Tender Mercies: My Job, My Life in our Little House on the High Plains of Haxtun, and Transition

Yesterday I received a call from my friend/mentor/superintendent, Darcy Garretson.  I was not hired for the junior high science position.  I had expected her news.  Here's why:  Prior to last Tuesday, I felt like I'd landed the job. Darcy had called, concerned but optimistic, five days after my interview to see if I'd be interested/able to enroll in school in order to complete my licensure requirements.  A few days after that, we met to discuss the likelihood that I'd just complete the seven credits I had remaining this summer, which meant I'd be free to enroll in the Alternative Licensure Program this fall.  Darcy was visibly excited about that and asked me to write a letter to the school board explaining my plan. I left her office that Wednesday euphoric:  I had a LOT of work to do, but I probably had a job. The following Tuesday afternoon I was driving into town, thinking about dinner and wondering what chaos would greet me at home when suddenly  I thought,  "I should drive by the school and see if they're interviewing anyone tonight".  And right there, a block from my home, I turned on a dime and headed west.  West, not toward the sunset, but toward a forewarning from a loving God who knows that I don't like surprises. In the school parking  lot were four vehichles: Three belonged to our administrators and one to a woman from Holyoke who is a teacher.  Right then I had a feeling that my chances of being hired were no longer 90%.  I felt that my chances were very small.  So the next day when Darcy called, I was expecting her news. I'm thankful that Heavenly Father helped me to figure that out ahead of time. It was just one more tender mercy in a series of Tender Mercies; one more evidence of His love for me.   He knows I do not like surprises! Another tender mercy came through Darcy when she said, "We do not want to lose you over this.  We really, really want you involved with our school.  We have good reason to believe that this teacher won't be here long. We have aide positions that are open and we could use you as a sub while you're working toward licensure. But please know that we really want you here when you are ready."  And that was the best feeling of all!

I have had a plan B all along.  My physics materials arrived from BYU a few days ago. My notebook is organized; I've worked some math problems and have a meeting with my tutor tomorrow. And this summer I'll enjoy being a "free" woman---I have no "normal" job hours anywhere (McKenna and I do clean the daycare on the weekends).   I will work solely for the Andersen family for a few months! And that's a darn good job.

Plus, change is on the horizon. We have reason to feel cautiously optimistic that we've found a buyer for our home. Maybe I'll be moving into a new home rather than a new classroom.