Mama and I moved from our old home almost 3 years ago, to Springfield, Illinois, to be near my brother and his family. This meant leaving not only jobs but our church, as it is nearly an hour away. Huge changes were coming at Tab and it is a radically different place now than it was. Almost all of the staff has turned over, and not in congenial ways. I knew the atmosphere there was changing when we moved, but I didn't realize the exent of what was coming.
We attend a Christian church now, where my brother's family and his in-laws, as well as Jordan's family all go, and the kids attend their school. It's not exactly in line with my personal beliefs, but 1) what church is? and 2) we tried many others and nothing fit any better. I'm not teaching now, partially because of the difference in beliefs, and partially because that time is over.
Ecclesiastes 3
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:It was a friend of mine that woke me up to the idea that there is a season for everything to be finished as well. Never occurred to me! But I feel like that season in my life has passed. I have Jordan, turning 15 in two weeks, Logan -8, Raegan - 6 and now Aubrey - 5 months, to help guide and teach and support. I see them multiple times a week, and they need to be my main focus, not everyone else's kids. Also, it has become clear that I will be responsible for taking care of my Mama as she ages and weakens, as well as myself. My bro has all he can handle and more! I need to make sure I can provide for us both in the years to come. So . . .
Life now revolves around work at the University (administrator for Political Science and Global Studies programs), home and things helping Mama there, the kids' games, programs, recitals, babysitting, etc. and for the past year, school. I'm a Master's student, studying English, hoping to continue on eventually and be the Dr. Sentinel that Artharaja always said sounded so good. It's what I should have done immediately out of undergrad, but life intervened, and now it feels like I'm getting back on track. It's a tough road, and looks terribly long right now, but it can be done.
I am loving all the reading and the thinking and discussing big thoughts in classes and such. I'll probably be bringing more of that sort of thing here in the future. I'm also seriously working on a novel - about 1/2 to 3/4 way through a first draft, though it is expanding all the time. I may share some of what I'm investigating about writing and creativity and such here as well. In a way, it all feels very self-centered, but I know this is the season for it. I'm being prepared and entering a new phase of my life, and who knows what it will bring? Time to hold on and ride it out.
