Recent History

Why is blogging so difficult sometimes? I can't imagine that I don't have anything to say. I always have something to say. But I guess sometimes I just don't have the mental energy to write it down or to share it with my 5 faithful readers.

We've been through some rough times recently. Richard resigned from The Colony High School under some duress. It was a difficult year with a supervisor. We and many others feel that Richard was treated unfairly and it made teaching a chore. Teaching shouldn't be a chore--at least not every day. But it was. It affected his moods understandably and that, in turn, affected the rest of the family.

But once the resignation was turned in, the heaviness lifted. The burden was gone. He could teach in the way that he knew was right and not worry about someone looking over his head or pleasing them. We've spent the last couple of months knowing that we had a change coming.

At first I was angry. It was wrong. Just plain wrong. I knew it was wrong and there wasn't a thing I could do about it. But slowly, I got past the anger and things began to fall into place for a new position. A woman that he worked with was also leaving and had pull at her new school. Richard's TAKS scores were the highest of any of the math teachers except those who taught pre-AP and AP. This new school is working to improve their state scores.

He interviewed on Monday. The principal recognized his name and said that the woman spoke highly of him. It was a very relaxed atmosphere--very comfortable, Richard said. They called him yesterday. He got the job. He thought he would be teaching TAKS classes, but it turns out he'll be teaching Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus. That's exciting for two reasons: 1) It's higher level math--more fun for Richard, and 2) it's juniors and seniors. Much different than freshmen and sophomores that he's had in the past.

There is one downside...the job is in Venus. (Not *on* Venus) Venus is south of Dallas, about 15 minutes from Midlothian. But there's a positive aspect to this as well. If he were to commute from here, it would be at least an hour's drive each way. Lots of time, lots of gas, lots of wear and tear on the car. But...his parents live in Midlothian. They live in an airport community and have an apartment in their hangar. They've said that he can stay there during the week.

It will certainly be a challenge for all of us. Richard will miss us and we'll miss him. It will put more burdens on me--I might actually have to cook. Ack! But a positive is that he will have the solitude he needs to work. I have little doubt that it will be an adventure for about a month. Then it will be hard. We will get through it though.

I don't know what the future brings for this situation. I don't know if it's something we'll be doing for the next year, two years or ten years. But I know that, in the long run, I'm not in charge. Heavenly Father is and He has a plan. I can't see that plan with my mortal eyes, but I have faith that He will lead us through this and there will be blessings throughout.

In the meantime, I'll spend my summer lazing around while I can and work on my online farm.