Big Change!

It is time to make it blog official!  I have recently resigned from my position at school and have taken a new position at my church to start a daycare/preschool and eventually grow the program to an elementary school.  This decision came after careful consideration of pros and cons (yes, I made that list), but most importantly, after much prayer and seeking God's will for my life.  That has led me here...to one of the biggest changes in my life and at times, one of the scariest changes.  However, one thing has been whispered to me over and over...Trust Me. And at this point, I have nothing left but to trust.

Why has it been scary?  Well, simply because I have taught in the same place for the past 13 years...all of my professional career.  It is all I have ever known.  I have been blessed with many great relationships there with children, parents, and staff members.  I have loved seeing how my young, sweet children that I had in school have started becoming young adults - one of the blessings of social media.  I worked there during some of the happiest times of my life and also through some of the saddest/darkest times of my life.  The outpouring of support I received from my school community when my father passed away will never be forgotten, and it was a tremendous light to me when all I could see was darkness.  However, I have to remember that I am not leaving those memories or those relationships, I am just leaving the building.

This has been a dream of mine for years.  I remember going to a Christian daycare before and after school when I was younger, and I loved it!  The women that worked there saw something in me even at that small age that I believe has helped to point me in the direction I chose as an adult.  They saw even then how much I enjoyed working with children, and my "reward" was tutoring and working with the younger kids.  Best. Reward. Ever.

I know that my love for children and for teaching is a gift from God.  One that I want to honor Him with at all times.  I have gone to my church for almost 16 years now, and my pastor has mentioned numerous times that this was a vision of his.  Every time he would mention it, I would feel that little nudge in my spirit, but I wasn't ready.  I did things to prepare myself - like going to school and getting my administrator's license - but I always thought this was something I would pursue later in life.  I thought I would do this when I was married and had children of my own or when I was a little more financially secure.  But God's timing is not my timing.  Something I am learning over and over through this.

For the past several months the Lord had been dealing with me in doing more for Him, something different for Him, using my gifts, trusting Him, not waiting for perfect circumstances, and the list goes on and on and on.  Then one day at lunch my pastor said something to me about starting the daycare/preschool at church, and I knew.  It was time.  God used my pastor to speak so many things to me while I was making this decision through his Sunday's messages.  One of my favorite quotes was this one:

This is exactly where I was.  Change is hard even when you know it is God's will for your life.  I am stepping out in faith, and I am believing that great things will happen - all for God's glory!

I appreciate all of the support and any and all prayers through this new journey of mine!  I am very excited to be opening The Blended Tots daycare SOON!