“Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
Well, hello, beautiful Ambleside community! What a privilege and joy it has been teaching your children here at AO for almost seven years! Whether I taught your child in Kindergarten or out on the mulch during Physical Education class, I can honestly say I am grateful to have such a unique teaching position that allows me to interact with the entire K-8th Ambleside community! As I prayed to the Lord to seek inspiration for this blog, He led me to the verse in Hebrews on faith. Of course! It was my faith that even brought me to this special place called Ambleside Ocala.
Some of you know our family’s story of how we ended up here in Ocala– some of you may not. It was my constant quiet prayer for years to be able to live close to my beloved sister and her family. Finally, after many years of faithful prayers to God, He opened the door for our family of seven to move just 100 steps (counted by my niece, Lola) from my sister’s house! It took a little faith and a lot of convincing on my husband’s part to believe I would actually want to live in the house we bought (it needed major renovations! Ok, rather– it wasn’t livable for a while). Little by little, my husband labored on, and slowly and surely, we were able to see the exciting transformation take place– an old run-down house coming back to life again.
After teaching for fifteen years in the public education school system in Ohio, I took another leap of faith and accepted a teaching position at Ambleside– Kindergarten in the morning and Physical Education in the afternoons.
Leaving what I knew so well behind and entering into the unknown was a little scary at first. ASI Summer Institute was my first exposure and experience with narrating. I have such a deep appreciation for how well the children here at Ambleside listen or read long portions of texts and then effortlessly tell back so many details in order, even using the author’s language!
Through this faith journey, the Lord has placed me in such a sweet space where I have the privilege to love and encourage the little children each and every day– oh, and incidentally, I even get paid to do this incredible work! I would never have known the true joy of working alongside the Lord, cultivating hearts to know and love God without going out on faith.
Reflecting on my faith and the generous ways God has met me in my life, I am comforted knowing that it is my faith and hope in the Lord Jesus that brings a smile to my face each morning, not my circumstances. Joyfully working alongside the Lord, no matter what storms life brings, is the most satisfying and life-giving experience we can find here on earth! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your families!