i was teaching 2nd grade at Providence School in Jacksonville, FL - I'd been married for 5 years at this point and Chad wanted to move back to Indiana, he had reasons that made sense to me but this was also one of the few times, up to this point, I had a strong preference and that was to stay
at this point in my life, i didn't see my lack of preference as weakness, I don't even know if I was aware enough to notice, but having preferences wasn't a big thing for me - if someone wanted to do something and I didn't have a blaring reason not to, I was content going along for the ride
but this ride to IN hit my stride in a way that made me realize I had a stride - while we didn't have children, I saw myself continuing to teach at this school and I saw my children attending there
this was Jan or Feb of that year and Chad and I decided we'd pray about it until Easter and make the decision then - I settled in on not really praying 🤣- rather told God I'd just be carrying on as usual and if He had anything worth noting about our direction He'd have to show me and that I'd record them and by Easter whichever side had the most stirring evidence that was the path I'd choose as His
it wasn't long at all and my first incident worth recording happened - my parents knew what we were considering and I got a phone call from my dad - very worth recording for that alone as we weren't big phone talkers - but also because of what he shared - never to that point one for interjecting his preferences in my life (i came by it honest) - he very much did on this call - he told me his purchaser was no longer with his company and if we decided to move back to IN he'd leave the job open for me to have
knock me over with this one - by Easter I only had 4 things I'd recorded and I think this honestly could have been the only one and I'd of known what God was saying - it was just that out of left field - this was also very much worth recording b/c I never saw myself teaching and having children - people who do this are still - to this day, some of the most amazing people I know - and I thought this job would be something I could do and start a family
item one recorded on the Indiana side
Item two occurred quickly as well - I got a phone call from a friend back in Indiana - her and I had worked some retreats together, which were called "Believers in Christ" not sure if that is still what it goes by. She was now leading a team and called asking me to be her assistant. I wasn't sure how this was going to work considering I lived in Florida and we'd have weekend team meeting prior to the actual retreat weekend.
After prayer and another happenstance that pointed to saying yes, I said yes. It was at one of these weekend team meetings that my 2nd thing to note occurred. During these team meetings, someone is asked to give a "Witness Talk" - just a short ditty about how God's moved in one or more parts of your life that would encourage the team as a whole or help them get to know you - the girl that did the witness talk that day returned from giving it and sat by me, she leaned over and said words I can't recall verbatim but the strong gist of it was she sensed from the Holy Spirit that we'd have the chance to become friends in the future.
Indiana 2 - Florida 0
(Side note - I had a connecting flight in North Carolina this trip that still holds the record for my fastest sprint from gate to gate.)
On my flight from NC to Jax, I sat next to a girl my age. We talked the whole flight and in doing so learned we lived in the same neighborhood! There we go - Florida was on the board!
I do not recall what my fourth recording was - but I do recall it went to IN - and in looking at the list - with my one Florida recording, while absolutely impressive - didn't have enough weight to swing the pendulum.
When that school year finished, literally the next day, we packed up and moved to Indiana. I began my role as purchaser the very next Monday on May 30th, 2005.
My daughter, now 11, sings little songs or really phrases she makes up at night while lying in bed. One she sang to me all school year was in reference to my job, "Happy 20th anniversarie -ie - ie" I can hear the tune in my head as I write. She actually hadn't sang it the last few week or so - and last nite - out of the blue - she sang it for the last time because today marks 21 years.
In hindsight, so often 20/20, what a blessing the job has proven to be. I worked out of the office for just 3 years before we moved to Illinois. I ended up being able to keep this job and started working from home. With that being the first of many moves over the next 13 years, having a job that could commence again with just internet connection was fantastic. Then becoming a mom and a single mom, the stability and flexibility have been invaluable.
A song, a few work pics, and some of my offices over the last 21 years.
I may have a favorite coworker but don't tell anyone.
