A Series of events...all for a job

I have taken a break from the blogging world for awhile now.  Not really because I wanted to, but because I have simply needed to.  So much to catch up on, but tonight I need to tell a story about a series of events that led me right where God wanted me.
Rewind to July 29th...We had been on vacation to Phil's family for a week and were starting our journey home.  About 4 hours into the 11-12 hour drive, Kiara starts crying, then screaming and then throws up all over the car.  As I try to reach her in the back until we can pull off at a rest stop, my text message alert goes off (around 10:00 pm). I check as I was going to text for some prayers for Kiara and see that my mom has sent me a message that there is a job opening right here in my hometown, the job that I have always said would be the ONLY job for which I would leave where I was.  As I cleaned up Kiara and the car and we re-adjusted the seating so I could be in the back, I began to pray for wisdom..."Really, Lord...is this it?  Is it finally time for me?  Will I even get an interview? Can I stand the heartbreak of not getting hired? Where do YOU want me Lord?"  Of course that was all in between me asking God to settle Kiara's stomach and keep her from getting sick anymore as we drove all night to get home. (luckily she slept and did well the rest of the trip--we think she was carsick from going through the mountains). 
Anyway, we made it home and I spent about 7-8 hours at the computer filling out the application, taking an on-line test, writing a resume (haven't needed one in 12 years), collecting test scores and copies of licenses, cover letters etc to be submitted right away, as the posting ended on the 31st (Wed). My stomach churned, my mind raced and I slept little those next few nights.  After submitting everything online I asked some friends in the corporation to say a few good words to the principals for me, thinking I should pull out all the stops and go for it.  On Thursday morning first thing one of the principals called me and asked me to do a phone interview that afternoon. Yikes! The good news was that I didn't have long to be nervous and could sit in capris and a ponytail for the interview...the bad news was it was all coming at me so fast my head was spinning and I was a mess!  After about 1 hr. 20 minute phone interview with the two principals I was told that they would let me know over the weekend if I would receive a 2nd interview the following week early and they hoped to make a decision by Wednesday.  Unfortunately, I also had to make a phone call to my principal because they had already called him for a reference.  Totally felt like throwing up! 
When I called, he was wonderful!  I cried and he let me know that he completely understood why I was applying and knew this was THE ONE position I would leave for. He told me he gave a good recommendation, wished me luck (sort of --ha) and told me to let him know as soon as I knew anything at all.
Did I mention that in the midst of all of this stress, my oldest son failed his physical for sports and had to have and EKG and echocardiogram?  Talk about a mess...that was ME!  Stress wasn't just my middle name...it was my ENTIRE name. Geesh.  As I was in the echocardiogram for my oldest son, my phone rang and I recognized the principal's number but obviously couldn't take the call during the test.  As soon as we got to the lobby I listened to the voicemail and it just asked me to return his call, so I told Brock there was NO way I was driving an hour home without calling the principal back.  So off to the parking lot we went for me to call the principal back.  I was a ball of nerves and had been praying all morning (and the day before) for God to just make it really clear for me, that I wouldn't be strung along and wondering what was going to happen and that I would know HIS plan for me in this.

When I got a hold of the principal he told me that I had interviewed very well (in a tone of voice that I was sure would be followed by a...BUT...).  He said in fact that I had interviewed so well that they wanted to skip the sit-down interview and just offer me the job on the spot after not even meeting in person.  I was shocked, excited and began to cry...not so professional, huh?  Could God make it any clearer to me?  I had asked for a slammed door or one flung wide open and He provided clearly.  After 15 years of wanting so badly to be on the same schedule as my kids with breaks, delays, etc...and it is finally happening. I cried tears of joy and talked non-stop.  THEN...I realized I would have to resign, tell the principal at my "old" school, let some very dear friends/colleagues know I was leaving, clean out my room and I had a melt down...I cried and sobbed on the phone with one of those dear friends/colleagues.  We both knew that God provided and had laid out this plan for me, but goodbyes are so incredibly hard.  Things will change and I won't be in daily contact with those people, which will be incredibly hard. 

A phone call to my principal to resign held much the same. Tears from me and great understanding from him of why I was resigning and no hard feelings.  He was so supportive and wonderful and for that I am truly grateful.  We set up a time for the next morning (Saturday) to meet at the school to turn in my keys and clean out my room.  My mom came with me to help the process along, lend moral support and just be my friend.  I was fine until I looked around that last time and realized it wasn't my room anymore and the tears came again.  How could I be so excited about a new adventure, yet so devastated? Truly bittersweet emotions flying around.

The next week was a whirlwind with much stress, tears, excitement, HOURS of work (including a new teacher induction for 4.5 days), and getting ready to start over. I went all that week to the induction and my rooms to get them ready, had the following Monday off with the kids and started Tuesday. Definitely a whirlwind without time to breathe it felt like.
So, how's it going?  Well....that is for another post...or maybe even several as I journal through this journey God is leading me through...
Oh...and Brock's test results came back fine and he returned to football practice. Whew...Glad that couple weeks of stress is over...THAT couple of weeks anyway...it continues with different things...
I'll keep you posted on the journey...