Monday, August 22, 2011

Get a Cup of Cofffee....this could take a while

Well, I have hinted for about a week that something was up.  The road was twisting and turning and going in directions that I didn't see coming.  So, it is now time to share.  I just didn't feel that it was time to share until I got a phone call on Friday.  It has taken me 2 days to get my thoughts together and figure out how in the world to put all of this into words and I may not do a very good job. 
As you all know, I was let go from a job that I was in back at the end of April.  It was a shocker that we didn't see coming but chose to see what would happen and where we would go. That began a journey.  Being on unemployment in NC requires that you apply each week for at least 2 jobs via the Internet, e-mail, snail mail etc.  Then you have to keep track of where you have sent your resume and what the results were from the e-mail etc..  I was doing exactly what I was suppose to do.  I submitted and kept track.  Of course going back to school is exactly where I was headed and doing what was required.  Of course when I got done with school, Bo and I had discussed numerous times that I wanted to work a Baylor Shift.  Third shift on weekends that would free me up during the week for school activities and such.  Cone Hospital would be my choice and see what would happen.  In my brain, that is where I was suppose to go and what I was to be doing. 
Applying at such a place as Cone Hospital, I just kind of took the approach of...."I am doing what I am suppose to and I don't have a chance at getting my foot in the door there."  Of course to help that along, I always got the e-mail that said...."Please don't respond to this e-mail"...."We receive over 1000 resumes a week.  We will contact you."  I can't tell you how many of those I have in my "Cone" file in my e-mail.  Anyway, out of no-where my phone rang about 10 days ago.  It was a hospital number and I thought....."Who in the world is calling me from the hospital?".  To my total shock....it was a RECRUITER from the hospital.  OH YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!!!!! 
"Lord, Hello......I thought we were going to school?  I thought I was doing what you wanted.  I thought I was going to finally be what You wanted me to be." This was the conversation that we had on a daily basis and sometimes on an hourly basis.  It was so very confusing but I thought that I would just go with the flow and see what happens.  I went to meet with this Recruiter.  I never dreamed this would be happening.  I walked in and was asked to do a Data Entry Test.  Passed with flying colors.  Then had an hour long interview.  Walked out and thought that I probably wouldn't hear from them.  Well, I was wrong.  Got an e-mail and someone would be calling me.  No sooner that the e-mail arrived, the phone was ringing.  Another interview.  "Lord....have I totally missed the boat?" "Did I completely misunderstand?"  I was so very confused.
The interview with the Supervisor went well.  I just didn't know what to do.  I have always been taught to do my best, be myself and tell the truth.  It was exciting I will confess!!!!!!!  At the end of the interview, she asked me if I would come in and "shadow" someone for 2 hours.  "OK"  I walked out overwhelmed and in tears. 
In the midst of these appointments and phone calls and emails, we had numerous conversations with the NC Employment Security Commission.  Conversations that I didn't like.  While on unemployment, even if you are in school, and you are offered a job, YOU MUST TAKE IT and DROP OUT of school. I was angry and hurt and really questioned what was happening but just kept claiming Jer. 29:11. So, let's see what this is all about. 
I went to breakfast with a good friend on Wednesday.  Explained what was going on.  She took me back to scripture.  Book of Joshua talks about the Israelites crossing the Jordan.  The Jordan River at this point is at flood stage.  Waters are high and rushing.  The blessings lie on the other side of this river but how to get across it.  The Lord says to cross over it.  From the human stand point, we would want a boat, a raft, a rope and a million other things.  The Lord wanted them to put total faith and trust in Him and step in the water.  Well, when you think about stepping in to rushing waters, you would step in with your toes first...right?  Yes, just put your toe in and watch what He can do!!!!!  Part the waters, for miles, the ground is DRY, you walk across to the blessings!!!!!!  I totally understood and knew what was coming.
I went and shadowed.  LOVED IT!!!!!!!  It was wonderful!!!!  I loved who I was working with. I loved what the job was about and what you get to do. It was something that I was familiar with. I knew the terminology.  There is a ladder to climb. It was just incredible.  Now the problem in this.  This is Thursday before I am suppose to start school on Monday.  I had explained my dilemma to the Recruiter and the Supervisor.  I had worked myself into such a mess for the last 2 weeks that I thought I would just be physically sick.  The "River" was raging and I was just standing there waiting for the signal. 
Friday was a waiting day.  I got myself into such a tizzy that morning that if I didn't go to the gym, I was going to eat everything in the house.  I worked myself really hard at the gym.  Just waiting for the phone to ring.  It was so difficult.  I cried. I prayed. I worked. I went to the gym. I cried and prayed more. 
THEN THE PHONE RANG!!!!  It was the Supervisor.  I was a nervous wreck.  She explained that she understood about school and wanted to let me know that the Recruiter would be calling with an official offer.  I almost dropped the phone.  I was just in awe.  Sure enough, 2 hours later I got the official offer.  It was a wonderful conversation.  It was a moment that I don't ever think I will forget . I stood there after hanging up the phone and shouted, cried, danced, you name it and I was doing it.  I was not just stepping in with a toe, I jumped in.  The water parted. We are moving on!!!!!!  It was incredible!!!!!! 
So, what about school?  Well, I will be returning to school in January for the Spring Semester for on-line classes.  Will also be pursuing my CNA 1 which will be great for work and for school. 
I can only just stand amazed.  I'm trusting Him to work out all of the other details that we are looking at.  He is the one in control. NOT ME!!!!!!!!  All of that to say......I am now a member of the Cone Health System as a Nursing Secretary/Monitor Tech. for Flexible Resources.  AWESOME!!!!!!!!  I will change the blog a little so be watching for that.  Some of the sidebars will change.
Thank you so much for stopping by.  Thank you for coming a long on this journey.  Oh what a journey this is!!!!!!

Pam

2 comments:

anellesgardening said...

Congrats on the new job! What will you be doing over at Cone? I hope that you love it!

Tara said...

I had a feeling that was the twist and turns. I have been praying. I can't wait to talk. Want to do coffee soon?