Trust in the Journey

It is hard to believe that just over a year ago, I was graduating from UD, a moment that had seemed to distant for year.  The completion of my first year of teaching was another one of those monumental life achievements that always seemed just within reach as my the slow-motion rendition of my not-so-slow-motion life played out in my head.  I sit here, with only 3 exam days separating me and from SUMMER BREAK, yet, I can't help but look forward to next year.

I am anxious, excited, and hopeful about the opportunities the await me next year.  However, the opportunities that lie ahead lie not at Worthington Christian, but rather at Thomas Worthington High School!  I was was given the opportunity to start an Autism Unit, or what is known as a Structured Communication Learning Center.  Though I can't picture a day without the hysterics of my 16 kids and the support of a loving and warm staff, I am THRILLED to be joining a team of amazing, knowledgeable, involved, wonderful special ed. teachers at TWHS.  I am trusting that God has big plans for me as I just head-first into what is bound to be another adventure.

If you had told me that I would be starting my second year of teaching at a second school, I would have probably laughed in your face.  When the kids, or even other adults ask "why", I can simply say that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that was given to me as a second year teacher and I know that I will be kicking myself for the rest of my life if I walk away from it.  I also tell them that sometimes we don't know why God calls us, but as long as we know the where, and we follow, we can't go wrong.  I am trying to constantly remind myself of my own advice.

Below, you will find the letter that I sent to staff...I think it does a good job of capturing my heart regarding this decision.  Thank you for your continued support and May God make the "where" in your life clear to you, each and every day.

From a WCHS Warrior to a TWHS Cardinal,
Ms. Phillips
 
__________

Friends,

I hope you are managing to tough out this awful rainy weather.  If you are anything like me, you are waiting with anticipation for the sun and warm weather to resurface.  For those of you not in Devotions this morning, I wanted to give you an update:

I cannot believe that the year is nearly over; how it has flown by!  I have found it to be a wonderful year and am so thankful for all of the opportunities that it has brought.  I believe that God truly brought me to Worthington Christian for my first year of teaching for many reasons. I have found such a strong support system in each and every one of the teachers, staff, parents, and students alike.  I cannot thank you enough for the gift that you have given me through providing your support.  You all have taught me what it means to make teaching your ministry.  There is no other place that I would have rather spent my first year of teaching.

I wanted to inform you of the opportunity that I have been given.  I have been asked to start an Structured Communication Learning Center at Thomas Worthington High School.  This is essentially an autism unit that focuses on helping students with communication and social skills. God has truly given me a heart for students with exceptionalities, particularly those with Autism.  I couldn’t help but question God though, as I have truly made a home at Worthington Christian.  I was welcomed with open arms and have been so blessed to know each and every person that I have met over this last year.  Though I am extremely sad to leave and do not know what God has in store, through much prayer and consideration, I am sure that God has great plans for me and is calling me to trust him on this new journey that he has called me on.  I know that I must follow Him and trust that he knows better than I.

I feel as if God has used me to initiate many things over the past years.  The hard part is, often to call me out prior to me getting to see the seeds that I have planted in full bloom.  However, I know that God will bless that and that he does not need me to fulfill his work, but rather chooses to use me; this is something that he continues to humbly remind me of.  Know that is not easy for me to say goodbye and I feel as if I am walking away as not only a better educator, but a better person, and each of you are to thank.

I will miss you all more than words can say, as I have truly formed life-long friendships here.  But don’t worry, you can’t get rid of me that easily…I will be back to visit.  I will continue to pray for each of you and that you may find rest and renewal this summer.

Finishing Strong

As the rain finally subsides and summer nears, maintaining my sanity becomes increasingly difficult.  I have a roomful of students that already have difficulty focusing...add promise and proximity of summer with the heat wave that has taken over the modular and you have a recipe for disaster.

Thankfully, after training for the 1/2 marathon for the past few months and finally reaching my goal...I am confident that I can make it through almost anything!  I was asked to write an article about my experience before, during, and after the 1/2 for the Worthington Christian newsletter.  Below is the article if you're interested.  It sums up everything!

A Renewed Strength

                As the soreness and hand-written verse (Isaiah 40:31) on my arm fade, the realization of what I have done begins to settle.  May 7, 2011, a date that has loomed over me for months, taunting me with its proximity, particularly in the few weeks which preceded it, had finally arrived. 

                This journey, however, had begun eight years prior, after logging nearly 13 years of dance, softball, and golf experience.   On a typical December day, only hours away from a new year, my life changed in a matter of seconds when I collapsed from what I was later told was a culmination of years of knee damage that would require reconstructive surgery.    I remember thinking that there is nothing more humbling than having to re-learn to walk, a task that entailed much dependence on others.  I longed for the day that I would be free from the crutches, the braces, the stares from strangers and even the scars that were left behind.  After physical therapy throughout high school and college, I vowed that this would not be a set-back, but rather my motivation to work twice as hard to accomplish my goals.

                Fast-forward over 8 years, to a sunny day on the 7th of May, to find me standing amidst a crowd of nearly 12,000 strong, all waiting to hear the sound of a bull-horn, signaling the epitome of months, even years, of blood, sweat and tears. 

                The horn sounded and the Capital City 1/2 Marathon had begun; there was no turning back.  I began to settle into a natural pace and my anxiety subsided.  I couldn't stop smiling as I was reminded of the magnitude of what God had done in my life over the past 8 years.  I had come to truly know Him through what had seemed like a debilitating event at the time. 

                As the race carried on, I relished cheers from family, friends, and even complete strangers.   I rounded the corner to begin the last 3 miles of this journey and was humbled by the sense of dependence that I was now so thankful for. As someone who runs in order to experience liberation, I realized that is was in this moment,  when I ached from head to toe and wanted more than anything to cross the finish line, that God had carried me to this point and would continue to do so.  I had been wrong all of these years; there is nothing more humbling than running, not walking, towards the finish line, knowing that you are running towards a prize that cannot, and will not fade.

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."

Praying for Summer,
Ms. Phillips