Wow, after ten months of searching, I finally landed an awesome job & couldn't be more excited. Do you remember my post about endurance [found
here] that I told you I had a 5 hour interview for? Turns out it was worth all that hard work - that's the job I got [employer relations manager at oregon state university]! I really truly placed the outcome in God's hands and felt a peace about that job & interview process & trusted that regardless of whether or not I got the job, that the Lord had used this opportunity to teach me that I truly can do all things through Him, who strengthens me. I kept praying for confidence through Him, because truthfully my confidence felt shot for quite a while after losing my job, and then not getting jobs after interviewing in the job search process.
There are a few things that I've enjoyed [+ a lot of things I've hated - just to be honest] these past ten months of being unemployed, as I really tried to draw closer to the Lord & discover HIS will (not mine) for my life. This was a much-needed time out that I never would've taken on my own. It was a situation I was thrown into and now [not so much at first], I am so thankful.
Some of these things I've enjoyed include:
- more quality time with family & friends
- joining a Bible Study
- Serving at church
- sleeping in [!!!]
- staying up late [!!!]
being in charge of the "household" chores- babysitting & spending time with my nieces & nephews
- joining a bunco group + meeting new friends
- being there for friends & family during difficult times
- learning to live on a much tighter budget + trusting the Lord to provide
- BLOGGING [favorite.new.hobby]
- not dreading monday mornings
- prioritizing what's most important in life
- enjoying newlywed life
Reasons this job is so perfect:
- I've always dreamed of being a school counselor, helping students achieve their goals - in a sense, that's a large part of what I'll be doing
- I've said ever since the day I was laid off that my heart is so heavily burdened for people who lose their jobs. I really don't think anyone can truly understand - unless they've been there. I've known I want to help unemployed people [who are truly trying to find employment] in their job search process and encourage them as much as possible. Well, I will be helping set students [who need jobs], up with employers, and be creating internship & job opportunities for students.
God is so great. Truly, this particular job application process has been in HIS hands from the start...
After months of submitting my resume to employers online and nothing really panning out, I quickly realized [or so I thought] that
the only way I was going to get a job, was if I had a personal connection somewhere to help get my foot in the door. The sea of unemployed folks is large, and submitting my resume online seemed as successful as throwing a penny in a wishing well and hoping I would get a call back.
But, silly of me to doubt the Lord's hand in all of this. I received a call from OSU about one month after submitting my online application and resume. I literally had applied to so many other jobs, that I didn't even remember what this one was for. I survived the first interview with a panel of 5 people. I didn't feel confident about getting a second interview. But, at this point, I pretty much had no confidence of ever getting a call back.
I then got a second call asking for me to come for a 2nd interview. This was the 5 hour interview with role play I told you about in my
endurance post. I almost didn't go through with this interview because I was so fearful & feeling inadequate. With encouragement & prayer from my husband, realizing I had nothing to lose, and feeling like I owed it to myself to at least TRY, I decided to go for it. This took a huge amount of prep, which my husband again helped me with [thank you honey!]. I also tried using my network to get additional help to prepare, but not much panned out [other than my best friend - thank you sheesh!]. I think this was the Lord's way of saying, "hello, stop looking for
someone else to help you through this long ordeal - all you need is
ME!"
I really felt the Lord's peace that ENTIRE day of my long interview. My husband and Mom
seemed were much more nervous than I was. My only explanation for not having the typical "sleepless night-before the interview-with heart skipping a beat & pounding out of chest-plus shortness of breath-nervousness" is that my husband kept praying with & for me and I completely felt like it was in God's hands. And, once it was all over, I felt such a great sense of accomplishment. I had really contemplated NOT doing the interview at all because it seemed so difficult [felt way in over my head], and like so much work, for a job I didn't think I would even get. But, I not only survived, I felt like I did the absolute best I could. It was all in the Lord's hands then.
A week and a half passed and I didn't hear anything. Then, this past Friday morning I received a call and a verbal offer for the position. The guy left a voicemail first and I called my mom right away [originally I wanted to keep it a surprise from my hubby in case I did get the job & could surprise him in some creative way]. Being the amazing mom she is, she prayed for me right away, before I called the guy back. I was so nervous to hear whether or not I got the job. As soon as I heard they were making me a verbal offer, I hung up the phone I started crying. I was overwhelmed with God's faithfulness and provision. I could not believe it.
Finally, a job I really wanted, & with meaningful work was offered. I called my mom back [still crying] and told her the great news. Then, deciding there was no way I could wait any longer to tell my husband in a creative way, I called him. I could hear the relief in his sweet voice.
Shortly after receiving that call I also received an e-mail from my old boss [from the company I was laid off from] asking if I had found a job yet, and if not, if I wanted to come back to work for them. God's timing is crazy. CRAZY I tell you! I'm moving on from seniors to students [I used to work in the retirement living industry] getting paid more than I was, and ...
I could not be more excited to do meaningful
Although this past chapter was not easy for me, I'm so grateful for what I've learned, been able to do, and now, for this new opportunity & new chapter of life! I don't have any great pictures to go with this post, but hopefully you feel encouraged that whatever your current or future chapter in life is, God's got your back! And a HUGE thank you to everyone who let me babysit, kept me busy, encouraged & prayed for me, and just listened during the past [rough] ten months!!!
