Ever get used to the "same ole thing"?

School is in full swing, it's getting dark out earlier (insert sad face), and the weather is finally bearable! I'm back at Hutch Jr High for the second year and still love it as much as last year. I'm on the same team, teaching the same subject and grade level. While the year started off like a whirlwind, just like last year, I feel like I have a better grasp on it all this year. Granted, I'm still learning new things but I feel like I "get it."

Slone and I just finished a 9 week study on "The Truth Project."  It takes you through multiple journeys and showcases how Christians have been on a steady decline toward giving in to worldly ways. During one session the topic of "comfort" came up. How we in the group were all at a comfortable level in our lives...great jobs, nice homes, reliable cars, great health, etc. I'll never forget Slone speaking up and saying, "It's actually quite scary how well things are going. We literally have nothing to complain about. We are very comfortable in our lives." I thought about that statement the next few mornings on my drive in to school and began praying to be "uncomfortable." My thought was that if we were so comfortable with "things" in our life (house, jobs, cars, etc) then we must not be working for His glory and had become complacent. I remember being scared as I prayed that but I don't want to be complacent and I want to work for the greater good of our community, families, and nation. And sometimes, that means becoming uncomfortable so that His glory can be revealed through you. I knew this was a risky prayer, but I was willing to follow through and give God the glory no matter what.

It was probably about a month later, the day before school started again, that Slone told me that the company he worked for, Texas Power, was being sold and that he would be laid off. "Ok," I thought. "I DID pray to be uncomfortable, but holy cow!" I was so busy at school this day that I didn't fully process it until that weekend. All we knew was that eventually he would be laid off but there wasn't a for sure date at the moment. Since he is (was) a supervisor, he would be one of the last ones there. We talked about how we had prayed to be uncomfortable for His glory and knew that we would keep positive and in prayer about each step of the way. Neither one of us had experienced this before but we were in it together.

Eventually, he got notice that his last day would be the end of September. That bought us about a month to continue praying and try to make the best decision for our family. We always tried to look at the bright side...at least we don't have children, we live frugally and not beyond our means, if we had to sell the house we would make a really good profit from it if needed, etc. But fear never really had a foothold between neither of us. Am I saying that I woke up every day shouting from the rooftops because I was glad that he was getting laid off? No. Have I not had one ounce of worry in me throughout this short journey? Absolutely. But, I am telling you, through praying to become uncomfortable for His glory gave us every bit of confidence and faith we needed to pull through. My friends and family got to see me upset about it at first, then I could share with them the happiness that I knew would come from it. I didn't need to walk the halls of school and church sad because of this circumstance. They could still see a smile on my face and positive outlook to come because that's what I truly believed in.

One night, we sat down and weighed out the options. Slone said he could go straight back into corporate or take this time to finish school. (He's on the 10 year plan for those of you that don't know -ha!) He also suggested taking a leap of faith and coaching instead. I immediately said I would support any decision he made but highly recommended that he take this time to focus on school and becoming a basketball coach. As his wife, I've always known that he's wanted to coach basketball. Texas Power has been a huge crutch for him in taking that leap of faith to find a coaching job. This would be the push that he needed to get out there and finally do what he's always wanted to do. We decided that he would do just that. Focus on school and start looking for coaching positions at private schools (since they don't require state certification).

He had many connections that were more than willing to have coaches call him if they had open positions. He had an interview with PCA and it went very well to say the least. That interview led him to a position he now holds coaching an AAU basketball camp in Ft Worth on Wednesdays and Saturdays. From that same interview came an offer to be assistant coach of the high school basketball team at PCA. Of course he accepted that immediately, but we were a little in the dark about pay. Since he wouldn't be considered on staff since he didn't teach there, we wondered if he'd get paid at all!?

Shortly after accepting, he got a call from a board member at Burton Academy in Arlington. He interviewed with them for a head coach position. He was offered the job on the spot and we were ecstatic! Except, that pay would be $300 A MONTH, and that was only through basketball season. Needless to say we were in full prayer mode, thankful for the interviews but questioning the money aspect of it all. He advised PCA that he had been offered head coach position at Burton and that coach understood. He said that he didn't want Slone to go but he totally understood if he did. Slone still didn't fully accept and before he even made a decision, a friend of the old head coach at Burton filled the position. Thank you, Lord, for closing that door! Decision made. He was going with PCA as assistant coach. PCA said they could pay $300 a month as a stipend but would put him at the top of the substitute list at the school so that he would be making an income. He was totally fine with that as long as he was coaching. At this point, he was so happy that he was now a coach, all aspects of money went out the door for me because I hadn't seen my husband that happy in a long time! I mean just grinning from ear to ear. I told him from the beginning that I wanted him to take this chance to do what he really wanted to do and if that meant taking sacrifices then we would take them together. We are a team and that's just what you do.

PCA head coach advised Slone that there was potential for him to become the 8th grade HEAD basketball coach if the coach from last year wasn't coming back. We prayed about that and hoped that the Lord would open another door for him somewhere else so that Slone could fill the position. That was up in the air for a few weeks, I guess and still no word of if he would show. So, it's been AAU coaching for twice a week now for about a month and an asst coaching position that would begin mid October. We have been resting in that and praying faithfully for God's provision.

Slone's last day at Texas Power was last Thursday, September 26. His first day of substitute teaching was today, October 2. He stood in for a 6th grade bible teacher. I got a text this morning at 11am...

It was hard to make it through the rest of the day without telling everyone I passed in the hall, "Hey, guess what. My husband is the new head basketball coach for 8th grade at PCA." I was beyond happy for him. I cried on the way home after telling my mom because I just don't understand the love that God has for us sometimes. We don't deserve anything He gives us, yet through our faith and belief that He always will take care of us, He so easily lines things right up and drops them in your lap. I love these stories and dream of the day when I can share them with our children if they ever want to give up on something. God will reward your faithfulness!! So, now when people ask, "so what's new with you and Slone?" I don't have to respond with the same thing, "Oh you know, just school and work." I can share all of this goodness!

Our prayer now, is that when basketball season ends at PCA, the AAU travel ball lines right up and he begins coaching that in April. I would LOVE for that to happen because it involves travel, obviously, hence the name. Anyway, if you have hung on and read this post I truly appreciate it. God is at work and we are enjoying the ride. I have always liked plans and consistency and no change or kinks along the way. But you know what? That's out the window now and I want to enjoy IN PEACE what God has in store for my family.

Until next time,
Megan

Faith Pole

The Faith Pole is, well let's just say, all about having faith! The girls knew I was nervous to do it and so did one of the camp counselors. It was well understood that I would not be going first between myself and the girls. I will be darned if the camp counselor at that pole didn't call me up there first! Well, what was I going to do? Chicken out in front of my girls?! I think not! So, I hopped up and let them harness me in. It probably took me 10 minutes to climb to the top I was so terrified! And that wasn't even the hardest part! When you get to the top, since you are climbing in the opposite direction you jump in, you have to lay on the top of the pole (like, on your stomach) and then twist your body around. THEN, you have to balance yourself, one foot at a time, on top of the pole. Um, please keep in mind it is shaking all the while...I finally did it, however, and was so proud of myself. The girls cheering me on at the bottom were a huge help!

Here's my jump!

The next day when I saw Slone at breakfast I told him what I had done. He couldn't believe it and we decided to go with each other when we had the opportunity. So, here he is!

Camp counselors giving commands for him to yell to them as he climbs and jumps

He went a lot faster than me!

See?! 

It might look fun and easy but I tell you, it took a lot of courage to do it! There were many of us that froze at the top and needed a little encouragement to jump ;) What a great obstacle for youth camp that has so many students "jumping into faith!"

Starkey Summer Update

Hi friends! I'm finally back home and into a routine again. At least until school starts back up! Camp was awesome, and BOTH of my trips to Nashville were awesome! More about those in a minute. :)

I always knew that a perk of being a teacher meant I would be able to have summers off. I was scared of being bored with nothing to do and no children of my own but I've managed to make the most of it. Summer school took up 2 1/2 weeks and then I had 3 days of training in Dallas with some girls from school. A few weeks after that Slone and I went to Branson, MO with our youth from church and then 4 days later, I headed to Nashville for 10 days! That was the longest I had ever been able to go without having to worry about getting back to work and it was so refreshing. I can never get enough time there though. However, it just so happened that about 5 days after I got back from my trip, Slone and I turned around and drove to Nashville for a friend's wedding! We stayed 4 days and then he had to get back to work. We got back in this past Monday morning around midnight. So, here I sit, looking at the calendar and I've got 11 days before I have to report to school for teacher prep week. So much for my concern of the summer dragging on. It's almost over! It's actually bittersweet because I'm excited to get back and see my 7th graders from last year as they walk the halls as "big & tough" 8th graders of the school. :)

I've got lots of pictures to share but let's start with youth camp first. Slone and I left with the youth from Walnut Ridge Baptist Church on July 8. It was a week full of fun, games, fellowship, and creating lasting friendships. This was my first time to ever attend a youth camp...at age 27! I had a blast and the girls showed me so much of what I missed out on by not going when I was their age and even in high school. I'm so thankful to have had that time off to spend with them and get to know the Lord more with them by my side.

My 14 teenage girls!

We were allowed to write on the cabin floors and I love this piece that one of my girls created. While we were there to have some fun and get away for a week, we were there first and foremost to grow in the Lord and seek His presence while we were secluded on the mountain. None of the students were allowed to have their cell phones in their possession and it made a world of difference in them being able to connect with one another. The Lord definitely moved in their hearts and I'm forever thankful to be able to pour into their lives at such a young age. This is the age in which I struggled most and my desire is to be the role model they need and show them what it means to be a true woman of God.

More to come this week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Lovin'

I have just officially completed my second day of summer off as a teacher. Our last day of school was June 7 but Chandler (my awesome coworker) and I got a wild hair and signed up to teach summer school. Holy cow. It was only two weeks but when that ended we had to attend a three-day training in Dallas! So for the two weeks that school has been out, I've still been working!

So what am I doing all day, every day since I'm off until AUGUST 26 you might ask...Well, let's see.

1. Youth Camp with church is July 8-12 in Branson, MO
2. I'm going to visit family in Nashville July 17-26
3. I became an independent consultant for a company on June 28 that I can't wait to tell you more about. So for this, I am setting up and decorating our home office
4. Every morning Tana and I head to the park for some exercise
5. I started taking a Barre Class which is Ballet, Yoga, and Pilates combined and I absolutely loved it. I'm sore from head to toe but can't wait for the next one. If you're interested, here's the link to sign up (in Mansfield) https://online.activenetwork.com/mansfieldtx/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp
6. I'm also reading, reading, and reading! I never read as a teen and now I can't get enough of it. Some really good recommendations I have so far are:

(As you can see, I'm reading certain ones because they are on my kids' summer reading list)

At this current moment, I'm just living it up with my off time. Sitting on the back patio, listening to crickets, and slapping away the June bugs :)

I hope to blog so much more now and I'm so grateful that you all take the time to check in on us!

The end of the beginning

Today was the last day of my first year of teaching. I have no clue how it went by so fast. Oh wait, yes I do...

From August 26th until yesterday, June 6th, I worked NONSTOP to help 7th graders become better readers, engaged learners, and respectful citizens in the classroom and school. It was the most challenging, yet rewarding thing I've done so far in my life. 12-13 year old are really in a world of their own. At any given moment, the world could end because of a bad breakup or a bad hair day. You remember your teenage years, right? Although at times they drove me absolutely crazy, I honestly miss them already. Not seeing their faces each morning shouting, "Mrs. Starkey!" as they walk toward me in the hall will be hard for the next few months. However, I am excited to see them again in August and to see how they mature over the summer. They will be the "big kids on campus" next year and I've prepped them to be leaders and role models for the new 7th graders I'll be teaching. Over the past 9 months, I have laughed, cried, raised my voice, disciplined, hugged, loved and mentored 110 students and I can't wait to do it again next year. 

To say that the school I work for is amazing is an understatement. I have had the most wonderful support system I could have asked for my first year. I can see how God orchestrated all of this to land me where I'm teaching today. I have also made friends with some great girls on campus, too. They are my rock in the workplace and we clung to each other this year and made it!

So, what will I do with my summer you ask. Well, beginning Monday morning, I will be teaching summer school for 8th grade. No, I'm not as crazy as you think. It's only for 11 days and they are half days (yes, I also understand that this doesn't seem like a logical schedule for students that have failed a year of school - let's not go there...). 

The good news is, I can blog more now that I actually will have some time on my hands. There is actually a lot to catch you up on so hang in there! :)

Happy Mother's Day

Without a doubt, my mom has done more for my siblings and I than I can count. I tweeted today that there is one word to describe her, dedicated. She is an amazing woman and I miss her daily.

With that being said, I can't wait to get advice from her for raising my own children. For now, I have Tana as my "little girl" and 103 students ranging from 12-14 years old that I consider myself to be a motherly mentor to Monday through Friday. As a matter of fact, one student said "Happy Mother's Day" to me on Friday and I kindly reminded them that I wasn't a mother...yet. One raised her hand and said, "Well, you kind of adopted all of us, right?" You bet I did, sweet girl. You bet I did!!

Spring Break...as an adult

All I can say is YES! I am so excited to be on Spring Break. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE teaching. I LOVE my students. I LOVE my coworkers and my team. But on any given day, I'm there from 7:30am until 6:00pm. From grading papers, tutoring, planning and making copies, creating a school newspaper with my newspaper club, to going to athletic events and cheering the kids on, I would say it's the perfect time for a week off. This year is going great and I learn new things almost daily. Teaching is challenging, emotional, demanding, and never the same each day! I want to take Spring Break to really reflect on the things that have been working and those that unfortunately seemed like a good idea, and sadly were not. I'm sure it's because this is my first year, but it's hard for me not to think about school and the kids and planning and what to do next. I don't want to burn out, so I need to find that balance.

I have some projects scheduled around the house this week before I head to Chicago for training on Friday. Our home office has quickly become the storage room and I am already working on getting that cleared out and transformed into an awesome thinking, praying, reflecting, "chill" place.

Well, that's all I've got for now. I'm sure there's a million and one things that I could tell you about, but I'm not one to sit for too long and I am ready to get up and get some things done. See you later this week!

~Megan

The Windy City

A teammate and I were asked to attend an educator's conference in Chicago, IL in March. We are just a little excited to say the least! We booked our room today after school and have been touring the city on Google maps ever since. I went to Chicago seven years ago and loved it! I'm excited to show my friend some of the places I visited while I was there. Here is a pic from the hotel we will be staying in...

Teaching definitely has its perks! :)

Later ~Megan

Bonding

Here is a picture I found on the computer from when we were in Nashville over Christmas Break. I love and miss them every day!

Well, you see...here's the thing

I'm not sure where exactly the time has gone from August 2012 until now, but here I sit, in our living room, blogging for the first time since September. Since becoming a 7th grade teacher, time has flown by! There were many nights when I thought to update the blog but my exhaustion would win and I would fall into bed instead. Once I sit down and start updating you on everything I enjoy doing it, but it's sitting down and actually starting it is the hard part. There's no way I can sit here and update you on everything that has happened since September 2012. So instead, I'll start the first post of 2013 like this...

Slone and I are happy and ready to take some leaps of faith this year. He just turned 28 in October and I'll be 27 in 15 days. We have talked about starting a family and may possibly shoot for that next year, unless the Lord has something else in mind which wouldn't surprise me. For now, he is going to finish his last year of college and I am going to focus on being the best teacher I can be for my 98 students. This Christmas break has been so refreshing and I'm excited to get back to see them next week.

I am going to try to stay more up-to-date on the blog this year. I will leave today's post with a reflection of what 2012 looked like for us, all thanks to the Lord who has blessed us abundantly.

1. I accepted my first teaching job
2. Slone got a promotion and raise
3. I met my second nephew, Braylon
4. We both got new cars (new to us, but used)
5. Slone met his second baby brother in Minnesota
6. We had a much needed family gathering on Slone's side for Thanksgiving
7. I made it into the Fort Worth Star Telegram for Academic Night at our school
8. Slone started working part-time in the youth ministry at our church
9. Slone also started working part-time in our newest service at church
10. We celebrated 5 years of marriage!!

Until next time,
Megan