how i became an eagle on the road to ballinger.

this week marks the last week of my first teaching gig.

the combination of the crazy consuming business of being a mommy, being a (sort of) teacher and trying to figure out my plans for next year has had me pretty tied up physically, mentally and emotionally.

the fact that i must work has already been determined. it's where that has been the subject of many prayer requests lately.

on friday, may 15, a decision was officially made.

next year, i will teach 6th-grade english and high school journalism at texas leadership charter academy!

i am relieved to have made the decision, and i am so totally excited to have my own classroom. best of all, i believe i am exactly where God wants me.

the connections, open doors and peace in my heart solidifies that for my family and me.

if you're interested, here's the whole story.

during spring break, i got a call from the principal at ballinger high school. he needed a long-term substitute for a vacated spanish position starting the next monday.

it was random (i'd never applied in ballinger isd), inconvenient (80 miles a day) and scary (leave my kids? um...teach spanish??).

but it seemed like a golden opportunity to gain some valuable experience to add to my hopeful-teacher resume.

so i did it.

shortly after i started, i discovered the principal at bhs was leaving to become the assistant superintendent and CFO at tlca. a little while after that, i learned the counselor at bhs was leaving to become the principal at the private-school-turned-charter-school.

they encouraged me to apply.

then i learned that tlca was collaborating with a successful group of charter schools in red oak called life schools, schools that were established by dr. tom wilson. tom wilson is bracy wilson's father. bracy wilson, the pastor at stonebridge church, where one of the life schools is located, is landon's mentor.

even with all those connections and the leaders' invitation to apply, i balked.

there was another "possibility" i was considering despite a feeling deep inside that tlca was the place for me.

i went back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. one sunday, i wrote the names of both options on tiny pieces of paper and laid them on the altar.

i avoided being quiet with God on the subject for the next few weeks. i'm pretty sure it was because of that feeling deep inside. i just didn't want to listen. i wanted to wait. i wanted to see. i wanted the chance to choose. i wanted it to be my decision.

then, a couple fridays ago, i was asked to decide. clarifications were made, conversations were had and suddenly, it was obvious. other doors were closed while the one leading to tlca stood wide open.

"walk through, My child. just walk through."

and i did. the peace is unspeakable. i'll be working in an exciting school with exciting people, teaching children about my deepest loves.

what could be better?!

go eagles!

funny how i could have had this peace weeks ago, if i'd just listened to God. i look forward to the day when i don't plug my ears and hum, pretending not to hear, when God is leading me.

someday.

God has used this time in ballinger to do more than give me a job or two. i've learned a lot and been encouraged and uplifted by some great people.

and He's spoken. a lot. He has revealed simple truths as i've spent many miles on the road to ballinger. through rain, sun, clouds and trees, the Lord has used His creation to speak to my heart.

and as i make the journey every day, there always seems to be something beautiful in the distance.

beyond bhs, beyond tlca, that's what He wants me to get.

He has something beautiful just up the road.

"'for I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"