Ten Year Anniversary Eve

On the eve of this tenth year anniversary, I can't help but remember, reflect and reminiscence.

This night ten years ago, I had no inkling of what the following day would bring and how my life path would forever be altered. You wouldn't think that such a seemingly small and insignificant change (to some people) would bring about such a change for the future.

Because of my age ten years ago, I don't remember all the hairy, gritty, nasty details. The Lord preserved me from that; I haven't had to deal and work through the bitterness and other struggles those I love have had to. That's not saying, I wasn't touched or left unscathed. I've had my own personal battles to overcome because of those first thirteen years of my life, yet I look back and I see the Lord's hand of preservation on my life. Those were not the struggles and battles I needed to fight or be aware of, and the Lord preserved me from noticing it all and letting it effect me.

I was sitting/sleeping in the same bed and in the same room I'm currently typing this post in. I don't even remember the preparation for the next day; in my mind, it was just going to be like all the other Sunday's of my life--I was dreading the long day and waiting for the day to be over even before it started. Whereas tonight, I spent my evening being convicted and blessed through a night of Bible study and prayer with my church family which I looked forward to all day.

That evening ten years ago, I had no purpose or direction in my life. None existed. Those were the years when I had one all consuming focus, and it wasn't serving and glorifying God with my life, and it didn't include any goals to achieve my focus. Tonight, I have a purpose and direction for my life. I'm a month away from moving away and out on my own to serve the Lord in a secular work place where the Lord has given me a burden to minister and build relationships. I have a life statement and purpose which I had never crossed my mind ten years ago.

As I sit here tonight remembering, reflecting, and reminiscing, I wouldn't change those first thirteen years no matter the hardships I faced, the trials and struggles which I went through because of that experience. I wouldn't change these past ten ones with all of the awkwardness I faced for the next five years (at least) as I started to learn who I was and what God's purpose and desire for my life was and for the past four-five years as I've been through another set of experiences. Through all the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the pros and cons, I've been molded and I'm being molded into Christ's image. The great thing about my molding is it's never done. I know these next ten years will bring with them their own set of hardships and experiences, and they'll all be tailored to mold me more in Christ's image and for His glory.  

The Job Offer

169 applications.

1 job fair.

5 call backs.

5 interviews.

1 job offer.

On Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 around 4:30 in the afternoon, I received a call from a man named Dave who offered me a full time teaching position as a 4th and 5th grade looping teaching in northern WI.

I, without a moment of hesitation, accepted.

It felt good to finally be wanted by a school district and shown that I had something to offer and add to their district. I loved finally be able to call my family and friends and share with them the exciting news. It was bittersweet telling my church family as I will miss them so much, yet I'm thrilled about the opportunity to join with another church family and build more relationships. It BROKE my heart to tell my Little Sister the news; I've been praying that we really will stay in contact as we move apart in physical distance.

The shock is starting to wear off, and reality, thankfully, is starting to come back. I spent the evening looking at apartments and starting to make lists of house things I need to buy. Maybe by the end of the weekend, I'll be able to start thinking about what I'll need to prep for teaching or start doing in-depth research on 4th-5th grade Common Core.

My job hunt is over, and I couldn't be more happy and content with how God worked it all out.

I'm Tired

I'm tired of my job hunt.

I'm tired of submitting application after application and rarely hearing anything back.

I'm tired of writing cover letters.

I'm tired of logging on to WECAN. Very tired.

I'm tired of interviews and all the questions.

I'm tired of my nervousness.

I'm tired of waiting around for a phone call.

I'm tired of another minute, hour, day passing without hearing back from an interview.

I'm tired of waiting


waiting




waiting









waiting . . .

Summer Time

Ahhh summer, you've arrived, and you've made me absolutely happy.

Since Thursday, I've spent most of my time reading and sleeping. R presented me with a new series, and I've been reading through them voraciously. This series is about a family who has eight children--four girls and four boys. They're nothing like my family, but once and a while something happens that reminds me of my family, and it's made the series all more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, though, the series is highly enjoyable in itself--all eight books. I started the series last Saturday, and today I started number seven. Hmm, it definitely is summer.

I know it's summer because I've started making my summer reading list. Not sure what I'll end up reading this summer, but it's going to be a great summer of reading. I've been keeping track of the new books I've read this year in the reading journal I received from Jessica--maybe I'll keep you posted on the books I read this summer.

Even though I can see this summer going in multiple directions, I know it's going to be awfully enjoyable.

A Nervous Ball of Energy

I am currently doing everything in my power to not think about my job interview in four hours. This has been the oddest yet a great week. Let me tell you about my this past week.

Sunday: After having traveled 9.5 hours on Saturday (we left at 5 AM, and I was up at 3:30) and then talking and catching up with relatives for another 7 hours, I was finally able to go to sleep. I awoke much more refreshed and ready to commence on the awfully long day that goes along with two funeral viewing times.

I spent the morning furiously writing. I was sitting there in a place I didn't want to be, and I was upset about it. My mind needed a break from all the thoughts, so I spent the next hour writing them all down. I felt much better after that.

The afternoon was spent in the funeral home talking with my cousins as person after person came to pay their respects to my Grandma, and we didn't know person after person walking into the funeral home. The great thing about funerals is all the family getting together and spending time catching up. The hours of 3-5 and 7-9 moved along so incredibly slow. Finally, it was time for us to leave. We all needed ice cream after that ordeal, so we headed to Cold-stone with my cousin Dan, his girlfriend Alyssa, and their adorable daughter Mia. As our souls were soothed by ice cream (and peanut butter for me), we all commented that this was exactly what we needed. I was reminded of my Pappy and his utter love of ice cream, and it made me miss him even more.

Monday: The funeral service for my Grandma. I hadn't cried much during the viewing, but I couldn't stop crying during the processional into the service--especially when I saw Helga. I was okay during the service until my Dad, two of his sisters, and my cousin with the same name talked about Grandma. In each and everyone of their speeches, the tears were rolling down my cheeks.

Driving to the graveside: It's fun being part of the funeral procession and running red lights and stop signs :). We also drove 40 on the highway which was marked at 65. Then it was lunch time where we spent more time with all of our family and relatives.

After everyone one packed up, we (R, P, and I) drove through the night to come home to WI arriving at 2 Tuesday morning.

Tuesday: I didn't go into school because I needed a day of rest. Since Thursday was going to be my last day, I knew I needed to continue submitting more job applications. I had worked on some applications and questions on the drive home, and I just needed to upload them. This was about 10 in the morning.

11:30, RUSD called me back to reschedule the interview which had been originally scheduled for Monday, Grandma's funeral. We scheduled it for Monday at 11:00. Hopefully, I'll be able to make this one.

1:15, I receive a call from one of the school's I had submitted an application to 3 hours earlier--PES. They wanted to set up an interview for Wednesday. I jumped at the opportunity, and set the time for 5:30 the next day. I was thrown for a loop that they looked at my application and wanted to set up an interview right away.

Wednesday: It was the last full day of school. The day was spent mainly playing games and cleaning our classroom. I didn't provide any instruction to my students. While cleaning, I kept prepping my interview responses for later that day, and then I was filling my coworker in on my weekend and my upcoming interview.

5:30 my interview starts. It went incredibly better than my first interview that I had a couple of weeks ago. I met with the principal, RB, until 6:10. My answers were clear with plenty of good examples, and I was relaxed and comfortable talking to the principal. I left thinking it went well and wondering if I would maybe get called back for a second interview as he had asked me what my schedule would be like Friday and beyond.

Thursday: Last day of school. Last day of student teaching. Last day of being a student. It was--I wonder which word I will use, oh wait the one that I've been using at every ending point for the past year--bittersweet. Around 11:00, my cooperating teacher pulls me from the classroom I was assisting in. JS explains that the principal from PES called JB (DES's principal). JB had been out of the office, so RB had left a message. JB wanted JS to be in the room when JB called RB back. I needed to wait with one of our students in our classroom. I anxiously waited trying to compose some emails and wondering what would happen next in my life. JS, finally, walks; she's super excited waving RB's phone number, and telling me that I was supposed to call and set up a time for a second interview.

I said goodbye to my students at 11:20 and at 11:30, the students were gone. I was a little surprised how many students were crying--they were incredibly heart-broken that the school year was finished.

I called RB, and we set up an interview time for today at 12:30 until 2. They will tell me some specific district/contract information at the beginning. I will then receive a box of materials, and I'll have 20 minutes to prepare a literacy lesson. I will then teach the literacy lesson to a 3rd grade teacher, a 4th grade teacher, the literacy coach, and the principal. After my lesson, I will be given a tour of the school.

Ever since I ended the conversation, I've been completely freaking out. There's no way to prepare for this interview, and that is just killing me. Besides not being able to prepare, my mind started racing thinking of all the possibilities and going through all the "What if . . .'s" Since then, I've been distracting myself and keeping my mind busy with other work, so I don't focus on it. I was also extremely exhilarated that I was done, done, done, done, done. (See previous post)

I went to the library, read, prayed, watched a movie, had dinner, prayed, cleaned, prayed, talked with some people, wrote, read some more, prayed, and finally slept.

Friday: Now I only have three hours until the interview, but I'm still keeping my mind distracted and away from thinking about the interview. I'm a nervous ball of energy as I occupy my mind so I don't focus on this job interview and the possible outcome while still trying to prepare mentally. Pretty sure, I've never been more nervous, excited, and confused. It's been an absolutely crazy week, and it's not even done yet.  

"That's a Wrap"

Yup, I finished my student teaching today. I am done, done, done, done, done, done, done, done.