Canaan's Journey

Archive for March, 2010

My job as Program Manager for Managed Service Provider services to client companies has proven to be very successful and I thank God every day for being employed.

I’ve been in staffing for almost 14 years now and have recruited many people for jobs. I’ve always enjoyed dealing with the diversity of people from a large spectrum of skills, background and experience. 

I think most people in staffing arenas could write a compilation of stories of their own experiences in dealing with candidates and perhaps even publish an entire book on those experiences.  In fact, I know of a particular HR Manager who is currently writing her own novel and modeling it after stories and xperiences in the HR field.

Recently I acquired a new client account and am dealing with the Finance and Procurement departments as we implement a new program.  It’s such a different dynamic to work with these folks as they are far more analytical, data-detailed.  They can run circles around me in Excel spreadsheets with pivot tables, v-lookup, etc.

You see, most client accounts are driven from the Human Resources group for our program, so this is definitely different for me. 

The challenge I have is dealing with numbers and data instead of people.  I can certainly run cost savings analysis, and market rate reports, but my math is simple in logic compared to their formulas. 

Just recently we had a conf call where the VP responded to my report as being “simplistic” and not very detailed.  YIKES!  Honestly, I’ve found myself questioning my intelligence and education since dealing with these people.

You see, I didn’t get a college degree.  I chose as a single mom, to stay in the trenches and work LONG hours and climb a most tedious path to my current position.  Was it the best route to take?  Absolutely not!  Had I made the choice to get my education, perhaps the climb would not have been so difficult.  

Nevertheless, here I sit, wondering if maybe I’m never going anywhere further in my career because of my education is less than my 20+ years experience in management? 

A good friend of mine, Sheryl, came by my house last week and I was sharing my concern.  I love it as she stated, “Hey Mel, just live your life one day at a time. ”  She went on to say, “ The way I see it, I’m living Sheryl’s Big Adventure and that’s what gets me up every morning.”  

Ha! I laughed at her but found myself smiling as I walked back into the house. 

I am livng an MBA (Mel’s Big Adventure) so that makes me an MBA qualified person!  

yay for Me…

This past Saturday, I visited Rowena’s store, Accents by Josie, in downtown St Petersburg. The store sells boutique clothing and some home interior items and I always enjoy checking out their new inventory.

In the very back is a long mirror mounted on the wall which reaches from the floor up to the ceiling.   It’s beautifully adorned and would be an awesome addition to anyone who has a home with high ceilings.

The unique thing about this mirror is it’s disportionate reflection of it’s subjects.  As you stand there, your full-length view casts a facade to make you look incredibly and porportionately thin.   It’s wonderful and is a good boost to anyone’s esteem who needs to view themselves a little “lighter” around the middle.

As I stood there, admiring my thin little self, I started humming, “I feel pretty… oh so pretty”.  It was so automatic that I didn’t even realize I was humming this song for the first few lines.  Once I realized the tune, I said out loud, “look at me…I’m so pretty!” then started laughing.

So, here’s my question..

Does Pretty equate to Thin? 

Are all the thin people beautiful and chubby people are not beautiful? 

Who  made up this rule? 

Don’t get me wrong. I think we should take care of ourselves and do what we can to live as long as possible by exercising and making educated choices in our diet plans.

but I hope that we never forget how important to find beauty in everyone, including ourselves, regardless of size and beauty.

Psalms 139 reads…

Even in my mother’s womb you were there.  You created my inmost being and knit me together and called me by name.I encourage everyone to wake up every morning with a song in their heart and words in their mouth as they leave home to face their world…

I praise you Oh God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…   

and it’s a good thing!

Pastor Belva introduces Canaan

On March 5, Canaan Band and all their partners & friends loaded up their equipment and gear and headed up to Raleigh to participate in their 34 year celebration.

It was a long 12-hour drive and lots of stops along the way for bio breaks and gas fillups.  It’s probably needless to mention that 10 people on a long trip can sometimes prove to be tumultous and nerve-wracking…but not on this trip!  We had SO much fun with each other, with no complaining, nagging or disruption… just fun.

When we got to Raleigh, we were accepted with open arms. In fact Scott, picked me off the ground and spun me around! Yikes! no one has even dared to try pick me up in a long time. Gee… hope Scott hasn’t herniated any organs in his body?

We were able to spend more time with Jim & Kevin which was special to us. Jim has done so much to help us with the website and we have become dear friends over the time spent on this project.  

After the concert on Saturday night, we diligently went out to look for a place to eat. As the story goes, places to eat in Raleigh are few and far between after 9:00 p.m. so we bounced to several places trying to find food. 

Delicious, our drummer, was so hungry that he started getting a little cranky. So I told him to go buy an appetizer to hold him over until we could get a table. So he returns a while later with a plate of 2 chicken rolls and sits down on the stairs to enjoy. He bows his head and closes his eyes to pray, and just as he did… those wonderful little chicken rolls ROLLED RIGHT OFF THE PLATE AND LANDED ON THE FLOOR!

I felt such sorrow for him but had to hold my tears of laughter back.  Oh my goodness!  The look on Delicious’s face as he stares down on the floor at those dear little chicken rolls, was such a sight to see.

We finally ended up at IHOP around 11:30 and ate greasy, fried and syrup-ey food and felt satisfied that we finally got something to eat.

Sunday morning, we went to church and were blessed by Garrick’s wonderful voice as he led us in worship.  WOW!  We all felt like we were in heaven as we participated in this music.

Rev Arlene Ackerman preached a “fresh” sermon about the direction of today’s church. She didn’t use the “buzz” words that most sermons are permeated with, rather she spoke in real terms and every-day words that anyone could understand.   I had never heard her preach, but I would definitely make it a point to come and hear her if she were preaching at a church near me. 

Tammy Hatch sang her song, “Nobody Knows Me Like Jesus” and the spirit of God was present with no doubt.

We had dinner then packed and headed back to Florida with a tinge of sadness in our hearts. It was like leaving home for us!

Pastor Belva, her staff and congregation are da bomb!   You made us feel so welcome and our hearts are full of love for each one of you.

Many hugs and love to everyone!