It's like a circle!

Me, in my new apartment, in 2003 when I first started teaching

I start my new teaching job tomorrow. I admit, this last week was incredibly overwhelming, and I came home and cried once! Poor Eric has to put up with me...

My room is ready, my lesson plans are done for week 1, so here I go! I am nervous, but I feel much more prepared to be the adult in the classroom, and more aware of who I am and what I want from my students. I am praying a lot-I want to love this new job and my students. I want to enjoy teaching!

I have to laugh at myself. The first time I quit teaching, I insisted I would never do it again (yet, here I am!). When I moved back to California, I insisted I would never move back to Arizona (yet, here I am!). I think now, I can really say that God brought me back to California that first time so I could spend time with Dad. I cherish the time I had with him and Mom; hanging out at the house, meeting Dad for lunches, and discussing finances in his gun room.

Does my heart ache a little? Yes; rather a lot! I find I miss talking to Dad-and I've dreamt more than once that I was talking on the phone with him. Is that God's way of comforting my heart? It could be. I wake up, though with an ache, with a happy memory. How I wish I could call Dad and tell him all about my week and hear his words of wisdom.

But, my heart has to continue on this new journey without Daddy. Though, I am definitely not alone this time around. God has given me a wonderful, patient, hilarious husband to keep me balanced.

I feel like I've made a circle...I started teaching in Arizona, left and here I am again, only with more support and preparation. So, just maybe, this time around will be much better...