They say if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. I had finally decided to accept all of the responsibilities that came along with starting this new position overseas soon:
1) Turn in documents for authentication:
I had to complete a ProEx Authentication Request Form, scan my diploma and teaching license in pdf format, and email everything to the ProEx coordinator for process. Payment could be made via money order sent through the mail, however, I decided to utilize their PayPal account through the coordinator's email address.. These were fees for 2 documents:
-DC Notarization and authentication fees $84.00
-U.S. Department of State fee of $16.00
-Embassy of UAE fee of $90.00
-ProEx Delivery Corporation service fee of $125.00
-FedEx return shipping fee $25.00 (continental USA only).
The turnaround time was approximately 2 weeks.
2) Make arrangements with my apartment complex to move out before my lease was up in November
3) Donate items that I could not take with me while packing up items that I could
4) Finish out my teaching contract in Houston and donate a majority of my teaching materials to the school
5) Make arrangements for where my car would be located (I no longer had to worry about my car because Houston had a terrible storm that caused major flooding to my vehicle which was eventually totaled out through insurance)
6) Make arrangements for my daughter's schooling and living accommodations (I had decided that although her father and I were not together, the best place to be during my absence was with him back home in Atlanta; this way not only was she getting to spend time with him until her departure, but other family members on both sides of her could visit with her and spend time as well).
Once the school year was over, I had decided that my remaining days of waiting for that email with my visa and flight information would be spent back home in Atlanta with family and friends. I moved in with my sister to save money until departure while making sure to enjoy myself in my city: eating all of my favorite foods, hanging out at all of my favorite spots, and spending time with all of my favorite people; this of course included. I was having the summer of my life.....
On June 12, 2016, a young lady posted that her job offer with ADEC was rescinded and that she heard more jobs would be cut. I had never even heard of the word "rescinded". This of course made everyone nervous for a variety of different reasons. I remember simply praying that my name wasn't in the bunch and emailing my recruiter to see exactly what was going on. She responded stating that the rumors were in fact true, but she didn't know who was on the chopping block because to her knowledge, everything was random, but she would let me know something as soon as she found out anything. My heart raced and I felt an anxiety attack occurring. So many thoughts ran through my mind but it all was silenced with a plea to God. By the end of the day, I received an email. My head pounded and my heart was beating so hard, one could probably see my shirt move as I went to press inbox. I clicked on my recruiter's name, and sure enough, my name was on the chopping block. So many emotions lead to so many tears. I remember feeling sad, angry, and confused but most of all SCARED. I was scared of what was to happen next. Remember I had given up everything for this opportunity in hopes that in July, August, or September, I would be on a plane headed to another country for the first time. Now all of a sudden, I was left without employment, car, a place to live, and money. I had a daughter to consider, so what was my next option?
I hit the internet pavement running. I was determined to turn this situation around. If I was unable to work for this organization, I would find one that I could work for is what I thought as I researched different avenues. This was not to be a forever setback. I pulled myself together quickly and began working with my recruiter to line up something else. While my recruiter worked with some of her connections to see if other schools were hiring, I completed more applications on my own directly with schools, signed up for other recruiting agencies, and waited patiently for something to pull through. But nothing pulled through. And I was heartbroken. This investment I made and risk I took had both become apart of me, like carrying a child. August was approaching soon; it was time to do some serious soul searching about what was to come for this school year.
Long story short, I had ended up moving to Columbus, Georgia and teaching 6th grade reading and writing. It took me a while to come to grips with what had just happened with me losing my job before it even started and having to start all over again unexpectedly at a new school in the states. I took it as a sign from God that it just wasn't my time. But little did I know, what He really had in store.
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