Wednesday, May 23, 2007

I quit....

My stint in the retail world lasted about two weeks. I resigned from my job at Old Navy this morning. I will go into more detail later...but I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Stay tuned for more info soon. =)

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

I'm a wimp....


Still no news on that other job opportunity. I know it will be okay if it doesn't work out, but last night was brutal at Old Navy. I was on the floor all night and all I did was fold and re-fold clothing. (Not my idea of a fun time after doing laundry all day long.) =) I was so tired when I got home last night. And, seriously, why do people have to make such a mess of things when they are looking for sizes?!? I understand why salespeople get uptight when you mess up their piles now. People, please, when you unfold something to look at it, fold it back if you don't want it....or at least put it back where you got it from! At least I have a toddler so I am used to the futility of cleaning in general. =)

Monday, May 14, 2007

Other job possibilities...

I interviewed last Thursday for a part-time administrative position that I would be able to do from home. It is for a guy who goes to the church we used to attend down here who has a sweet consulting business. I am really excited about the opportunity because it would be way flexible and pay more than Old Navy ever could. I should hear back tomorrow or Wednesday to know if I get it. Either way, I am okay at Old Navy. I have worked three times now and have learned how to work the register, work the sales floor and handle all the cash at the end of the night. (That's right...I am going to be a "cash handler." I guess that's a big deal.) I imagine tomorrow night I will work the fitting room. =)

I also got a phone call yesterday from the gal who runs the MOPS group I attend. Her church is looking for a "part-time" youth director and she thought of me because she knows I am looking for a part-time job. It was very sweet of her to think of me, but anyone who has ever done youth ministry knows there is no way it can ever really be just part-time. At least, not if you expect authentic relationships to be built and legitimate transformation to take place in students' hearts. I said I would talk to Brent and pray about it. As soon as I hung up the phone I went to Brent and said, "I guess there is a part-time opening at "blank" church for a youth director." Without hesitating for a second, he looked at me and said, "No." We're on the same page about that one. I loved my youth ministry days, but I am not in a place where that is an option again. I want to be a mommy first and foremost. Helping with the spiritual lives of thirty-five 7th-12th graders (though it sounds small after what I'm used to) would seriously compromise that goal....not to mention my or Brent's sanity. =)

Monday, May 7, 2007

Just cinch it with a belt....


I started orientation at Old Navy yesterday. We spent four hours watching videos and going over the Business Rules and history of Gap, Inc. My favorite part was the intro video that highlighted the history of Gap, Inc. because it actually showed the SNL skit where the Gap workers (Chris Farley, David Spade and Adam Sandler) tell everyone to "just cinch it with a belt." Then I came home last night and there was an SNL special on NBC that focused on SNL in the 90s...which brought back so many memories from high school and college....but I digress.

I think I will like working at Old Navy, though it is a huge paradigm shift from anything I have ever done before. I guess Brent and I are in the same boat as far as that goes. =) I will only be working 15-20 hours a week during evenings after Brent comes home and then on Saturdays. The best part about it (besides the killer discount) is that I will be working with a bunch of high school students. I love that! As a matter of fact, one of the other gals who went through orientation with me yesterday is a graduating senior and she was cracking me up. Our supervisor Michelle would say something and Ashley would respond with, "Cool!" or "Coolness!" in that energetic tone you typically hear from students who haven't experienced too much disappointment in life to make something as mundane as getting to go on a paid 15 minute break after working four hours not seem like the most exciting thing in the world. I really do miss interacting with high school students...I guess I'm about to get my fix. =)

I have started the application process for finishing my masters in counseling. The plan is for me to work at Old Navy this summer and then hopefully start classes in the fall. Lord willing by then Brent will have some consulting jobs to make up for that extra income.

Still no housing news...I feverishly look through the classifieds every day. I know it will all work out eventually...but hopefully that eventually will be sooner rather than later because Brent has about a 45 minute drive to work right now. (Which, in the big scheme of things is nothing when you are used to living in metropolitan areas like D.C. or L.A., but this is not one of those places and he only had a 10 minute drive to Wal-Mart.)
Brent seems to be enjoying his job. There is a huge learning curve, but I think he is going to do a great job. And, even with the commute, he is home by 5:45 at the latest every day and it is WONDERFUL! =)

Thursday, May 3, 2007

"Limited Resources...Unlimited God"

We just wrapped up a sermon series in church on God-sized faith that challenged us to no end. It was very timely for us considering the leap we have chosen to make. The title of this post was the title of the message we heard the day before Brent told his boss at Wal-Mart he was leaving in two weeks to take a job with John Brown University. It couldn't have been more appropriate.


We are thrilled to pieces about Brent's new job (which basically involves recruiting for JBU's Advance Program) because it falls perfectly in line with his passion to help people figure out and get to the place where their gifts, passions and experiences can most be used. It is a wonderful foot in the door to the collegiate world and will be beneficial experience that can easily transfer over into other positions God might lead us to in the future when his Masters is finished. We couldn't say no. However, with this new adventure comes a significant reduction in Brent's salary...we are talking a salary decrease of just under 50%. Yeah, really....50%. So, again, you see how appropriate a message on "Limited Resources...Unlimited God" was for us to hear.



Judges 7:1-25 tells the awesome story of Gideon and his charge to conquer the Midianites. Gideon starts out with an army of approximately 32, 000 men all ready to take on their enemy. But, God has a different plan and strategically whiddles Gideon's army down (through interesting measures...you should check it out if you haven't ever read the story) to only 300 men. I'm sure Gideon was probably thinking, "are you kidding me, God?" But, the Lord knew what He was doing (shocker!) and had the plan in place to deliver the Midianites into Gideon's hands in a way that no one but He could have dreamed up. It involves trumpets and shouting and smashing of jars and is just a fascinating story all together (seriously, you should read it). And when it's all said and done, God is glorified because there is no way anyone but Him could take credit for what happened.


Our pastor took this passage and drew out three main ideas: 1) More isn't always better; 2) Sometimes we have to step out in faith even when it doesn't always make sense; and 3) We must believe that God will take a little to accomplish much.


So, Brent started his new position on Tuesday. So far, so good. But, we still wait on the Lord to work many of the details related to our now limited resources out...like, where we are going to live (we cannot afford to stay where we are and it's a little bit farther of a drive so we would probably want to move anyway); what is the best way to make some essential supplemental income (I have applied for some part-time evening jobs at places like Old Navy and Kohl's and Brent is looking at some consulting jobs with a few transportation companies); should I go ahead and finish my Masters in Counseling so I can counsel part-time (which would pay way more than any retail store could)?


Praise the Lord we serve an UNLIMITED GOD who promises to provide for all our needs! We trust this and don't doubt for a moment that He is going to work everything out in His timing. Sometimes you have to jump and trust the Lord will work out all the aspects of your landing. =)


Ephesians 3:20-21 has always been one of my favorite passages and we are claiming it these days:

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."