in other news...

so as everyone knows from the previous blog and/or facebook pics i got a tattoo yesterday.  its actually shocking when i look at my wrist and think that it is there for forever.  good thing it is beautiful.  thanks to derek.

it means a lot to me.  i chose a tree because i love nature and beauty, and trees represent that part of me.  also, a tree represents so much life and growth.  its such a reminder of god's faithfulness. within the leaves are the words "it is well."  em and i actually stole this from a girl on her summer project, but it took on such meaning to me recently.  this has always been my favorite hymn, but after derek sang this song at my mom's funeral it has become an anthem of hope for me.  the song sings faith for me when i can't believe.  the words surrounded by so much life is a testament to the faith god is growing in me.  i love when i look at my wrist now all i think about is my mom and jesus. 

in other news...

I GOT A JOB TODAY!  as most of you know, i have been searching all summer for another job.  in june i told my school i wasn't coming back.  it was a hard decision because i loved working at atkinson, but it was time to move on and use my degree and find some more challenges and something that offered more advancement opportunities.  i have never really been a "career-minded person", but my goal in searching for jobs was to do something that i felt like mattered and work for a place that i could use my gifts.  i was getting frustrated after working so hard and not getting any return.  i was just trying to believe that god had the perfect job picked out for me.

after applying for over 15 jobs and not having a single interview, i finally was offered an interview at the children and family resource center in my town.  the job title is adolescent parenting program coordinator.  the description jumped out at me at once and i told derek, 'i think this job is for me!'  anyways, after 2 interviews and another session today, they offered me the job.  it is actually a slightly different job than what i applied for.  i will be the lead coordinator for the adolescent parenting program (app).  

i will have a caseload of 14-20 girls that i will look after to achieve the 2 main goals of the program:  graduating form high school and preventing a second pregnancy.  also, i will be doing promotion and recruiting for the program.  i will also be in charge of dreaming up new ideas to grow the program.  the program is designed for low income girls, most of which have little to no family support.

i feel so blessed to have this opportunity.  i can't believe i am going to get paid to love on these girls.   i am super excited and thankful.