I have stared at an empty draft for weeks, unsure of how to go about this. In the end, I decided to start where all things do.
In the beginning, God created the… just kidding.
She danced around, setting everything straight, putting final touches on the classroom. Once everything was ready, she skipped out to compose herself and wait. When the perfect moment presented itself, she swept into the room with her best ballerina curtsey, cheerfully welcoming her students to a brand new day of school. A collection of wide-eyed stuffed animals stared back.
At some point, she outgrew this Saturday afternoon routine, relinquishing it for electronic entertainment and what she believed to be bigger, grander aspirations. But the students never left. At thirteen, her classroom was a pew-side nursery that could barely contain two toddler students, a pair of sisters. By seventeen, she was jiejie to more children than she could count.
And yet, it was still a closet dream, whispered to her six-legged octopus before bed, confessed to her high school crush like a terrible secret. Somehow, it seemed unattainable, impossible even. College rolled around, and doubt flooded her: “Is it teaching I want, or children? Am I really cut out for the classroom life? What if I end up hating it, like so many others do?” Most of the time, the questions remained unanswered.
I share all this, because it’s been a long time coming. This has not always been my dream, but in a way, it has.
On the Race, there was a prophecy involved, and a lot of drool. Years of background reading on blogs, and many divine appointments along the way.
But really, what I remember now is sitting at an overpriced cafe in Addis, three days into Month 3, cautiously following the Lord’s direction to revisit my grad school research – a year earlier than planned, and a different program.
And then He asked me to apply – just one egg in one basket – and to trust Him with the rest.
Okay, God.
As I worked on putting the materials together from a world away, God answered my biggest prayer and brought our team to Sarah’s Covenant Homes. I fell in love with a foster home there, only a yes away from joining their family. What I heard instead was a God-sized no.
Okay, Father.
I have been serving at teaching ministries for the last four months. It looks different in every country, but some things are the same. It is always hard. It is always tiring. And I always love my kids more than I can communicate.
Okay, Teacher.
Looking back, I see it clearly. God has been orchestrating in my life long before I recognized His divine touch. He diverted my path to intersect with people who would tug on my heartstrings and shape my passions. He blessed me with opportunities to figure out where I fit in and how much I truly care.
So here it is: I am going to grad school! In September, I will begin to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood special education at the University of Washington Seattle. It makes so much sense as a next step that it is surreal to think about how much of it was revealed to me on the Race.
The program, of course, is just a stepping stone in a lifelong pursuit of the Lord’s voice and being in the lives of individuals with special needs. I believe God is inviting me to be a part of what He is doing in the communities at my school and in Seattle. I am excited to go to a new place (and stay for longer than a month).
This will be more relevant in two months, but please be praying for my transition into a new season. Pray for the practical – apartments, employment, moving, routine – as well as the spiritual – church, community, meaningful relationships, ministry.
Cat’s out of the bag – I’m so glad to finally share this news with you!
