Heavenly Father Knows Best

Most of you know that I was very apprehensive about giving up my teaching job and postponing my career for a few years. However Lucas and I prayed, went to the temple and pondered, and really thought on this decision for months before actually coming to the conclusion that yes resigning from my job was what I was supposed to do. We were both very nervous. My job was very stable, not based on the economy, and provided me with a feeling of fulfillment and the sense that I was helping others...but  we both felt very strongly that I needed to stay home full time with my kids. We also know that the Lord answered our prayers with a very firm, "yes you do need to stay home." So we took a huge leap of faith and as of the end of last school year I was no longer employed.  I spent hours and hours this summer and into the fall applying for all kinds of part time positions, going to job fairs, etc... looking for something I could do part time that would still allow me to be in the education field. I feel very strongly about my talent as a teacher and really love teaching. I also didn't want to just sit idly by and wait for years then try to get back into teaching after not keeping up with it for years. I was informed by several friends a few who are in the position to hire teachers that one of the things that they do not like is when someone has not been working in the field at all for years and then tries to come back. 

With all of this in mind, and again after praying and feeling like I was being guided, I decided to start my own business. It's called Read With Ease Tutoring. I tutor kids in need of extra help. Reading is what I specialize in but I also provide homework help, organizational skills, and even (believe it or not) math help. I made a website which can be viewed  at: www.readwitheasetutoring.com . Please be kind when viewing the website and remember I am doing it all on my own and it's still a work in progress and no-where near being completed. I also made up some flyers, and weatherproof signs that I've put up around the area. I also had some business cards made up. Because of my many contacts in the education field the business cards have been a huge success. I've given them out to guidance counselors, other teachers, and social workers. I have gotten numerous phone calls or emails from people who were referred to me through someone who knew me and gave them my business card. Because of this I am happy to report that my business is going strong. I have two clients every Mon, Tues, and Wed afternoon from 4-6. Lucas gets home at 3:30 Mon-Wed so he's home with the kids. I have one client who comes to my home Fri afternoon and two clients that come to my home Sat morning. This brings me to a total of nine clients! I actually just this week started a waiting list with some students who are in need and interested in my services but need to come at one of the times I already have scheduled. I LOVE it! It's perfect for me, it gives me a chance to continue doing what I love which is working with kids and teaching them. It gives me a chance to still feel like I'm making a difference and giving something back. Between the tutoring and subbing an average of four times per month we also have been able to bring in the extra income we need to supplement what Lucas is making. This has made it possible for us to still continue to pay bills, while paying off debt. We don't have much extra but with making sacrifices and I've learned to be a pretty good coupon clipper, we've been getting by just fine. 

I am very happy and feel so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to stay at home with my children and really raise them the way I want them to be raised. I see the difference it is making with me being there with them everyday. Ayla is learning so much and I really feel that I'm able to give more time to Caiden than I was able to with Ayla when she was the same age. I am so glad that I listened to the Lord and took the leap of faith required of me to receive these blessings. I have such a strong testimony of prayer and the power of turning your life over to the Lord. When I finally decided to turn my life over to the Lord and live the way I knew I should the Lord has blessed me. Every time! First he led me to Virginia where I found the job I had been seeking for years in NY but was unable to find. Then he led me to the singles ward where I met my wonderful husband who truly does adore me. Then my two wonderful children joined our life and filled it with so much joy! Then I once again prayed and made a huge leap of faith when giving up my job and once again the Lord blessed me and provided for me. He has truly shown me that if I will do what he asks of me he will take care of me. I know the saying is "Father knows best" but in my life it's "Heavenly Father knows best".