Randy & Jessica Meisenhelder
Firstly, who would have thought the world would be so different than it was six months ago? This has been a time that life has significantly slowed down for Randy and remained relatively normal for Jessica. We live in Goldsboro, NC, about 15 minutes from both sets of our parents, where we are raising our amazing twin 5 year olds who start kindergarten--maybe--in about a month. We currently attend Bethel Church in Goldsboro.
(Randy) I am currently about to start year two of the Principal Fellows Program, which is a two year program designed to train teachers to become school administrators. Leaving teaching was pretty difficult for me; similar, but not quite the strain I felt when I gave up coaching wrestling when our daughters were born. I feel like I am right where God desires me to be and I’m looking forward to serving as an intern assistant principal at a Norwayne Middle School. Running Daddy Day Care has kept me busy in the best way possible though my daughters definitely try my patience on occasion! Other than Daddy Day Care, I have been putting most of my mental focus into learning Spanish in order to better serve my students and families who speak little or no English. There isn’t too much else to say these days, honestly, about me as an individual. Quiero aprender español porque es muy importante para mi estudiantes y sus familias, entonces, yo trabajo duro todos los días. I’ve learned that every situation can be an obstacle or an opportunity; similarly, we make decisions from a place of fear or opportunity. I try to choose to operate from a place of opportunity though I don’t always succeed. I am working hard to become a leader who shows God’s love daily to those He’s allowed me to serve. Other than what I’ve already said, I enjoy diversifying my perspectives, reading, playing outdoors, exercising, and doing Spartan races (during non pandemic times).
(Jessica) After college, I worked as a nurse at Vidant and then at Wayne Memorial Hospital for about 9 years. During this time, I earned my masters degree and I have been working at a hematology/oncology clinic as a nurse practitioner in Goldsboro for the past 2.5 years. I love my job because it is challenging, I get to take time with my patients, and I work with great Christian people. This job also provides a better balance between work and family life for me. For instance, now I get to eat breakfast and dinner with my family every day. There were times when I was working at the hospital when the girls were asleep before I left for work and they were also asleep when I got home, so family meals are a huge blessing to me that I am grateful for. This pandemic has changed a lot of things for many people including our family and work flow. Indeed it can be stressful, but I am reassured that God is in control. I also am thankful for the blessings that have come out of these different times including more time to connect with each other at home and more time to spend outside enjoying God’s creation.
We have been married now for nearly 12 years and have been together for 16!! Jessica is surely blessed (haha!). Life has been so amazing, and we are blessed far beyond what we deserve. The influences that we had coming through Wesley were critical parts of shaping us into the people we are today. We still think back on the friends, events, emotions, and lessons from our Wesley days with fondness. We encountered so many amazing people who were willing to work hard for Jesus, admit when they were wrong, learn to change their perspectives, hold each other accountable, stand out amongst a crowd, and stand up in ways they felt Jesus would. You all were so amazing, and we hope current students in Greenville can find some of the same amazing connections.
Firstly, who would have thought the world would be so different than it was six months ago? This has been a time that life has significantly slowed down for Randy and remained relatively normal for Jessica. We live in Goldsboro, NC, about 15 minutes from both sets of our parents, where we are raising our amazing twin 5 year olds who start kindergarten--maybe--in about a month. We currently attend Bethel Church in Goldsboro.
(Randy) I am currently about to start year two of the Principal Fellows Program, which is a two year program designed to train teachers to become school administrators. Leaving teaching was pretty difficult for me; similar, but not quite the strain I felt when I gave up coaching wrestling when our daughters were born. I feel like I am right where God desires me to be and I’m looking forward to serving as an intern assistant principal at a Norwayne Middle School. Running Daddy Day Care has kept me busy in the best way possible though my daughters definitely try my patience on occasion! Other than Daddy Day Care, I have been putting most of my mental focus into learning Spanish in order to better serve my students and families who speak little or no English. There isn’t too much else to say these days, honestly, about me as an individual. Quiero aprender español porque es muy importante para mi estudiantes y sus familias, entonces, yo trabajo duro todos los días. I’ve learned that every situation can be an obstacle or an opportunity; similarly, we make decisions from a place of fear or opportunity. I try to choose to operate from a place of opportunity though I don’t always succeed. I am working hard to become a leader who shows God’s love daily to those He’s allowed me to serve. Other than what I’ve already said, I enjoy diversifying my perspectives, reading, playing outdoors, exercising, and doing Spartan races (during non pandemic times).
(Jessica) After college, I worked as a nurse at Vidant and then at Wayne Memorial Hospital for about 9 years. During this time, I earned my masters degree and I have been working at a hematology/oncology clinic as a nurse practitioner in Goldsboro for the past 2.5 years. I love my job because it is challenging, I get to take time with my patients, and I work with great Christian people. This job also provides a better balance between work and family life for me. For instance, now I get to eat breakfast and dinner with my family every day. There were times when I was working at the hospital when the girls were asleep before I left for work and they were also asleep when I got home, so family meals are a huge blessing to me that I am grateful for. This pandemic has changed a lot of things for many people including our family and work flow. Indeed it can be stressful, but I am reassured that God is in control. I also am thankful for the blessings that have come out of these different times including more time to connect with each other at home and more time to spend outside enjoying God’s creation.
We have been married now for nearly 12 years and have been together for 16!! Jessica is surely blessed (haha!). Life has been so amazing, and we are blessed far beyond what we deserve. The influences that we had coming through Wesley were critical parts of shaping us into the people we are today. We still think back on the friends, events, emotions, and lessons from our Wesley days with fondness. We encountered so many amazing people who were willing to work hard for Jesus, admit when they were wrong, learn to change their perspectives, hold each other accountable, stand out amongst a crowd, and stand up in ways they felt Jesus would. You all were so amazing, and we hope current students in Greenville can find some of the same amazing connections.
