So much has happened since I last posted that I really don't know where to begin; there had been some hints leading up to the announcement two weeks before last Thanksgiving (ironically, it was also my 12th staff anniversary), but I was told that my position, along with 3 others, was being eliminated at First Baptist due to budgetary constraints at the first of the year. It was an unwanted step, but one that was necessary for the congregation to take in an effort aimed at bringing the administrative part of the budget into better balance with our giving and ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of our church. I'm not sure if you can ever really be prepared for such news, especially when you're single with a mortgage to meet; so, I updated my resume and started job searching/applying online the very next day. I would have preferred to stay in Dalton, but knew I wanted to keep the broadest range of options open by looking in my hometown area of Manchester as well. Weeks grew into months as I filled out application after application and also had a handful of interviews that didn't work out, all the while praying and crying out to God. However, I have seen His hand throughout the whole process, whether it was a word of encouragement/support, a sermon/devotion/song that spoke to me when I needed it, the Staff Committee's willingness to let me stay on a little longer to help train the two new support staff people who replaced us, or the fact I was able to sell my condo very quickly, but which timed out perfectly to finish out our Children's Choir year (my last real commitment at the church). So, I ended up moving back to my parents' house in Tennessee at the first of May, then just over a month later, my mom broke her ankle in two places and underwent surgery; she has been recovering quite nicely, and I am thankful that I have been here to help my dad around the house and getting my mom where she needs to go until the doctors should hopefully say she can drive again soon.
At the same time, I narrowed my job search to here in Tennessee, and was still having no luck until this past week, when I interviewed for an Administrative Assistant position being filled through a contractor at a training facility in Murfreesboro that certifies and provides continuing education for all the water treatment plants/operators in the state of Tennessee. They are actually looking to hire two people, but needed someone so quickly that they decided to go with the contractor to fill the first position for 2-3 months, at which point I should transition into permanent status as a state employee and they should hopefully be ready to hire someone for the second position. This will ideally give me time to commute and save up some money during the contract period while looking for a place a little closer to Murfreesboro (depending on cost of living, etc.) and ensuring that my mom is fully back up to speed before moving back out on my own again. In addition, I had a member of my Sunday School class ask me if I would volunteer to head up clothing donations from our church for a community-wide outreach event being held at our local fairgrounds in October, which should also probably coincide with my plans to relocate (how's that for God encouraging you to fulfill your promises!).
The lessons God has taught me in patience, perseverance, provision, and prayer throughout this journey have been nothing short of amazing; I have been reminded that His timing is not necessarily my timing and that my trust needs to be completely in Him at all times. It has also been a season of deep personal reflection, particularly after recently coming across a website called Forward Motion Coaching, which includes a blog, newsletter and other resources for people with NLD (Non-verbal Learning Disorder). NLD is very common with Asperger's Syndrome, but also other genetic/spectrum conditions such as Turner's Syndrome, which I have mentioned in previous entries. I have come to the realization that the NLD component to my having Turner's is probably at least moderate to possibly somewhat severe, evidenced by literal/black and white/all-or-nothing thinking, falling prey to faulty assumptions, sometimes misinterpreting the actions/motives/instructions of others, not always or being slow to understand the big picture/focusing too much on details, and difficulties with noticing/reading non-verbal cues, as well as working memory. However, the Forward Motion website does offer some strategies for dealing with NLD, which I am trying to adopt; it's unfortunate that my teachers didn't identify the NLD early on in school, because I think these types of coping skills could possibly have made more of a difference then, where it wouldn't be as much of an issue as an adult. I can accept that God created me this way, and that since I don't have a normal, full set of chromosomes, my brain just does not function like most everyone else's (neurotypical), despite having an average to above average level of intelligence (I'm not dumb; I just have a condition that can make me look as if I am, lol!).
So, I'm striving to move on to the next chapter of my life, with a somewhat greater confidence in myself, especially as a believer; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (one of my favorite Bible verses), counting on faith, family and friends every step of the way!
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