Callings and Tender Mercies: Part Two

O.K. so first off a big thank you to Andrea, Layne, and Jessica for playing my game.  And thanks to anyone else who has commented but I haven't seen and/or published your comment yet.

Let me give a brief background about church service.  First of all, we do not have a paid ministry.  Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints give of their time and talents without being paid monetarily.  Some like to say they are paid in the form of blessings received from heaven.  Anyway, last year when my plate was overflowing I asked to be released from my calling as 1st Counselor in the Primary.  Now some might think that this is completely taboo and you simply do not ASK to be released from a calling.  I am living proof that I did not get struck down by lightning for asking to be released.  I did not feel like I was in the position to be able to serve.

Fast forward about 6 months to writing a thesis, finishing up graduate school, completing the rest of my month to month teaching contract, Sarah's health issues on the down-low, personal therapy going well, marriage therapy going better than expected, etc.  By July, I felt like I was in a place emotionally, spiritually, and physically to where I could once again serve in the church.  So I texted my Branch President and told him to put me to work again.  And I e-mailed him.  And I called him.  And I texted again . . .  You get the drift.  He called me in and told me he had been fasting and praying about a calling that would not only be a good fit for me, but something that the Lord would have me do at this point in my life.  And I waited.  And waited.  And waited.  For SEVERAL MONTHS.

Towards the end of October, I was called to be the . . . . . . drumroll please . . .  Branch Employment Specialist.  Yeah.  Me.  Heidiram.  The Branch Employment Specialist.  Do you realize I have little to no experience in this department?????  I started babysitting when I was 9 years old, followed by a couple of nannying stints in college.  In high school I worked for a skin care salon.  Since college, all of my jobs have had some type of teaching involvement.  I've taught ages newborn to ninety.  But ME????  Help OTHERS?  FIND A JOB?

The church has put great efforts into helping members and non-members alike return to school,  find employment, put to use their entrepeneur skills, etc.  For more information visit www.ldsjobs.org.

Our Stake Presidency has been highly encouraging leaders and members of the church to FILL.OUT.THEIR.PERSONAL.PROFILE.   You can customize your profile to meet your needs . . . networking, casually looking for a job, actively looking for a job, etc.  The message we keep getting as employment specialists is how can we expect others to fill out their profile if we haven't completed our own profiles?   (You know, the whole lead by example thing).  I finally got around to completing my profile.  It took me over two months to complete because I couldn't get past the "Me in 30 Second" and "Power Statement" portions.  I finally completed it though.  And guess what?  There was a MATCH in the online job database.  My skills + my education + my interests= job opportunity available.  On a complete whim, I applied for the position.

Within one week of pushing the SEND button of my resume, I received an application, background check, and security clearance forms from the recruiter.  I filled out the application and accompanying paper work.  On Sunday evening, I received an e-mail from the hiring manager who wanted to schedule a job interview with me for Monday.  The interview went very very well.  I got an offer.  And the job starts FEBRUARY 9.  It pays WAY more than I am making now.  Benefits are better than Cristian's company or the school district where I currently work.  The only problem is it starts February 9.  In San Antonio, TX.  And I live in Orlando.  Did I mention the job starts February 9?????  In San Antonio, TX???

I have so many friends and friends of friends who have been unemployed and have searched endlessly for jobs.  We are talking 100, 200, even 300 resumes sent out and job applications filled out.  I have friends who have been unemployed for  6 months, 1 year, and 18 months respectively.  I sent out 1 resume.  I filled out 1 application.  I had one interview WITH THE HIRING MANAGER.  And I got offered the job.  WOW.   Speechless.

Yes, I get annoyed at some of the members in my branch that think that my full-time job is to find THEM a job.  But in the process of my service, look at the door that was opened for me.  Heavenly Father has my back.  He is watching out for me.  I have options.  I have options.  I know, it might sound even crazier than my life is right now . . . but I.HAVE.OPTIONS.  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who looks out for me,helps me, and reminds me on a daily basis that tender mercies abound.