30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 4 and 5

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day Four: Nurse Mom

Today, I am thankful that my mom is a nurse. Nurses make the best moms! That was especially true when I was little, but its still true today!

Day Five: Work

Today, I am thankful for my job. I don't love it everyday... and that's all I will say about that.. HOWEVER, it really is a huge blessing to our little, growing Romdenh family. It pays enough. I get a good amount of sick and vacation time as well as paid holidays. They are paying for Titus to go to school. The health insurance is good. I have made great friends in my office. My boss might be crazy, but he might just also be the perfect boss for me. With so many people not able to find work, I am really thankful for a good job at a really great place. PS: It sure beats the months that I worked three jobs (waitress, church janitor, and daycare worker) before Titus came to America!

Thankful,
Jewel

I refuse to write another post about work.

I will say only three things about work, and then I will post-pone all work-related entires for a long time. :)

1) Since starting my new job at IWU last Monday, I quit Cracker Barrel.  Whew!  I painted my fingernails red for the Chinese New Year... and they are still red! [Something Cracker Barrel wouldn't allow.]
2) Simply put, I am 1 of 2 Administrative Assistants in the program of Graduate Studies in Leadership... and I am still learning what that means.  So MUCH MUCH MUCH to learn! Wow!
3) As anticipated, I miss my babies at Lakeview very MUCH MUCH MUCH.  I visited once this week during my lunch break, but this little face - one of my favorites - was home sick. :( Sad!

Not write about work??  Ugh.  Why do I feel like this is all that is happening in my life right now?  This is harder than I thought it would be...

Two weeks after the new year started, Titus and I started reading the One Year Bible together in bed at night.  No devotional book... no commentary... no "spiritual self-help book"... just the written Word of God, as it was intended to be read.  Laying beside my warm husband, hearing the strength in his voice as he reads to me... one of my favorite parts of the day.


"A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." ~ Charles Spurgeon

One of the benefits [I should say 'BLESSINGS'] of working full-time at IWU is free tuition for not only myself, but immediate family members.  Wowie zowie!  Seriously, what a huge blessing!  In my "free time", I have been exploring the list of classes that I regrettably did not (/unfortunately could not) take during my 4 years of undergrad at IWU, and I'm praying about pursuing a 2nd degree in Biblical Literature.  Titus is considering transfering his Bible College credits towards a degree in Christian Ministry or... something else. ☺   We'll see!  It's been exciting just thinking about it!  Right now our hearts are longing to be in ministry in Cambodia, and while we can't be YET... this will prepare and equip us to be better-used in helping to expand God's Kingdom in Cambodia.

...and I see God putting together the puzzle pieces of His will.

Love love love,
Jewel

Immeasurably More!

I took this picture this morning from the parking lot at my work:

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
Psalm 8:1

I am humbled.  Humbled by His power. Humbled by His presence.

Humbled by His goodness.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

A week or two before Christmas, IWU (Indiana Wesleyan University) called me about a job interview. A what? A job interview? I already have 3 jobs! Since May, I have applied for almost every job at IWU that I have qualified for and I couldn't believe that I was finally chosen for an interview. This is a big deal... like a real, professional, GROWN-UP job.  I traded in my jeans and t-shirt for dress clothes and told the daycare that I would be an hour late, and I interviewed in front of FOUR very intimidating professionals.  A few days later, my would-be-boss called me saying that they were recommending ME to HR for hiring.  After enduring Christmas (& New Years) break without any news, I finally got a phone call on Tuesday with a job offer... a real, professional, GROWN-UP job offer.  I took it.

I knew after the first phone call that it was a blessing from God (seriously good benefits, including a salary that is twice what I make at 3 jobs right now, getting paid to work out and participate in the wellness program, and BONUS: free tuition for hubby) but I prayed about it everyday for three weeks, and God has finally given me peace.

I don't want to leave the daycare. I really don't.  I don't want to leave my babies. :( I don't want to not see them grow and learn and become little boys and girls that walk, and talk, and pee on the potty.  But... I don't want to be guilty of not embracing God's gift - His provision, His favor.

So, next Monday - January 16th, 2012 (I seriously just wrote 2010 and had to backspace!) - I start my new job as Program Support Specialist in Graduate Organizational Leadership.  I really do not have a good idea yet of what I doing (and that FREAKS ME OUT) but I know that eventually, I will.  Until then... this is what you get:

Love love love,
Jewel

Change

Change is the title of this chapter of my life. Since April 30, I have had to learn what it's like to NOT being a student after being a student for 16 years. Soon-after, I transitioned into the workforce full-time.  Since first entering the post-graduation work-force, I have held four different jobs.  Almost two months ago, I became a wife.  A few weeks after becoming a wife, Titus and I moved from my parents house to our own apartment on the other side of town.  Finally, we just recently began attending a new small group on Wednesday nights.  All of these have been GOOD changes... "for-the-better" changes... but none have been easy.

I'm looking at another change; a change that is going to change a lot of things; a for-the-better, but hard change.

On December 27th, 2011, I was hired by Indiana Wesleyan University as Schedule Specialist in Graduate Organizational Leadership.  It means [much] higher pay, 13 days paid-vacation, health insurance, a wellness program that pays me to walk, and numerous other benefits, including... free tuition for my hubby!!!  Praise the Lord!  We (and others) have been praying for this!  While I admit that I would rather be with those one, two, and three-year-olds that have stolen my heart, my attitude is changing [and it's taken lots of prayer and humility] because I really do trust that this opportunity is God's Best and God's Will for us right now.

I feel nervous... excited... humbled... and honored to be chosen for this position!

Love love love,
Jewel