Linked to a memory

Haha.. I almost named this blog post smells and memory, but the first thing my mind went to were farts and I did not want anyone else to think that was what I was writing about.. lol....moving on..

Do you ever notice how some scents bring back memories? There are some things we associate smells with.. There are the obvious scents of the seasons like cider and leaves. Then there are scents that are much more personal. I know whenever I smell Pine Sol it is associated with this memory of when I was 3 or 4 and had to stay after school for some reason and they were cleaning the classroom. I have no idea why that has stayed with me.

I got a new body wash today. Suave Sweet Pea and Violet. As I was taking in that scent I remembered having that particular lotion that I would always use. It was between June 2004 and December 2004. At this point you are probably thinking wow, Lisa has mad memory skills! Lol. Well I do have a good memory, but I just happen to remember this time, because it was the start of a big turning point in  my life. I was blessed to live in Indy then doing a design internship. This was my first time being on my own, doing a job I loved, in a city I loved. Then I learned that I was not going to get a job at the place I was working, and what was worse is I had to leave my family here. I was devastated. As Psalm 77:1 says, I cried out to God without holding back, but God was silent. In the month before I had to leave I found myself driving to church and almost getting there only to have to turn around and go home because I could not contain my emotions. I could not understand why God would give me the desire of my heart only to allow it to be taken away. It is weird how that scent reminds me of that time, and how I have looked for it since, but could never find it.. until today (and bath & body works sweet pea does not smell the same)

So anyway, as I was drinking in that scent today and remembering that time, I praised the Lord for his amazing goodness and I thanked him for that time. How crazy that I can say that now. After that time I had to move back to New Jersey with my Dad, which was not the best living arrangement, especially for a new believer. I could not get a job in the fashion industry, and I was not interested in finishing up that degree anymore. I went from one bad job to another and was even fired from one. I quit going to church for a month, but realized that even then I could not escape God and did not want to anymore. I came to points of surrender over and over again! God showed me through prayer and the Bible that I needed to start building a better relationship with my Mom. He brought me into some wonderful friendships at my church, some of which I still have. He helped me realize through prayer that I wanted to work with older people. I also quit smoking during this time. He led me to move to Florida, where I finished my degree and got to know my mom more. I started to realize that my time in Florida was coming to an end, but I was afraid to move. God showed me again through prayer and people, that it was ok to move back to Indy.

Isn't it funny how memories come back at us, and that we can look back and see the wonderful amazing works of God in our lives? I am sure amazed that I can praise him for such a crushing thing in my life. There really is nothing in our lives that are wasted or that God can not use for his Glory! Praise be to God!

New Job

Well surprise! I got was offered a new job. This was the first time that I ever submitted my resume to a place while I still had a job.

Well I have been working at an Area Agency on Aging for about a year now. Every state has Area Agency's on aging to cover a certain amount of counties, so there may be like 10 in some states. Well last year when I moved to Indiana I was offered a position as a Care Manger at an Area Agency. I was thrilled, however it was about 40 miles from where I live one way! There was another one closer, however they were not hiring for the position I wanted. I had been offered a job there, but again, I wanted to learn Care Management, because that is really where my heart is. I love the fact that I can coordinate services to help older and disabled people remain in their homes and not have to go to a Nursing Home. So anyway, I have really loved my job and most of the people at the agency. There have been some things I did not agree with, but overall I felt that we were all working for the greater good.

Anyway.. About 3 or 4 weeks ago I submitted my resume to the Agency in Indianapolis, because I saw that they were hiring for a Care Management position. I was very excited, because it is the same thing I am doing now, and I would be working with the same government programs I work with now. Plus the pay was better! So about a week after that I got a call for an interview. Went in a week later to interview on a Friday. I felt the interview went well. I had family and friends praying for me. Well within a matter of hours I received a call. She had checked 2 of my 3 ref's and said they were wonderful and they offered me the job! I could not believe how quickly it happened! I accepted because it seems like a better move professionally. Better pay, better benefits. Plus it will be easier working in the same city I live, which makes it a better move personally! I am very excited and feel so amazed at how the Lord has worked things out for me since living in this State. I was blown away last year to have gotten a job so quickly after moving here and I am blown away again by this new position. It feels like continued confirmation that I am in the location God wants and working at a career that God has planned. I am blessed!