Last week was filled with cleaning out all of the crap I've accumulated and saved over the past 31 years of my life. I would say that saying 31 years is exaggerating, but no, there are books titled, "So, You're Going to Be a Grandmother." Seriously. I even have my first semester freshman year class schedule. Seriously. It was important enough to save the schedule, but not so important to go to class. I'm a winner, what can I say.
Anyway, I've now, with the help from my amazing (there aren't words...really...) roommate, been through every single box, every single piece of clothing, even every necklace that I own. We've weeded out, thrown away, and set aside for a garage sale everything that isn't packed. And, if you know me, you'll be surprised to know that there's more I'm getting rid of than keeping.
God brought people to my impromptu garage sale and I made almost $500. What a blessing!
I've not had a lot of sleep and it's been a long week, but I feel like I'm not behind to get here. I don't know why I continue to be amazed at what an Amazing God I have.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Placing Stones...
As I continued goodbyes today, Lou suggested that I write down some of the God moments on this journey. Here are some...
I have been able to be open with my school and administration upon first sensing this calling. All I have received is affirmation.
I was hired to teach math journeys for the summer, helping me save money for moving expenses.
Knowing that I had obligations in June, I knew that it would have to be a "God thing" to obtain an interview. My interview was scheduled the first day after math journeys ended.
Beth, a friend of a friend, who is a children's minister in Tuscaloosa has been so helpful that there aren't words to describe it. She contacted friends, went through staff lists of every school in Tuscaloosa, drove me around town to see schools, opened her home and the list goes on and on. People who are so helpful make this experience so humbling.
Beth's friend on the school board took my resume to principals for me.
The Sunday before the interview, I had reached a frustration point. I love my life here and was fighting for what I don't even know anything about. After conversations with my roommate and friend, I was praying for discernment regarding the situation. After church, Mary came to me. Acknowledging that she might sound crazy, she shared with me that God had directed her to give me confirmation regarding my decision.
As I drive around town that day, I learn wonderful things about the principal I am interviewing with.
In the interview, I realize that the interviewer is a friend of a friend as well.
I have never been so sure of any decision in my life. I've never had a leading this clear and have never seen God so clearly work. However, I feel more dependant on Him than I ever have in my life. I know that my actions, my life, my work doesn't limit His work, but can limit what He does through me. I am scared to death. I'm scared to start over, scared to screw up, scared to be away from family. I've done it before, but it seems different this time. But, I know and am constantly reminded that He has called me, He has provided and He is able. This is for His glory and He will be glorified through it.
I have been able to be open with my school and administration upon first sensing this calling. All I have received is affirmation.
I was hired to teach math journeys for the summer, helping me save money for moving expenses.
Knowing that I had obligations in June, I knew that it would have to be a "God thing" to obtain an interview. My interview was scheduled the first day after math journeys ended.
Beth, a friend of a friend, who is a children's minister in Tuscaloosa has been so helpful that there aren't words to describe it. She contacted friends, went through staff lists of every school in Tuscaloosa, drove me around town to see schools, opened her home and the list goes on and on. People who are so helpful make this experience so humbling.
Beth's friend on the school board took my resume to principals for me.
The Sunday before the interview, I had reached a frustration point. I love my life here and was fighting for what I don't even know anything about. After conversations with my roommate and friend, I was praying for discernment regarding the situation. After church, Mary came to me. Acknowledging that she might sound crazy, she shared with me that God had directed her to give me confirmation regarding my decision.
As I drive around town that day, I learn wonderful things about the principal I am interviewing with.
In the interview, I realize that the interviewer is a friend of a friend as well.
I have never been so sure of any decision in my life. I've never had a leading this clear and have never seen God so clearly work. However, I feel more dependant on Him than I ever have in my life. I know that my actions, my life, my work doesn't limit His work, but can limit what He does through me. I am scared to death. I'm scared to start over, scared to screw up, scared to be away from family. I've done it before, but it seems different this time. But, I know and am constantly reminded that He has called me, He has provided and He is able. This is for His glory and He will be glorified through it.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
What's Happenin' Willis....
I was offered a job last week as a 4th grade teacher with the Tuscaloosa City School System. I will be moving there over the next month. :)
I don't think there's enough space in the world to type the thoughts that are going through my head during these days and nights.
As I've probably told most anyone who reads this already, to move from a place and life you love to what God is clearly calling you to do is probably the optimal situation. While knowing this definitely calms fears, this time is still a bit scary, so very sad and a quite anticipatory.
I cry as I drive over the 430 Bridge, as I think of my school full of coworkers and students I love, as I think of my sunday school girls, as I think of missing my friends and my family. Change is hard. I used to pride myself on being very adaptable...on not being tied to any "home." Maybe this is why I'm so tired to the piles of crap I'm trying to sort through and purge. I just move everything with me so wherever I am is always home. Who knows.
However, I am beginning to think that rather than having no home, I make everywhere home. Even prior (obviously) to moving to (or even visiting) Tuscaloosa, it somehow felt like I was missing home. Little Rock is not where I was raised, but it has my heart; it, too, is home. Daisy Bates is home, The Summit is home... I could continue (New Orleans, Monticello, Arkadelphia, Nashville, Mississippi College.....). All of these places are ones my heart skips a beat when I think of, places that I miss in the same way I miss old friends. I'm not sure if this means that I am adaptable or horribly not so. My friend, Blair, had a tweet with a similar sentiment recently.
In my last blog, I mentioned the sermon on Abraham. You'll be glad to know that Sarah and Abraham (and Genesis 12) were the sermon topic on Sunday.
So continues the journey....
What's next:
I start inservice for school on August 6, however my apartment won't be ready until August 15. Today, I found out that I have orientations and professional development almost the entire week prior. So, I will go to Tuscaloosa next week for a few days, come back to Little Rock for a few and then "move" in my car around the 5th. When I am able to get into my apartment, people who are way too kind to me will bring my belongings down. And then, I begin again.
To God be the Glory!
I don't think there's enough space in the world to type the thoughts that are going through my head during these days and nights.
As I've probably told most anyone who reads this already, to move from a place and life you love to what God is clearly calling you to do is probably the optimal situation. While knowing this definitely calms fears, this time is still a bit scary, so very sad and a quite anticipatory.
I cry as I drive over the 430 Bridge, as I think of my school full of coworkers and students I love, as I think of my sunday school girls, as I think of missing my friends and my family. Change is hard. I used to pride myself on being very adaptable...on not being tied to any "home." Maybe this is why I'm so tired to the piles of crap I'm trying to sort through and purge. I just move everything with me so wherever I am is always home. Who knows.
However, I am beginning to think that rather than having no home, I make everywhere home. Even prior (obviously) to moving to (or even visiting) Tuscaloosa, it somehow felt like I was missing home. Little Rock is not where I was raised, but it has my heart; it, too, is home. Daisy Bates is home, The Summit is home... I could continue (New Orleans, Monticello, Arkadelphia, Nashville, Mississippi College.....). All of these places are ones my heart skips a beat when I think of, places that I miss in the same way I miss old friends. I'm not sure if this means that I am adaptable or horribly not so. My friend, Blair, had a tweet with a similar sentiment recently.
In my last blog, I mentioned the sermon on Abraham. You'll be glad to know that Sarah and Abraham (and Genesis 12) were the sermon topic on Sunday.
So continues the journey....
What's next:
I start inservice for school on August 6, however my apartment won't be ready until August 15. Today, I found out that I have orientations and professional development almost the entire week prior. So, I will go to Tuscaloosa next week for a few days, come back to Little Rock for a few and then "move" in my car around the 5th. When I am able to get into my apartment, people who are way too kind to me will bring my belongings down. And then, I begin again.
To God be the Glory!
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