**I'm going to warn you that this may be long and it is more for my own documentation, rather than you reading enjoyment.
On August 11, 2008 I began my current job as a nanny. On August 11, 2009 I will begin my next job.
Since January I have been planning to begin teaching this August. I began taking classes and passed my exam in order to be alternatively certified as a 4th-8th grade teacher. I read lots of books, worked on lesson plans and class rules, daydreamed about what my classroom and students would be like and looked excitedly towards the day when I would be offered a teaching job. Of course I was a bit nervous about how I would handle difficult students and situations, but I was certain that teaching was the right thing for me to do at this time. I have applied to every school district in the Dallas area, both public and private. I have sent resumes directly to about 25 different principles. I have spent every spare moment searching the Internet for job openings. Although I had moments of uncertainty, I never freaked out. I just knew the right position would open up for me.
About 2 months ago, something began to stir in my heart. I tried to quiet it, I didn't tell anyone, I prayed it would go away. Only it didn't, it stirred harder. It stirred questions and fears and excitement and happiness and bitterness all at the same time. After two weeks of fighting it and not telling anyone, I knew I had to tell James. I had to tell James that I was questioning my decision to give up on being a social worker. He didn't freak out, but he certainly wasn't excited to hear this "out of the blue" news. I have known for more than a year now that I was done with social work. I had no desire to go back there, ever. I knew it, no doubt about it. Only here I was wondering what to do next. I wanted to be a teacher, right? Yes, of course I did. Was I being the woman that God created me to be? Was I using the skills he had so graciously given me? Was I allowing myself to trust him? But I'm so comfortable Lord, I love my life. It's easy most days. It was hard when I worked with those sweet, wonderful, difficult foster kids. I don't think I want to be uncomfortable again. I feel no need to be stretched, nope I'm good right here.
I realize that being a teacher would be difficult, there would be really tough days and I could do a lot of good as a teacher. But there are so many people out there who want to be teachers and who are naturals at it. There aren't many people who want to be social workers, but that has been my plan since I was a little girl.
After lots of prayer and sharing my thoughts with James, I decided to put things to rest. I would continue doing what I was doing, sending out resumes for teaching jobs, but also casually look for any social work openings. I wasn't going to push hard either way and just see what doors opened.
I saw an opening for a part-time social work position at a nursing home in Frisco and applied thinking nothing of it. The Director of Social Services called me that day to schedule an interview. I was shocked, because 1) I had applied to so many teaching jobs and hadn't even gotten a call and here the first resume I had sent out for a social work position, resulted in an interview and 2) nothing on my resume should have given her reason to call me for this position. We scheduled the interview for the following Monday. I went into it feeling totally confident because I didn't think I was even interested in the job and I was certain she wouldn't be interested in hiring me. I just looked at it as a good experience. I asked tough questions like, "why did you even interview me, I have zero qualifications for this position?" and " my dad tells me nursing homes can be quite the drag, he wasn't a fan of working in them. What do you say to that?" To my surprise, she and I hit if off. She answered my questions with all the right answers. "I wanted to interview you because I worked for CPS for ten years, and it just took one person here to give me a chance at something different. I liked your resume, wanted to see what you were about and possibly give you a chance." "Yeah, we have some seriously negative people here, but we don't stand for it. You let me know the moment someone disrespects you and it will be handled appropriately." Well, okay then. When I left she told me they would be interviewing through July, but I felt like I would probably be offered the position. I looked at having to wait until the end of July to hear anything as a blessing. That meant I would continue with my teaching search with no pressure to make a decision either way.
The next day I got a call from a Catholic school that I had applied to the previous week. I applied to all the Catholic schools in Dallas that had openings without doing research on any of them. We scheduled the interview for later that week. This would be my first interview for a teaching job. I went home that evening to check out their website. I was thrilled! Yes, it was a private school, but all the children there were attending on scholarships. The school is in a rough, South Dallas neighborhood. I thought, "this is it! This is how I can get the best of both worlds, be a teacher, but also do a lot of social worky-type stuff. I read every single word on their website, including the student handbook in order to prepare myself for this interview. I prayed and prayed and prayed for this interview and I was so excited about it. I met with the principal and two teachers. I wouldn't say it went poorly, but I certainly wasn't feeling very confident. I just figured I better keep on, keeping on.
Last week, I learned that I did not get the teaching job. I was a bit disappointed, but not too surprised. I have continued the search, until Monday. And then I got a surprise phone call. It was the nursing home lady. She wanted to go ahead and offer me the job! To say I was caught off guard would be an understatement. I thought they weren't going to be offering anyone the job until late July/early August. I thought I had weeks to figure out exactly what I was supposed to do. I told her I needed to discuss it with my husband and get back to her.
Talking it through, it just makes sense. And what I keep reminding myself, is that I'm not saying no to teaching forever, just for this year. Of course I'm a bit nervous about starting something new, but I am very, very excited about it. It will be something totally different from what I've done in the past and I think it will stretch me a lot.
I will be working 32 hours/week, Tuesday-Friday. No on-call, no weekends, no bringing work home. She was great to work with me regarding my nannying job. I will be able to stay with them through the first week of August, which is what I promised the mother months ago.
We shall see what this brings. I'm looking forward to these next few weeks with my girls and then getting started in my new position. Isn't it weird that two years in a row, I'm starting a new job on the exact same day?
Other than hanging out by the pool, reading and playing Bananagrams, we ate wonderful food (my favorite was shrimp and scallop risotto from Brio), caught a movie, listened to some live music, scouted out Barnes and Noble and did a little shopping. 
I realize what a blessing it is to be able to get away from "real life" for the weekend and enjoy my husband's company. I am so thankful for times like this weekend. 
And on a different note, check out my project on Thursday! It was a lot of work, but I love it! 
It is pretty amazing and I can't wait until we go to a game there. 
