Life is never as it seems.

My life has never seemed to go quite as I think or want it to go, but lately it seems things have been more unexpected than ever before.

First off, Aaron and I took some time apart - we spent Christmas vacation in different states, and decided not to talk for awhile to gain perspective. Since then have been talking a bit and trying to piece together where we feel God is leading. Of course there is so much more to the story...but for my blog post I'll just say "We are figuring things out." Whether that means we end up together or not...we are just trying to figure it all out.

After Christmas break, I had a few weeks to teach my students everything they'd need to know for their final exams, and today at 10am I finished giving my last one. Usually exam week is glorious for high school teachers, because we don't actually have to teach anything, but instead we get to watch our kiddos for an hour and a half, then run their test through a scantron machine and call it good. Except...life is never as it seems.....

On Monday after school, I found out that because of budget cuts and enrollment numbers for next year, I am not going to be offered a teaching contract for this coming fall. In other words...I have about 5 months to find a new job. Yeah...not the news you probably thought you'd be reading on my blog today...but such is life for me these days. Of course I was completely shocked and saddened by the news, but somehow I have been able to maintain composure for the most part. Here's what I think: God thinks I am capable of riding this emotional rollercoaster of figuring things out with Aaron, teaching, giving exams, grading exams, getting ready for 2nd semester, AND searching for a new job, all while maintaining an unwavering faith in Him so that He gets the glory for anything good or not-so-good in my life. God is sovereign - of that I am sure - so I am confident that He has my next steps in life totally planned out. My job is to wait on Him and figure out His leading. *Interesting side note: at a staff meeting on Tuesday this week, we took a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. The timing of everything is just...well...I have no words, really. (In case you were wondering, my highest scores were Encouragement, Hospitality, and Mercy.)

So that is the low-down on my little life out in California. Not as I would have planned it at all - but then again it never is, is it? *sigh* One last thing - before I found out about the whole situation for next year, I went out and spent a ton of money on this awesome new bed! I have been in desperate need for a more comfortable bed for the past 5 years now, so here it is! Enjoy the picture, and if you hear of any job postings that require Encouragement, Hospitality, or Mercy...you just send that info on to me! :)