SWAT - what?

Hilarity was the topic Thursday as the SWAT team came to do their active shooter training. I knew that they were running up and down the halls but when 2 muscular dudes burst through my side door with AK 47s drawn, I had to scream. They kept their training going, but I think I cracked them up. I had to laugh. After all, it was funny. I'm beginning to learn a little more about the schedule and am slowly getting the hang of things.
Today though, nothing, not even complete mastery of my new job, was as exciting as my dinner date with my favorite person on the planet. I met Chef for dinner at Rice Box and it was as great if not better than all our previous lunches. He's my favorite guy ! It was a good day.

Catching Up on Some Old Testament

As I've been sitting here, trying to figure out the ins and outs of office life (and trying to get adjusted to not going 100 mph) I have had LOTS of time to catch up on reading. I'm not an Old Testament reader. I much prefer the New Testament. I understand it better and thoroughly enjoy grace. However, Bro. Matt says we should look for God in every situation in the Bible and we shouldn't be afraid to explore the Old Testament. SO, that led me to a 3 day journey through Genesis and now I'm in Exodus. I knew that every time you read the Bible you can find something new and THIS is what I found today. I'm only 5 chapters into Exodus, but it's cracking me up that Moses keeps telling God "But this or But that..." It's like he's arguing with the Almighty because he isn't good enough to complete the task God has for him. My immediate thought was, "Dude, you are having a one-on-one conversation with the Maker of the Universe! How in the world do you not cower and just agree to whatever He says.." Immediately after that thought, I got it. I do the same thing! And you probably do too. How many times have we delayed doing what we knew we were supposed to do or thought there's no way we could do and rationalize doing something different? True, God's not standing in front of me or talking audibly to me about what to do, but I have to believe He is with me and just like Moses, I say "But God, so-and-so needs to do that! They are waaay better! I'm not qualified."
The cool part, after Moses put up a good fight about not being the right guy for the job, the Bible says, "Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses  and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do."  -Exodus 4:14-15
God's going to handle it. No worries Moses. He made you with all your faults and imperfections. (Exo. 4:11-12) and he can take your imperfect self and use him for His glory. I think we should remember that.

OK, back to Middle School Life.

Totally Out of My Element

I am not good with change. We all know this. So when I went on an interview mid April for a secretary position at the Middle School, I really wasn't expecting much. After all, I was completely comfortable at the Hotel. I was good at my job. I knew the ins and outs of that hotel. I loved (and still do) my bosses and co-workers and they love me. Absolutely nothing prompted a move. However, those same amazing bosses have only ever wanted what was best for me and have always told me to go after a dream. No matter what the dream may be, pick one and go after it. Middle School Secretary isn't really a dream job, but I truly believe it is a step in the right direction. Coping with the complete 360 degree turn my life has taken has been tough; however, I feel it was right. This was made evident by a quote a member from my small group class recently shared with me:

"Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there.” ~Charles Spurgeon

Do I miss Chef with every fiber of my being? If you know me at all then you know the answer to that one is a resounding YES. He was and still is my absolute best buddy on the planet. Good thing is, he's only a phone call and ten minutes away. I have talked to him every day. Already been to visit twice. Spent a day at the Soup Kitchen with the rest of the crew. Sure, distance makes it harder. Not having my backup singer for every Bon Jovi/Justin Timberlake/Spice Girls song is tough. Not having someone to laugh with about my insane family or share a chuckle and a nod with over an inside joke sucks, but knowing that Divine Providence led me to a friend for life and now to this place where I have already been able to spend more time in the Word than I have in the past month... I have to believe that this is right. If only for right now. 

It's new. It's scary. It's MIDDLE SCHOOL. It's a brand new adventure.

So, join me as I travel the world of Middle School and Beyond!