The definition of transformation is, “a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.” This perfectly describes the transition from my overconfident and comfortable life as a business owner to my teaching career.
As a 12-year business owner, and homeschool mom, life was going along comfortably, when a divorce and economy crash came out of nowhere. I felt like a rowboat in the middle of a hurricane – out of control with no paddle.
Suddenly, I was a single mom with four children, no business, and no foreseeable job to put food on the table. Jobs were extremely hard to find, and I was grasping at straws. As a last resort, I started applying for teaching jobs all over the country. I had a bachelor’s degree in English, and as a little girl, had always told people that I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up.
At first, I was picky and only sought out teaching positions in parts of the country that I liked or at schools that looked successful. As I grew panicky, I started applying for any job that came up on the Adventist Education Website.
Something special
One day, I got a call from the school board chair in Montrose, Colorado. I had no idea where this was, and after looking at Montrose online, I was more than terrified. It was a one-room school in a tiny town where I did not know one soul and was so far away from home that I knew I wouldn’t see my family for a long time.
After the interview process, where I was one-hundred percent sure that I would not get the job, I got a phone call instead asking when I would be moving to Colorado. My family thought I was insane, taking a job across the country, starting a new career, being a single mom, and not having any friend or family support to count on.
I felt a quickening in my spirit and knew that God had something special planned if I was willing to be obedient. Against all logic, I made the move, and began a career in teaching. Seeds had been planted as a little girl, but I thought dreams were just dreams. God has a way of making our desires come true, but His timing is completely different, and His plans have a way of winding and coming to fruition in unforeseeable ways.
What was comical, was that I had come to know my personal Savior and the Seventh-day Adventist church as a teenager and had not had a chance to attend our church schools. The school in Colorado was the first Adventist school that I would be “attending.”
More than enough
God had shown me that although the storm had been violent, He had been with my children and me, every step of the way, and His provisions were more than generous and timely. I couldn’t wait to share my new revelations with my students and to encourage them to lean into and learn more about our amazing Father, Creator and Savior.
My own children were given opportunities to serve their church and community in new and memorable ways, to pray and watch prayers be answered in their classroom, to be a part of educational and social events where they were stretched and encouraged. And to witness how a family of believers could band together to support and mentor them with their time, talents, and resources.
As a teacher I took on my new role as a huge responsibility and honor, and looked for creative methods of teaching the body, mind and soul— coaching my students to be successful and full of grit for the journey that lay beyond them with the knowledge that their Savior was their biggest cheerleader.
Priceless gifts
Adventist education has been one of the biggest blessings in my life and that of my children. The investments have been worth the eternal and priceless gifts that come with it.
My family and I are all better people because of the daily blessings of praising, questioning, and serving that comes inside of our Adventist schools. I know that my children, and the ones I serve, will know their heavenly Father more intimately and will rejoice on that day when He comes again in the clouds.
Michelle Velbis is currently the principal at Springs Adventist Academy in Colorado Springs. She is married to her best friend and has six amazing children and one adorable grandbaby. She loves reading, hiking and serving her community.
Photos: Courtesy Michelle Velbis
