A look inside: Modern Day Miracle

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Modern Day Miracle

I received a phone call today.

Not just any phone call, but a phone call from Willamette University..... offering me the position of "part time administrative assistant for the International Debate Education Association"

Now let me tell you what a miracle this is. I have no office experience whatsoever. And I thought surely there would be many, many more qualified applicants then myself. I do however, have a wonderful dear friend who works for IDEA. She told me back in June this position would be opening, and thought I would be perfect for it. Plus, we're good friends and we would get to work together, so how fun is that? So, since June I have been preparing myself to be qualified for this position: Taking a QuickBooks course and fine tuning my Excel skills. And also, this job was one of the reasons we decided to not home school this year. So all of those middle of the night comments on your blogs, were usually because I was up late cramming in an online QuickBooks course, and when I couldn't bear to look at one more spread sheet, I would check out and head over to Blog World.

I am beyond excited right now! My interview was just two days ago, and I start tomorrow - yikes!!!

But why am I so thrilled about this job?

I have been a stay at home mom for 10 years, 6 months and 5 days. Well, sort of. When Daniel was 6 months old I began serving at Newport Bay Restaurant two nights a week, and have been there ever since. It was a great way to supplement Jon's income. Believe it or not we lowly servers make pretty good money. Are you ready for this? When it's all said and done, I make an average of $30 per hour. So working 15 hours a week has been very helpful financially! And the nice part is I worked at night, so I could stay home with the kids during the day and was even able to home school for four years, and Jon would be with them the two nights I worked. But now, our kids aren't so little anymore, and every night seems to be jam packed with some sort of activity. And, not to mention waitressing for 10 years is starting to take its toll. I don't quite enjoy it like I used to. And being surrounded by 20 year old college students doesn't quite boost the self-esteem either. So I am extremely looking forward to this new change. Oh, and did I mention if I am working at Willamette when our kids are college age, they can all three go to Willamette University for FREE!!!

Olivia and I enjoying a tea party out in the sun a few days ago. This sunny fall weather has been so beautiful. And I have especially been enjoying my one on one time with Olivia while Daniel and Sarah are in school; although I have been missing them and our home school days together greatly! It's definitely bittersweet.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...: CONGRATULATIONS LIZ!!!!
I am so excited for you!
I already left a comment on this post and now it is not there. What the heck?
Anyway they are going to be so lucky to have you! I can't wait to hear how tomorrow goes. I will be praying it goes AWESOME!
Love you!; October 25, 2007 at 2:35 PM
Ona said...: Congratulations!!! How exciting for you. Have a wonderful first day!; October 25, 2007 at 2:41 PM
Michelle said...: Wow... HUGE congrats to you! The bonus of free college for your kids is AMAZING (as I pile on the student loans myself!). Exciting exciting changes in the works for you. Please keep us posted how it goes tomorrow.; October 25, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Glory Laine said...: And just minuets behind me with fantastic news! I love, love Willamette's campus. I am so excited for you. This also means that mamma needs a new wardrobe! Wow Liz what amazing prep work you did to get this job. Your amazing. Can't wait to hear about your first day.; October 25, 2007 at 7:21 PM
Rachel said...: Oh Liz, good for you!!! I'm so happy that you got the position!! It sounds like you worked hard for this spot. And as a girl who waitressed her way through college , whoopeee!!
I still occasionally have nightmares about forgetting to put someone's order in but no worries. We'll have to swap stories sometime (I worked at McGrath's). I've never made as much as I did waitressing, but how nice it will be to work sitting down instead of on your feet!
Good luck and I hope it's everything you want it to be!!
And, again, you two could be models!!; October 25, 2007 at 8:36 PM
Rachel said...: Oh, and sorry, can I say that free tuition at Willamette sounds like a great price for college!!!; October 25, 2007 at 8:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Congratulations Liz! Sounds like you worked hard to get this job. You have much to be proud of! Good luck tomorrow. Beautiful picture of you and Olivia!; October 25, 2007 at 8:55 PM
HappyMomma2 said...: I am so blessed to have met you. I am honored to have Olivia at our childcare center. You can call anytime and check on her-I will make sure she gets the best care possible. I am praying that your 1st day goes well. Just make sure you request Friday Feb 9th off-thats the start of our women's retreat. Then you will be able to meet some of these crazy blogging ladies!; October 25, 2007 at 9:04 PM
Sharon said...: Wow! That is just awesome! Way to go! And I think Becca hit the nail on the head: shopping!! What will you wear for your first day?? Which shoes?? Those might be tougher decisions than which spread sheet format to use.

Keep us posted (literally) on how it's going! I'm so glad Olivia is in such loving and capable hands while you're there! Abby called me the other day when you'd come in to tell me that she got to meet the infamous LizzyG! : )

I hope you enjoyed your Shrutte (sp?)fix tonight~I missed it. We were at Gabby's choir concert. I'll have to catch it on the web.

Anyway, I'll say a prayer for you tomorrow. First days are interesting days! You're going to do GREAT!; October 26, 2007 at 12:13 AM
Kim H. said...: Congratulations!; October 26, 2007 at 6:58 AM
Jen said...: ROCK ON!!

Have a great first few weeks. I've been told (and experienced) that it takes about 3 months to really settle into a job and 6 months to make it your own. At least for an office setting. So be patient with the transition. You're going to do great!

I think you should get a Dwight bobble head for your desk. :)

Also, you have some of the best hair ever! Jen; October 26, 2007 at 7:12 AM
Stefanie said...: This is so huge for your family! Big excitement, big changes - sounds like a real answer to your prayers. I love the picture of you and Olivia - so sweet. Where will she be now during the day? Prayers with you RIGHT NOW!; October 26, 2007 at 8:00 AM
Julie said...: Congratulations, Liz! I think that is just awesome ... and a real answer to prayer.

Sounds like all of us are eager to hear about your first day, and how it all goes for you!

I'm sure you went to work looking FABULOUS!!!

Love the pic of you and your sweet Olivia, and I LOVE tea parties :); October 26, 2007 at 8:37 AM
Unknown said...: I love the pic of you and Olivia, two gorgeous gals!

CONGRATULATIONS on this position! How exciting for you. I really hope your first day was amazing and hope you love the position. It sounds like you worked really really hard for this, so you deserve it! and the free tuition, AWESOME!

I was beginning to wonder why you hadn't posted...but I saw in some comments that you and Becca were betting!! You sly dogs!!; October 26, 2007 at 6:39 PM
Lindsay said...: SO excited for you to begin this new adventure/challenge/opportunity!!
God is going to use you in mighty ways as you interact with others on a day to day basis!
Congrats & blessings to you this week! :); October 28, 2007 at 6:43 PM
February Jill said...: You are my new favorite person since you think I look good post-partum AND you like my eyebrows! I think you're my new BFF!; October 29, 2007 at 2:23 PM
Valerie of Momia said...: I learned two thing by reading this post:

A) I should be a waitress. I could make more doing that than teaching. I'm not teaching any more and how many more years until I'm done with student loan bills?? Which brings me to...

B) I should work for Willamette shortly before and during Makayla's (and any other children's) college years.

Congrats to you!!!!!!

I'm sometimes at the office helping out Josh. Maybe I'll see you when you drop off or pick up Olivia!; October 29, 2007 at 10:12 PM

Words to Remember

"Christ's followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had. Let them not promise themselves more honor or pleasure in the world than Christ had. Let each live a life of labor and self-denial as his Master, and make himself a servant of all; let him stoop, and let him toil, and do all the good he can, and then he will be a complete disciple."
~Matthew Henry,
English Pastor 1662-1714

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
~Martin Luther King

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
~Jim Elliot

"I am a missionary, heart and soul. God Himself had an only Son, and He was a missionary and a physician. A poor, poor imitation I am, or wish to be, but in this service I hope to live. In it I wish to die. I still prefer poverty and missions service to riches and ease. This is my choice."
~David Livingstone

"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others do the same. "
~C.S. Lewis

"I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. May I be happy and contented whether in the homeland or on the foreign field; whether married or alone, in happiness or sorrow, health or sickness, prosperity or adversity - I want Thy plan, O God, for my life."
~Oswald J. Smith

songs with meaning

If you hear one of these songs playing while visiting my blog, here is why it is so special to me:

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman: I would listen to this song as a young teenager and dream about finding a love like this song describes. Guess what? God gave more then I ever dreamed.

Any Song by Keith Green!!! I first heard Keith Green as a young child and knew all his songs by heart. As a teenager, I loved his music because he is so honest and authentic. I also read his autobiography when I was in my teens. He is one of my all-time heroes! I remember my friends laughing at me when they were in my car, wondering why I would be listening to songs from the 70's. Yes, the music is cheesy, but the lyrics are simply amazing!

How Could I Ask For More by Cindy Morgan: My senior year of high school I was on homecoming court with four other girls, who were all good friends of mine. We all picked this song to be played during our ceremony. I still love this song!

Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart: The song Jon and I danced to at our wedding. I smile every time I hear it.

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me: This song was played at Brian Ditchen's memorial service. Brian was Jon's cousin who he grew up with, and who I went to school with, and he was a dear friend. He passed away in March of 2004 in a tragic plane accident, he was only 28. It shook the core of our faith. The only comfort came from knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, who Brian lived his life for: Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated believer, and we can't wait to see him again. Every time we would hear this song, it touched us deeply, it still does. Heaven has become very real to us.

The Scientist by Coldplay: My younger brother, Ben, sang and played this song on the piano at my brother Jeremy's memorial service. Jeremy passed away suddenly in September of 2004, he was only 31. Once again our faith was shaken (see next song)....

Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day: Whenever I hear this song I am reminded of my brother Jeremy...."To everyone who's lost someone they loved, long before it was their time, you feel like the days you had were not enough, when you said goodbye....cry out to Jesus" I am reminded to turn to God in the midst of my pain and loss, and it's OK to go to Him with my questions

We Will Dance by Steven Curtis Chapman: My current love song. It so beautifully describes mine and Jon's relationship.

I'm Not Cool by Scott Krippane: This is Daniel's song.Not in a mean way. He absolutely loves this song and sings along with it every time. The funny thing is, it describes him perfectly.

She's a Dancer by Phil Keaggy: This is Sarah's song! It so sweetly reminds me of Sarah...."she's a dancer, she loves to dance, she's a singer, she loves to sing, she's a lady, walkin' round in mama's shoes, standin' tall in mama's shoes" Sarah has also been caught singing into the bathroom mirror. And when she was younger she put on many "dance performances" for us in our living room.

Olivia by Phil Keaggy: Obviously Olivia's song! I've sang this song to her since she was a tiny newborn. She knows the words and sings along now. Whenever I put this song on, she stops what she's doing and gets a big smile on her face, and says "my song!"

Beautiful by Bethany Dillon: OK I'm 32 now. And sometimes when I look in the mirror, the depression creeps in. I don't look like I did ten years ago, I don't see a beautiful young woman looking back at me. And that can get you down sometimes. This song reminds me that true beauty is who I am in God's eyes. I could be perfect in every way on the outside and yet not be beautiful in the eyes of God, and when it's all said and done, my life would have been lived only for myself. I want to be beautiful in God's eyes, I want Him to look inside my heart and smile, and most importantly, be pleased.

Who Am I?, The Voice of Truth, and Praise You In The Storm by Casting Crowns: All three of these songs are very special to Jon. These are three of his all-time favorites. These songs brought him close to God when he was going through a hard time in his life.

I Am by Nicole Nordeman: The first time I heard this song was at a Women of Faith conference. She played it live on the piano. It was so beautiful and moved me so deeply. God is truly my "I Am", He has been my one firm anchor through every season of my life.