I have embarked on an incredible journey!     

 Two years ago, God carried me through one of the lowest valleys of my life. Through that valley He taught me what forgiveness truly was and that joy and contentment do not come through things that necessarily please me; but through accepting His will for my life and living in the blessings He has for me at the moment. Through this valley, I accepted the call to go back to school and pursue my education. I became a Religion major at Liberty University, as I felt called into ministry, thinking that I would work within a church or in the mission field.

     About the same time, a local school system began to call me to work as a substitute Paraprofessional with children who have special learning or behavioral needs. I found that I loved every day that I went to work. Through prayer, and words from others, I found that ministry is not always within a church or a mission field. I found my ministry was in the public school system. Our children our broken and starving for love and attention. They need love, attention, and a role model.....they need Jesus!! I have accepted the call to show them the love of Jesus. I changed my major from Religion to Special Needs Education ( I still am minoring in Biblical Studies, just because I love studying God's Word) and began a regular staff position, within the school system, on December 10. I will be busy, but I have a wonderful husband who supports me, and God will sustain me.....I have remained on the Dean's list throughout my education and busy life.

     It is my desire to share my experiences in order to encourage others to follow the call when God places it on them. I am also recording 1,000 gifts which the Lord bestows on me throughout the year. My son, Lucas, gave me Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts for my birthday in July. Because I usually only have time to read textbooks, I have not had the time to read this book. I resolved to read books during my Winter break which I was not required to read. I am glad that I decided to read this book. It has caused me to seek, even further, the things that God blesses me with, so that I can rest in His joy every day. I recommend that everyone accept Ann's Joy Dare!

     Lord willing, I will share my everyday joys and challenges, and how God is faithful in both.

God bless,
Tamara