I will feel extreme sadness and happiness all at the same time. I am confident that I have made the right decision for my family and for me. God has continued to show me that even in the last two days!

I pray that my new journey will be as AMAZING as my current one...