It Started With A Dream

This post is in reference to my series of blog posts beginning on April 9, 2009. If you haven't read the posts, go back into my archives because today is your day!

When David returned from his California road trip in late January, a lot began to change. One thing in particular was I went back to school to complete my Texas teaching certificate. I was excited, but, at the same time sad. The teaching certificate I would be completing required that I teach full-time for an entire year prior to receiving my official certificate. I thought, "well, I could do anything for a year. I could simply teach that one year, get my certificate and return to staying at home with our children." After my third day of class, I quickly realized, I couldn't do that. The thought of leaving my children was overwhelming to me. I didn't want to miss out on anything. I wanted to be there in the morning to see their sleepy eyes welcome a new day. I was extremely sad. Often, late at night I'd lay awake in bed and cry. I cried out to God to somehow work this situation out. I didn't know how it would work out, but I knew it would. My sadness got to a point that David told me maybe I should quit. He didn't think it was worth it for me to be full of sadness. I refused, and pushed through.

In May I received a phone call from David's Aunt Bunny in Nevada. She was full of excitement about a new position she was offered as an administrator for Nevada Virtual Academy. She told me all about the charter school:

Teach kids virtually

Teach from home

A perfect match, right? So much of a perfect match that I thought it was too good to be true. I was hopeful, but honestly, I was full of unbelief. "They wouldn't hire me on an alternative certification," I told myself over and over again. Oh, how God had other things in mind. Aunt Bunny was persistent, God worked through her to encourage me, to motivate me, to fill me with belief that yes, they would hire me. She worked with me for over a week on perfecting my resume, she spoke directly with the administrator at Texas Virtual Academy and off we sent it, my resume, three letter of recommendation written by three of the most awesome people in the world (I can't thank you enough Karen, Cathy and Kelly!). 

First response from the school: a few questions and we'll let you know when we have a position available.

Aunt Bunny pressed on and encouraged me to respond with a letter showing my strong interest in the position and my confidence in myself as a teacher.

Second response: "I appreciate your tenacity, I'll let you know when I have a position available."

Two days later...

Third response: "I'd like to set up a phone interview with you, will Wednesday work?"

I had my phone interview on Wednesday and God gave me peace, the right words to speak and a confidence in myself that I have never had. The interview went extremely well. She was impressed. She told me that in the past they have tried to hire teachers who have an alternative certification like myself and it didn't work out. She would do some checking into it and get back to me. 

Two days later...

The lead teacher for the Dallas/Fort Worth area called me to set up a face-to-face interview the following Wednesday. I was still unsure on if I would truly get hired. The day before my face-to-face interview, I received a call from the administrator who I conducted my phone interview. In a nut shell, she told me that she would like to hire me if everything went well on Wednesday. Who tells someone you already have the job prior to your second interview? My face-to-face interview went well and the lead teacher closed with the following words:

"They just loved you. You should be receiving an offer by the end of the day!"

Joy filled my heart. The hand of God was on the whole situation from the beginning. Even in my unbelief, God's grace covered me. I had a little bit of faith, and just like in my garden, God used my faith the size of a mustard seed and turned it into a garden full of bounty. I received the offer yesterday, which I quickly accepted. So, I will be teaching 4-8 grade from home, virtually. I will hold class through an online classroom, I will meet with my students monthly for a field trip, I will be able to complete my teaching certificate and still see my children's sleepy eyes welcome a new day.

All this to say, God is ever so awesome. This has been a milestone year in our lives and we're only half way through 2009. It's been a roller coaster. We've cried and rejoiced in the valley, we've cried out to God from the mountaintops and praised Him in our strengths and in our weaknesses. Only in my dreams did a position like this exist. God turned my dreams into reality. In those late nights, when my situation seemed hopeless, He heard my cries and saw my tears. He answered my prayers in a way that only He can. He is for us, He is pleased with us because whenever God looks at us, all He can see is His son, Jesus. All our sin, all our shortcomings, past, present and future was paid for on the cross. There is freedom in that my friends. I cannot say it enough, when God looks at us, all He can see is Jesus!

I start on August 10, so my blogging and crafting will slow down a bit while I adjust to my new position. I since yesterday, I have told David practically 100 times, "pinch me, I feel like I'm dreaming."

P.S. 

Aunt Bunny, you are the best. I cannot thank you enough. You are such a blessing!