we all want to be masters

ANNOUNCEMENT #1: I'm not teaching next year. 

*deep breath*

I know, I can't believe it either. But it's true. I'm not teaching next year. This decision was not made lightly. If you had stopped me in February and asked what I planned to be doing next year, my answer would have been adamant & disdainful: "Teaching English & drama at TCCS, of course." But by early March it was clear that the Lord was directing me to do one of the most terrifying things: give up my dream job.

Literature buffs would say, "The best laid plans of mice and men..." (thanks, Robert Burns).
Spiritual counselors would say, "Take no thought for tomorrow" (Matthew 5:34) and "God knows the plan He has for you to bring Him glory" (Jeremiah 29:11).

I think Jesus just smiled, wrapped me in His arms, and whispered, "Trust me. Take a leap of faith."

You want to know the most amazing thing about all of this? The incredible peace Christ has given. I never thought I would leave my school, but in the midst of March Madness I knew, I just knew that was what the Lord wanted. Have you ever had one of those moments? No real explanation, you just know.

Of course, now that I knew I wouldn't be teaching, I had to logically ask myself, "What's next?" Well, that leads to . . .

ANNOUNCEMENT #2: I'm getting my Master's. 

I've swayed back & forth on this decision over the last couple of years. Do I really need a Master's? What if I never get a job that 'uses' that degree? Is it worth the money? But Dad was my constant: you need your Master's. Now is the time. 

So I gave in. I mean, we all want to be masters, right? Besides, I do have this misty dream of teaching at the college level someday & I'll need, that's right, a Master's degree.

Details aren't completely hammered out but I have peace that

• obtaining a Master's is God's plan for me at this time. 
• I should be pursuing a degree in Communications. 
• I will not be teaching next year. 
• I am not being called to relocate. 

So, if you think about it, pray for me.

• Pray I find the right Master's program: affordability and 100% online.
• Pray I find a full-time job that will
• meet my financial needs.
• benefit whatever future career the Lord has for me.
• work with/pay for my Master's degree.
• provide opportunity for growth and evangelism.

Now that I've given you quite a bit to take in, I'll treat you with yet another exciting announcement later. After all, with the year closing and no job, I've got a little free time. 

this crazy thing called life

Wow. To say, "it's been a while" would be rather an understatement. Knowing that I have only a few readers (or none at all) let me do a quick summary of my life since the fall of 2013.

• January 2014--I directed my absolute favorite Shakespearean play, Twelfth Night. My students did a fabulous job performing. So proud of them. 
• March 2014--started writing my own theatrical adaptation to The Wizard of Oz called No Place Like Home. 
• May 2014--Senior Trip: Take 2! But really, I was the sponsor. Wonderful bonding moments at the Wilds, Cedar Point, & while touring Chicago. Maybe I'll treat you to a throwback post next month. 
• July 2, 2014--No Place Like Home script complete! Wow, I never thought I would be able to write my own script. 
• mid-July 2014--I trekked north to Maranatha to help direct the non-musical, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, for MBA's annual music & drama camp.
• August 2014--Began my 3rd year of teaching!
• December 2014--TCCS performed No Place Like Home  a play written, directed, & produced by me! So humbled that Jesus not only gave me an unimaginable dream, but also allowed me to see the project through to completion.

Of course many wonderful 'little' moments happened as well, but I suppose I'll save those for another time. Also, some pretty BIG things have happened in 2015, but those deserve posts of their own. Suffice it to say, I love this crazy thing we call life.