Reflections From the Recovery Room

I came out of a minor knee surgery yesterday, and in my healing, stuck-to-the-couch current circumstances, I found this draft written and waiting for its final edits. I am excited to share the following story, as a reflection of the past two years. If you make it to the end, you'll read about the ups and downs of many recent changes in my world, including the announcement of a job shift in the coming months.

During November of 2019 - eons ago - I was a senior in college, awaiting a thrilling post-college temporary position at a ranch in Colorado. I accepted a job offer to work with people and horses at Trail West Lodge, a Younglife Camp. I had my next year planned out, and the last thing I was going to do was move home.

As we all know, March of 2020 came to destroy all plans, and change so many trajectories. Little did I know of truly "Trusting the Lord" at this time, but this was soon to be all I knew how to do.

I came home to Memphis and I was given so much. My family took care of a grieving, post-college, half-adult, for almost a whole year in their home. I felt like my independence was stripped away and my four years of becoming a new person were all for naught. I know now that this was a grieving mindset, which I had good reason for at the time. But now, I also know that I can credit these hard days for the grit-n-grind mindset that I have adopted, the ever-changing and flexible entrepreneurial spirit that grew inside of me during this time.

One May afternoon in 2020, I was welcomed into the family of Evangelical Christian School. I was offered a position as the Upper School Ceramics teacher, varsity volleyball assistant coach, and varsity tennis assistant coach. With this offer came an extreme change of plans: letting go of a Colorado dream job, submitting to a contract that kept me in one place for at least a year, and signing up to do something I told myself I would stay away from... teaching. Oh how thankful I am for the Plans my Creator has for me, because I couldn't have seen any of this coming.

During the summer of 2020 I started attending the varsity volleyball workouts -- at the time they were awkwardly social-distanced on a turf football field, and we did our best to hope for a regular school year. Practices turned into scrimmages and scrimmages into games, and life got crazy.

I taught my first class to a small group of seniors that had no idea what "Ceramics" was, and who were really only 3 years younger than I. I was red-faced and trying to make jokes, and they saw right through me, I had no idea what I was doing. I had never asked anyone to call me "Miss" or "Coach" but this title eventually became my identity that I am incredibly proud of.

With volleyball and school going strong, the little time I had left in the day was always devoted to my own business. GeorgiaMud needed time and space and effort to grow that I was truly unable to give until a break in sports or school. But I started to fall in love with the busy, the kids I taught, and with the mission of ECS. To see this school from the perspective of an educator was more of a gift then I could ever imagine. Every little moment, every teenager that walks into my colorful and crazy classroom, every win or loss in volleyball, all the extra-curricular activities that high school kids would act embarrassed but actually be so glad to see me at. All the late nights and early mornings, all the botherings of coworkers throughout the day, the singing in the car on the way to and from all my jobs. Each of these and so many more are gifts to me. The Ceramics program at ECS more than doubled in capacity and is a constantly bustling classroom full of creativity and curiosity.

Let's fast-forward a year and a half: I'm finishing my second year of teaching and coaching. During these two years I have grown exponentially! I have failed so many times I am unable to count, and learning to enjoy the process of getting back up. I've never been so humbled while also being so proud of what I do. I've never felt like I belonged more than I do teaching, coaching, and leading YoungLife at ECS.

During my second year a few kids began calling me "Mud" or "Coach Mud," which may sound a certain way to you, but these names have stuck in such a profound and beautiful way to my identity. "Coach Mud" exists because there is an understanding of authority and respect that would make "Georgia" too informal, but also a friendship and relationship too deep that would make "Miss Peeler" or "Coach Peeler" feel distanced. So what sounds like a funny nickname to you, feels like a term of endearment to me. And so the "Mud" brand was found.

I have reached the hardest part of my announcement. After this year, ECS has to make some changes due to a construction project on our campus. There will no longer be a Ceramics class at ECS next year, it is important for you to know this change is temporary. Although this change should be short-term, I know that it is at least a year long break, and I have to find my way in the Present! The bottom line is I have to be thankful for the time I had here, how such a lost and unsuspecting college grad found a safe space to belong and thrive. I love ECS, and hesitate to post anything that would reflect poorly on my school, I hope to be back soon, but until then I want to inform my readers on where I'm going! In recent weeks I have begun the process of learning how it would be possible to take GeorgiaMud to new levels and grow and change my business.

GeorgiaMud leaps at the opportunity to become a full-time job. I hope that this is the right timing, and I pray that we are walking in step with the Lord's plan. But I refuse to believe that this job change shouldn't be a shift in perspective, and its time to try my pottery full time! If you know me, you'll know I have several other jobs lined up to keep me social, and mentally stable (sort of) but for the most part GeorgiaMud is my main priority! I am incredibly excited for this announcement, and if I could tell my 18 year-old-self that she still runs GeorgiaMud, she would just laugh and shake her head with pride and disbelief.

This is all a story of trust, grief, and more trust. This abrupt and unexpected change came as a shock, but I tell this whole story to hopefully encourage you - and myself - that the thrill of life involves so much change: the good, the bad, and the scary change all happen according to a Plan. If I didn't believe that, I would be lost and without hope, but I am excited to update you again soon of the exciting new things happening that the Lord has brought about and blessed me with. Until then I will finish strong in my current space, and I will trust the Lord - for He has always provided.

I'll share with you new favorite line, "its all good for the plot." So enjoy your storyline.

Thank you for your well-wishes and support after this surgery! All is well with the knee, we will be back up and at 'em soon!

Until next time,

GeorgiaMud