As previously disclosed on the Chatbox (for those of you who read it), I GOT A JOB!!! A real one, with office hours and benefits and a staff parking tag and everything! Yes, that's right...on Wednesday at 8 a.m. sharp, I will begin work as the new Bible department administrative assistant at ACU. It all happened so fast...here's the approximate timeline:

On July 30 at Lifeteam, I met Pam Pemberton (wife of Glenn, the department chair - their precious daughter T'auna is a regular at our Lifeteam), and she told me Glenn needed a secretary. I sent in my app to Human Resources later that week.

For two more weeks, I worried and agonized over not only that, but lots of other jobs, and sent out resumes, and worried some more.

While in Nashville on Aug. 15, I got a call from the department asking me to set up an interview. On Aug. 18, after driving back to Abilene the night before, I spent an hour with Glenn Pemberton and Camille Dickson (a friend of mine, who works in the department), interviewing. About 24 hours later, Glenn called and offered me the job! - but told me I should think about it. (Which was helpful, since I needed to think about it...talk about a quick turnaround!)

After talking to several dear friends, making two extensive pro-and-con lists (one for Abilene and one for Nashville), talking to my mom, talking to Jeremiah, praying a LOT, and being at Lifeteam last night, I came to the conclusion...this is the right thing, at least for now. There are so many people who love me, and whom I love, in this town. I can't leave this family yet...not the Lifeteam, not Highland, not the blogosphere folks who are in A-town, not Jeremiah, not my sister, not my dear roommate Leigh Anne. I need to be here. When I said that last night, Marlene smiled and said, "We want you to stay." Calvin couldn't stop smiling. Lorin hugged me and kissed my cheek and said, "We're glad you're going to be around." T'auna was so excited she couldn't form a complete sentence. And Sarah Butcher grinned at me and said, "Yes. You need to be here."

So that's the story. I have a job!!! Thanks so much to everyone who prayed and thought about me and left encouraging comments and listened to me worry over these past months. I love all of you. Hugs. :)