When I posted last (two weeks ago tomorrow), I had no reason to think I would be sitting in Maricopa, AZ, hanging out at my new boss's house (In 70* weather no less... sorry, LKV peeps.. don't be too jealous) getting ready to start a new job in two days.
Two weeks ago, I was getting ready to start a new term of school, and looking forward to a quiet few months at home. I was planning on fundraising, crafting, and just hanging out with my parents.
Haha. The problem with that picture was it was what "I" was planning. To really start this story, we have to go back to last June though. I had been working for about two months, and my boss walked out one day and asked why I wasn't statused National. {I'm sorry in advance for any strange fire lingo here, I'll try to explain as I go along for those who have no idea what I'm talking about} I didn't have a response, just that I hadn't really thought about it. Needless to say, I was showing National by the end of the day. At the end of a week I hadn't gotten any assignments, and I had one more day until my 'cutoff' day. (Cutoff day = the last day you want to be statused in order to be back for something. Assignments are two weeks long with a travel day on either side. In this case, I had a birthday camping trip planned.)
The call came in at about 4:00 on my cutoff day of an assignment to Arizona.
I decided to take it. This was my first 'real' assignment. I had been to our sister dispatch center a few times for a day or two here and there, and once to our neighbor to the South in CA. So to say that getting on a plane to Phoenix, AZ was intimidating for this small town girl is an understatement. I've always had the travel bug, and I've done lots of crazy traveling in my day, so really this was nothing. Meeting new people and a whole new environment was the scariest part.
I got to Phoenix, and I loved it. It was completely different than at home, and after a few days of getting used to the differences in SOP and the fact that the phone (not the radio) was my new BFF, I got into a groove. They really wanted me to extend for another two weeks, but I didn't. {And I don't regret it, it allowed me to go to Wyoming for a total of 5 weeks last summer} I learned so much while I was there, made some great contacts, and had a blast.
In the fire world, it really is about who you know. The more people you're networked with and that know what you can do, the better chance you have of getting out an assignment... or getting offered a job.
The bottom line of this story is about The One you know. I give every. single. ounce. of credit to the Lord. He had a plan all along. I love how the Lord is sneaky sometimes, ya know? For those that don't know, I can be a bit of a slow decision maker. Just ask Kayla. Making decisions on what to have for dinner for two years has probably scarred her for life or something. I'm not as slow as some people, but I have to do all my research and look everything over, and the whole shebang.
So, back to the story. On Thursday, January 10th I got a phone call from the Center Manager in Arizona, offering me a job. When I was talking to him on the phone, everything was just falling into place. (And remember, I wasn't looking for a job, I wasn't applying for jobs, I was just doing my thing... not looking for a job.) We talked about everything, and I was blown away about all the details. The pay, the hours, everything. And then I asked about that space of time I'm setting aside for the Lord from October to March, and how that would all fit in. He said, "No problem, we'll see you when you get back".
I. Almost. Started. Crying.
We hung up, I said I would think about it, and we'd talk tomorrow. I was sitting in my mom's office on the floor. I looked at her, and I was speechless. We had literally just been printing sponsorship letters to send to friends and family. I felt like I had just been transported to a different universe. Suddenly, everything spilt out of my mouth, and then my dad was on the phone and he said he's be home in half an hour. Mom and I went to the store. I literally didn't know what to say. I just kept looking at her, and we would start laughing. It was so unreal.
We went home, and I made a pros and cons list for Oregon, Wyoming (Where I also had a job offer for the 2013 fire season), and Arizona. The Lord had literally worked every detail out. The cons list had a few things, and they mostly because I needed something to put there. Everything pointed to Phoenix. We talked about it, how we would make it work, where I would live. We decided my parents would drive down with me and then fly back the 22nd. That we would leave Sunday the 13th, and all of the arrangements were made.
I wanted to get a friend's opinion, so we drove to their house and explained it all, asked them what they thought. She told me that if she was still 21, she would absolutely take it and run. She told me to have fun. I left with a suitcase. :)
I went home and went to bed.
I didn't sleep though. I spent hours praying, writing, reading the Word. Asking for wisdom, clarity, and peace. I'd already sent an S.O.S prayer text to my three besties, asking them to pray. When I finally shut off the light, the wheels just wouldn't stop turning. I was excited, terrified, exhausted, and searching. I finally fell asleep somewhere around 1 or 2 a.m.
Friday 1/11/13
When I got up, it was still all surreal. We had lots to do(including learning a song to play and sing in church on Sunday!). I talked to my boss again, it was all decided (With even more of the Lord's blessings!), I would be in Phoenix on Tuesday the 15th.
Saturday 1/12/13
I cleaned out Franny (My 1997 Ford Explorer), packed my clothes, and made 26 pizzas to put in the freezer for the youth group.
Sunday 1/13/13
I sang with the worship team one last time, played and sang offertory, and then said goodbye to my church family. I appreciated everyone's well wishes so much! After church mom and I met with the mission's committee to talk about YWAM and Australia, and my moving to Arizona. It went great. We went home, finished packing, loaded the car and drove to Reno. My dad had a free night at the Peppermill, so we stayed there.
At this point, my body was in Reno but my mind was still sitting on the floor of my mom's office on Thursday. Throughout this whole process the Lord has realllllllllllllllly been stretching me, and asking me to trust Him with all of the details. Back to the Lord being sneaky: This whole process has been set in my lap, tied up in a bow. All I've had to do is trust that the package is a present and open it. I'm so thankful to the Lord most high.
Monday 1/14/13
The folks and I were on the road by 6:00 am, and we drove in shifts all the way to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where some friends recently moved. It was a great night just chatting, and hanging out by the pool (It was warm enough to go outside!!!!!). This sounds like an easy day, but look at a map... Reno to Lake Havasu is a littttttttle drive ;).
Tuesday 1/15/13
We were now in Arizona time, which is an hour ahead of Oregon time. We just took the morning easy, and drove the four hours into Phoenix. My boss opened his home to us while we were here, so we made it to his house.
Wednesday 1/16/13
I got my Arizona driver's license! Mom and I visited a mall that has valet parking... crazy. Just hung out, had a BBQ that night.
Thursday 1/17/13
We drove back into Northern Phoenix and stopped by the office to get a print screen of my quals printed out. {Who forgets their red card???? Apparently me..} Ate some yummy Greek food, and the apartment hunt began.
Note: In those first 24 hours after the phone call, we had decided that I would just stay in a hotel for a month or so until I got a few paychecks and could pay first and last months rent, a deposit, and all that jazz. BUT, my dad wanted to see where I would be living (in a few months), and we wanted to get a better lay of the land.
We found two places, had decided on one which was nicer, and then headed back to the office to see my boss and print some paperwork off. While we were there my dad was on his phone, looking at apartment ratings and found a place he wanted us to check out. Mom and I went to appease him. Of course, we ended up loving it.
The cool thing about Phoenix is that they have a preferred employers list. And if you work for one of the employer's on the list you get tons of concessions. Awesome. This complex also had a "Look and Lease" special. You get a tour, and if you like it you go back to the office and fill out an application. If you decide to keep it you get like $500 off your signing. (Blessings in a bundle, anyone? Unspeakable joy.) We looked, I loved it. I filled out the application, and had to wait until the next morning for the background check.
Friday 1/18/13
Called to set up my electricity and internet. More blessings? Down here, you don't have to pay anything up front, it's all billed with the first month's utilities. And the extra fees were all waived for one reason or another.
The apartment complex called. I had an apartment! Second floor, two bedroom, two bath with a patio! Oh my goodness. If I wasn't already feeling blessed, it was a good thing I was sitting down during all of those phone calls.
When we were at the apartment on Thursday, the leasing agent (Who was amazing!) gave us the number for her mattress lady. We called, got her prices, and went to pick one out. $230 for a queen sized mattress, box spring, and hollywood frame. Did I mention it was also delivered??? Unbelievable.
Note: When I moved home in April 2012 to start working again, I thought I would be back in college come September. So I left everything in storage except for my clothes and a few craft supplies. Seeing as I didn't have time to go get my stuff before coming down here, and I thought I was going to be living out of a hotel, I only brought clothes and my sewing machine and crochet hooks! So I will be furnishing an entire apartment. It's all so crazy!
I signed all the paperwork for my apartment and got the keys. Oh, and we also went to IKEA. THAT was so cool. I got some dishes, a duvet cover, and some hand towels. I'll be going back :)
Saturday 1/19/13
So every day, we've been driving back and forth between Maricopa and North Phoenix, which is an hour drive in good traffic. A two hour drive in bad traffic. We went to see my grandpa a few hours South of Maricopa, and then drove all the way North again.
We scouted the area a little more, hit up Walmart for a dining room table and chairs, and also stopped at Goodwill and Ross for a few more items to fill my empty apartment. Oh, and Lowes. Every girl needs a cordless drill and a tool set!
Today (Sunday 1/20/13)
The plan had been to attend church near my apartment and start the Church Family search, but as I'm sure you're exhausted from just reading this, imagine how exhausted our bodies are! The adrenaline is finally wearing off, and it was nice to sleeeeeep and not worry about an alarm clock!
In the last 10 days we've put 1,665.45 miles on my car, I've moved into an apartment, have a job, and I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting.
Thank you for sticking with me through this post!
In Christ Alone,
Katie
Love hearing about your journey, that the Lord is bringing to your life! Love you!
ReplyDeleteLove you too :)
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