He Always Answers..In Some Way!
It's been a while since my last post, and goodness I feel like I have been on a roller coaster these past two months. Since my last post, I have made the full move to Nashville. I am here officially, and I love it!! However, things have not gone exactly as planned. As you all know, I am a teacher. I absolutely LOVE teaching. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade. I used to come home from school and set up my stuffed animals in my room like they were students and play "teacher" all afternoon. I was a Kindergarten teacher at Gary Road Elementary in Jackson, MS before I moved to Nashville. I came here this summer thinking I would land a teaching position with no trouble. After all, there are four school districts around me. Some would have me commuting at least thirty minutes, but that was no big deal to me considering I used to commute 45 to Jackson. So I applied to four school districts. And guess what? I am typing from home on a Tuesday, with NO teaching job. At first, I was really down on myself...thinking something was wrong with me as teacher and that principals were just overlooking my resume. The good news is that after meeting people in the Nasvhille area, I have learned that it is very hard to move to the area and land a teaching position right away, and I am not the only one who had their hopes of being a teacher here crushed. I spent all summer visiting schools, hand delivering resumes, emailing and calling principals every single day. Out of all the visits, emails, and calls, I managed to meet...get ready...a whooping number of TWO principals. That is right, TWO. And I know I visited at least 60 schools.....some of them twice. I did have one interview (with one of the two principals I met), and I didn't get the job. This was a huge reality check for me. I know you're thinking...stop complaining, lots of peopel have trouble getting jobs, not just you. But you see, I have NEVER had trouble with getting a job. So when I got called to my first interview..I thought....I have an interview, I got the job. In high school, I landed a part time job as a bank teller at age 16. Had an interview, got the job. In college, walked into a restaurant on the Square in Oxford looking for a summer job, got a job offer on the spot..first restaurant I went into. After college, I went on my first interiew looking for a teaching position, and I got the job. Needless to say, I didn't get the 4th grade teaching position I interviewed for. I continued to search and search for any leads that would land me an interview, or even another meeting with a principal..but no luck! I have prayed and prayed for something to come up, for me to land a teaching position..anywhere and any grade. Through all of it, I have turned to God for answers and comfort. And although my prayer of being a teacher has not been answered yet, so many other prayers have been!! That's the greatest thing about prayer, you always get something answered! After school started and the chances of me getting a teaching job was lowered even more, I started praying for ANY job, and those prayers were answered right away! I applied to be a "nanny," and landed tons of interviews! Although it is not what I want to be doing for a career, I know I should be thankful that I have a job at all. I took the job of being a nanny for a family with an almost 2 year old and a 4 year old; both boys! I will be keeping them on Thursdays and Fridays. For the other three days of the week, I hope to be substitute teaching so that I can get my foot in the door at different schools and land a teaching position next year. I am going to keep working hard until I am a teacher...do not care where...just somewhere!! But for now, I NEED a J.O.B. Not only am I broke, I am bored during the day!!! You can only enjoy so much sitting at home. Through all this, Chris has been so supportive...literally...with comfort and money. We are not married yet, but he has sure been supporting me like we are! :) We have both been praying and praying for God to take of us..and he always finds a way. Last week, Chris learned that he is getting a pay raise at his job!! When I found it out, I thought...wow..God is GOOD!! So..prayers are always answered in some form.
It's been a while since my last post, and goodness I feel like I have been on a roller coaster these past two months. Since my last post, I have made the full move to Nashville. I am here officially, and I love it!! However, things have not gone exactly as planned. As you all know, I am a teacher. I absolutely LOVE teaching. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade. I used to come home from school and set up my stuffed animals in my room like they were students and play "teacher" all afternoon. I was a Kindergarten teacher at Gary Road Elementary in Jackson, MS before I moved to Nashville. I came here this summer thinking I would land a teaching position with no trouble. After all, there are four school districts around me. Some would have me commuting at least thirty minutes, but that was no big deal to me considering I used to commute 45 to Jackson. So I applied to four school districts. And guess what? I am typing from home on a Tuesday, with NO teaching job. At first, I was really down on myself...thinking something was wrong with me as teacher and that principals were just overlooking my resume. The good news is that after meeting people in the Nasvhille area, I have learned that it is very hard to move to the area and land a teaching position right away, and I am not the only one who had their hopes of being a teacher here crushed. I spent all summer visiting schools, hand delivering resumes, emailing and calling principals every single day. Out of all the visits, emails, and calls, I managed to meet...get ready...a whooping number of TWO principals. That is right, TWO. And I know I visited at least 60 schools.....some of them twice. I did have one interview (with one of the two principals I met), and I didn't get the job. This was a huge reality check for me. I know you're thinking...stop complaining, lots of peopel have trouble getting jobs, not just you. But you see, I have NEVER had trouble with getting a job. So when I got called to my first interview..I thought....I have an interview, I got the job. In high school, I landed a part time job as a bank teller at age 16. Had an interview, got the job. In college, walked into a restaurant on the Square in Oxford looking for a summer job, got a job offer on the spot..first restaurant I went into. After college, I went on my first interiew looking for a teaching position, and I got the job. Needless to say, I didn't get the 4th grade teaching position I interviewed for. I continued to search and search for any leads that would land me an interview, or even another meeting with a principal..but no luck! I have prayed and prayed for something to come up, for me to land a teaching position..anywhere and any grade. Through all of it, I have turned to God for answers and comfort. And although my prayer of being a teacher has not been answered yet, so many other prayers have been!! That's the greatest thing about prayer, you always get something answered! After school started and the chances of me getting a teaching job was lowered even more, I started praying for ANY job, and those prayers were answered right away! I applied to be a "nanny," and landed tons of interviews! Although it is not what I want to be doing for a career, I know I should be thankful that I have a job at all. I took the job of being a nanny for a family with an almost 2 year old and a 4 year old; both boys! I will be keeping them on Thursdays and Fridays. For the other three days of the week, I hope to be substitute teaching so that I can get my foot in the door at different schools and land a teaching position next year. I am going to keep working hard until I am a teacher...do not care where...just somewhere!! But for now, I NEED a J.O.B. Not only am I broke, I am bored during the day!!! You can only enjoy so much sitting at home. Through all this, Chris has been so supportive...literally...with comfort and money. We are not married yet, but he has sure been supporting me like we are! :) We have both been praying and praying for God to take of us..and he always finds a way. Last week, Chris learned that he is getting a pay raise at his job!! When I found it out, I thought...wow..God is GOOD!! So..prayers are always answered in some form.
In the mix of all the job worries, my younger sister found out she had to have surgery. She had something very rare..called Nutcraker Syndrome. They had to go in a re route a vein behind her kidney. And wouldn't you know it..God answered our prayers and brought her through the surgery safe and sound. He even answered the prayers of recovery as we asked Him to please allow her to recovery safely and fast so that she could start nursing school on time (two weeks after her surgery)...and she did! So what have I learned from all this? God is great, He has a plan, he answers prayers, and He will never throw you anything that you cannot handle...always remember that!!
Now...on to the fun stuff!! In the past two months I have moved to Nashville and made some great new friends!! Chris and I visited Woodmont Baptist Church and LOVED it. Everyone was so welcoming and they have activities for all ages. We plan on going to the young professionals Sunday Bible study next time we visit. We are going to visit a few churches and join one in the Nashville area very soon. Right now, we are thinking Woodmont Baptist is a great fit for us! I celebrated my 24th birthday in Nashville back in July and just recently celebrated my mom's 50th birthday! Her bday is not until August 28th but we surprised her with a party this past Saturday. Here a few pics of the fun times I have had since my last post!
Celebrating the 4th of July at Ridge's (Chris dad) lake house at Reynolds Plantation!
Happy Fourth of July!! Watching the fireworks!
Summer fun with my girls on the boat!
My dad sking...after 30 years he still has it!
Hanging out with new friends in Nashville! Mine and Sidney's birthday weekend!
Chris and me out celebrating my birthday!
Having some birthday fun with the girls!
My birthday cake..cookie cake from Publix...Yummy...Chris did great!
Out on Broadway celebrating Courtney's Bachelorette Party!!
Friends at my mom's 50th surprise birthday party! It was H.O.T.
Chris and me enjoying the party!
Sisters! Yeah, we were pretty hot. Haha, but it was worth it..we had a blast!
My wonderful family...happy birthday mama!!
Isn't she the cutest?!!! Best mom in the world. Hands down.
As always, thanks for visiting my blog! Next weekend Chris and I are going to Memphis to attend a couples shower for the soon to be bride and groom..Courtney Conley and Tyler Dutton! Then FINALLY...football season begins!!! Hotty Toddy! Cannot wait for Grove time. Also, wedding updates to come soon! We are less than four months away...and I am more than ready!! God bless you all!
Anna
