Back in School

Wondering what I mean by "Back in school"? Yes, I already graduated and I'm certainly not going to be pursuing another degree any time soon. I swore after college I would be done, then I went for my Masters. I switched from Special Education major to Social Work because I didn't want to work in a school, then I was a school social worker. When that ended, I thought 'surely i'm done now'. Well, the road of unemployment has ended with a job at the Lakeview Day Care. I'm teaching kids their colors, letters, and numbers, how to poop and pee on the potty, and eat at a 'big kid' table.

It's weird being at the day care because it is in the building where I used to attend high school. (It was a private Christian school which closed a few years ago due to financial hardship, a sad day for us alumni). Now I'm changing diapers where I used to learn science, feeding kids where I used to have lab, putting kids down for naps where I learned history, playing with kids where I checked out books from the library, and coloring pictures where I learned English. Now the babies' mommies and daddies are putting their extra clothes in my old locker. Did I already say it's just weird to me?!?! It doesn't look the same, feel the same, or smell the same.
I thought I handled kids' nastiness pretty well, but I guess not. Some of the kids have some disgusting habits that really gross me out. Sometimes I don't want to touch them, but I just grab some baby-wipes and clean them up. I just cannot hold a kid's hands after I see him pick his nose, eww. Maybe i'll be better after I'm a mom... I just feel like all the gross habits are intensified when there are 20+ kids.

Jewel (my twin sister) used to work there. It has taken forever to get the workers to call me "Jessie" instead of "Jewel". Many of the kids give me a weird look like they know me, but can't figure out who I am. Lots more call me "Jewel" or some other form of Jewel like "Dewel" or "Jewl".

Working at a dare care is definitely not what I want to do with the rest of my life. And really, to be honest, it's not really what I want to be doing with my life now. Some weeks I'm working over 40 hours a week at the day care. Don't get me wrong - I love kids, but this is different. But, it's a paycheck and a way to spend my day. When I have my Masters degree this minimum wage crap is going to get really old, really fast. I'm still actively looking for a job. I had an interview today and I'm praying it went as well as I think it did and hoping I'll get a positive call soon! Until then, I'll continue to enjoy wearing jeans and a casual shirt (a pleasure most professional social work jobs do not assume).

I haven't forgotten that God has a plan. Even though I may feel like Joseph (enslaved in Pharaoh's dungeon for 7 years because the cupbearer didn't follow through with his promise/favor). Good will come out of it in the end and He'll use me in a big way!