The path to lemonade, part XVII

Wow, this story has taken me almost a year to complete. I started June 30, 2010 because I wanted to reflect on the amazing provision that God has provided to me. I would have NEVER guessed it would have evolved into 17 parts, nor would I have thought it would have taken me a year to finish. But as I round out the final few posts to the Lemonade Journey, I can't help but think the story is never finished. I need to be still and quiet to listen to the (sometimes) whisper of God's voice. Being still and quiet both come difficult for me, but reflecting on this journey has definitely showed me that it's worth it.

If you need a refresher, click here and read from the bottom up.

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As I said in the previous post, a job came looking for me. I would say that it's a huge surprise for you all, but most of you know I work for Baylor. In fact, I'm in the exact same position I was in before I left to come to Atlanta. The only difference is that I work from home and not in Waco.  I still had to go through the interview process, but during my interview, my bosses were talking about my role and what I was to be doing and not even interviewing me.  I left the interview pretty much knowing I had received the job.

Wow. Words fail me.  I had worked my tail off when I was in the office and I worked hard until the very end.  I had actually worked after the day I had set to be my last day. But I had been working on a task that was really important and I didn't want to leave it unfinished. I work for amazing people with amazing vision and I wasn't going to leave them high and dry.  And I think that is the one factor that communicated to my office that I could work from home. At times, It hasn't been easy to work from home and I would wager some things are actually more difficult, but I wouldn't change it for the world now. Sure, I miss the coffee pot talk and social interaction with my coworkers, but I also get to be home with my daughter. I can hear her playing downstairs with the nanny and I'm 2 seconds away if I'm needed. I've been able to nurse her and I'm convinced that I've been blessed with a strong nursing relationship because my daughter has always been by my side. Since it would take longer to pump and bottle feed, I just nursed. Madeline has never consumed a whole bottle. We tried a few times in the beginning, but my milk's lipase content is too high when expressed and Madeline didn't want anything to do with it (I can't blame her). It's worked for me.

I've also been able to visit Texas. I mean, come on, how wonderful is it that I get to go back to my Alma Mater on my office's dime? I don't worry about a wardrobe or a commute and I have wonderful retirement benefits.

Over the years, the job has become more and more difficult, especially with the addition of a child, but we've made it work. And like I said before, I wouldn't change it for the world.

So this is the second to last path to lemonade. My last one, will piece together everything - from losing my Baylor scholarship because of a computer error to joining the Air Force to moving to Atlanta. It will explain how that one computer click, that left me scrambling to pay for college, shaped the entire path. That one bitter, sour lemon created the sweetest lemonade. If I had written these all back-to-back, I'm sure you would have been able to see the path speckled with lemons and how it turned into lemonade, but since it's taken me a year, I'll help you out a little. It'll be my favorite post yet. Thanks for sharing the journey with me. You may want to start re-reading the posts now...it's almost 16,000 words!