I just got done watching the second annual American Idol "Idol Gives Back". I was looking forward to this episode this year, because it encourages people to get involved. It tugs at your heart, they educate you, and they pull you in. This year, after experiencing Kenya just 4 months ago, it especially broke my heart. I cried for the babies that I saw on the screen not just because they were hurting, but because I could put names to them. No, I didn't know that specific child, but that child looked like a child I met. Or that mother looked like a mother that I met while staying in Kenya. I cried for Luke. I cried for Lucy. I cried for Timothy. For Matthew. For Hannah. For the workers. For Kenya women.

At the end of the show tonight all of the American Idol contestants, along with a choir, got on stage and sang "Shout to the Lord". I stopped what I was doing, looked straight at the tv screen with my mouth hanging open and just thought "they get it!" they really get it! They realized that the real giver, healer, and creater is God. They got it! But then, I have to say I was thoroughly let down when Ben Stiller comes on right after they were done with that song and starts cussing. Of course they bleeped it out, but we all know what he was saying. Yes, he's a comedian. Yes, he was being funny. But also, he ruined a powerful moment. I don't blame him. I blame a country full of people who might not be ready to hear something so powerful.

Ever feel like your life has just gained a new direction, but with that new direction comes a whole new wave of uncertainty? That's what I'm feeling. Mike interviewed about a month ago for an assistant store manager job at Aldi's foods in Merrillville. Three weeks went by and so we thought that he didn't get it. He had come to terms with that. But last week the interviewer called and offered him the job, apologizing for the delay. Of course Mike took the job. So at the beginning of May, Mike will make the hour and a half move to Merrillville. He starts full time May 19th. He is really excited about this. He loves new challenges and this brings great reward as he has potential to move up in the business and within a few years- manage his own store. I'm so happy for him and proud of him. I haven't decided if I will try and find a job near Merrillville or not. He's not certain on how long he'll be there, because if what his boss says is correct, he can start training for a store manager position in just a year- then he could be transfered to a store back here. If that's the case, I would rather stay around here. We can do a year of distance.
As far as my own job searches go -- Hesston is at a halt. The people who I thought might be leaving the office so that positions would be open, have decided to stay. Therefore there are no positions open this year. That's ok, maybe it's just not the right time. So I continue looking for a job, probably around this area. I'm not as stressed as I was about it, I know that it's all in God's hands and His timing is perfect.
Oh! We're also not going to Vegas anymore, since Mike got the job. The rest of his family is going but him and I will not be going along. He doesn't feel like he should take off that much time right away. I agree. But that's money that we'll be saving!

Kenya

I've been working on a powerpoint presentation of Kenya pictures for my parents Sunday school class. My dad and I have been asked to present our pictures and talk about our trip. This task of making a powerpoint has taken longer than it normally should, because I can't help but just sit and stare at the pictures of the babies. I realized how much I miss them!

This is a video that is posted on Jolinda's blog that she writes about the center (news, pics, updates). This video was put together by NMC and a past team that has traveled to Kenya.

All is restored in Nappanee

Welcome back Taco Bell!! Oh how I have missed you. If you've ever wondered what would cause high school students to skip school on a Wednesday, factory employees to risk taking longer than their allowed half hour lunch, busy people to wait in in line for a half hour, and people to stand while eating because of lack of space - now you know. The re-opening of Nappanee Taco Bell!! It was crazy over the lunch hour but oddly enough - I found it somewhat of an honor to wait in the drive-thru line for over a half hour for my food. In a weird way, I felt like our community was coming together to welcome this business back. As if we were saying - a tornado can take our favorite restaurant, our homes, and our material things - but we will rise again. We are rising again. (ok I know it's just an open taco bell, maybe i'm getting too much meaning from it, but it was a moment to remember nonetheless).

As for my continuing job search - the admissions counselor job in Hesston has come to a halt. All the current counselors look as if they are going to be staying, so they will not be hiring anyone new at this time. But I've still been looking/applying for jobs in Kansas. I'm ready to move back out there. So please pray that I have faith that God will put me there if it's His will. And thank you all for your prayers as I was stressing out about finding a job. I have realized after much prayer that it's all in His hands and God's timing is perfect.

As I sit here sipping on my dr. pepper (fountain of course), I am reminded of a quote I heard once that goes something like "Everything has already been decided. It was know long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny." It comes from the verses in Ecclesiastes 6. There's no sense in arguing or worrying about God's plan for my life - it's been decided and I choose to follow Him.

For the Record...

I realize that all of this is in God's hands. But I'm obviously having a very hard time putting that realization into action.

SOS

Ok, I'm sending out a SOS call to all my blogger friends! I'm stressed out. Big time. Like the kind of stressed out where you can't sleep, can't focus, and when someone brings up the thing that you're stressed out about- you burst into tears. THAT is the kind of stressed I am. I'm stressed about finding a job after graduation. I need some help from all those recent (or not so recent) college grads out there. I'm feeling completely under qualified for everything!!

I applied for an admissions counselor job at Hesston and while I'm hoping, wishing, and praying that it works out - I have to be looking/applying for other jobs too, just in case it doesn't. So, I've sent my resume to several (when I say several I mean more like 7-10) agencies and companies. But I've heard little or no response. My mom thinks I'm stupid to rely on emails. But alot of companies do everything online nowadays.

I know it's only March, but I absolutely hate not knowing what my life holds after June of this year. So - any advice/prayer/reassurance/JOB that you can give me. I'll take it.

I'm restless. I can't sleep. I have so many things that I'm thinking about that my brain has yet to go into "sleep mode" while the rest of my body is aching for some much needed sleep! I've realized that the graduating class of 2008 is at a HUGE disadvantage. This is probably one of the worst times to be graduating college with the economy like it is. No one is going to be looking to hire anyone for awhile. I've sent my resume to a couple places, but with no avail. I haven't heard even an email reply yet. Mike and I are moving forward in our relationship. With talk of marriage, weddings, and what the summer may hold for us in terms of moving, etc, we keep thinking that it would be much easier to have our lives more put together if we knew where our jobs would take us. Will I get the admissions counselor job in Kansas? Will Mike get the job he interviewed for in Merrillville? Should I move there if he does? It's enough to make me scream, let alone keep me up all night.

Anyone have a job for a Social and Behavioral Sciences major who is graduating in May????