My New Job

I am officially, no longer a "Charger"...but I am a "Saint",

(at least, I try to convince my hubby of that!)

Have you ever been in a situation that seemed "ideal"? You were happy, full filled, loved the people around you...life was good.

Suddenly, a new door opens...maybe one you'd considered, but maybe not in the way or place you'd considered it.

Now the dilemma, leave the security of what you know and are happy with or take a flying leap through the open door into the great unknown.

In a nut shell, that was my dilemma right before March Break.

I loved my job at Centennial, loved the students, the impact God was making through me, felt I worked for the ideal administration etc etc.

I had thought it would be nice to work a few more hours a day, though I'd need some variety in my day.

The door opened, everything I thought would be great, 30 hours a week, still have all my Holidays and breaks with my kids, I'd be off just before the first of my kids got home.....

BUT....it wasn't at Centennial, in fact, it was at their rival school!

It was the first position to be posted that I didn't have a "check" in my spirit on.

Mark felt the schedule would fit in with his work day better and wanted me to apply. We prayed that God would only have me get the job if I was to take it.

I spoke with my principal about it. He was amazing!

He was shocked and disappointed...but made it very clear that his disappointment was not IN me, it was that he didn't want to lose me.(that was HUGE for me, it made it a whole lot easier to pursue what seemed right for me).

In the next breath, he was convincing me that he appreciated my loyalty, but that I needed to do what was best for me and my family and he would put in a good word for me.

The close was on Friday, I was brought in for an interview Tuesday morning before work, found out I had the job Tuesday after work and had to tell my principal the next day so he would have all of three days to find a replacement. I was to start the Monday before March Break!

Oh my nerves!!!!

The really neat part was that I gave my principal a recommendation for my replacement. A Pastor's wife and old friend here in town, (I knew the impact a Christian can have in this position). He called her immediately and brought her in to job shadow with me the next day.

She still wanted the job and was hired on the spot!

Saying goodbye was the hardest part, the kids were sweet, (only one cried thankfully), but when they found out where I was going....I was called a few choice names, most frequently "Trader".

It was hard to walk away from something so great, not knowing what my new environment would be like.

God is so very faithful!

Although, on my first day, my new administration all but admitted to tricking me into my new position, it really is a good fit for me. At the moment, it is more of an office job than I had anticipated...actually I have my very own office to decorate and work in as I see fit.

Most of my student interaction is with the tougher cases as I deal with attendance and detention issues but they were the kids I had some of the greatest influence with in my last position.

I will say it is nice to see a much bigger deposit on pay days and the amazing benefit package saves our family over $260.00 a month alone!

Pretty much all of the first week, I felt over my head and was waiting for them to realize they had hired the wrong person, but slowly I began to realize that God knew what He was doing and therefore I could do this.

He has given me tremendous favor with the VP I work most closely with, who I might add, happens to lead the choir at her church in the county...A Christian I wonder? Hmmm, very interesting.

As I have settled in, I have had some great talks with students, but also with parents and guardians...one even crying on the phone as she relayed her story.

I have tried to help, encourage and support these parents....some very desperate I must say.

I am once again, pausing to say, "Thank You Father! If it were not for your Grace and the filling of my many gaps, I could be one of these desperate parents".

I am overcome with the contrast between our lives/children and so completely in AWE of a God and Father who can work that kind of a miracle.

I am very aware that I am not "Just lucky", I am not an awesome parent, or highly skilled, I don't simply have better kids and I certainly did not learn any of this from my own upbringing...

BUT, the ONE who parents THROUGH me...now HE is AWESOME!

To sum up this whirl wind of transition in my life, I still have good and bad days...(today was a frustrating one),

my last admin and co-workers were amazing...My new ones appear to be as well.

Is one job or school better than the other? I have come to believe the answer is "no". They are very different, but I believe I am where I am to be for this season...and I am happy.

(I miss getting to greet that one special secretary over at Centennial every day though)