Dear Friends,
I don't even know how to begin this blog. It has been over a year since the last time I have written a blog. But, the Lord is good, and has blessed me in so many ways! Here's a bit of a recap of some of the things that have happened in the last year plus. I will go back to my "Past, Present, Future" model - emphasis on the PAST section!
Past:
My last post was in July of 2017. Sometime right around that time, I changed jobs. For anyone who has read my blog, I have been on a journey of my own. A journey to following a directive that God set on my heart back in 2010. A plan/hope/dream to eventually begin doing international missions work. For more information on this, please see some older posts about my testimony and missions story. What I loved about this new teaching position, however, was that the school has a focus on international education. Like, my kids take Arabic classes as a foreign language and we provide ESL support. When I was interviewed for my job, the interview ended up lasting over an hour, as the principal and I sat chatting about how the year before, the school had housed 24 Syrian refugee children. My missionary heart was so happy as I accepted that position. Who knew that there was a place for my missionary heart in Toledo, Ohio?
And then a setback happened. A very close friendship, one that has been mentioned in this blog several times, fractured abruptly. I do not want to go into great detail about this very much. Setbacks happen. But here's what I do want you, my reader, to understand. The friendship fractured. I say this because I believe in a God of second chances and a God that is in the business of RESTORING. Did it hurt? Yep. Did I cry? Yep. But here's what I learned through that setback: fractures can heal. And hearts can heal. I had a friendship back in college that fractured - for 6 years. And then the miraculous happened - the relationship healed and we restored our friendship! I saw Him do it with that relationship, and I know that He is capable of doing it again! I pray for this sweet girl as often as I can. When I want to be angry at her, I pray for her. When I miss her friendship, I pray for her. I've had to go through much personal soul searching, seek forgiveness, and I have worked to forgive her in my heart. It has been a long hard process. But God is in control. I may not know all the details surrounding this setback. But from my personal devotion time, I have learned to continue to pray for her. And then leave it all in God's hands. I am trusting God that He sees all things and is complete control of both of our lives, no matter where we are.
There is a lot more detail about this particular situation that is not being shared here. Please don't judge from the short summary I have provided.
A few weeks later, another major change happened! I was originally hired by my school to teach just 6th grade. Four weeks into the school year last year, we ended up finding out our principal had quit (we got a new one in October 2017), and due to some staffing issues, we had to do some major reorganizing. I went from teaching 12 sixth graders, to being the fourth grade homeroom teacher and partly responsible for 41 students in grades 4-6. I also teamed up and team taught with another teacher. I became responsible for teaching math for grades 4-6, as well as fourth grade science and social studies. Sound like a confusing job description? Welcome to the rest of my school year last year!
In November 2018, we welcomed a new blessing into our family. I am now the proud "Aunt Bobby" to my 10 year old niece and my now almost one year old nephew!! Being an aunt is so fun!
In December 2018, after nearly 2 years of making an 84 mile round-trip commute for work, I decided it was time to look at being a bit closer. I moved from my apartment for the last two years...into a new apartment...which is now a mere 9 miles away from work. Moving also meant stepping down from Cardio Worship in Fremont - and stepping into the unknown of any possibility of ever teaching Cardio Worship again. Since I was now further away from Fremont, I also moved my church membership from my home church in Fremont to their campus church in Northwood, Ohio. Since coming to the church in January, I have been blessed with being able to serve on the music ministry (playing keyboard - after taking a 12-ish year break from playing piano), the coffee ministry, and our Young Adult ministry.
In March 2018, I went to a workout class for the first time in like 3 months. While at that workout class, I got talking to the instructor. We ended up realizing that we had similar hopes and dreams of creating something like Cardio Worship in Toledo. Two months later, she sent me a text randomly. Some things had changed with her workout class and she asked if I was still interested in creating a Christian dance fitness class. In July 2018, we launched Cardio Worship Toledo!
In April 2018, after reading a blog by a dear friend about finally following those promptings that we keep putting off (when we're married, when we have more money, when life slows down, when we are less stressed, when we are older...whatever the excuse my be) and just DOING them - I decided I needed to do just that. I reapplied to go to graduate school. I am now taking classes online to finish that masters degree in TESOL (teaching English as a second language) that I began a few years ago.
In July 2018, after realizing I was in some major financial trouble, I took on a small part time job teaching ESL classes online. I thought it would be great because I'd be able to make some extra money while also gaining experience for what I was getting my masters in. There is more detail than I care to put in this post, but let's just say lesson learned: that was a bad idea! The job was not what I thought it would be. After a couple months of frustrations with their online platform, exhaustion from not budgeting my time well, and only making about half the amount of money I thought I would make...I resigned from that job. This weekend was my first weekend NOT working for that job and it was GLORIOUS!
In August 2018, I got to go on a short missions trip to Columbus, Ohio. I ended up winning a free registration for this trip by filling out a survey and being entered into a drawing through the missions organization associated with my church. The registration included a free hotel stay and all meals for the weekend provided. This missions trip was to be educational and open our hearts and minds to the Muslim population. At my school, I work alongside a few Muslim women and have become very interested in understanding their beliefs and practices. I don't know what God may do with my experiences in Columbus. But I believe that there was a reason I was able to win that registration and go on that trip free of charge. I will share more about that trip in future blog posts.
In August 2018, I began my second year at my current school. This year has been very challenging. Not by my complete choice, I am again teaching more than one grade level. I am the proud teacher of 29 students in grades 5 and 6. It has been challenging, but I know that the God that brought me to this, will also bring me through this!
Present:
So, where am I now? And where am I in the grand scheme of things relating to missions? Well, I am still teaching. That on its own is a mission field! There have been many times when I want to complain about teaching multiple grades. However, I have tried to remind myself that this may just be preparation for a future mission. Who knows...God may be preparing me to serve in a country where multiple grades are served in one classroom. But until then, Toledo, Ohio is my mission field. I am also back to teaching several Cardio Worship classes per week. It seems like each week, God opens up a few more doors to help get our name out across Toledo. And, I am currently taking my graduate classes. I should be able to graduate with my masters degree in TESOL in spring of 2020!
Let's be honest about something. God is working on something HUGE in me. Maybe this time I am in now is a time of growth and of learning. Watch out, people. He's going to do something HUGE...and I get to be a part of it!
Future:
In all the times I have posted on this particular blog, I believe that this particular blog has more obvious implications for the "future" part than I've ever had before. I am so excited to see where God brings me, what souls He brings into my life to work in, and what areas He may bless in future days.
For any of you willing to pray, here is what we can be praying for:
-Grad school...it's expensive! Pray for financial answers and wisdom from me to use my money wisely.
-Work...pray for the necessary help to come about to relieve my work load. Pray for the kids I get to teach each day.
-Cardio Worship...pray for the ministries in both Fremont and Toledo.
-Future plans...pray for God's wisdom on where in the world He may choose to send me. And that I'll be smart enough to hear that call and answer it.
