Saturday, January 29, 2011

Quick Update

Just wanted to post a quick follow up to my last post.

Today Chad's boss shared how he went home from work Wednesday night and shared with his family how he had made Jesus Lord of his life. He said his kids told him how they'd been praying their parents would take them to church. He has already invited other couples who are friends of their family to come to our first church service. (date, time and location to be announced)

Yesterday, after driving through "Apartment CIty", we finally found a complex with a three bedroom apartment available. Chad parked the car in front of the office and went in get a floor plan sheet. While I was waiting for him in the car I noticed a little girl sneaking around the corner and into the leasing office. I watched as she came and went from the office three times. Chad came back to the car and I asked him if he saw the little girl. He said they had a plate of cookies on the counter and she was sneaking one every time.

The manager told us there are 1,000 units and an estimated 4,000 residents! Once we get settled into our home we plan to introduce ourselves to them.

We're excited to share about what God is doing and will be sending out a newsletter at the end of February. If you or anyone you know would like to be on our mailing list please email your address to me at polkst2@me.com.

Finally, I'd like to thank all of you who have been reading my blogs. I wouldn't post it all except I feel compelled to share these difficult times. When the victories come you all can rejoice with us. We know many of you are also working through hard times right now and trusting in God to come though. I hope to also be an encouragement to you.

Now, I'm going to sleep. :) Good night.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Giving Away



“To godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:7-8


This afternoon I had another job interview with a dry cleaning chain. I applied there weeks ago, and almost didn’t return the call for an interview, but I thought they might have some part time positions available.

My interview was at 3:30 so I left early and arrived at 3:20. The manager was handling phone calls and asked me politely to wait for her in the chairs in front of the counter.

While I waited I visited with the delivery drivers. They told me about how busy they have been recently. Clothes were going around the racks suspended from the ceiling and all the phone lines were ringing.

I heard the bell above the door ring beside me. Then a sharply dressed older gentleman walked in with a garment bag. The young man working behind the counter asked politely how he could help. The gentleman pulled out of the garment bag a camel colored wool coat lined with sheepskin “I have this coat. I’d like for you to go through- you see all these little loose stitches in the lining? I’d like to have them mended.” He said.

The boy accepted the coat looking inside at the small pulls in the lining. I thought, “Man! That must be a nice coat if he’s having it mended.” Usually, when I’m done with a coat I just give away or throw it away.

The older gentleman went on giving directions. “There is also a button missing right here, and I’d like to have it re-sewn.” Then he explained, “I’ll be donating this coat to Salvation Army. If you can just call me when you have it finished.”

The young man helping him looked a little confused and asked, “Sir, you know it costs extra to mend this lining.” “I know.” Said the gentleman. “Well . . . I just wanted you to know,” said the clerk “I mean, if you’re just giving it away.” The gentleman responded, “It doesn’t matter. It’s a nice coat. I’m giving it away, and I want the person who wears it to get more good out of it.” He went on to say again, “Temperatures are dropping below freezing this weekend, so if you can just call me when you get it ready. I’m sure someone will need this coat.”

As the man left the cleaners I almost stood up to give him a hug. It might’ve hurt my chances of getting the job. Even though I was interviewing for a “customer service” position, embracing the customers might be seen as over-the-top behavior.

This man was giving away his favorite coat and not just giving it away; he’s making sure it is in perfect condition. He’s not going to stick the dry cleaning bill in the pocket of the coat. He plans to pay, whatever the cost. All of this so a stranger in the cold can have a nice warm coat.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Answered Prayers

Monday Morning, I had a list of employment opportunities circled from the Sunday Classifieds. While Chad was driving I crossed off the places we had already been. I looked up and Chad was parked in front of The Tealridge Christian Retirement Community. "Why don't you go in here?" He said. It is a very nice looking facility on the outside, but I didn't quite "get" why he thought I should go in. There were no signs or advertisements that they were hiring. I took one of my resumes out of the folder and went in anyway.

I went to the front desk. The receptionist asked if I needed help. I told her if they had any positions available and asked if I could leave my resume. We visited for a minute about my previous work experience. She explained to me that a new assisted living facility was opening and she was losing some of her front office staff to the new office. I went ahead and filled out the application she gave me and left it with her.

Today I met her for an interview. We hit it off right away. She told me about the job. There are 180 residents and the front desk is the help desk for residents and reception desk for visitors. She stopped after I told her where I was from and said, "I just have to ask, why did you stop by here Monday?" When I told her she started to tear up and explained, "I have worked here for seven years. It is very difficult to find good staff who care about our residents and who are dependable. When management gave me the list of staff I would be losing I started to pray about how we would find people to replace them. . . then you just walked in!" We both had a good little praise session about how God hears our prayers and provides.

Another blessing. . . I will be working at night and on Saturday, so I get take David to school and pick him up, and take care of Ruby and Sean during the day. As bad as I need to work right now, I didn't want to take a job where I can't see our kids. I can also take another part time temporary job a couple days a week if I need to.

Since I quit working a Citychurch I have learned how true the call of God is on my life. I belong to Him and don't presume to tell Him how to use me. I am thankful to serve in a way I've never served before and hopefully I'll learn something I don't already know!

Thank you all for praying.

.