I felt called to missions from a very young age, so all my choices were focused on this calling. Where I went to university, what I studied, moving overseas while single, going to seminary… the list goes on. So when I got a job as an afterschool teacher at a Montessori school while studying at Truett, it was just a job for getting me through seminary (at least, that’s what I thought). I wasn’t called to work with children, and if I am being honest, the idea of working with kids scared me. But I needed a job, and it worked great with my schedule. I was the lead Elementary afterschool teacher for a year and found that I actually enjoyed it. Those kids were not as terrifying as I thought!
Then, as I was in my last semester of seminary, I was able to become a full-time assistant teacher in the same Montessori school. I knew that Casey and I weren’t going to be moving to China for a few more years and it was a good opportunity, but still, just a job.
I found that being an assistant teacher for 3-6 years olds was incredibly challenging, but wow, so much fun! And I was learning so much about the Montessori education methods. As I was also about to be a mom, I thought this is what I am here for. I can use this to help me incorporate what I am learning as a parent. Still just a job, but at least it can be useful.
After Juniper was born, the opportunity arose for me to work as the assistant director, and later, the director of her childcare center. This time was so wonderful getting to work with my daughter. This wasn’t a role I would have imagined myself in, but I really loved it. It was in this role that I received training in Conscious Discipline. I was not in the classroom, but I was working with and training the teachers. I loved being a source of encouragement to them, trying to get them the resources and encouragement they needed to do the important work of caring for the children in our center. It was still just a job, but one that I enjoyed.
During all this, I still felt that my purpose and calling was overseas ministry. I often wondered if all this time NOT doing what I felt called to was a waste. I went to seminary to prepare for ministry, not early childhood education. I wasn’t called to be a teacher or director.
Now, ten years later, all that time in early childhood education, all that training, all the resources gained and experience in working with teachers is coming back around and providing opportunities for connections and ministry. Sharing the resources I gained from Conscious Discipline training and getting to share that with parents and teachers in various opportunities both in China and in the Philippines is such a joy! I LOVE getting to talk to other parents about healthy parenting methods. I love getting to resource teachers. And I am seeing that God uses it all. Even the time when I didn’t feel like I was doing what I was called to do, I was learning and growing and preparing for possibilities I couldn’t have imagined.
After leading a marriage and parenting seminar earlier this year with our fellowship in China, a new opportunity to connect with a school in southern China opened up for me to share with the parents and teachers there. A friend that works at the school said that the principal of the school was so surprised by my attitude and care for the teachers and school community. She had only had bad experiences with foreign teachers in China. My friend, who is a Christian, said she was so glad that her boss could see a difference in me. Knowing that even in that acknowledgement, it opens the doors for sharing why I am different. This is what it means to be the presence of Christ. Sharing the Way of Christ through simply being myself and showing his love and care for them.
I still laugh a little when I think of how much of a waste I thought my time in those roles was. It wasnt a waste, I learned so much in that time and it has formed me and prepared me for the doors that are opening in ministry now.