A New Job!

Well no big surprise, but the Lord has provided. As we knew he would he didn't come too late or too early!

I interviewed on Monday for a position as Campaign Assistant Director and landed it within 30 minutes!!! Hallelujah!! Not only that, but I started with an 8 hour day on Tuesday!

My new position is way out of my comfort zone, but it allows me to utilize numerous gifts that I was able to tweak and improve throughout teaching. Anyone that knows me, knows that I can be a bit detail oriented and at times organized. Those are the two things that are going to keep me moving through this job.

I am working with the local Hospitality House, better known as the homeless shelter in the High Country. Not only is the HH growing out of it's already 4 locations, but the buildings need excessive amounts of improvements. I will be working with Robert, a nice gentleman that reminds me so much of my father-in-law, to raise $4 million dollars to go towards a new amazing facility.

I am coming in a few months late into the campaign and I am amazed that already $500,000 has been contributed. It is amazing how God lines things up, because the wonderful Spinetto family that richly blessed us with a free home for 4 years were instrumental in thinking of me for this position and referring me to the interview committee.

Already I have been a busy bee with the requirements of my job, but the most meaningful part for me is the relationships I am building with the local homeless people of Boone. It is a blessing to meet people who are less fortunate than you and see how much they bless you! I am sure I will have so many more stories to share, but the blessings that I have received from the group here at my office at Rock Haven is beyond description! A total of 6 residents live here at the long term living facility and they have been so welcoming and thoughtful. Sonya, the girl I share an office with, told me that at the house meeting last night they all shared how sweet and kind I had been to them and they really felt that I cared as much about them as my own job! Praise God, because that is what I want my life to be about! Who knows what may come of this position!

I am very grateful for where God has placed me right now and I am content being in his will.

Berry Family Vacation

Ocean waves crashing against the shore, gritty sand and baking in the sunshine! Who could ask for more?

We just returned from a wonderful vacation with Brandon, Nicole and Ella. We had a wonderful time resting, eating, enjoying the beach, hanging at the pool, eating some more and then resting more! That about sums up the entire events of the trip! Sounds like vacation to me!

We enjoyed painting little Ella's toesies for the first time! Nicole did a magnificent job as I helped by holding her still. She seemed to like just watching and didn't really squirm that much. She was wonderful the entire week and John and I were truly impressed with little Ella. She was a trooper and never really fussed. I give all credit for that to her wonderful parents. It is a joy to watch them as they love her unconditionally and are a great example for John and I of the type of parents that we would love to be.

We enjoyed her at the beach on her first day experiencing sand and waves for her first time and seemingly enjoying it. One afternoon we went down to the beach for some Boccie and Nicole and I covered her legs in the sand and she just sat there and even attempted to help us pile on the sand. John was a cute uncle, loving his niece like she was his own. Before the trip he bought her a little pool and then was certain to bring some shade for her and daily made sure everything got carried down that not only she would need, but that we all would need. It was fun observing him becoming more comfortable with her. It made the longing for our own kids sometimes unbearable for me and would just put me in a quiet thinking and praying state because even though you have faith that God knows exactly what he is doing, as a Christian I think you can still wonder? But I can just dream of the days that we are blessed to see the fruit of our waiting and the times that I get to observe with pure joy the blessing of him loving his own children just as he loves Ella.

We enjoyed some good times together and were blessed to have a super cheap place to stay which allowed us the opportunity to check out some pretty good restaurants! Benjamin's Original Calabash Seafood was the top on the list and mine and John's little trip out to Cheeseburger in Paradise would probably be second on the list! It was a good time. Of course we can't forget the night that the girls went out for some Hot and Now Krispy Creme. By the time we got through the Myrtle Beach line they hot and now sign was off, which should be against the law by the way, but the doughnuts were terrific anyway!

Can't wait till the next trip with Berry's. Nicole and I continually said that this one will probably be our easiest!!

Of course with such a dang cute group of people, if I do say so myself, we had tons of pictures! Here's some of the favorites!