I didn't want to say anything until it was official, but now I can:
I got a job in Huntsville!!!!
It all happened so fast-- I was determined to take the Birmingham job... Stressing about moving, Daniel finding a job, adapting to new EVERYTHING... but feeling so blessed to have an offer in these crazy times. And then suddenly this golden opportunity opened up in Huntsville and I was amazed and humbled and immediately said YES.
It's an answer to so many prayers-- mine, Daniel's, my family's... It feels amazing to know that this long, stressful, uncertain job search end so happily. Now I have new challenges, but one huge decision has been made and hopefully everything else will work itself out now.
As for details, I'll be working for CAS (Amy N., isn't that where you work?) as a budget analyst. I'm so excited that I'll get the opportunity to get to know new people and grow relationships with people that I already know!! Hooray!
yes!!!! that is where i work! :) tell me who you are working for, etc. of course, we are ITT now but we still call it CAS! :) i am so extremely happy for you!
The ones with stars are things I've done. Quite a few stories in there-- I won't go into them, but feel free to ask :)
*1. Started my own blog
*2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
*5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
*7. Been to Disneyland/world
*8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
*10. Sung a solo
*11. Bungee jumped
*12. Visited Paris
*13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
*16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
*19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
*20. Slept on an overnight train
*21. Had a pillow fight
*22. Hitchhiked
*23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
*29. Seen a total eclipse
*30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
*31. Hit a home run
*32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
*34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
*37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
*39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
*41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
*43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
*45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
*46. Been transported in an ambulance
*47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
*50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
*51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
*52. Kissed in the rain
*53. Played in the mud
*54. Gone to a drive-in theater
*55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
*58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
*61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
*63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
*69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
*70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
*73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
*76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
*80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
*84. Had my picture in the newspaper
*85. Read the entire Bible
*86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
*88. Had chickenpox
*89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
*91. Met someone famous
*92. Joined a book club
*93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
*97. Been involved in a law suit
*98. Owned a cell phone
*99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant
I got offered a job in Birmingham on Friday, and ever since, my head has been a jumbled mess of "Should I take it?? Maybe. Well... Maybe not. I don't know what to do!!!" I've been praying hard about it. If I took it, I'd be working in a field that 1,000s of people wish they worked in (finance), but can't because of the economy. It'd be a wonderful opportunity... But it would be such a huge leap!
Daniel & I need lots of prayers for guidance right now! Since we'll be getting married just a few short months after my job is supposed to start, this will affect him in a very real way too! I just wish he had a lead on someplace to work in B'ham... It'd take a little pressure off of me!
didn't realize you were on here! i definitely need to talk to you at some point in the future about your job (congrats by the way) when i come to T-town next as I am planning to graduate in the summer in the same field. Need to channel some of your success....
YAY! i didn't know you were on here! thanks for the encouragement last week! definitely needed it! :) i'll keep ya in my prayers as you're making all kinds of grown-up decisions :) I'm sure you'll make the right decision!
Today was a very important day in the history of the church I attend here in T-Town (Northwood Church of Christ)-- the congregation installed elders! I know Amy mentioned that she knows David Hartsell--he's the preacher here and also one of the 4 men that were chosen to be elders. It was a very exciting but sobering service this morning. I know I must've witnessed elder appointments in the past, but never in the situation where a congregation had NO eldership and was appointing elders for the first time.
Afterwards, my Mom and I had a conversation about whether we thought it was necessary to officially "place membership" with a congregation. I suppose the conversation was especially relevant because I attend, work, and help financially support the church here, but still very much identify myself with the group of Christians at my home church. My opinion was that I can be a very real part of a flock that lives and works near where I happen to be living, without necessarily placing membership.
I feel like my participation in the church community and my relationship with the elders on a personal basis are enough to alert them that I'm one of their "fold." Then when I come home, I am still a part of that church and one of THEIR fold.
Mom has a different opinion. She thinks that the only way to show (not hint around at) your membership in a church is to go through the lines of communication to place membership.
I guess I need some help deciding what's right in that situation. Does anyone have any scripture that makes the point one way or the other??
so steph, i have been thinking about this all day. i can see both sides here. but i do remember when i was in college, my parents also encouraged me to place membership somewhere. it helps give you an identity in your local group. i am not sure how it is at northwood, but sometimes congregations don't fully use a person if they have not asked to be a member. just because you are a member at northwood doesn't mean you have lost your identity with your home congregation. but no matter what, you are very blessed to have two good congregations to feel "at home" with. :)
