14 days to go...

In exactly 14 days I will be back in a suit and heels. In exactly 14 days I will be back in staff and board meetings. In exactly 14 days, I will pull out of my drive way and travel to a full-time job where I will no longer be my own boss for the first time in nearly 4 years.

So how am I feeling?

Excited. Anxious. Eager to be obedient to my God.

I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think that this is 100% what God has planned for me. That doesn't mean however that I don't have reservations. I have many of those. I have already dealt with the naysayers, received the disapproving looks from other mothers, and I am sure many others will follow. I have my own worries about how my family will do with mommy back at work. Will my husband really be able to handle this change in our family, and most of all how will my sweet Owen whose had his mommy full-time since he was 7 months old, do?

I have to put that all in God's hands.

I have to cling to what is truth.

I to deny the enemy a foothold in my mind to shower me with lies.

I have to look ahead and remember that life is short. Some may say, "yes, life is short so why go back to work? Why not stay home with your kids?" I can't argue with that statement. But for me, right now, at this place in my life, life is too short to say no to an opportunity that will provide the resources we will need to fulfill our role in building God's kingdom. God is writing a story and is giving us all a part to play. Some of us simply have roles that are different than others.

I am honored to play my part. Will you?

A New Journey

It is finished. I had my big CBU interview and met with over 13 staff people, including the four Vice Presidents of the campus. Whew....it was a long day. I fell in love with the campus, the team has tremendous potential, and things started to add up.

The following week was the final big interview with the President of the University. The day was oddly cold and rainy for this time of year. I pulled out my navy blue suit, the same one I wore the last time I interviewed at UCR for my most recent position over four years ago. Somehow, miraculously, it fit like a glove.

My interview with the President was fairly short. All in all just about 20 minutes. After we were finished, I waited in the VP of Advancement's office while he debriefed with the President. That was an agonizing 15 minutes. I didn't know what was going to happen. I actually sat in his office and prayed outloud saying "God, if I am offered this job today, please let them offer me my salary goal so I don't have to negotiate in person! I will do anything for you!" All I have to say is, God answers prayers.

And there it was. I was offered the position, no need to negotiate. I sat there overjoyed yet feeling so undeserving. "God has to be in this" is all I could think. I have no idea where this journey will take me next, but I am excited to serve my King however he sees fit.

Open Doors

Tomorrow is a big day for me. I am interviewing at Cal Baptist University for the position of Assistant Vice President of Major Gifts/Campaigns.

I thought I should write about what I am feeling this evening, because this opportunity could mark a tremendous milestone in my life, and I want to make sure that I document these memories.

I wasn't even considering going back to work full-time until 3 separate people told me about this position. All the obvious statements came in to my mind, "I am not ready to go back to work full-time." "My husband and my kids aren't ready for this kind of change either." But then I began to think about what God would want me to do. Was he opening a door for me and my family?

I called the VP of Advancement who was gracious enough to meet with me one-on-one to tell me more about the position and what was happening at CBU in terms of their giving. My interest peaked. CBU is as amazing institution. I was very clear with him and told him that my husband and I would be praying about whether or not I should apply.

I have learned through life though that sometimes God opens doors that we aren't sure we are supposed to walk through. He has done this over and over in my life. Every single time, I have been afraid to walk through that door, and every time he teaches me a lesson that makes it all worth it.

I don't know what will happen tomorrow. I don't know if I will be offered the position. All I know is that through a lot of prayer he has told me to venture through this door, and see what waits on the other side. All I know for sure is that I am truly humbled to even be considered for this position. If God chooses to bless me for his glory by having me serve him this way, than so be it. I will be obedient to whatever he asks of me.