How did I get here?

So many people over the past 14 years have asked the question, "how did you get here?" Most people assume that John and I dated in college and that I moved here because of him.....WRONG! John and I didn't even go to college in the same state. I moved here in the fall of 1998 to teach at Enterprise Junior High School. I didn't know anyone.... I had attended a career fair in Troy in February of 1997 where I met Rick Rainer. I went by the Enterprise City Schools booth simply to appease my dad. I had no interest in Enterprise, Alabama because Enterprise High School had ended my high schools run for a 3-peat of football state championships my senior year. That meant that I only had 2 state championship rings from high school instead of 3. To say I was bitter was an understatement. I also didn't remember the people being friendly in Enterprise. With that being said, I introduced myself to Rick and gave him my resume along with the magic words - I would LOVE to work with cheerleaders. If I had only known then, that not only was I talking to my future principal, but I was also talking to someone who would become one of my best friends. That God sure does have a sense of humor because I left there proud of myself because I could tell my dad that I had talked to Enterprise and secretly pray that they would never call.... A week later they called!!! Hinton Johns called to set up an interview. While I cringed inside, I told myself I needed to interview to get practice. So I came and I loved Mr. Johns. I also interviewed that spring at the high school. I had a job offer in Montgomery at a private school on the table when Mr. Johns called to offer me a job at EJHS. I struggled with this decision. I cried and prayed for a few days and then I made the surprising announcement to my parents that I was taking the job in Enterprise. I had a peace about it even though I was scared to death. I do not like change and the anticipation of change sometimes can be my doom. And so in August of 1998, I moved to Enterprise. I fell in love with the faculty at EJHS. They took me under their wing and made me feel at home. Phyllis Wilson even decided to play matchmaker in January of 1999. I finally gave in and so did John to Phyllis's requests to set us up, so on January 15, 1999, John and I had our first date - a blind date. I am forever grateful that Phyllis didn't give up on us because we married a year later on January 15, 2000. Yep I would say God was in that.... The city of Enterprise and it's people have taught me so much. Between EJHS and EHS, my path has crossed with some extraordinary educators and some awesome kids. Through a tornado, God taught me to love a little stronger and tell people what they mean to you. I have learned to push through when there is no energy to push and I have learned that sometimes in the middle of a great life, God gives you a surprise that makes it even better. So here I am 14 years later, more in love with Enterprise than I ever thought I could be. I can't wait to see what the next 14 years here bring....

5 years ago

I have always known that things happen for a reason, but the events 5 years ago, hammered that message home for me. On February 27, 2007, I was named the cheerleading coach at Enterprise High School. I was beyond excited about working with such an awesome group. Two days later, my charge changed as a deadly tornado tore through Enterprise High School on March 1, 2007. I never dreamed that I would lose 8 students in my whole teaching career, much less in one afternoon. Then to realize that 2 of those 8 were my cheerleaders, made me realize that not only had this tornado torn through our town, but it tore straight through my heart. I prayed and prayed and prayed. I cried out to God as many people did in those next few days, weeks and months and asked why? I soon realized that I probably would not ever get that question answered. In the months that followed, I worked to make a team out of 24 heartbroken teenagers. Sometimes we practiced and sometimes we cried through practice. This was unchartered territory and very sensitive as I worked to find a balance of mourning AJ Jackson and Ryan Mohler and pushing them through their pain. I was lucky enough to be able to see AJ and Ryan about an hour before the tornado hit. I got to hug them and tell them I loved them. Of course, it wasn't a serious moment when all of this happened, but the words were said none the less. I didn't realize how important those words would end up being.  As a team, we had highs and lows and many days when I didn't think I could push anymore, the kids pushed me.  I learned to pray for individuals instead of praying for a collective group.  I called specific names out to the Lord - something I had not done a whole lot of.  Don't get me wrong I prayed, but I might pray for the "cheerleaders".  I do belive that God heard those prayers, but I began to get more out of my prayer life when I called those cheerleaders by name.  I mean I was supposed to be able to help these kids and fix them right???  I have a counseling degree, so what more could I need except that my heart was just as broken.  I remember coming home from Nashville, where we had won every title that we could win in a National competition and I said to John, I think I am done.  This has been a hard year and I don't think I can do it again.  John simply looked at me and said - you can't quit.  You still have a group of kids that only you understand and you have to finish this for them.  So I did - I pushed through for Callie, Caitlin, Caitlyn, Cat, Georgia, Hannah, Jacey, Sadie, Shae, Mackenzie, Katie, Kathleen, Lindsey (x2), Katherine, Danielle, Whitney, Kristen, Amanda, Brooke, and Lukas.  I pushed through in honor of Lindsey, Chloe and Ethan and in memory of AJ and Ryan.  I could not imagine a better group to have to heal with.  They are part of the first chapter in a long book of God revealing himself to me in times of trouble.  As we approach the 5 year mark, I am reminded that God does work in mysterious ways and I can't believe it has been 5 years when it seems like just yesterday......