For those of you who haven’t heard yet – I will not be returning to my teaching position next year in order to have more time at home with Isla. I know many of you have been following along since my “Fashionista Teacher” blog days, so you know how much of a change this will be for me! It was definitely a difficult and bittersweet decision, as I loooove being a teacher, but I’m looking forward to this new adventure!
Just wanted to share with you all today what went into my decision and a bit of my heart…
I had always planned on continuing to work after having kids, but with only a few weeks of maternity leave left, reality set in and I began thinking about other options for next fall. When discussing my options with Logan and praying about what God had in store for our future, it became clear that either decision could work for our family (working full-time vs. staying home), there were pros and cons to both and there wasn’t really a distinct path we were being led toward. I knew I would just have to make a decision (the contract renewal deadline was quickly approaching and would pass before I headed back from maternity leave) and trust that the Lord would provide in either circumstance.
The scariest part of my decision was the unknown. Teaching is all I’ve known and loved for the past eight years (more like 28 if you count the school I had in my basement and the “work” I’d force my parents and grandparents to do when we went out to dinner together!) and it’s what I’ve always felt called to do, so not knowing what’s in store for me is terrifying and exciting at the same time. The Lord is just asking me to trust Him right now with what’s to come for our little family! I have the feeling my teaching degree will still be put to good use, whether it be teaching Isla new things or another opportunity I don’t even know about yet!
I’m not a homebody by nature and go a little stir crazy when I’m home all day, so I know getting out and having some adult interaction will be important for me. I plan to substitute teach and work a few hours a week at Loft, along with getting involved in some mom groups and planning plenty of activities Isla and I can go out and do together, like zoo trips and story time at the library.
I just wanted to share this verse with you before wrapping up today’s post. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” – Colossians 3:23. It was one that kept replaying in my head during this whole decision making process and it served as a great encouragement for me. Whether you’re a working mama, a stay-at-home mom, or fall into a different category, whatever it is you do, work at it with all your heart for God’s glory – that is what’s most pleasing to Him!
XOXO, Jenna
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