When Chris and I had been married about 4 years, I had the awesome opportunity to work at a Christian bookstore. It was at this job that I first realized a few things about myself...I'm much more driven than I ever thought I was; I'm a good leader; can wear many hats and can drive the people that I work with completely crazy. I threw myself into this job - which was particularly odd because it turned into a 'gift buying' job (meaning I helped choose which of the froo-froo items would be sold in the store and even set up displays, etc in their most shoppable, but often froo-froo, way.). While I felt I excelled at this job - God made it so very clear to me that this was not my calling - but used it as a great foundation for what He had in store. It was an experience that I treasure (hard times endured and all) to this day.

From there God moved me into what I coined as my 'dream job'. I had the awesome opportunity to be apart of a church staff where my daily responsibilities surrounded the concept of Bible study. I helped write material. I spent my days in prayer. I facilitated and even taught countless studies. I got to use my skill of organization in numerous ways and I worked with a team of ladies that have forever changed my heart and my walk with Christ. It was by far the most difficult and most rewarding job of my life! It was here at this job that I found a new depth in my relationship with the Lord. My drive to do my best and help those I work for look even better only increased. I wore even more hats and I totally drove those women crazy. It was a job that doesn't just come around everyday, but how God has used it to enrich my life and how I will forever be grateful for all of those experiences.

And then came my ultimate dream job - the one I would have never thought I'd enjoy much less excel in. One in which I was scared to death to enter into. One I was sure that no amount of prep, leadership capabilities or drive would really be enough to make it. God opened the door for me to be at home with my kids. I must admit - having worked so hard and so feverishly for so many years; having thrived on the successes of great sales, awesome events and witnessing people fall deeper in love with their Lord - I wasn't sure that such 'highs' could be had just being at home with my kids. Oh, how God has proven me wrong. I now have the joy of spending my days making my children laugh; teaching them life lessons; teaching them practical lessons and watching as they finally understand. I get to hold them when they cry and lovingly fuss at them when they mess up (again and again). I get to watch them grow, watch them seek to know the Lord and watch them become the awesome individuals God created them to be. Talk about a job that requires drive, multi-tasking, organization, quick thinking, and long hours. And oh, yeah - I drive them crazy too! :) But it is far and away the best job I have ever had. The rewards aren't monitary and I am seldom commended on a 'job well done'. But when my son sings about Jesus and talks of how knowing his Bible verse makes Jesus' heart happy - when my baby girl rests her head on my shoulder and hums along with me as I sing 'Jesus, Jesus - there's just something about that name' - I am blessed woman working the best job God could have ever have designed for me!

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