This is simply a copy of the letter I sent all the people praying and people back "home."

Finally the verdict—8 days before I pull out of California! Some of you may know none of this, some know parts of the story and a few know it all. Those who know it all know that in the end this California adventure was more exciting than Disney’s theme park of the same name with as many ups and downs as a roller coaster—but you also know that in one semester I have learned a lifetime of knowledge. I am coming back to Texas, but it is all good. I might not have said that a few months ago but God is a redeemer and such redemption has taken place that I don’t believe I would ever trade this semester. I can’t say I thought California was forever, but I certainly did not expect it to be what it was. But I return stronger and better than I left. I guess that is what matters, right! Anyway, in the end, I was willing to stay or go and to that end had applied for other jobs here (one thing that did not change was my feeling on California public schools! Oh, no!) as well as there. At one point I had options in three places, here in LA (where tearing myself away from this church is HARD—thus ensuring my frequent flier account will say supplied with miles), near Houston with my old boss, and where I am ultimately ending up.

So what is the verdict? Of all places East Texas! I actually will not LIVE there, but I will work there. I am not SURE where I will live yet—I will be taking some college classes for my new job, also so I cannot live up there because I am too far from everything else—I need to be closer to Dallas or Tyler (also for the airport and Shachah!)

Anyway, after almost 5 years in public schools I am graduating! Ha ! Seriously, I will be teaching college. I have been appointed to a full time interim contract to teach both college English and journalism. Yes, interim—for NOW it is a temporary semester-long job—HOWEVER, the expectation is that it will be posted as a full time position and I should be able to retain it. No promises there, of course but that is the hope.

I have been credited for my years of public school experience as well as my part-time teaching experience at the school, and my base salary plus a stipend for teaching and overload class as well as journalism stipend mean my pay there in east Texas is more than I would make in a city like Dallas or Houston and not much less than I make here, with less deductions and much lower cost of living.

I don’t want to write an endless letter here, but I want to make this very clear. When I interview I did not even KNOW of the journalism aspect. I am not technically qualified to teach college journalism but they are in a desperate situation and because is not full time journalism they can appoint me and I will be obtaining graduate hours in journalism in my off hours so I can, hopefully, step into this position permanently. My interview went very well, but I had no idea I said the magic worked when I said journalism. Dome of you know my greatest job sadness was that I found I MISSED journalism and the interaction with the students and the field itself. I was seeking other high school jobs that involved journalism but never in my wildest dreams expected to be offered a full time college job teaching both English and journalism—and running a college newspaper. And this is at a place I have worked for years and am known, liked and have great favor already from the faculty and staff.

If I have not said it clearly enough, I will leave you all with this familiar verse that is the great expression of my heart:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20—NKJ)

And I have to say the Message Bible sums it up even better in my current mindset:

God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Ephesians 3:20—The Message)