Praise the LORD!!

I got a job!!!!

I have been searching for work casually since Oct./Nov. of last year, and seriously since March/April of this year. Unfortunately, it felt like I was fishing in a dry pond. Not only has the economy created a tough job market, but my major didn't equip me with many of the skills that employers look for: 1 year minimum office experience; proficiency in excel, access, outlook, adobe, quickbooks....etc. That's all well and good when you plan on getting a Masters Degree and teaching at a college, but not so great when God changes those carefully laid plans just before you graduate.

Now, I'm not accusing God of "getting in my way." On the contrary, I feel like a living example of Proverbs 16:9

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

It has been 5 months since I graduated. Five months of looking for work. Full-time, part-time...it didn't matter; I just needed something.

Several times there were "close-calls." I would get a call for an interview--sometimes even go for an interview, only to hear silence afterwards.

I sent out 39 applications/resumes and cover letters to over 26 different companies (I often applied for more than 1 position), networked with people from work, school, church...and continued to pray and seek part-time work in the interim.

Out of all that, I only had 4 interviews...1 over the phone, and 3 in person. Of those, only 2 places called to set up a 2nd interview, and of those 2, only 1 actually followed through with the 2nd interview. And that is where I was eventually hired.

Look at how God--in His timing--provided work for me.

In July, my family visited a church that my coworker attends. A gentleman ("M") at the church approached us after the service to welcome us. He has 2 daughters, and saw that Mom and Dad had 2 daughters too. After chatting for a bit, he learned that I had recently graduated, and was looking for work. He gave me his business card and told me to email him my resume. He said they didn't have any current openings, but that a few might possibly come up towards the end of the year. I thanked him, and sent him my resume--then promptly forgot about the whole thing.

Three weeks ago, I received a call from the HR manager of the company ("C"), saying she had received my resume from "M"--who, as it turns out, is the president of the company! She wanted me to come in and interview for an open customer service position. The interview was scheduled for September 7th.

Humanly speaking, I did almost everything you are not supposed to in/for an interview:

a) Arrive early--My directions were wrong, so I arrived just on the button.

b) Dress conservatively--I still had bright red toe-nail-polish on (BIG No-no!) In my defense, my clothing was a conservative black, and I was wearing nylons.

c) Never wear your hair down, especially if it's curly; curly hair (when down) looks unprofessional--My hair was still wet from the shower, and was not cooperating with my updo, so I wore it down.

d) Don't wear dangly earrings--Oops.

e) Be prepared--I hadn't finished filling out the job application (bad bad BAD), and my allergies were acting up, so my head was stuffed, my nose was a dripping faucet, and I felt lousy.

When I walked into the building, I immediately felt at home. I felt comfortable. The hour long interview went well, and I felt like I connected with the HR manager--which allowed me to be completely open and honest about my lack of experience. The next step was to meet with the company president. We had a 5 minute chat--since, as he said, I had already had my preliminary interview with him. (Who would have guessed that he was evaluating and assessing me while we were talking at church?). He told me that "C" liked me and thought I might be a good fit, and that I should hear from them by Thursday.

That Friday, I called to follow-up, as I had heard nothing by Thursday. I again called the following Tuesday--both times I had to leave a voicemail. Still hearing nothing, I emailed the HR manager on Friday, Sept. 17th.

Monday, September 20th, while in class, I received an email from "C" apologizing for the delay and asking if I was available the next day (Tues. the 21st) for a 2nd interview. Unfortunately, I emailed her back too late to get the Tues. slot, but we were able to reschedule for Thursday (the 23rd) at 10am.

Thursday morning rolled around, and found me nervous. I actually interviewed twice, and with 3 people that day. The first was with the head of the department, and the second was with the 2 supervisors under him. Again, I felt very comfortable, and things seemed to progress naturally. I really sensed that I could be "real" with everyone and not have to word things "just so." At the end of the interview, I was told I should expect to hear from "C" sometime the following week.

That was this Thursday. Friday morning I got a call from "C" extending an official job offer. However, as it turns out, they want to hire me for a position other than the one I initially interviewed for. Rather than work customer service, I will be the administrative assistant of the entire department. That means I'm supporting 3 individuals: the 3 I interviewed with on Thurs. To my knowledge, this position was not open at the time I interviewed, but was rather created for me.

I am so grateful for God's provision in this area. Things were getting tight for me, yet I couldn't even get hired part-time for a temporary job at a coffee shop or bookstore. I was getting quite discouraged, and then, out-of-the-blue, God orchestrated a Monday phone call which led to a Thursday interview, a Friday job offer, and a Monday start date. It has been amazing to see how God so clearly orchestrated everything, and I am constantly praising Him for it.

I have no desire to repeat these past months of famine, but through it all God has revealed that what He had planned was best for my soul. Not finding work...was the best for my soul. Not getting to go visit my sister, BIL and new niece with the rest of my family...was best for my soul. Having interviews without call-backs...was best for my soul.

If any other situation were better for my soul, God would have placed me there. Whether in times of plenty, or times of famine, wherever I am is God's best for my soul.

Only 16 miles...

The other week, Lil' Sis and I were invited on a hike with Z, D, and J. "Don't worry," we were told. "It's a 16 mile hike, but J did it in only 4 hours...so it's not too difficult." Only 16 miles. Only 4 hours. Doesn't sound too bad; besides, what a great opportunity to hike a peak I've never hiked before, and catch up with friends.

Well, what we didn't know is that this peak is the highest in the county--with an elevation of 5,687 feet. The 16 mile round trip begins at 1,687 feet. That's an elevation gain of 4,000 feet in 8 miles!


We met at church (the halfway point) at 6am, and from there drove to the trail head. After an Albertsons stop to tie up some loose ends, we officially began our trek at 7:43am.


The beginning of the hike was lovely. The weather was cool, the trail not too steep, with an abundance of trees. Soon, however, the trail grew steeper, the air grew warmer, and our steps grew slower. Actually, I should say MY steps grew slower. Z and D took off up the trail at an insane--in my opinion--pace. J stayed behind with C and I and kept the pace of the slowest hiker: me. For some reason, I was really struggling up the trail. The trail definitely had an incline, but it was not as steep as others I'd been on.


After a time, we breaked for a snack. I had one of C's homemade "branola" bars--which was a BAD idea because it soon upset my stomach, and made the trek even more difficult.


C and J chatted most of the way up, stopping and waiting for me after every couple of turns. I just huffed and puffed along behind.


Soon my muscles and lungs screamed at me to stop. I willed myself forward. "You idiot! Can't you feel me burning?"


" I don't care! I am getting to the top of this mountain!"


"You've already gone further than you ever have. You still have to go back this same distance. Conserve some energy"


"I know, I know. But I know I can do it. Besides, I don't want to look like a total wimp. I don't understand why I'm struggling so much."


"Hellooooooooooo...Have you been listening to your heart-rate recently? You're going through the roof!"


"Ok, quick check. 20 beats over 6 seconds...that's 200 beats/min. A good rate is 80% of your max. Max is 220 - my age...197. 80% of that is...157.6. Oh my gosh!!! I'm way too high!!! Is that why I'm gasping for air and struggling to put one foot in front of the other? I've got to go slower."


I felt as if I were walking through a swimming pool filled with Elmer's glue. How could I get any slower without coming to a stand still? Even when resting, my heart rate would only drop to 180.


J and C were great. They continued to encourage me on, and not complain when I asked if we could rest. I finally stopped apologizing for the frequent rests.


We stopped for lunch about halfway up the mountain. J led us to a shady and cool valley where we could set down our packs and rest. I love shade.


I don't know how long we sat there, but it wasn't nearly long enough. All too soon we hit the road again.


I couldn't believe we were only halfway up.


Me: "J, how close would you say we are to the top?"


...long pause...


Me: "Or, do I want to know?"


J: " You don't want to know."


We continued hiking. Crawling from shady spot to shady spot to avoid the sun and the heat. About 1/2 mile from the summit, I had to stop--again. We rested for a bit, then prepared to make the final haul. 20 feet along, I suddenly felt really bad. Physically bad. I stopped and watched the other two slog up the hill ahead of me. I just couldn't do it. All the psychological willing in the world wouldn't convince my body to move. C stopped and looked back. I must have had an expression on my face because her's immediately grew concerned.


"Are you ok?"


"No, I don't feel very good....I...I think I'm just going to have to wait in the shade of the tree. I really don't feel good."


J came back and said he'd wait with me while C continued on to meet Z and D at the summit. Only 1/2 mile left! Why oh why did my body have to quit right then? I'd come so far already.


J found a shadier spot just off the road, where we could get a view and a breeze while we waited. It was a good thing too because I soon thought I was going to lose my lunch. I knew then that I had pushed my body too hard. Controlling my breathing, and attempting to psych myself out of throwing up, I sat with my head in my hands.


J: "Do you want to listen to some music?" (He had his ipod touch with him)

Me: "Sure."

J: "Korean or Classical?"

Me: (groan--feeling worse) "Hang on a sec. I can't talk." . . . "I don't care."


...pause...


Me: "Classical."


J turned on some Chopin, and I eventually lay back under the tree. As I gradually began to feel better, I think I may have dozed in and out. I think we spent an hour-and-a-half chatting and listening to Chopin under the scrub-oak. Sitting in the shade of a tree, with a great view, listening to Chopin, and talking to a friend--a very peaceful afternoon!



Going down was MUCH easier than coming up. It only took us 2 1/2 hours to get back to the car. And boy-oh-boy were we glad to see it! Trek start: 7:43am. Trek end: 5:10pm. The round trip hiking time took 9 hours to complete!


We stopped in at Albertsons again on our way back to church--and what a sight we must have been. Stiffness and pain were already setting in, and most of us limped and hobbled back toward the Gatorade.


The next day I could feel every single muscle south of my waist--and they were sure sore.


The hike was on Tuesday, and by Saturday, I never would have known I'd hiked 15 miles. I would like to do this hike again, and now that I know what it's like, I would prepare more ahead of time for the fitness challenge.

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Some Enchanted Evening

About two weeks ago, Lil' Sis found out that our city was hosting the local symphony orchestra for three evening concerts--held downtown. The concerts were free, so all one had to do was show up. The billing was as follows:

July 27th--"Night at the Cinema"
July 28th--"Curtain Up: This is Broadway"
July 29th--"Star Spangled Spectacular"

We missed the first two nights, but Sis and I decided to go and enjoy the final spectacular. After all, what could be more enjoyable than sis time and live music? I don't remember when it was we realized our mistake--was it when the first song was announced?, or when we passed that billboard?--but as it turns out, we had mis-counted the days. We were a day early! What we thought would be a rousing evening of Cohen and Sousa, turned out to be an evening of Broadway magic. What a delightful surprise!

What we also didn't expect were the vocalists. Yes my friend, this was a full-blown concert in the middle of downtown. Sis and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening--even though we didn't know some of the songs.

The concert included a selection of songs from some classics, as well as some newbies: South Pacific; Annie Get Your Gun; Grease; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Chorus Line; The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd; Jesus Christ Superstar; Music Man; Les Miserables; and Wicked.

Below, for your viewing pleasure, is the opportunity to experience a taste of our enchanted evening.

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