"Fightin' Cougars!"

We did it! Our boys are moving on to the semi's!! I coach tennis at the middle school I teach at and absolutely LOVE it. I seriously look forward to the practice and matches more than anything right now. I love working with these kids. It is such an awesome ministry opportunity. I have never been more at peace with where I am than now. I know God has placed me here at this school for a reason and I am jumping in with both feet. I have learned these past four months to live by a favorite quote that has always been up in the Millage household: "Bloom where you are Planted". For so long I have lived in a dream world or grass is always greener world. I had in my head what I wanted and what I thought would be the best plan for my life. I was going to graduate college and head out to Chicago with my best girl friends, teach there, and explore the big city life for a few years. Everything seemed to be working out until I got THAT call from Caloosa Middle asking me to teach there. There was no way I could reject a job in this economy. As excited as I was that I got a job right after college AND after my first and only interview, I was disappointed that my life wasn't going to pan out the way I wanted it to. Instead of viewing this job as a blessing, I was viewing it as settling back home where I didn't plan on being right after college. 

I can't even explain how thankful I am for this job. My perspective has COMPLETELY changed. I love it here. If I had moved to Chicago, I would have never met these wonderful students, teachers, and other amazing people that have recently walked into my life. I felt as if God has been saying to me daily, "See Elizabeth...TRUST me...you ALWAYS think you know what is best. I will meet you where you are and I long to use you. Stop running and assuming that everywhere else but where you are is better or where you are supposed to be. RELAX and let me drive." I am so blessed. I am so thankful that I serve a God that knows me better than I know myself. I am ready to "Bloom where I am Planted". For now, I am planted at Caloosa Middle and I am so excited about it. We are not promised tomorrow...so I need to take each day and use it for His glory! 

So...the girls lost, yet they tried and had fun! My boys are headed to the semi's and we are pumped. I have 10 boys on the team. 5 had NEVER played tennis before...they literally said..."oh, ms. millage--you are coaching tennis?? I'll play!" They have done amazing. They have really stepped it up and are improving their game daily. We have so much fun. I have paired up doubles that have never played together before and they have come together and been very successful. Even if we lose at the semi's, I am still so proud of them for making it this far. I had started to feel sad when I graduated college thinking that I would never be apart of a team anymore, yet I am starting to like this whole coaching thing! It is definitely different than being a player, yet I love the impact you can make on these students. I am the coach/basically mom that brings the treats and takes pictures. This is definitely my calling. ;)