A Legacy

Friday was the funeral for my 22 year old cousin, Zac. God chose to take him suddenly from this earth to his eternal home in heaven. No one had a chance to say good-bye, he was given no chance to make anything right, God just took him. Yet for one so young, Zac left behind a legacy that screamed of glorifying and loving God. He walked with God and he lived his life with a seriousness that is astounding. God was the center of his life. He lived and died for His glory. Everything everyone said about Zac showed his deep love for God and the people around him. The lives he touched, the people he influenced, the difference he made, all of it is amazing.

For the past week as we dealt with the shock, grief, funeral, all of it, my thoughts keeps running to the fact that Zac was only just over a year older than me. I can't tell you how much I have wept, not at the thought of his death, but at the thought of how imminent my death could be. It's so easy to think, "Eh, I'm only 21, nothing is going to happen, I have my entire life in front of me." But that is so not true. Only God knows the length of my days. It's easy to take life for granted...to assume that I'm going to live until I'm 90, it's easy to blow each day focused on the things of this world and not taking much time to focus on God and the real meaning of life -- glorifying Him. I am ashamed at how much time I spend doing what I want rather than doing what God wants me to do.

I can't get over how fast a life can be snuffed out. It a matter of mere seconds someone can go from alive and perfectly well right into eternity. (I know this is nothing new, just a new reality for me.) Life really is just a vapor, here and then gone. Sometimes that vapor lasts slightly longer than others, but still, it goes by quickly and just as quickly it disappears. What is more important, doing what I want or doing something that matters for God? Which matters more, fame and fortune or the lives of others? God calls each Christian to make an influence on the lost around us, to bring them to Him.

If I were to die tomorrow what would people say at my funeral? What would be my legacy? Would they talk about how much I loved God and wanted to serve Him? Or would they talk about what I had wanted to do? Would they say my life glorified God or would they say it glorified me?

Do not be Afraid of Their Faces

To say that what I believe isn't always popular is an understatement. And the last day or two have been difficult in that people want to crush what I believe and make me believe the way they do. I don't like that. Some have called me young and naive (I call them old and dumb, just I'm polite and don't say it to their face like they do to me). Unlike them, I have a fresh perspective on life. I'm not afraid to take a risk. I'll stick my neck out to go with the unpopular vote over the popular vote any day. Besides, their generation taught me that what is popular isn't always right, yet instead of practicing what they preach, they jump on me for following orders. (Yes, I am ranting, but I promise it's not going to last too long). If you haven't guessed, it has to do with politics (something I love and hate at the same time).

So needless to say, I've been struggling. Big. Time. This morning God reminded me that my hope is in Him, not in an earthly cause or person. "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 43:5 NKJV) Ah, what sweet comfort. He saved me from a pit of despair, why do I keep going back into it willingly? Silly me. But still, frustration held on to me just a tiny bit. Fact: I am young. Fact: I don't have a lot of experience. So who am I to go against these people who supposedly know a lot more than me. But God, in His loving way once again led me to a beautiful passage in Jeremiah. The great prophet is at this time young, and like me, feels inadequate. Listen to the exchange:

God: Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah (I can imaging he's trembling a little bit and says in a shaky voice): "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth!"

There! He said it! He can't do it! Duh! He's too young! C'mon God! What are You thinking? 

But alas, God replies: Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.

Well, who can argue with that? Not Jeremiah, and definitely not me. God's calling isn't always easy, but He gives us what we need. He is with us and will deliver us.

Tough Decision

Have you ever been given a choice between two good things? Either way you go won't be bad, but trying to figure out which direction is the best is the hardest thing you've ever done. Perhaps you have people pulling and pushing you in both directions and the chaos in your own brain is almost more than you can handle. Weighing the options, wanting to go both ways, struggling with not being able to please everybody, praying for God's will but getting no clear direction, living in uncertainty, hoping for the best, tired of fighting.

For the past month what I just described has been my life. The toughest decision I've ever made was in front of me and I had no idea what to do. During that month the confusion was overwhelming and the constant battle in my heart was staggering. Either choice would have been good, but both decisions would have made some happy and others unhappy. So often I wanted to turn to someone else to give me the answer, I didn't want to have to do this on my own. But I had to and I did.

By now you're probably wondering what this decision was. Let me explain, towards the end of September I was really struggling. My life had seemed to come to a stop and I wasn't sure why or where I was supposed to go or do next. I felt useless. Little did I know that God was using this in my life to teach me some lessons.
After a long talk with my parents late one night I realized that I definitely needed to go back to school. Out of the blue my mom mentioned going to Northland International University in WI. I was rather taken aback but the sudden suggestion but I decided to look into it. Plans were made and I went to visit for a few days. I loved it. The students were focused on God, the faculty were friendly, the campus was beautiful, the classes were "mind stretching," and the church I visited was awesome. Everything inside of me screamed to go back in January.

Then I came back home to reality. I considered everything that I would be leaving behind, especially the Mourdock campaign. My heart yearned to stay and continue the fight for this race and really, for this country. The conflict that was raging inside of me between the two "goods" was gut wrenching. I spent many hours praying, begging God for an answer. Over the course of the month I went back and forth between Wisconsin and Indiana. One minute I'd be going, the next I'd be staying. It was the most frustrating month of my life.

I had determined that if I was to go to Wisconsin two things had to transpire. One, I would be able to finish my four year degree in two years. Also, I had to hear back from the registrar at NIU by Friday at 7 pm. Neither happened. I know that was God's sign to me to stay. Was it difficult? Yes. But am I okay with the outcome? Yes. This is where I am needed, this is where God wants me.

All of this being said, I'm not giving up on my education. I am planning on going to school online starting in January. Right now I think I am going to get an undergraduate certificate in public administration (it should only take me a semester to finish) and then next Fall I will either start a communications degree or continue in the public administration program. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

One of my biggest struggles this month was making sure that the decision I made wasn't just because that is what I wanted, I wanted it to be what GOD wanted. One passage in the Bible that really stood out to me was Matthew 10, the following are a few excerpts from it:

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."

Moments that Take Your Breath Away

Life's not the breaths you take,

The breathing in and out

That gets you through the day.

You just might miss the point

Trying to win the race.

Life's not the breaths you take

But the moments that take your breath away.

{George Strait}

When most people think of this song they think sweet romantic thoughts of their significant other. They get this far away dreamy look and it's not hard to figure out what they're thinking. 

Not me.

When I think of this song I think of politics. Weird, I know. But really, in the past six months I've experienced many of those breath-taking moments while working on the Mourdock for U.S. Senate campaign.

For example, the time a dear, sweet old lady thanked me for being politically active because, "Most young people your age don't care about our country."

Or when I first met Richard Mourdock.

When I had the opportunity to do six parades on July 4th weekend.

At a meet and greet in Ft. Wayne Richard called me his "campaign hero" to the entire crowd. Definitely a breath taking moment.

On my 21st birthday, throwing out the honorary first pitch at a TinCaps game proudly wearing a Mourdock t-shirt and later that evening he called me to wish me a happy birthday.

Sitting through many of Mourdock's speeches, listening to him move the crowds with his passion for what he believes is right. Watching him tear up at certain parts as he talks about things that are near and dear to his heart.

Having the opportunity to tell others about a candidate I not only think is good, but a candidate I firmly believe in and actually trust. The best part is swaying them to vote for Mourdock in May.

Driving Richard's truck in parades.

Being the first "Super Volunteer."

The best one -- standing in a circle with several others on the campaign, holding hands and praying.

The list could go on and on.

Major Changes...Again

It seems my life never, ever likes to sit still for long. Or perhaps it's me that can't sit still. I don't know. It seems I'm never content with the current level of my life, I want something more, something better all the time. I'm not content to sit idle when there is so much more to learn and do. A good thing? I hope so. This leads me to the current changes. I think they are what God wants for me and they are definitely for the better. They will bring with them a lot of hard work and effort, they will stretch me, making me into someone better than I am. This is what I want out of my whole life, to be constantly stretched into a better person, but more importantly, I want to be stretched to be a better Christian so I can serve my God in a more meaningful fashion.

The first change is my job! Yep, I'm leaving the bank. This is a shock to a lot of people, but it is something I've been considering for a very long time; I was just waiting for the right opportunity to come my way. This presented itself in a job offer from a dry cleaner. I know, you're probably thinking, "Changing from a bank job to a dry cleaner is a better thing?!" It is. I was starting to go nuts sitting in an office all day, I need to be with people. I love to meet new people, get to know the "regulars" and make the new customers feel welcome. It's what makes me "tick." God gave each of us different personalities that require different stimuli, mine include people. (Have I gotten my point across yet?)

On to the next change: school. I know I had posted earlier that I was going to be attending Baptist College of America, but I honestly didn't have a peace about it. I couldn't focus on the classes and I just felt like I was drifting off course. I didn't really know what to do so I prayed about it. I really like this politics thing and I've wanted to be in it for a very long time. So, I'm quitting the whole "Christian college" thing and switching to Thomas Edison State College and a degree in History. So yeah...it'll be a little while until I finish, but I'm ok with that. I don't have anything I have to do so I'll just enjoy my time, enjoy life a little bit (although I have a feeling all I'll be doing is work and school), and see what else God has in store for me.

It seems my life is in constant upheaval, if it's not one thing, it is definitely another. I'm so glad to know that I have a Heavenly Father who cares for me and has everything perfectly figured out. In His time all things will come together, all I need do is take each step in faith, trusting Him alone.

Struggles

This year has been one of many ups and downs. Frankly, from a human perspective it has been one of the worst years of my life. Things simply have not gone well at all. The beginning of the year outwardly was the hardest with so many things happening to my family that it appears terrible. And it was in one sense, however, when it comes to Spirituality, it was the closest, most sweet time I have ever had with my Lord. I was at a point in life that I had to fully rely on God to get me through each day. I drew close to Him as I spent much time in His Word and on my knees in prayer. Every new day brought more pain and anguish, and each day I learned more and more how much I needed my Savior by my side. It was a time of sweet fellowship with God, and great learning of God. I learned to have sweet peace even in the midst of great adversity. I felt the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and I felt a true sense of joy that went through my entire being.

Recently, on the outside life has calmed down. It has been quite some time since an "emergency" has struck my life. It would seem like right now I would be using this time to discover more about the greatness of God. I hate to admit it, but this time right now I find it more difficult to focus on God than I have in a very long time. Now, instead of outward, visible struggles, I have deep, inward struggles. Although not evident, these seem to be worse than the outward hard times. Rather than depending on God, and trusting Him to see me through, I catch myself trying to work everything out on my own. Doing this causes me to lose focus on the important things of life, and instead concentrate on the parts of life that I have no control over. Rather than spending time reveling in the goodness of God, I find myself fighting Him over minute details that really don't matter in the end. I keep forgetting that God has plans for my life, and those plans are meant for good, not evil, plans of hope for the future. (Jeremiah 29:11).

I would greatly appreciate prayers as I try to refocus my life by truly depending on God and trusting Him for all of my needs.

Consume Me

"God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus."

~Jim Elliot~

Jim Elliot wrote this one summer while he was in college, which means he was right around my age. He had an evident dedication to God, and he wanted to display that in any way possible -- even to the point of death. He ended up being a missionary in Ecuador, and was martyred by the Auca Indians. As a result of his death the door was opened to these people for the Gospel. Now there is a thriving church among this once feared tribe of cannibals.

This made me seriously consider my life. I have come to the conclusion that I want God to run my life, I want to be filled by Him, I long to have a life that benefits and brings glory to Him alone. Whether I have one year or 60 years left in my life I want them to be filled with helping people and doing what God wants. I desire my life to be a living sacrifice to my Savior. When it is time for me to stand before my Maker, I hope to hear the words, "Well done!" I don't want to look back with regret at missed opportunities, wasted minutes, and empty enterprises. I want to look back at a full life -- full of things done to bring people closer to Jesus. I want my life to be a blazing "stick" for Christ, not a smoldering pile of ash that never amounted to anything.

Day 29: Hopes, Plans and Dreams for the Next 365 Days

My biggest hope for the next year is to draw much closer to God. I want to grow in Him, learning from every happening in my life. Like the song says, "Oh, I want to know You more, deep within my soul I want to know You, Oh, I want to know You. To feel Your heart and know Your mind, looking into Your eyes stirs within me, cries that say 'I want to know You more,' Oh, I want to know You."

Plans for this next year include working, working some more, going to Shawnee for graduation, maybe going out east with a friend, probably going to Virginia for a family reunion, working, going back to Shawnee in the Fall, and working, Christmas break, and then STUDENT TEACHING! I know, not very thrilling, but that's all that I know of at the moment. God has a funny way of doing what He wants in my life and changing all of my plans. I have learned to simply accept what He wants and go on with life. Fighting God's leading tends to bring much heartache and pain, and it's not worth it.

Dreams for this year are finishing my in class training by the end of the year and to finally be student teaching. It seems like I've been in college forEVER, I'm soooo ready to be finished and on my way to doing other things with life. Another dream of mine is to finally purchase my own car that actually works (I seem to have a problem with getting a decent car). Oh, and an extra dream that doesn't necessarily have to come in the next 365 years, but would be a nice bonus, is the man of my dreams! ;) It never hurts to wish for something, right?!

Day 23: A Way in Which I Want to be Remembered

To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, "I desire to so conduct my life that when I leave this earthly body and stand before my Maker to make an account for all I have done, if I have no other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, that will be the friend down inside me."

My greatest desire is to be remembered at a woman who loved God, her family, and others. One who was determined to finish with a full, happy life. I want to be remembered for bringing love and laughter to all around me, not as someone who sapped joy out of everything. I do not want to be remembered as one who simply went from day to day with no point to living. Rather, I want to be remembered as a girl who had goals, met those goals and then went on to higher aspirations.

I want to be remembered as one who did what was right no matter the costs. Who wasn't afraid to do something because it went against popular opinion, but rather did what I felt agreed with the Bible and my conscience, even at the cost of friends, money, relationships, and all.

Most of all, I want to be remembered by God as one of His children who faithfully lived life according to His precepts. When I have reached the end of my journey on earth I want Him to say to me, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 21: Something I do Differently than Most People

I can not stand to have "mixed food." I don't like eating casseroles or a lot of salads because the food is all jumbled together. For whatever reason I'm OCD about mixing things. I will eat the food given to me, but I have a crazy habit of separating everything once it is on my plate.

After separating things I then eat them one type of food at a time starting with the ingredient that I like the least. For example, we have been eating a lot of fruit salad lately. In this salad there are pears, apples, cantaloupe, oranges, pineapple, banana and sometimes grapes. I will take a serving of it (I love fruit) and eat it in this order: oranges, pears, apples, grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe, and banana. Even worse than that, when eating spaghetti I separate the noodles and the sauce! Now that's interesting to do, but I don't like them mixed together...at all!

Day 20: A Hobby

Everyone is probably going to think I am crazy, but one of my favorite things to do is to shoot guns. Yep, I said the g word...guns!

Having grown up in the country most of my friends and a lot of family own guns. In high school one of my favorite things in the world was to go to the range and out shoot the boys! I still love going out and shooting although I don't get to do it as often, so I'm afraid my skills aren't quite as keen as they once were. I did go through training and am certified to have a hunting license although I've never been able to bring myself to go hunting (too much watching Bambi as a kiddo). I do have a concealed carry permit though! :)

This is even juicier...one of my jobs down at school is working in an ammunition factory! Pretty cool, huh? I love telling guys that, they suddenly start salivating and get this dreamy look in their eyes. It's quite fun. Click here for company.

Day 19: A Talent

Probably the most "obvious" talent that God gave me was that of music. He has given me the ability to play both the piano and cello for His glory. Being able to worship Him with music is one of the most fulfilling tasks.

*****2010*****

*****Senior Recital 2008*****

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 14: A Vacation I Would Like to Take

I must preface this post by saying that at the present moment ANY PLACE warm sounds like an amazing vacation spot, I don't think that there is a place anywhere in the continental United States (or Alaska for that matter) that is above 50 or 60 degrees and right now weather that is sunny and around 75 or 80 (or warmer) sounds amazing!

However, there are two places that I would consider to be amazing vacation spots, the first is Israel! I have dreamed for years of going to the Holy Land, despite all the turmoil, and seeing the places that Jesus and many important people that I have read and learned about all of my life lived. Most people consider me crazy for wanting to go there, but it is a dream that I hope will some day be fulfilled!

*****

The other country is Australia! "The Land Down Under" has always intrigued me and its beauty is overwhelming!

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Shall We Not Accept?

Some of you know that I am taking a semester off from school while my mom recovers from her surgery (here is the post I wrote on that decision). I made the offer to drop out willingly and am very happy to be able to help out. However, yesterday was a bit rough for me because it was the first day of classes and I was not there. It felt really weird and I was somewhat sad. Then this morning I was reading in Job when a phrase jumped out at me:

"Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?"

(Job 2:10b)

It is so easy to take the blessings and good that God bring, accept it, be happy about it, and move on. But when He, in His sovereign way, chooses to bring adversity I react in sorrow. Yes, it is understandable to not always be the happiest when life throws a curve ball at me, but instead of fighting against it and asking God why He allowed something in my life, it is much better to accept His all knowing way, learn from the experience, and grow more in His image.

My heart's desire is to be more like Christ, and only by obediently following Him without question and complaint can I grow in Him. It is not an easy task, and often I fail, but He is always there to forgive and encourage me. He has promised to never leave or forsake me, and that is all I need.

Thirty Day Challenge: Day 10: A Photo that was Taken of Me Over 10 Years Ago

Finding pictures that are already on my computer from ten years ago is quite difficult. I did find a few, but most of them are well over ten years old and were used for a slide show my mom did for my high school graduation.

*****This is probably at least 18 years old*****

*****Always a Daddy's girl! Approx. 16 or 17 years ago*****

*****For those of you who know my brother this picture probably makes you laugh! He now towers over me at a whopping 6 ft. 4 in.! Approx. 14 years ago*****

*****This is probably the closest to 10 years ago*****

I am doing a 30 day challenge click here to see the posts that I have to do.

Day 7: Five Things I Couldn't Live without

This post should not be as hard as the other ones, although coming up with a list of only five things is going to be a little bit difficult...

1. Salvation -- without Salvation and the work that Christ has done in my life I would not be here today. I don't know where I would be, or if I would even still be alive, but I do know that were it not for the love of my Savior and His work on Calvary, and my complete faith in Him I would not be certain that I was going to Heaven when I die.
2. My Bible -- this kind of goes along with Salvation. However, the Bible is what I use to continue my growth in Christ. I have read it through a few times and read many parts of it over and over and over.
3. A tooth brush -- I think this one is kind of obvious. Have you ever seen someone who has not brushed their teeth in a long time?! EWW! I thought about going into a long description of this, but I think I'll leave it up to your imagination.
4. Music -- Someone once said, "Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows the from Heaven to the soul."
5. My brain. -- any explanation needed? Although, I have a feeling my mom is going to ask whether or not I had a brain to begin with. Love you too, Mom! :)

Some Good News

Today has turned out a bit of good news! These were some things I was expecting, but the plans are now in full swing, which is incredibly good. This news actually ease my boredom.

The first bit was an email I got from the Dean of Academics at Shawnee. I have been working to get things lined up so that I would be able to take some online classes and therefore hopefully keep up with my studies. Shawnee does not offer classes online, but earlier in the week during a phone conversation with him, Bro. Nicholson told me of a few colleges with online programs that would possibly let me enroll to take a few classes. I did the research and discovered a college that would let me take a few classes without actually pursuing a degree from them. I had to email Bro. N again to figure out which classes I needed and today I heard back from him officially! I will be taking between 8 and 11 credits this semester! I am so pumped! Not so much boredom!

Another bit of good news, I am officially back on the schedule at Wendy's! I start back on Monday! Woo hoo! So far I don't have many hours, but chances are they will start calling me in and will probably give me more hours as time goes on. Still, it's work, and money, two very good things!

Oh, yet another exciting occurrence, I have been asked to teach a literacy class in the county jail. I am supposed to give a definite answer tomorrow. I am sure that more will follow on this subject later on.

Day 6: A Moment I Want to Relive

I have put quite a bit of thought into this moment. I have thought over my life and the cool things I have done and the awesome places I have been. I have been in the White House, seen the Statue of Liberty, I have met Michael Reagan (President Reagan's son), and seen President Bush in person. I have been to many concerts, and met many famous musicians. I have been in the catacombs and seen the Colosseum. I have traveled from the East to West Coasts, seen three oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. In my young life I have been blessed to have done of lot of travelling and met so many important people - and not only met them, but had actual conversations with them, some of whom I have become good friends with.

Despite all of that there is one moment, or rather a few hours, in my life that I would love to relive. That was in March of 2003 when Glenn Beck came to Auburn, IN and did a Rally for America. At the time I was only 12, but I still vividly remember the electricity that was in that building, the crowd that was double what had originally been anticipated, and the uniting of 20,000 people in love and support of our great country. I remember being awestruck during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner as thousands upon thousands of blue-collar, hard working, loyal, patriotic Americans sang that beloved anthem. The hush that went over the crowd as someone prayed, and the cheers that went up as the brave men and women of our military were recognized have stuck in my mind as if it were yesterday. In all the day was spectacular, and one I would love to relive. Simply remembering the day and writing about it has made goose bumps appear on my arms and chills are running down my spine. It was a day that I will never forget, for in that crowd was a young 12 year old, who loved her country, and during that day my loyalty for her was bolstered, and my love for her became undying.

America may not always be the great country that she has been -- in fact she seems to be going down a steep and slippery slope at an alarming pace. However, I have faith that God will still bless my country if we simply remember Who is in control and turn everything over to Him.

May God richly bless America.

Bountiful Blessings

When taking a step back and viewing my life over the past year I've seen I have so much for which to be thankful. I'm overwhelmed by the blessings, both small and great, that have been given to my by my loving Heavenly Father.

First and foremost I'm thankful for a God in Heaven Who I know loves me unconditionally. He sent His only begotten Son down to this earth long ago to die on a cruel cross for me.Every time I stop to think about that I'm overwhelmed that a holy and just God cared so much for the human race that He gave up His most precious possession so that we too can be heirs of the Kingdom of God.

Next, I'm thankful for my family. This year I've experienced them in a way that I've never known before and seriously, they are the best. I don't know what I would do without their constant source of prayers, encouragement, laughter, and so much more. Over the summer we were able to spend a lot of quality time together. So many memories were made...I wouldn't trade anything for them. I love them so much.

Another amazing aspect in my life are my friends. I honestly have the best friends for which anyone could ask. They have proven to me over and over again that they will be there for me no matter what. From doing crazy things together at all hours of the day and night to holding me when I cry, from standing up for me when someone is being a jerk to telling me to my face when I need to straighten up I have been blessed with a lineup of friends who are some of the craziest, serious, God-loving people in the world...I couldn't do it with out them.

Finally, other than Salvation, the thing I am most grateful for is the fact that my roses have thorns! This past year has been pretty rough with relationships, medical problems, school, work, and on the list could go. But through it all I've learned that even in the worst times of my life there is always someone who has it worse than I do, and even more importantly, I've learned that there is always a bright spot, even in the darkest hours.

"Some people complain because the roses have thorns, others give thanks because the thorns have roses." ~Unknown

New Position!

Recently a managing position came up at my job at LEE's Famous Recipe Chicken. I had thoughts of the possibility of being chosen for the job, but I wasn't going to really pursue the matter. The other day I was working with the assistant manager and out of the blue she said, "Hey Hannah! Have you ever thought of being a manager?!" I said, "Well, I had, but I didn't know what the plans were, or who was in the running for the job." Her response was that they really didn't know who to have fill the spot because most people weren't eligible for various reasons. She talked to the GM who spoke to me about it today. I was offered the job and I start training on Saturday! I'm sooo excited! The only bad things are that other than being home for a couple of days over Christmas, most of my break will be spent down here; also, tomorrow is my last day at the ammunition factory - I can't swing a second job along with managing. But it's ok, because this is an excellent opportunity to not only make some good money, but it also looks great on my resume. Please pray that I'll be able to learn my new responsibilities quickly.