the big news

Ok, a while ago I promised big news. This won't be new to some of you, but to others it may be a shock.

I quit my job.

Let's backtrack, shall we? I graduated December o8 with my bachelors in mathematics and a job teaching at Emerald High School. I was stoked! This meant 2 incomes for our family! What would we do with all that money?

My first semester teaching was rough, to say the least. My kids were considered "bottom of the barrel" by most in the school. It wasn't like the classes I took when I went to Emerald. I knew I would have to do some major adjusting, but I still loved the idea of having a ministry in public school. We live in the bible belt, so people talk about Jesus all day, but how many public school kids experience Jesus?

By the way, the extra money was awesome! No we didn't go crazy with it, in fact we decided to still live like we were on one income and put most of the rest towards loans and savings. But it was nice to go out to dinner every once in a while and not feel guilty.

Fast forward 1 year.

December 09 rolls around and all of a sudden I hear God tapping on my shoulder. I don't listen, so he knocks harder. God told me to slow down. God told me to be a better wife for my husband. God told me I would need to be a great mom one day. God told me to quit my job. I still didn't listen, nor did I discuss any of it with Eric. Every day God spoke to me in little ways that I chose to ignore. Finally I broke down and told Eric about what God had spoken into my life. He took it way better than I expected. This is one way I knew that he must have been hearing from God too. So we prayed. And prayed. And then when we were tired of talking and praying, we prayed again. We made the decision together that I would not sign my contract. I was still uneasy. God knew that.

So I went on the women's retreat to Bonclarken. Of course all I could think about was my newly made decision and all that it entailed: "what will people think? where will we get the money to pay off our loans? Erics parents are going to freak..." Then God knocked me over the head with a spiritual 2x4. While on the women's retreat I was offered not one, but 2 jobs with ladies at my church. Tutoring oat All Things Bright and Beautiful, a christian-based tutoring business and teaching one of my favorite girls in youth, who is homeschooled, Algebra next year. How much more do I need from God? When are the signs enough?

After that weekend I went home without any anxiety whatsoever about the decision to quit public school. God gave me a peace that surpasses all understanding. It really does! I gave my resignation the day before spring break and I felt absolutely amazing.

Three days later Park Seed (my husband's place of work) announced that they would no longer be working Fridays, starting after Mothers day. They would also be taking 2 weeks of furlough. This would cut 32 hours a month from our monthly income. No small hit, to be sure. However, one of the furlough weeks falls when we go to Costa Rica, which is a blessing. Eric won't have to take vacation those days.

I took this as another message from God: "Do you trust me? Do you really trust me?" is what He was asking us. The answer:

A whole-hearted, 100%, abso-tutin-lutely YES. The peace God gave me never left. It was there, and it is still there and I am crying as I write this because my God is incredible. He will never give me more than I can handle, and when He does it is because He is going to carry me through it. I love Him.

One of the harder things we had to do was tell our families. My mom took it well, I knew she would. She loves the Lord. It is a lot easier for a Christ follower to comprehend. Eric's parents held their tongues. I know they don't really get it, but I have faith they will one day.

We had a discussion in small group last Monday that was so honest. God asks you to do things that nonbelievers, believers, and even you yourself do not understand and most of the time can not even explain. The difference between you and the others is that YOU have the peace, they do not. What seems crazy to them makes perfect sense to you because God spoke to you, not them.

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18.

I love my God and I am secure in Him. That is all that matters to me. I look forward to what this new adventure will bring us. I am so excited to be a better wife for Eric. I am so excited to one day be a great mom. Most of all, I am excited to be in God's will.