Next steps

I interviewed for an entry level IT position today, at the same ministry where I worked previously. Both gentlemen were engaging and warm types of individuals, so that was terrific to encounter. I wasn't nervous at all and we had a solid conversation going. I'm not sure what will happen, but I am very pleased with my interview and am grateful to have had the opportunity. Let me reiterate again in case I haven't said it enough. I love the ministry where I've worked for almost a decade. I want to continue to work for them. Just not in the position I held prior or for the department I previously worked with. IT would be a completely different set of management and if what I saw in the interview is indicative of the trend for management styles in IT, then I think it's a positive working environment.

I don't believe in crossing my fingers for anything, but I do believe that this situation is in God's hands and if I'm meant to start a career in IT, then it will happen.

Meanwhile, the data entry team of people at my local pro-life pregnancy center have been tons of fun to work with. We're a diverse group of ages, which I prefer, and all of our youngsters are college boys. Those conversations are lots of fun to be a part of and also very interesting. It's easy to lose confidence and hope based on what you see as trending on Twitter or TikTok. But these young men, almost boys, are passionate Christians who want to serve the Lord in all seriousness. They're also crazy fun to talk to. So it's been a really lovely experience for the last week and a half. It was also nice to have additional income on top of my severance. And now I consider myself trained on the Etapestry data software system so that's cool.

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An overcast day in Colorado

We'd had an abundance of rain in Colorado for the last few weeks and it's turned our usually brown plants a very nice and lush green. It's not quite like Oregon, but it's still close enough that I'm enjoying the weather patterns right now. For those who don't know. I spent 6 of my childhood years on the Oregon coast, so I'm very familiar with wet and rainy weather. Folks in Colorado aren't accustomed to it so I can see a little emotional strain happening with all of the cloud cover.

I spent a good portion of the day today with my mother. We went to a local tea house that is owned and operated by a couple of Christian ladies. If you're ever in Colorado Springs, I highly recommend you checking out Festivitea. They have their own delicious tea blends and you have the freedom to be spontaneous because reservations aren't required for a basic cream tea. The cost is about $10 for a small pot of tea and a scone. The scones are very much American style, which is fine, and they're quite tasty. They do book full teas as well, but those require reservations. 

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Watching Amazon's Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets

Disclaimer: The people who suffered at the hands of the Institute in Basic Life Principles are victims. Their stories are their stories and I will never demean or diminish those stories. What happened to each of them was horrific and absolutely grieves my heart. So anything said in this post is not aimed at these people who suffered.

I knew next to nothing about the Duggar family. My family was never interested in reality tv. In fact, I kinda hate it. But I love true crime, which is why I watched Shiny Happy People at all. True crime tends to reveal the worst about humanity, and sometimes it is done with excellence and sometimes it is done poorly. This series falls somewhere in the middle.

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When God closes a door . . .

 

Ya'll may or may not have noticed that I've been missing in the month of May. Almost sounds like a song! I've had some life changes going on, things that I didn't foresee happening and have shaken me quite a bit. I'm in a calmer state right now and today is the first day of the rest of my life.

My workplace had a restructure and in the shifting of positions, my job was eliminated. Or rather, they made some alterations and moved only some of the roles from my team to a new team. People had to reapply, but as the opportunity came up, I knew it was time for me to let go. I've been in my role for almost 4 years, and the last 2 or 3 years have been hard. I haven't really loved my work for at least that long and it's worn me out. So I chose not to apply. My three teammates who I love dearly got the three available positions and I am so relieved for them. As for me, well, today is my final day with my organization.

My personal laptop is literally on its last legs so I knew I wanted to get one more post in on my speedy work laptop before I turned everything in at the front desk. This has been a hard season for me. I found out on May 4th and my emotions have been all over the place every since. I trust that God's got this, that He's got me. But it doesn't make this experience any less difficult and painful. I've served in this ministry for almost a decade. The people here are like family. It's comfortable and warm and safe. The world out there is a scary one. 

But I am ready to do something different. I don't know what, but something other than technical writing.

I start at a temporary data entry position at a local pro-life pregnancy center next Wednesday. Just for a month to give me something to do and I can still earn a little money. I have a severance package that will easily last me 8 months or so. That's a huge blessing. But I can't see around the corner of my life and that is God teaching me to trust Him in this desert time. I'm excited and terrified all at once.

A friend of mine, also someone who was released during the restructure, is giving me her old laptop since she bought a new one right at the beginning of May, right before the news. So this new one will be only 7 years old vs. 20 years old. I'll share some things in my journey, as I learn and discover myself apart from my job. Because I want to know who I am and not just let my identity be completely wrapped up in what I do.

Blessings to all of you and I'll touch base later. I still need to read those last few posts you made for the Children's Classic Literature Party, sorry it's taken me so long to get those read. 

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