Monday my day went something like this...I taught preschool in the morning until 11:30 a.m., left the school by 11:50 a.m., as I drove downtown to GRCC I ate my lunch and pumped (sorry, probably more than you wanted to know). Then, I drove around the campus trying to find the best place to park; of course, paying close attention to all the one way streets :) I finally decided my best bet was going to be to jump in line behind 6 other cars and wait my turn to enter a FULL parking ramp. After entering, I had to drive around looking for one of the parking spots that had just opened up. Then, I quickly trekked to the bookstore to look for the lab manual they were out of the week before. I found it, but the line was wrapped around the back of the bookstore. I waited and waited for about 20 minutes only to find that I wasn't going to make it through the line in time to get to class, so I returned my book to the shelf and left. The Science Building was located not too far from the bookstore where my class was to be held. I walked through the winding hallways, and found there were 15-20 other students (whose faces I recognized none) seated on the floor by the classroom door...waiting for the instructor to arrive and unlock the door. So, I sat down and joined them. After a few minutes, a girl I recognized from a previous class walked up. We talked for a few minutes until I had to excuse myself because my nose began to bleed. I locked myself in a stall and waited for it to stop. (This actually gave me time to catch my breath and pray for a couple minutes.) When the bleeding had slowed, I walked back to class and was greeted by my instructor. She handed me a card that gave a clue to the table I would sit. I found my seat and let out a sigh of relief...I had made it...FINALLY!
After an afternoon like this, I found myself a nervous wreck. I was so excited to pick up my little ones and go home. It was a bummer to find that my husband wouldn't be home until 9 o'clock because he was putting in some hours for his internship. (He needs 110 hours in addition to his normal teaching schedule.) Cam, Emma, and I ate dinner, played for a bit, and then it was time to get them ready for bed.
Let's just say, after the kids went to bed I did a lot of praying; asking the Lord to help me either wrap my head around this new Monday/Wednesday schedule or show me a way out of it. After talking to Andy, when he got home, I decided to have a chat with my boss and see if she would be opposed to me taking the semester off. The next day I was able to talk with her and she was so understanding. She expressed that she knows that family comes first and that I should do what I thought was best. That afternoon I dropped my two courses; the other course was to meet 4 weekends throughout the semester.
I know I could have made it through the semester, but I didn't want to just make it through. I was afraid that my husband and children would feel my stress. (If you know me at all, it's obvious I don't handle stress very well.) I take pride in finishing well, and I'm not sure I would have been happy with the outcome. I may have gotten good grades, but at what cost? My husband? Our kids? My preschool students? My family/friends?
If you've made it through this posting, I want to apologize for what probably seems like whining and rambling. All of this to say, I truly saw the Lord work everything out. In my desperation, He knew what was best and worked it all out. It's so comforting to know that He cares about my crazy days, and I know His hand was with me all the way. I just had to give it to him!
Another bonus, I get to return these books and get my money back :)
