Hello and So Long ...

In this past year, I have witness the powers of trials turn into blessings. I think that sometimes we believe that just because we think we need something, we should get it. Sometimes we do, and sometimes it is just not meant to be. We might even question why things did not work out, only to find out later that something even better is around the corner. I am just so glad that God can see the bigger picture, and I cannot. Last year, I spent a year substituting because I could not find a job in education. I thought I was too good for this. I have a Masters in School Counseling for crying out loud. There was no jobs to be found and I had to retake my Praxis tests in order to get certified in Alabama (If you ever want to move to Alabama to teach, please contact me so I can tell you exactly how to do this, hopefully without the frustration). I jumped through all the hoops finally got my certification in School Counseling and Elementary Education, and landed a substitute job with the principal that I wanted to work for anyway. I had prayed to work at this school, but substituting as a collaborative teacher was not what I had in mind. It was a job still. I liked the school, the teachers, the administration, and the students, and the money was useful. I was lucky to have a job even when there were a lot out of work. I can remember one day in particular, I was mentally sulking. God whispered in ear, "If you will trust Me, I will take care of you." This brought a lot of comfort and helped me get through not only that day, but the year as well. After talking with another substitute, she mentioned that there were two counselors expecting babies, and they might hire me as their long-term substitute. I contacted the principals, and sure enough they did hire me. The best thing was that as one long-term ended another began. It was wonderful! I had enough long-term jobs to last me all year. I did not have to worry about a paycheck. No, the paycheck was not like I had the year before, but it was money and it help pay the bills, especially since I had not sold my house in Mississippi. Yes, we had two mortgages and some months were not fun at all, but we made it through by the grace of God.

I said all of this to say this. I got a job for this school year as a 7th grade counselor for the principal that I wanted to work for in the first place as well as the school that I wanted to work with. I am just amazed at how God works. Not only am a 7th grade counselor, but I already have worked with most of the students that I will have this year. I am very excited, and know that I have been blessed beyond means.

Also, we sold my house in Mississippi. I had it on the market for 1 1/2 years, and this is the only offer that we have ever received. I don't know why this happened, but we are ecstatic!

This is also bittersweet for me because I bought this house all by myself as a single woman. This is the house where I dreamed of being married and having babies in the future. The house where my cooking really took off as well as my love for gardening. Where sweet friends came to paint and almost lost their eyebrows. The house where Tootsie chewed off all the corners of the windows in my living room and dining room, and Ken fixed later on. Where I learned to live with some one again even if that someone was my sister. Where I learned to take apart and clean out a dryer. Where I spent long hours receiving my Masters in School Counseling. Where I learned to live being single, but also fell in love with my husband. Where the first time we kissed in front of the fireplace, that was also lit for the first time. Where I learned to be neighborly. I learned to push mow the grass again. Where I made friends and walked at least twice a day with them. Where I had my first Christmas tree even if it was meant to go outside. Where I once help host a shower of about 40 people or more. It was packed. Where I waxed my sisters legs and enjoyed every scream from her mouth. (There is still wax on my kitchen floor from that. She asked me to do it. I thought, yes, I will for all those times you told on me as a child.) There are so many memories in that house, and I am very thankful for it. I grew into my mid 20's in this house to become the woman in her late 20's that I am today. This is a part of my life that I am happy that happened, even if I was trying to speed it along.

I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us this next year.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11