I was talking with my friend Marcia on the phone the other day. I was telling her all the things going on here. Dave has a good job, we are getting along beautifully with my parents, the kids are adjusting well, we are seeing more of extended family (my brother and aunt, uncle and cousins), I am able to spend more time with the kids. "So you don't have any regrets about moving?" she asked. I stopped - I hadn't thought about it in such a way before. "No, I said. No regrets!"
I really don't regret moving. As always, I must say I miss my job and my friends. I DON'T miss a lot of other things. I don't miss the burden of day care and paying for that and having my kids raised by others. I don't miss the burden of the cost of our house (that we couldn't afford). I don't miss Dave working a DEMANDING physical labor job at least 50 to 60 hours a week. I don't miss the feeling of loneliness that surrounded me frequently. I don't miss the cold (it's Christmas eve and we are wearing short sleeves and going to the park later - LOVE IT). I don't miss the sorrow. I find myself singing in the mornings. This morning (on Christmas eve) Dave had to work. We were both up before work (and the kids were asleep). Dave kept making noises in the kitchen - I thought he was talking to me. "I'm not talking, I'm singing" Dave said. WHAT JOY!
We are making new Christmas traditions. We had Christmas with my parents the day before they left (12/22) with my brother here. YAY! We had a great time cooking together and enjoying each other. Tomorrow - Christmas Day - Isaac (my brother) is coming over in the morning to have Christmas morning with us. Opening presents eating (of course) and playing together. Later in the day we will go to my Uncle Park and Aunt Sylvia's house - where there will be lots of kids for our to play with. historically we would have been alone by noon on Christmas. I love having a busy Christmas Day. WHAT JOY!
Tyler is off school until Jan 8th. It seems like a crazy long time - but I'm looking forward to spending some lazy days together with the three of us (me and the kids) or the four of us (me, my mom and the kids). Tyler's looking forward to a visit to the zoo!
The New Year - will bring a new a revised effort to find a job. I have two that I'm really in pursuit of over the next few weeks.
1. Houston Area Community Services (HACS) - I need to follow up about the "Director of Housing of Social Services" that I interviewed for. The hiring manager said she wouldn't be able to do anything until after the first of the year - due to her schedule and demands. I would do well at this job and slid in to it pretty easily - with a few challenges.
2. On Jan 2nd I have an interview for an Executive Director position at a free clinic in Katy. I feel the need to outline this - if just for my purposes. When I first arrived in Houston I went to a partnership meeting for free clinics. I met Pamela Cobb from Community Health Partners. She has been wonderful person and a great help to me. She has invited me to other collaborative meetings and introduced me to other people. A few weeks ago I went to another meeting - An FQHC was holding a tour of their clinic. So I went - with some resumes. What the heck. I met John Kajandar there. The first thing he said to me (after hearing I was new to Houston) was "Welcome Home". We talked a bit (about people that he knows from Columbus) and what my desires are here in Houston. I want to work with the uninsured and under insured (that would be my first desire, 2nd housing/shelter/homeless). John told me that he would take his resume and pass it on to others. I didn't get his e-mail - but he would e-mail me. This was on a Friday afternoon. I though "Sure, you won't even remember me Monday morning". Sure enough Monday afternoon I heard from John telling me that he knows the head of Community Health Partners (where Pamela Cobb works) named Ken Janda. John told me that Ken is also on the board of a free clinic called "Christ Clinic" and that Christ Clinic was looking for someone to head up the clinic. I wasn't sure what that meant - but I e-mailed Pamela and asked her if she knew Ken. She said his office was right next to hers and she said she put in a good word for me. Then I don't here anything for two weeks. Meanwhile - I pretty much forget about this and move on to applying and interviewing for other jobs. Then last week I got a call from Ken's administrative assistant inviting me to interview for the executive director position. WTF! I have never held such a position and really don't know what they are looking for - but this would be AMAZING. So - of course I say yes. So this whole story "feels" God designed for me. Although I don't pretend to know or understand God's plans - so if it doesn't work out - then it doesn't. But this is how it (even more) feels right. 1. The clinic is open Mon-Thur 9-3. not a lot of hours - although as the executive director my responsibilities would go beyond these open hours - but it could be a position that allows for fewer hours. 2. It's in Katy which is 25 miles out of Houston BUT close to where Dave is working (relatively) AND in a great school district AND with extremely affordable housing. 3. The position isn't even posted ANYWHERE - This board member has just invited me to interview - out of these few connections that I have made. I'm blown away. The concerns I have - 1. What do they expect of an executive director and can I realistically do it? (I guess I will find out more of that on Jan 2nd). 2. It will be a bit of a haul (with traffic) for my parents - I would rather be closer to them. - So - I'm just trying to enjoy today and yet anticipating this possibility.
I feel like I'm trying, praying and asking God to help me stay present and not "dream" about what isn't real yet. God is being faithful. I took a walk this morning early (it seemed like before the city was awake on this Christmas Eve morning) and was remembering and thinking about they ways I have been able to stay present (instead of fantasize). I enjoy life so much more when I stay present (imagine that). My mind then started to turn to the possibilities and imagine what life would be like in a house in Katy with a job there as well. Within a few minutes - I felt God pull me back. Thank you Holy Spirit for reminding me, guiding me and directing mye thoughts to the present. I need reminded so often. Hopefully (on a good day) I will continue to remain obedient.
Joy. Possibilities. Guidance. No regrets.
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