riding the rollercoaster of life with hands lifted high

 

So, anyone reading this on a regular basis would know that the first semester of this year was one of the hardest teaching semesters of my life.  So much so that it made me reconsider my vocation as a teacher.

 
In January I applied for a job at another school in Kuwait, but not long after, it was removed from the job postings.  Except that by then, it didn’t matter anymore.  Second semester started and, like the beginning of most semesters, it was fun.  Students were happy to have a new schedule and everything is refreshing and new.

 
Of course, teachers know that this ‘honeymoon period’ doesn’t last forever, so I enjoyed it while I could.  Except…it is now April 16, we have less than 5 weeks of classes left, and I’m still loving it.  All three classes.  Holy blessing. 

 
Whenever I was asked if I would return to our school next year, and all I said was, “Yes, God willing,” jokingly followed by, “unless I get offered a job that I didn’t apply for! Hahaha!”

 
So on March 25th, when I was approached to teach Art at another school, I was taken aback.  Almost literally.  I love AAG.  I love my job.  I love the girls that I teach.  Where was this coming from?

 
The drive home that night was a shocked prayer. 
“God…what was THAT?” 
Let’s just say that I didn’t sleep well that night.

 
Mom and Dad arrived 2 days later, and it was awesome to have someone to talk to about everything; who have wisdom and experience in this crazy world! 

I didn’t get my CV into the school until this past Monday.  The drive home included “am-i-doing-the-right-thing” and “how-will-everyone-react” and “will-they-even-accept-me?” Not to mention “Imma-get-a-paycut” and “where’m’i-gonna-live?” and “now-Imma-gotta-getta-car”…yep, in those words. Obviously.

It’s been an interesting week, to say the least.  Ups and downs.  I finally got a call from them on Wednesday night, around 9pm, and we met today before the church service. 

But, before we could meet, and because we had to go to the city early for Melissa’s class, so I spent 2 hours at the Coffee Bean alone. Well, just me and God.  I was reminded that a year ago, this verse was spoken over me:

¹⁸ “But forget all that—
      it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
¹⁹ For I am about to do something new.
      See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
   I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
      I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

(Isaiah 43:18-19)

And then, this part just goes with the territory…so I’ve claimed it, too.

  “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
      I have called you by name; you are mine.
² When you go through deep waters,
      I will be with you.
   When you go through rivers of difficulty,
      you will not drown.
   When you walk through the fire of oppression,
      you will not be burned up;
      the flames will not consume you.
4  …because you are precious to me.
      You are honoured, and I love you.
⁵ “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

(Isaiah 43:1-5)

I think that entire chapter is one of my favourite things to read.

We met. We talked. We discussed. We wondered. We are trusting.

As we left the office, one of the people who was interviewing me realized that we hadn’t made an obvious conclusion, just a whole lot of assumptions.  “Do you need time to pray about it? Or….are you ready to make the decision?” I have been praying over this for the past 3 weeks, so…

 
I accepted the position. I said yes. I have a new job for next year! I’ll be teaching Middle School Math and Art.

So before June 18, I have to….

• resign from my current job.
• move my entire apartment.
• buy a car.

I’m praying and trusting that God will…

• Find me an apartment (that please, please, please doesn’t require sharing)
• Get me (and one of the other teachers, who’s been waiting a year) a working visa
  
  

I believe the adventure is restarting.

If you knew all of the details, you would say that this is absolutely ridiculous. 

 
And I think that’s what makes it so much fun. 

Vicky Beeching – Twenty-Six Summers

I don’t know what the future holds
or what lies beyond my horizon
the years ahead are just out of sight
well, I think sometimes that You hide them
so that I'll walk by faith not sight
so I'll take Your hand, holding tight

Through twenty-six summers
and twenty-six winters
I’ve laughed in the springtime
I’ve cried in the rain
though I’ve questioned the meaning
of some of life’s seasons
it’s true that they’ve left me holding on
tighter to You

My one desire for the road ahead
is that we would walk it together
Friend and King, You’re my everything
may I stay by Your side forever
for when my heart’s afraid, You’re near
whispering to my soul, ‘don’t fear’
and I will trust in You alone
for You’re the hand leading me home
leading me home..

I’ve spent twenty-six summers
and twenty-six winters with You
through all of the seasons
and my search for reasons
You’ve carried me through
I will keep holding on to You