It’s funny how as you put things in boxes what you own
accumulates. Of course, I have always been bad at estimating. I know box sizes
quite well (like, they definitely do NOT make one dollhouse size), but there
always ended up being way more book boxes lined up in my bedroom than I
thought. And even with only a quarter of my book collection with me, the same
thing has happened. At least I’m using the normal size book boxes. Apparently,
they are now smaller. I would need, like, a hundred of them.
Anyhow, I had turned down the job and was getting ready for
the holidays: shopping, shipping, finding airline tickets, packing. I had lots
on my mind with other things, too. So, when I got a call Friday
mid-morning…well, I knew the area code but was busy so I let it go to voice
mail. It was Eric, the director of operations…asking me to reconsider because
they would really like me to take the job.
That gave me plenty of food for thought that afternoon. I
sent him an e-mail explaining the full circumstances of why I could not promise
three full years. I added that if, knowing everything, they still wanted me to
consider the job…well, I would – gladly. And then came the holidays.
Christmas and New Year’s were nice. I went to Indiana and
spent the time with my family, which is always fun. I came back thinking about
Minnesota and trying to figure out what God had in mind. (Of course, that never
works out, but I always seem to try anyhow.) I got an e-mail from Eric the week
after New Years, saying he would contact my references. That he did. I had one
tell me she was afraid he was going to ask my shoe size – who gives a reference
that takes a whole half hour? But they were VERY thorough. And still wanted me.
I traveled up there the 10th-11th to
see the camp. It’s located two hours northwest of Minneapolis in a little town
called Burtrum. Camp Lebanon is a beautiful location, surrounded my hills and
trees right on a lovely lake (that was frozen solid). I loved seeing the snow.
I loved having to wear a coat. I loved no traffic. (I can’t tell you how much I
loved the latter – I never realized how the traffic down here stresses one so!)
Everyone I met was so friendly and welcoming, even Eric’s entire family whom I
met at dinner. The morning of the 11th, I first breakfasted with the
ladies on staff and then met with the “stakeholders”. That was seven people in
one room shooting questions at me like I was on trial for something. Okay, it
wasn’t that bad. And by that time, I felt quite comfortable with most of them
and was fine with whatever happened. Of course, I was still a bit nervous when
I was dismissed until lunch so they could discuss me among themselves.
After lunch, I met with Eric again. He said it was
unanimous. However, the director, Bill, wished for all of us to pray about it
over the weekend. So, we were going to have a discussion that he would call me
Monday, but here was the plan to get me up there. Admittedly, it was all a bit
overwhelming, but I left Minnesota that day with plans to turn around and come
back in less than a month.
The weekend I spent praying but also knowing that this was
God’s will for me. After all, how many people come back and offer you a job you
turned down? Or unanimously agree you are the one? Or that everything just
falls into place? And that even though it makes no sense, it’s just right. As I
thought about it on the way to church Sunday, I told God these pieces did not
fit into the puzzle I was imagining…in fact, they don’t even seem to fit into
the pieces already in place. I didn’t understand. And I could practically hear
God, “Well, Melissa, maybe it’s about time they didn’t look right to you.”
God’s ways are not our ways. And His thoughts are not our
thoughts. Being a planner by nature, I purposely put that truth out of my head
as I plunge ahead and try to make everything work with what I can see. Which is
never everything. Thankfully, God is so often a gentle teacher. And a true one.
For even though these pieces don’t look right, I am looking forward to seeing
the end result.
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