New Beginnings

Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

This school year marked several new beginnings for our family.  My oldest daughter started middle school.  My husband stepped into a new position at work to temporarily fill in for his boss who was injured in a serious car accident.  And I decided to leave the workforce, again, to be at home with my family.

Yes, I left the workforce... again.  I graduated from college 18 years ago with a Music Education degree.  I have wanted to be a teacher from the time I started kindergarten.  So, when I graduated from college, I pursued a career in education.  I was hired to teach general music in a local elementary and middle school.  At the end of my fourth year of teaching I delivered my first child.  I made the decision to stay at home with my little girl and over the next few years I was blessed with two more children.  By this time I was plenty busy!  I remained at home with my beautiful babies for ten years.

When my youngest child entered the first grade, I went back to work as an aide at my children's elementary school.  I enjoyed this work very much and I felt blessed to be able to be close to my own children during the day.

Unfortunately,  life has a way of changing just when you start to feel comfortable.  My oldest daughter, Anna, is autistic.  Fifth grade was difficult for her and as the school year progressed, Anna regressed into disruptive behaviors and daily meltdowns.  Life became more stressful for everyone at our house.  By the time the month of May rolled around, we were all counting down the days until summer break.   And as the next school year approached, I knew that our family could not face that kind of stress again.

So I'm here at home.  I have found that I really did need this time to recharge so that I can be ready for whatever the day may bring.  It wasn't just Anna's meltdowns that caused our family stress.  I've come to see that my husband and all three of my children take their cues from me!  When I start "losing it" everything falls apart.  When I'm able to remain calm, my children feel secure, no matter what else may be going on.  I know that being home is where I need to be right now.  Where will I be next year, or in ten years?  I don't know yet, and I'm not going to let that become something else to be stressed out about.  I just want to be open to whatever God has in store for me.  I don't know what's next for me, but I know that God has a plan for my life.  I want to be ready each day to embrace His plan.