"Dunder Mifflin, This is Pam. "

{Photo Credit}

"Dunder Mifflin, This is Pam." Well, I love The Office so much that I've decided to follow in Pam Beasley's footsteps. Not really, but I did start my career as an administrative assistant today! Here is my story:
1. Back in March I decided that I would not be teaching this year. Ryan is the Director for Student Ministries at our church and I wanted the free time and flexibility to help him. I desire to spend time living life with the girls in our youth group. I also want time to reach out to our apartment community. And I want to have time to be in - AND ENJOY- our couple's Bible study And I help Ryan put together some of the administrative stuff related to youth. AND I want to be a happy wife. Therefore, we decided that I would not teach. Also because we were moving to Roanoke, so it didn't make since logistically for me to stay at my old elementary school, so I'd have to at least look for a different teaching job.
2. From March until now Ryan and I have both prayed that the Lord would give us wisdom for jobs. He needed another part time job to supplement his salary from the church. I knew that I probably needed to do something. I wasn't quite sure what. I was interested in doing administrative office work or maybe do something else for the school system besides being a full time classroom teacher.
3. We prayed and our families prayed and our church prayed and our friends prayed. God was listening- we're confident in this!- but it was a LONG season of waiting. We are so thankful for all of the prayers that were offered up for us and for learning how to be patient. Its not fun to learn to be patient, but it is good.
4. This past Thursday we finally came to the conclusion that we would both be "Professional Substitutes" and try to sub as many days as possible. For the first time in many months we felt a complete peace. We knew that we might have to draw from our savings sometimes for now, but that was something we finally gave over to God as we realized that we didn't need to hold on tightly to money (neither did we plan to be irresponsible).
5. Friday morning I got a call about a possible job from a family that had visited our church 2 weeks before.
6. I interviewed Saturday morning. I was interested and thought I would enjoy the job, but I was unsure because it was a full time schedule. I felt strongly that I should have some afternoon time to meet up with youth kids and others. I liked the job but wanted to use discernment so that I wouldn't end up in a pattern of over busyness.
7. The woman I interviewed with called me an hour later and offered for me to do the same job, but said they would be flexible so I could only work part time!!!!! The hours she offered were 8am-3pm.... exactly what I had prayed for!!! Wow. It is awesome to see how God had this planned and I didn't even know.

What I Do Now:
I started this morning. Today was a little different than normal because there were Internet/ printer problems. But basically I'll be doing some customer help, Internet stuff, making manuals, etc. All the fun office stuff you could ever imagine!!!!! The company creates and promotes professional development sessions for public companies. I work inside a small historic house that has been turned into an office in downtown Keller. I can't explain it very clearly but I am looking forward to learning how to do my job well! Thanks to everyone I've already talked to for all of the encouraging words!