I can't believe that it's almost Christmas again! Time flies by no matter what's happening in life. As usual, there are so many things I want to tell everyone and yet not enough time. So here is what's becoming an annual Christmas card by email.
The last year has been interesting, challenging and reflective. It amazes me how life continually teaches you the same things on progressively deeper levels. You think you've learned something and then find yourself on your knees struggling to understand. Ever since my mission I never questioned what was most important in my life. It was figuring out who I needed to be and following the instruction I receive in prayer. And I had always gotten the answers . . . I always knew where I was going. But what happens when He doesn't just tell you? Are we supposed to do more than be willing to submit ourselves to His will?
Turns out the answer is YES! If God wants me to become more like Him, then I have to learn to want what He wants and do His will because that's what I want and not just because that's what He tells me to do. I have had a lot of decisions about what I want to do with my life . . . whether to change companies . . . when to get a PhD . . . how to use the little spare time I have. Ultimately I realized that the choice is about who I want to be and not just doing the "right thing". Even if something is good, who it will make me depends on why I want to do it. So who do I want to be, you ask?
Well, I never thought I'd be one wanting to live close to family (that independent streak!) but I will be moving to Detroit in about a month! And it will be exciting to be able to know my parents, sister/brother and nieces/nephews much better. More and more, I realize how much my family is and needs to be a part of who I am. They are amazing and I will never have a chance like I do now to really get to know them. And although traveling and the big title, etc at work could be interesting and exciting, I want to keep the chance to love family and friends in the area through coaching and other activities.
I am sad to leave family and friends in the Louisville area. I don't know if they'll ever really know how much they've held me up in some rough spots over the past couple of years! I hope they all know how much I love them!
As for the rest of this year, a little recap:
- January through May was spent working the night shift and coaching varsity softball at Mercy Academy. I think I'm still suffering the effects of that nocturnal adventure (as you can see by the time of this post!). I find myself struggling to really sleep a consistent schedule. My typical schedule was work 10:30 PM - 8:30 AM, sleep until 1 PM, go to practice and get home at 7 PM, time enough for shower, dinner and a short nap. But it was worth it as I learned a ton at work managing HR for night shift and our team made it to the final 8 teams of the state tournament, repeating as district and regional champions. Needless to say, I was pretty exhausted by the time it ended.
- May through September was back on the day shift with more 12 hour days with all the crazy things going on at the plant with buyouts and Negotiations starting. I did get more time to play, though, and starting getting a little back in shape.
- September to now - full of negotiations with the union and daily crises. Basketball season started again and we have a lot of talent. Unfortunately, they're all young and struggling some mentally. It's always something! But they're great and I'll be sad to leave them. The past 4 months have been a waiting game to find out when I'm going back to Detroit but finally it looks like Jan 28 (or thereabouts) is the date!
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