21 March 2013

24 Saviors and One Who Changed My Life

"Teaching."

I didn't even know what I was saying. He asked me what I was passionate about. I thought and thought some more but nothing came to mind. And then I said it. Teaching.

Was this true? Was this the one thing I was truly passionate about? Even after saying it I still didn't believe it.



"Are you hiring?"

I filled out the application and didn't hear anything for a month. And then in a whirlwind week of events I had an interview, got offered the job and started my new career. I didn't even have time to catch my breath. I couldn't wrap my head around it. It was surreal. I was about to enter my new life as a kindergarten teacher.



Fast forward three months and I can now say without hesitation that I am passionate about teaching. I get excited to go to work everyday. I am hopelessly in love with 24 children that I spend my days with. I have a co-teacher who, through simply living her life, has helped me to reevaluate my relationship with God and my commitment to my faith.

The hardest part of this new adventure is learning to let go of old dreams. It is a major paradigm shift to accept that the dreams of just a few months ago are no longer what I want and need for my future. I'm letting go of what I wanted and worked for because I realize I no longer want that.

I want my 24 little babies. I want to help them become the best people they can become. I need their hugs. I need to celebrate their accomplishments. There is nothing better than their hugs. I will never tire of the notes and pictures they give me. I am hopelessly in love.

Almost accidentally, I found my passion.

This never gets old.

6 comments:

Silvs said...

I love it. Congrats!

Amanda said...

So sweet. You are amazing and I am glad that now you get to influence 24 new lives every year. I only wish you lived in ABQ... so my kids could be your students! My son John is in kinder this year. Crazy you could be his teacher. :) Love ya.

nathalia said...

Brave! You are brave and brilliant. Way to let go and embrace all at once. I am hopefully getting on my own path to teaching someday as well! (I got to sub for Seminary and it reaffirmed my desires to teach.) Your life journey is epic! Think about how many different ways you've influenced the world! In so many different realms! As friend, missionary, daughter, teacher, engineer, photographer, dancing queen, and hundreds of other roles I don't know about. I love you, soeur!

j said...

dude. i wondered how this came about!!! so great. i'm sending taegen to you next year. you do accept exchange students, right? :)

rychelle said...

i love this post. SO MUCH.

Anonymous said...

Yay! I love this. I was just talking about this idea with a friend last night...the inevitable grieving that takes place with change, even though you know the change is the right thing.