Happy Administrative Professional Day!

(I had this ready to post yesterday, but Blogger would not upload. Then we had a power failure! So, here's a second try, a day late!)

Or, for the less politically correct, happy Secretary's Day!

I was overwhelmed yesterday when I walked into the school to discover gifts and cards covering my desk! Just as I finished opening them all and oohing and aahing appreciatively, I had a class of first graders come into my tiny office to present me with a banner that they had all signed. I said my thank yous, hung the banner, and turned around to find the third graders in my office with their banner! There was also a poster in the cafeteria available for all to sign. Then a bit after lunch, my superintendent dropped by with a bouquet. I haven't felt this appreciated in a long while!

Although it's wonderful to be honored and appreciated, I was even more glad that the students had an opportunity to show appreciation for someone who serves them. So often these days, children learn to take, take, take and never give back in return.

Next year, there will be another secretary at the desk. I've signed up for my content test (over math & some teaching) at the end of May. Passing the content test demonstrates that I am "highly qualified" to teach Math 8-12 grade. In July, I'll be doing my training with the alternative certification program. In August, I'll start teaching on a probational certification. I'll probably teach high school, or possibly midschool. I'll be teaching every subject, due to the nature of our school. It is more like "group homeschooling". The students work mostly independently using PAKs, or worktexts. I'm there for assistance, motivation, and encouragement -- as well as classroom management and discipline.

I called my former boss to inform him of my career direction change. He wished me well, but I know he was disappointed that I wouldn't be available to help his company. They have a bid on a contract, but without the contract they cannot hire someone in the position he wanted me to fill. He is still uncertain when that position will even open up. Even if that was the right direction for me, I couldn't wait around for a job that might come to be.

I've been tutoring some high school students in math in preparation for their TAKS exams next week. I've really enjoyed interacting with them. I'm looking forward to teaching next year!

News!

Gosh, it's hard to believe it's been a MONTH!

First, I have to share my good news! Our daughter came back from a spring break ski trip with a ring! Yes, she is getting married, probably in July 2009. The date has not been finalized at this point, but we're working on it. So many dreams, so little money! That's the hard part. But we are adjusting our expectations and trying to embrace the decisions which might not have been our first choice in a perfect world (with unlimited funds!). No matter what, it will be a very special and memorable event!

Over the spring break week, I spent a lot of time thinking about the job decision. I even investigated doing medical transcription again. After obsessing over it for several days, God convicted me that I wasn't trusting Him with the matter. I prayed again that he would give me clear direction and tried my best to not think about it.

Several days after I went back to school, I started getting a "feeling". Now, I don't recommend you base major decisions on feelings, but sometimes I get them, and I can't help feeling they are from God. This one reminded me of the feeling I got about my husband after our first date the second time around. I actually was inspired to write a song, the gist of which was that God told me that I was going to love him (that guy I just went out with) for the rest of my life. Of course, then my reaction was, "You don't mean HIM, do you God?" Well, I guess he did! I had a friend sing the song at our wedding, and we just celebrated 26 years of marriage.

Back to my "feeling". The feeling this time was that I was going to end up teaching. And the more time that has passed, the more right this seems. I also found out that the school will pay all my certification fees if I contract to teach for two years, so that's definitely an answer to prayer!

Interestingly, about the time I decide that the teaching position is the way to go, my old boss calls me. I haven't called him back yet. I was at work and not in a position to talk, so I told him I'd call him back. They have bid on a contract that would give them the customer base to bring someone on -- IF they get the contract. If not, it will be months before they have the business to support someone in the position for which he was wanting me. And then what happens if they lose business? I don't know that this job would be worth the wait -- or the gamble. And several loving friends have counseled me that it would be wise not to take this job.

This week, I applied with Texas Teachers, an alternative certification program, and had my university send them a transcript. The training would be on-site over two weeks this summer, plus an additional national trainers session. My campus director was very glad to hear this! I know they will have a position for me at the school. They are trying to open a new campus in the Aubrey-Pilot Point area, which would be much closer for our current high school teacher. They have not gotten state approval to the amendments to the charter yet. Even if they don't, our midschool teacher has stated she will not be back this year, so I would be able to teach that level as I will be certified for Math 8-12. Our midschool is only 7th and 8th grades.

Throughout this decision process, I was reminded by others of several things:

• Philippians 4:6-7 clearly shows that obsession is not demonstrating faith:Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• God cares more about who we are than what we do. Many times he leaves that choice of what we do totally up to us. However, he wants us to show Christ to others by doing what we choose in the best way we possibly can.

On the missions front, we did complete our application for Agape Flights and mail it in. We have not heard back from them yet. Our friends that have applied with them said that they will check out all our references first. Even if we end up getting accepted with them or another organization, it usually takes two years to raise the necessary funds to go on the field. Bottom line, we're in God's hands and on God's timing!

Thanks for your prayers, all my friends!

New Possibilities?

Last week was both interesting and difficult.

For the difficult part, I received some information that I was doing a couple of things wrong on my job. In a perfectionist like me who strives to always be found favorable, this was disappointing. Even though some of it may have been based on mistaken information given to me, I still got bummed. I was also told not to work overtime without approval. I hadn't intentionally been working overtime. I was just trying to get the job done, and that was how long it took. All this information was received when I was in the throes of trying to get report cards out -- a process that took a bit of overtime to make happen.

Now the interesting part. The same letter advising me not to work overtime included an offer for me to pursue a teaching position at the school where I work. Being a charter school, I would not be required to have a teaching certificate. I would only need a bachelor's degree and to prove competency in my subject area through a test given by the TEA (Texas Education Agency).

You've heard me discussing a position my old project manager hoped to offer me at a start-up firm dealing with computers. It would require a commute and more time that my younger son would be on his own in the afternoons.

Right now, my younger son and I "do school together" in the sense that it is an activity we share. I'm seeing some improvements in his behavior (at times), and I'm having more time for character-building instruction and interaction. A friend reminded me of the importance of keeping son-time as a priority. Not that I disagree or hold another view, but sometimes we need reminding. It is easy to get sidetracked by the urgent things in life -- like paying the bills. Even if the other job would provide more financially, would I be sacrificing my son in the process.

I'm not sure if I want to be a teacher forever, or even if I feel it is a calling. At one point, it was the career I was pursuing with my educational preparation. I mainly changed my direction due to marriage. I still got my degree. However, I didn't pursue teaching as I felt it was a career, not a short-term job until I began a family.

And how does missions fit in? Would making more money get me to that goal faster? But at what cost? Would being a teacher make me a more attractive missionary candidate? Is that what I'd want to do? So many variables!!

At this point, I'm seriously considering pursuing the teaching position. However, I feel I'd be short-changing myself by not pursuing certification. There are alternative programs that let you teach as you train and will deduct your program fees/tuition from your teaching paycheck. There is an upfront fee/down payment to get started, and I would have to pay for the state testing separately.

The school has offered to pay for the competency testing, which is also one of the requirements of the alternative programs. I have asked my Campus Director to find out what, if any, financial assistance is available for the certificaiton program.

Although we have not finished our applications yet, Mark is still wanting to pursue applying with Agape Flights. I have not heard anything new on a replacement airplane for their ministry.

By the way, we survived the first round of TAKS testing. Overall, it went rather smoothly. Next week I will begin tutoring high school math students in preparing for the math TAKS test in April. I'm hoping these tutoring sessions will give me an indication of whether teaching would be a good fit for me. I figure it will either whet my appetite or drive me crazy!!

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

He knows the plans, but we don't! Please pray for me (and my hubby) to have wisdom in our decision-making process.

TAKS woes

I hate TAKS! No, I don't mean tacks, although you could probably make some valid "points" of comparison. Or taxes, even though I'm not fond of them, either! I mean Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.

Back in the day, when I was a blissfully ignorant homeschooler, I didn't know just how much TAKS drives the day-to-day events of public schools. At first it was just a benchmark (practice test) here and there. Now, closer to the dates of the actual TAKS testings, the benchmarks get harder and closer together. This week we will have to start additional tutoring for those who did not have passing grades on their benchmarks so that they will have a better chance of passing the TAKS. I'm even going to do some high school math tutoring. (My Campus Director thinks I should get my teaching certification.)

Those who criticize schools for just teaching to the TAKS tests do not realize the pressure schools are under because of the TAKS. Mind you, I don't like teaching to the TAKS either. However, schools and teachers are evaluated based on the percentages of passing students. If the school does not get an acceptable rating, the state can put a full-time monitor into the school (that the school has to pay for) and possibly close the school if improvements are not made.

Sometimes I wish I were a blissfully ignorant homeschooler again!

As for the rest of life: I'm feeling quite a bit better. Hopefully my throat will hold out tomorrow as I sing at church. No more news on the job front. And I haven't made soap yet. The diet is going o.k., but I am cheating more frequently (just in small ways). The mission application is still in progress. No news from Agape Flights on replacing their plane. Lunch still pretty much dominates my day at the school. And we have not made any progress on our online class.

I guess I'm just taking life one day at a time. Which isn't a bad perspective.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

-- Matthew 6:33-34 NLT

Surrender!

I thought it was going to be "Retreat!" but it ended up being "Surrender!"

The Women's Retreat was this weekend. I was really looking forward to it and had a couple of service opportunities that I was looking forward to. Plus, our new pastor's wife was our speaker. However, Thursday night I started feeling bad. By Friday morning, I knew I wouldn't be able to go. I even took off early from work -- as soon as I got my lunch duties finished! Oh, well. God knows best, and I'm sure there's a good reason why I needed to be home this weekend.

Mark & I worked on "cleaning" the fat today -- boiling in water the tallow we had rendered in order to get rid of more impurities. Someday it will be soap! I've also been checking out recipes and techniques online. As a side benefit of salvaging the scraps from mission meal, we also got several pounds of very fatty ground beef. We're going to mix it with some leaner ground beef we have or cook it and rinse it for use in spaghetti sauce or soup. Overall, our salvage was a blessing!

I got a call from my old project manager earlier this week. It looks like the end of the school year will work out better for his company to bring me on. He's still working on justifying my position. But he says he still wants to hire me. That would be good for me, since I don't know how much I'll work at the school over the summer. And if I'm not working, I'm not getting paid!

I'm getting tired of my weird diet, but I am losing weight. I think that generally I'm feeling better as well. Fortunately, I like the things I am allowed to eat. I have cheated a little, but I really try not to.

I got a very touching letter from my hubby for Valentines Day! I know it was a labor of love, as writing does not come easy for him. For me, it's not the pricey presents that count!

Sometimes I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels and not making much progress getting anywhere in life. But I know God is working in me and my family in subtle ways I can't always see. And when the time is right for a change of direction, He will make it apparent.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. -- Psalm 23:2-3a

Updates

Lunch only takes up 3/4 of my day now! Occasionally I get caught up. Frequently I get interrupted! Oh, the life of a school secretary.

I haven't heard from my previous project manager. Some days I'd take that job in a heartbeat. Others, I'm glad I'm at the school. I love the folks I work with -- at least most of them!

We're slowly making progress on the finances. Hopefully, March will be a little better. I'm also reading through a book a friend loaned me -- "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey.

Mark is making progress on his Agape Flights application. In his defense, it is lengthy. I also saw online that another organization, Baptist Haiti Mission, needs a computer tech. Hmm...

We did the precooking today for Mission Meal today. The proceeds will go toward the Russia Team, who are providing most of the labor as well. The menu is barbecue brisket, baked beans, cole slaw and chocolate cake. Yummy!

BTW, the Russia Team is going to visit a sister church in Tula, about 100 miles south of Moscow. They will be doing a marriage conference, English classes, VBS for kids, computer classes and visiting in church member homes. My daughter is on the team. My hubby and I were, too, but we had to drop off due to work conflicts.

We brought home a bunch of fat trimmed off the brisket they are cooking for tomorrow's meal. My hubby is cutting off any meat and rendering the fat so we can use it to make soap. I've thought about making soap for a long time but just haven't done it yet. Our next step is to obtain a source for lye! Then we get to try our hand at it!

Let's do lunch! All day!

Lunch is dominating my life at work! Our charter school just opened a cafeteria and is serving a boxed breakfast and hot lunches. Guess who gets to handle all the accompanying paperwork and money flow? That would be me, the entire administrative staff at the school! By the end of the week, I actually got to where I could spend a few minutes on things not lunch-related. But I was glad to have an entire day to get out report cards on Friday! It was a teacher workday, totally devoted to report cards. That, coupled with 10 hours of overtime on Wednesday and Thursday nights, got our report cards out on time!

I had a visit with my former project manager. I was impressed that he started the conversation with an apology for how he treated me at the end of our time together at the former workplace. I was interested in what they were doing at this new company and wouldn't mind being a part of it. It is much more "start-up" than I expected. After a follow-up call, it sounds like he will pitch the idea of hiring me to the higher ups. Even if an offer comes around, I still will give it a lot of prayer and thought. Please pray for wisdom and discernment for me! And if I do leave the school before the year is out, I will make sure their transition will be as painless as possible. I would want them to hire a replacement and let me assist in training that person thoroughly. (Then they can un-train them when I leave!) It may be that I will finish out the school year and make a change, or stay with the school for years to come!

We have not submitted our applications to Agape Flights yet. Mark is still finishing up his. I just noticed information on their website about the loss of their plane. You can read about it here.

If you read my daughter's blog, you know this has been a challenging month for us. Sometimes it takes the challenges for us to be dependent on God for His provision. God revealed his provision through an unexpected gift that taught my daughter the humility of allowing others to bless you in your need. Yes, we have made mistakes and poor choices and will have to face the consequences thereof. But I do not regret that our children have had to learn that at times we must wait for things and make choices between needs and wants. Hopefully, they will be better prepared for life because of this.