When people learn that I'm from McKinney they always ask, why Texarkana? The only one I can give credit to is, God; because I truly believe it was a God-ordained move. I began praying specifically and fervently about my future job in January of 2016. I specifically prayed over Ephesians 3:20 which says,
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
I prayed God would open and close doors where He saw fit. This was hard to pray but I wanted him to lead me and I knew He would provide. But being human, I also selfishly prayed He would lead me back to McKinney. My place of comfort. My home.
Going back to the fall semester of 2015, I was struggling with my certification test for Arkansas. I've always had test anxiety and I really felt the pressure that semester. I had one test left to pass and it was the math test. Without passing this test, I wasn't going to be able to student teach in the spring. I was overwhelmed and stressed. One night, while I was doing my nightly devotion I was reminded me that God had never brought me to a place and left me. He had always followed through because it's not in His character to leave. The reason I bring up this semester is because I refused to believe God would bring me through that season only for me to not teach. He had called me to be a teacher years before and I had to do my part and trust Him.
Fast forward to April of 2016. I had gone to a job fair with Texarkana ISD. During the interview process, I felt at peace about the district but when they offered me a job, I was filled with so much anxiety and doubt. At the time, I was worried I might not be offered another job but I also didn't want to take a job that wasn't right for me. So I turned down the offer. That very same week, God opened an unexpected door in McKinney. I was ecstatic. But God closed that door as fast as it was opened. I was discouraged. That next month, I graduated college and had interviews that I thought would pan out. But one by one, God again, closed those doors. I was upset and broken. But I also knew God had been answering my prayer by closing those doors.
In June, God sent me a curve-ball. He opened a door at a middle school. (insert me being shocked) I remember getting the call and trying to figure out what just happened. I hadn't applied for the position and to be quite honest; I was a little surprised. Surprised because I had already turned down an offer with the school district. I was in the middle of interviews with another school district but figured an interview wouldn't hurt anything. Hesitant as I was, I scheduled the interview and a couple days later left for church camp.
The morning of the interview, I remember calling my mom and telling her that I didn't want to drive to Texarkana. Coming back from camp, I was exhausted and getting sick. But she encouraged me to go and so I drove the two and a half hours to Texarkana. Before the interview, I met my friend for lunch and as I was getting out of the car; I received an email. God had closed another door. This email let me know that I was no longer in the interviewing process for a school back home. I was crushed. I reminded myself of Ephesians 3:20 and prayed my way to the interview. During the interview at the middle school, I felt such a peace. I had the same feeling 4 years ago when I visited Ouachita. When they called asking if I would accept the job and be willing to move to Texarkana, I had no doubts and said yes.
So here I am 8 months later and I can honestly say that this move has been the most rewarding. No, it hasn't been the easiest transition being away from my family but God provided another type of family for me. Every little detail fell into place and I'm so glad that I let my faith be bigger than my fears. It would have been so easy to live at home and find a different job but then I would have missed out on God's blessings. When I tell people that I teach 7th grade math they always give me a horrified look and say, "Wow, you're so brave." But this truly is the job of my dreams. If I had stuck to my plan, I would have missed out big time. To those of you reading this post, I encourage you to follow where God is leading you. It's scary and at times crazy but God has your best interest at heart.
