New things

Can summer already be over???? This year is flying by. I knew 2010 was going to be a much different year that would send us in new directions. It has delivered. In fact, I have turned a page on 2010 and feel that this blog has served it's purpose. I want my blog to evolve as my life has this year. Therefore I am starting a new blog and discontinuing this one. I will post one last time here when my new blog is established.

Political Season

I have lived in Arkansas for 14 years now. During high school (in Chattanooga) I was amazed at how a man from a small town called Hope could become President. It used to be the quintessential American story. The underdog. The dark horse. The cinderella story. But now that I'm here, I am less and less surprised at how Arkansas politicians are born and bred and groomed to greatness on the national scene. I don't know about other states, but Arkansas makes it very easy for budding politicians to gain momentum. This state grows smaller and smaller to me all the time. It is both a blessing and a curse to have such open access to the political machine. I have met our Governor on numerous occasions, have dined with State Senators and Representatives, and will be campaigning for a close personal friend running for the U.S. Congress.

I love living in this state because the civics lessons are endless. Our politicians are all over the place. Although my emmersion into political issues has been highlighted since moving to the capital city, politics was on our front door step in Jonesboro too. I am amazed at how easy it is to get involved at the local and state level. Brad and I have been blessed to be a part of some really interesting movements and I love seeing the state moving in new directions.

In many ways, I feel like Arkansas is on the brink of exploding culturally and intelectually. We have a long way to go, but people are genuinely interested in making a difference and making Arkansas attractive. At the Chamber, we talk a lot about how industries are no longer looking for capital investment as much as they are searching for a strong human resource. I am proud to think that we are attracting some of the right players because our politicians are making some tough decisions and trying to move our population in a new direction. I see more and more young families wanting to move to or back to Arkansas. We are focussed on investing in our human resources.

I applaud the decisions our politicians are making and appreciate their accessibility to the average person. I truly feel like I live in a state where my voice is heard. I may not always agree with the outcome, but I know I was heard.

So, as we kick off this political season, I hope we can keep the mission in mind. We all work for one another in order to make our communities better. May this political season be respectful and may rational minds prevail.

A Long Silence

It's finally over. Winter has passed and Spring has sprung! But that's not all that is emerging. It's been a long Winter for me. I've done a lot of soul searching over these last months. I feel like this whole last year has been a whirlwind I will never remember. While I am so happy for Brad and his new adventure of law school, I would be lying to say the move has not been hard. As things usually are, this year has been full of irony and change. I have had to take a long hard look at myself and ask what it is I should be doing and where do I fit in this picture.

For some time now, I have known that my future did not end with the Chamber of Commerce. That said, I have learned so much from my time here and it has given me an intimate portrayal of Little Rock that few people ever receive. I have dined at some of the best restaurants. I have spoken with some of the most intriguing people on Earth. I have watched new businesses being born. I have worked with some of the most influential politicians and business people in America. I have attended some of the most wonderful galas. And I have asked myself all along the way...is this what I was made for?

I know I am not the first or last person to struggle with this question. God has shown me that just when you are so certain of where you are headed, He will send you in another direction. That journey has not been pleasant. And yet, here I am today, revitalized by possibility I thought was behind me.

My last day with the Chamber will be Wednesday. I will then spend my days gathering paperwork and performing background checks and interviewing for jobs in middle school education. I know....I was surprised too. But when I stopped whining and started listening to God, he said to me 'I need you to do something only you can do'. Now, this doesn't mean that I think I am going to be able to perform the task of middle school teacher any better (in fact I will likely be much worse) than so many of the teachers currently teaching. But what I heard God say was, I made you for this and possibly something more later. I think God has been working on me for the last year to prepare me to make an impact with kids.

I was 13 when we lost my brother. Do you think that was a life defining moment? You bet. In fact, the years following that moment were some of the toughest years of my life. And not just because I was a teenager (that has enough drama by itself). I know that those middle school years define you as the person you will become as an adult. I know that so many kids that age are just looking for someone to listen to them and legitimize all of their raw emotions.

I know a lot of disenchanted teachers who are thinking I am an idealist. But anyone who knows me, knows I am anything but an idealist. I leave that up to Brad. I am the realist in our family. I know things will probably get much worse before they get better but I am up for the challenge. I will be returning to school to get my joint teaching license and masters degree. I can teach while I am getting my degree. I have requested that I be put where ever I am needed, but the Little Rock School District is my first choice. There will be plenty of at risk kids in that district.

For the first time in a while, I feel like I am moving forward. It has been about three years since I have felt this alive. I can't wait for the new adventure. And to all those nay sayers...keep it to yourself! I don't have blinders on but I do know God has an amazing plan in store for my students! Wish me luck....