Atlanta, Georgia

Have you ever been to the ATL (aka Atlanta, Georigia)? I haven't. In fact, I've seen very little of the south. Well...months ago I submitted a proposal for my next research project related to executive director compensation and organizational performance. The conference will be held in the ATL. Today I heard that the proposal was accepted. The conference will be in early November. This is quite an honor - though, I may have to turn them down if I am offered the job in North Carolina. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Phone Interview

I have been granted a phone interview for the job I want. When they contacted me I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. I did a happy dance around the condo. I can't stop thinking about it. I pray it goes well. I'll keep you posted. I have my fingers crossed.

E.T.

How long has it been since you've seen the classic movie E.T.? Well, I watched it last Friday with some girlfriends. It was outside on the big screen and we were sitting on lawn chairs. The movie was introduced by the actress who played the mom. There were lots of things I had fogotten about the movie. Like, near the end, when the scientists first entered the house - they were wearing space suits. What's up with that? They weren't on the moon! They could breath oxygen in the house. I found that very funny.

E.T. - if you haven't seen it lately, you should - just for the special effects alone. It reminds you how far movie making has come in the last 20 years.

July 4th

Kenyon and I had a great 4th of July. We went to Villagefest to watch the Marching Cobras in a community parade and eat good grilled foods. We also went to the pool to ride water slides and enjoy our day off.

In the evening we trecked out North to watch fireworks, in spite of the rain. We had dinner inside at one of the casinos and got to see one of the McFadden brothers preform while we ate our dinner. Luckily, the rain stopped. Allowing us to have a great time riding rides at the carnival, eating funnel cake, and then watching the firework show.

Prayer Request

I took a risk last week. A risk that could turn in to something wonderful, but will also require some sacrifice. I applied for a job on the East Coast. There is only one other time in my life that I applied for a job without knowing someone doing the hiring, the first time was in the move to Kansas. Usually my jobs come with a strong recommendation from someone connected to the job opportunity - it's a great way to actually get quality employment. I've always bought in to the "it's not what you know, but who you know philosophy."

One of my favorite leadership books (Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels) devotes a whole chapter to risk taking. He talks a lot about the necessity or taking risks to be a cutting edge leader, but how the risks we take should be calculated. I would consider this a calculated risk. This job is the kind of job I was hoping for upon graduation - it is just available a little sooner than expected. I had one of my references read the position description and she said, "this isn't a job description it is more like your personal motto." That's what I thought - which is why I applied.

Please be praying for clarity in this decision. This job will be a huge change, not just for me, but for Kenyon too. He's never lived outside the Kansas City area. He says he wants to, but I know the challenges of leaving the comforts of home. This job will also require me to travel, much of it internationally. I hope Kenyon can join me often, but it is unlikely he can join me for every trip.

Also, please pray about the time line. I start classes around the 20th of August. It would be best if I knew what was happening before that date. If this isn't the right opportunity, pray that God will lead me to the opportunity he has for me.