Did you know?

DID YOU KNOW…

…that I was asked to speak to a group of graduating seniors and guests for our annual Biola School of Business end of year banquet when I was a graduating senior myself? My immediate response to the request was, “No, thank you!” I remember her reply so clearly.

“I’ll give you some time to think and pray about it.” Almost as if she hadn’t heard me give my final decision. NOPE! There was no way I wanted to get up in front of a group of people to give a speech. (Okay, now, simmer down all you friends and family chuckling at the thought of ME with stage fright!😂)

Theater – acting a part in a play or musical – was one thing. I’ve grown up loving that stage. So then why would I so quickly reject the thought of speaking in front of people? There’s one significant difference. Acting on stage has nothing to do with people seeing ME.

Writing my own speech meant that the audience would witness my own transparency including shortcomings, quirks and all. It’s the same reason I was relieved that I didn’t have to give a graduation speech as one of the Valedictorians in high school. NO, THANK YOU!

What if I stutter over my words? What if I trip walking up to the microphone? What if my jokes aren’t funny? (Side note, my husband likes to try to convince me that I’m not funny, but I won’t fall for it! I think he just wants to keep the title of The Funny One in our marriage!)

I digress.

My point is, vulnerability is hard!

In the end, I did speak at our senior banquet. I knew as soon as I allowed myself the time to pray about it, I would feel the Lord encouraging me to do the thing that scared me. It turned out to be a great night, and I was so glad that I said, “Yes.” (Big shout out to my dad who was fighting a stomach bug that night…out in the bushes 😳…so he wouldn’t miss my big night!)

DID YOU KNOW…

…that back in my college years I taught a Geometry class for homeschool students?

For one semester.

That experience made up my mind for me – I was not wired to be a teacher! I felt like such a lousy instructor. I enjoyed my students, but it was so difficult for me to help them understand the subject. In hindsight, I realize that it could have just been because it was… GE.OM.ET.RY.

But still! From then on, I worked behind the scenes. Instead of standing in front of the classroom, I preferred to sit behind the computer to interact with families on the accounting and registration side of things. I’ve worked with homeschool communities for over ten years…behind the scenes.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that recently I was asked to teach another homeschool class for the upcoming fall semester with Independent Learning Academy – Westminster? Once again, my immediate response was, “No, thank you!” And once again, after praying about it, God’s answer was, “Yes.”

Obediently, I adopted His response as my own. So come this fall, I will be braving the front of the classroom once again to teach middle schoolers and high schoolers…

wait for it…

KNITTING!

Soooooooo much better than Geometry!

I’ve been getting so excited as I consider the projects we’ll work on, and the concepts we’ll learn. Hesitant, at first, not convinced that I was the right person for the job, little by little my doubts have turned around. I can see why God has confirmed in me that I am the right person for the job.

With my long history and involvement with homeschooling over the years, I’ve gained such a love and appreciation for these hard working families. It’s no coincidence that God has lined up another connection and opportunity to work with and for these families.

We had Open House a couple weeks ago for this new homeschool site where I’ll be teaching in the fall. I met several new friends, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know y’all better over the upcoming school year!

God has given me the desire to help homeschooling students grow and mature into strong, confident people, ready to take on the world…knitting needles in hand!

I think it’s safe to say, I’m not your average knitter. I’m an accountant by day, author by night, knitter all the times in between! My grandma taught me to knit when I was young. Since then, I’ve loved knitting gifts for others. One of my favorite aspects of my Knits ‘n Novels business is making beanies and headbands for the Operation Christmas Child boxes that will go to underprivileged children at Christmas time.

During the shutdown back in 2020, knitting became a way for me to calm my anxious nerves and take a breath. Living in a home with five guys and me, not able to go anywhere, “hectic,” “chaotic” and “loud” are just a few of the adjectives I would use to describe those first few months. So I would grab my needles and yarn and start knitting. With every project on my needles I pray blessings and protection for the person who will one day wear the item. (I’m pretty sure it’s the prayer while I’m knitting that brings me such peace. ❤)

I love to create patterns and figure out new knitting styles on my own. Sometimes that means ripping out the project and starting over with the right size needles. 😂 With each new hat or headband comes new ideas to try with the next one.

Like I said, I’m not your average knitter. So I think the name of my class is fitting!

“Knot Your Average Knitting”

In my class we will learn the craft of knitting with a different approach than you might expect. Not only will we learn the basics of knitting in order to develop this hobby to our heart’s content, my students will learn how to use their creativity, without patterns, to design their own projects! Sometimes, that will mean messing up and starting over… and that’s encouraged!

How often in life do we have to pivot, take a detour, expect the unexpected? I believe our response to the journey on the way is just as important as arriving at our destination. So, I want to teach my students how to be prepared for mess-ups and practice working through any unexpected delays with patience and grace. Trial and error, paired with perseverance, is such a great way to learn and improve our skills… in knitting and in life!

I will also be implementing my background in accounting to teach my students what financial responsibility looks like when it comes to our favorite hobbies. Students will learn the basics of budgeting and financial planning to be able to fund all the hobbies they love!

When God confirmed in my heart that I was the one to teach this class, I decided to bring more of me to the classroom! My close friends and family know how much I geek out with Excel spreadsheets and budgeting. (Nerd alert! 🤓🙋‍♀️) You better watch out…I might try to figure out a way to combine knitting, accounting and writing for my advanced class!

Register for “Knot Your Average Knitting” this fall! I’m so glad I said, “Yes,” and you will be, too!

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