I hit up work at SBC for a few more days after we got back from Texas. We had to head back to Oklahoma for New Years weekend for Evan and Laura's wedding, so it was a quick turn around. To put it mildly, it was to worse week of employment I have ever had in my life (yes, worse than working at Roots!). That weekend to almost got to the point that I had a panic attack on Sunday at church, just at the thought of going back there on Wednesday. Caleb and I talked about it al the way to Mark and Darci's in OKC that day. He was an amazing support! I could not have asked for a better fiance who understood me and the situation. So, I called SBC on New Years Eve and told them I would be quitting and coming to pick up my stuff when I got back into town. And that's how it worked. I walked in, packed up my desk and was escorted out. 10 of the most uncomfortable minutes of my life!
We had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew I could no longer function working there. It was affecting my sleep, appetite, and joy for life!
Caleb was gone to NCYM that week, so I woke up every morning searching craigslist and wracking my brain as to how I was going to make some money. That week a couple answered my ad on craigslist and purchased my car. I cancelled all other unnecessary expenses and just prayed that God would take care of us! It sure was an interesting time.
Late one night, I answered an ad on Craigslist for a family who was looking for a "mother's assistant." I didn't really think much of it because there are several of those, but when I emailed the lady, I just really felt like I needed to be open and honest with her about my situation. She had expressed in the ad that she was looking for someone who feared God, loved children, and was flexible. I thought, "Sure!" So the next morning, she emailed me back and we connected immediately. Caleb and I went to first meet the Biermann's one Tuesday night and it's been a close and meaningful relationship ever since. Tom and Kristi have four kids at home. Three of them are adopted from Belarus where they were born and living in an orphanage 50 miles from the site of the Chernobyl blast. Kristi homeschools the kids at this point, but was struggling because she suffers from fibromyalgia. This family's need was a Godsend for me because it has basically allowed me to cover my bills and expenses for these last two months.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Quick December
December was a rough month for me at work. I continued to be displeased with the ethics, training, and management. It became more and more clear to me that it wasn't me... this job was just not right for someone with my morals and convictions for post-secondary education and as a Christian. The night before Caleb and I flew to Dallas for Christmas with the Cox family, I had "that conversation" with my boss in which I came to the conclusion that I could not continue to hone my skills at SBC to be successful because every number I dialed and every time someone picked up the phone (and didn't immediately hang up on me), I could not even fake that I believed what I was saying. Even though I know that man believe I was weak or lazy, I would not compromise my belief system and destroy my passion for college students by staying there.
I had also received an interview at a local, private University close to my house about mid December. I felt so excited about how it had gone that I was anxiously waiting for that return phone call to offer my a job. This would have been amazing because of it's location, standards and morals of the University, and I would have been back working with families and freshman who are excited about what the world has to offer them. Alas, that phone call did not come.....
During this time, Caleb found out from the elders at church that their financial situation had not seemed to mend itself and they were running out of money in his salary fund. This money would be gone by the end of March. He was quick to tell them that, despite the fact that his priority would be to stay at DPcC longer to continue the ministry he had worked hard for, he needed to think long term as we were looking towards our wedding and family. So he began to look for youth ministry jobs elsewhere.
Christmas arrived! It was such an amazing, fun, goofy, rewarding, and assuring time! Curly and Trissa picked us up at the airport in Dallas and we made the most of our 5 days with family. We went to Abilene, where I was inducted into the Lutrell family, Pecos to meet and hang out with the extended Cox family, and back to Brownwood for Christmas with Caryn, Dale, and Kristi. It was amazing to be in the new house in May (that's the town), and enjoy time away from the city. I felt truly blessed to be entering into this family.
I had also received an interview at a local, private University close to my house about mid December. I felt so excited about how it had gone that I was anxiously waiting for that return phone call to offer my a job. This would have been amazing because of it's location, standards and morals of the University, and I would have been back working with families and freshman who are excited about what the world has to offer them. Alas, that phone call did not come.....
During this time, Caleb found out from the elders at church that their financial situation had not seemed to mend itself and they were running out of money in his salary fund. This money would be gone by the end of March. He was quick to tell them that, despite the fact that his priority would be to stay at DPcC longer to continue the ministry he had worked hard for, he needed to think long term as we were looking towards our wedding and family. So he began to look for youth ministry jobs elsewhere.
Christmas arrived! It was such an amazing, fun, goofy, rewarding, and assuring time! Curly and Trissa picked us up at the airport in Dallas and we made the most of our 5 days with family. We went to Abilene, where I was inducted into the Lutrell family, Pecos to meet and hang out with the extended Cox family, and back to Brownwood for Christmas with Caryn, Dale, and Kristi. It was amazing to be in the new house in May (that's the town), and enjoy time away from the city. I felt truly blessed to be entering into this family.
November
November brought interesting things into my life. I started a new job "SBC" as an Admissions Representative. Caleb and I began to figure out how we were going to fit into each other's lives on a daily basis; beyond the hour or so on the phone each night. And, my mother came to St. Louis for a visit over American Thanksgiving.
I will say more about my new job in St. Louis later, but in general, imagine my entire passion and drive for the job I loved at OC.... got it! Now, think of everything that could possibly to opposite of it. It was hell!
Of course, that made the transition to a new place and a new dynamic in our "to be married" relationship difficult. But we trudged through and trusted in God.
I had a great 4 or 5 days with my mom! We did a lot of shopping and even found my wedding dress. It was really important for me to be able to do that with her. Being here without my girlfriends and sisters, I wasn't looking forward to finding a dress all by myself. We took mom several different places to eat, see the sights and just hang out. For those of you who know her, you can see from the picture that she was sooooo excited about seeing historical St. Charles, which is about 3 blocks from my house. She spent about 4 hours on 6 blocks of shops and didn't get done. Some things never change!
And.... that's a summary of November.
Friday, October 26, 2007
It's news and it's big!!!
The story is... I'm moving to St. Louis next week, so I had to go to Canada to change employers on my work visa before I start my new job in St. Louis on Nov. 5th. I already had planned to be in St. Louis last weekend before the whole job thing came up, so it was "convenient" to just drive to Ontario. So I got off the plane from a week in Denver on Friday at 10:30, we left STL around 2:30 after some issues that we had to smooth out with my new employment letter, got it pre-approved by the border patrol in Sarnia/Port Huron and drove to Ann Arbor, MI. We stayed Friday night with a friend who used to go to OC and woke up Saturday morning and drove across the bridge at Detroit, then on to Niagara Falls. We had lunch and walked around for a few hours. Caleb had already done some research on some of the touristy things we could do. So we were going to do two. We did the "Journey under the Falls" where you ride the elevator down and walk to look out underneath and walk out beside where they come down. We walked from that end by Horseshoe Falls to the bridge to Buffalo. We saw the Skywheel, so we decided to go there for the second thing. On our first big time date, Caleb surprised me by taking me to the Oklahoma State Fair last September. We picked three rides that night and OF COURSE I had to pick a Ferris wheel because it was the first time I was at a fair with a boy! I love Ferris wheels! Caleb really wanted to see if we could walk across the bridge because there was a Canadian and an American flag in the middle. But when we finally got over there, we had to have our passports and ID to go threw. We didn't want to mess with it since we had to deal with my work Visa, so we just turned back. So we headed for the Ferris wheel. I was so excited to find the biggest Tim Horton's I've ever seen!! Anyway, we finally got on the Ferris wheel. I'd been trying for two or three weeks not to get my hopes up because I knew that taking this Canadian to Niagara Falls would be an amazing opportunity to possible as a big question. But Caleb had made a few comments that really made me think that it wasn't going to happen that day. Once we got on the Ferris wheel (which is completely enclosed), he sat across from me instead of beside which was so weird. But when the door closed, he started to sing. This is not completely random since music and singing is so much of who Caleb is. The song was new though. That was the weird thing about it. So at first I kind of playful said "why are you being funny?." But when I spoke, he just kept on singing. He got a bit of a funny look on his face, so then I started to panic or wonder, "Is this it?!!?!" It was a mix of complete excitement and panic that I was getting my hopes up and would be disappointed. So he finished and asked the question!!! I hugged him so fast that he didn't even have time to open the box. So after he sat up beside me, he finally said, "Do you want to see it!?!?" haha (The ring, of course!)
So we finished the ride by taking pictures of each other and the falls from the top. then walked around a little more and bought some souvenirs before we headed back to the border to get my paperwork done and get back to Ann Arbor to sleep.
What a day?!?!!
We are hoping the wedding will be in early August. Location TBA.
Love you all!
(Sorry it's taken this long to write this story. I am in charge of registration at World Mission Workshop here at OC this weekend. So since I got back on Monday at noon, I've been doing nothing else! I'm sorry if I didn't get to call you myself.)
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Why does change always sneak up on us?
As I sit here this afternoon, I've decided to take a moment to relax and reflect. I'm feeling rather homesick today. These days are few and far between, but today it is evident. With the amazing, exciting and oh so cute phone call I received from Dauphin last night at about 11, I was exstatic, yes, but overwhelmed by the realization that one of my best friends is making the greatest decision of his life and I going to miss out on all of it... hopefully not his wedding day, but that's possible too. These moments I will miss out on are what scares me and makes me emotional about being so far from home. Don't get me wrong, though! If it is to be, I am thankful, so happy, and overly content to live the rest of my life with the man I love, no matter where that might be. But there are days when I want to hold on to the past and everyone back home, days when I can't imagine that those at home are going to miss out on the big moments in my life.
So, if you read the post I just added a few minutes ago, I'm sure you interest was peaked by the idea of a job interview in St. Louis. I have been packing once again. Getting ready for the next stage in my life. I got a job at Sanford-Brown College in St. Peters, MO, as an Admissions Representative. Right between Caleb's and Dardenne Prairie cofC. God has amazing plans! WOW! How much more perfect could it be? Some of you are probably think, "Amanda, why are you so stuck on Admissions?" Well, a) It's what I'm good at, so just let me be. (I've faced an amazing number of people that don't get that.) It is the one thing in my life that I actually excel at. and b) my work Visa is to be a "vocational counselor" so that is my only ticket to employment in the US right now.
What a weird feeling though? I am so sad to be leaving OC; my "kids," the job that I have always known that I am gifted at and a life that has kept me insanly busy, never is the same, and allows me to share Christ to families and college students. But at the same time, I want the next four weeks to go by so quickly because I'm ready for life to become what I have invisioned it to be for the last several month. I love "DPcC"! They seem to love me. I can see myself becoming involved there so easily. The families are great! So I will be working a strickly 40hr/wk job which will be a little more professional, most with adult students, more specific in academic fields, and yet I know I will still be able to bring my own personal and caring approach that OC has taught me so well. I'm going to miss the OC office. These are my best friends in the good ol' US ofA. But my ministry is still going to be mine and I am so excited to begin to learn how to share and work in ministry with the man I love.
The next four weeks are going to be tough on me. Especially b/c I don't get to spend 11 of those days here. I know that some of you feel like I'm bailing on you. But please know, I am loyal. I am always here. And you can always come visit St. Louis!!!! It is a really cool town, I promise!
There is still the small glitch of changing my work visa. Please pray that that goes smoothly. Caleb and I are driving to cross the border at Sarnia on Oct. 19th. Thanks!
So, if you read the post I just added a few minutes ago, I'm sure you interest was peaked by the idea of a job interview in St. Louis. I have been packing once again. Getting ready for the next stage in my life. I got a job at Sanford-Brown College in St. Peters, MO, as an Admissions Representative. Right between Caleb's and Dardenne Prairie cofC. God has amazing plans! WOW! How much more perfect could it be? Some of you are probably think, "Amanda, why are you so stuck on Admissions?" Well, a) It's what I'm good at, so just let me be. (I've faced an amazing number of people that don't get that.) It is the one thing in my life that I actually excel at. and b) my work Visa is to be a "vocational counselor" so that is my only ticket to employment in the US right now.
What a weird feeling though? I am so sad to be leaving OC; my "kids," the job that I have always known that I am gifted at and a life that has kept me insanly busy, never is the same, and allows me to share Christ to families and college students. But at the same time, I want the next four weeks to go by so quickly because I'm ready for life to become what I have invisioned it to be for the last several month. I love "DPcC"! They seem to love me. I can see myself becoming involved there so easily. The families are great! So I will be working a strickly 40hr/wk job which will be a little more professional, most with adult students, more specific in academic fields, and yet I know I will still be able to bring my own personal and caring approach that OC has taught me so well. I'm going to miss the OC office. These are my best friends in the good ol' US ofA. But my ministry is still going to be mine and I am so excited to begin to learn how to share and work in ministry with the man I love.
The next four weeks are going to be tough on me. Especially b/c I don't get to spend 11 of those days here. I know that some of you feel like I'm bailing on you. But please know, I am loyal. I am always here. And you can always come visit St. Louis!!!! It is a really cool town, I promise!
There is still the small glitch of changing my work visa. Please pray that that goes smoothly. Caleb and I are driving to cross the border at Sarnia on Oct. 19th. Thanks!
Sorry I've been "missing" lately
So, September was RIDICULOUS!!!
Aug 30- Sept 5- Portland, OR/Seattle, WA (thanks to Nic and Eric for coming to see me in Seattle!)
Sept 9-11- Office Retreat in Tatonka, OK
Sept 14-17- Regina for my mom's wedding (yes, her and Ron got married)
Sept 21-23- unexpected trip to St. Louis for a job interview
Sept 28-30- Fall Visit
Yep, ridiculous!
Aug 30- Sept 5- Portland, OR/Seattle, WA (thanks to Nic and Eric for coming to see me in Seattle!)
Sept 9-11- Office Retreat in Tatonka, OK
Sept 14-17- Regina for my mom's wedding (yes, her and Ron got married)
Sept 21-23- unexpected trip to St. Louis for a job interview
Sept 28-30- Fall Visit
Yep, ridiculous!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
another cycle
So, I have hit that wall! I am sitting at my desk today, knowing there are things I could do, but at the same time I have one email in my Inbox, no messages to return, and I'm out of minutes AND texts on my cell phone. I haven't heard from a panicing parents in at least 24 hours and I haven't had any students stop by my office this afternoon wondering where to find their student mail box, how to open their Outlook email, or where to change their classes..... I think I am officially "done" with the OC Freshman class of '07! :( (wait, I forgot... One of my Cali boys is stopping by to ask me how to take CLEP tests!)
If that is all, then it's good timing, I guess. I'm leaving for Portland at 9:00am tomorrow. It's hard to believe it's already time for Faith Quest in Oregon again! I am going alone this year. My tour guide and co-worker, Matt, has to stay in OK for a wedding this weekend.
The summer flew by! I didn't have the time I thought I was going to for anything! I feel so blessed though! My 06-07 recruiting year was a success!!! There are many times that I felt like I was far from on the ball, forgetting about those students who needed me, and never having enough time to make that personal connection with all of them. It took me a long time to realize I wasn't going to have that connection because I only met most of the face to face once all year, some of them not at all! This was so different than last year when I had closer areas that allowed me to go to all the youth events, camps, and welcome them onto OC's campus a few times in one year.
I am so excited to start another year with the same territory! Connections with youth ministers, HS seniors, and parents are going to be even easier; some of America's largest cities are not so daunting; and the frequent flier miles are still adding up! I love my job, can you tell? I know I will be reflecting a little more on where to spend my time; what worked and what didn't. But for the most part, I'll still be going to the same places.
Besides the happy/sad complex of starting a new cycle, it also seems like a mountain to climb to get to next spring. It should be next spring right now! What a year it's been, and next year will bring many more challenges and changes...
And that's all I'll say about that...
If that is all, then it's good timing, I guess. I'm leaving for Portland at 9:00am tomorrow. It's hard to believe it's already time for Faith Quest in Oregon again! I am going alone this year. My tour guide and co-worker, Matt, has to stay in OK for a wedding this weekend.
The summer flew by! I didn't have the time I thought I was going to for anything! I feel so blessed though! My 06-07 recruiting year was a success!!! There are many times that I felt like I was far from on the ball, forgetting about those students who needed me, and never having enough time to make that personal connection with all of them. It took me a long time to realize I wasn't going to have that connection because I only met most of the face to face once all year, some of them not at all! This was so different than last year when I had closer areas that allowed me to go to all the youth events, camps, and welcome them onto OC's campus a few times in one year.
I am so excited to start another year with the same territory! Connections with youth ministers, HS seniors, and parents are going to be even easier; some of America's largest cities are not so daunting; and the frequent flier miles are still adding up! I love my job, can you tell? I know I will be reflecting a little more on where to spend my time; what worked and what didn't. But for the most part, I'll still be going to the same places.
Besides the happy/sad complex of starting a new cycle, it also seems like a mountain to climb to get to next spring. It should be next spring right now! What a year it's been, and next year will bring many more challenges and changes...
And that's all I'll say about that...
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