Changes

  The life of "luxury" as a stay-at-home mom needed to come to an end in the '90's when the economy where we were living was not sufficient enough to allow a one person income.  The thought of having to re-enter the workforce scarred the daylights out of me!  Talk about needing to come out of my comfort zone!  I didn't have a clue where to begin to look for work.  Three young kids at home.  We were trying to homeschool even though I was going to be at work.  We'd "see how it worked".

  Fortunately, we began with me looking in the summer and I found a waitressing job.  Here again, I was in a position where I found myself having to make myself leave the comfort zone.  I had to talk to people I didn't know!!!   The job was one thing, let me tell you about going for the interview.  It took me several minutes of just sitting in the car gathering up my nerve, talking to myself before I could venture forth into the restaurant.  I really don't know what happened, but I ended up with the job, and they placed me as as sort of "day manager"/waitress.  It really felt pretty good.

  Kick to the "self" came when the owner of the restaurant decided after about 2 months, that they didn't need my position and fired me.  OUCH!  This seemed to be a set back for me for few weeks but, I believe God was gracious and gave me the strength to gather myself together and get back on my feet.  I knew I was worth something.  I knew I could do anything I set my self to.  I had just proven it to myself.  I had just done a variety of "things" I had not previously done even though they "scarred the crap" out of me.  This was the beginning of me learning to leave my comfort zone.

  From here I became a Home Health Aide and met a nurse who told me I should be a nurse.  I laughed at her because I didn't finish college.  Long-story-short...I became a nurse.  I meet people within this field who at times in their situations cause me to cry.  (I do not like to be that vulnerable in front of people.  That's not in my comfort zone)  I have had to learn to make decisions in areas I would not have previously needed to....not in my comfort zone.  Here again, I am forced to meet people I do not know...and speak to them...not in my comfort zone.  Since becoming a nurse, this is the biggest improvement in the area of  leaving the "CZ".

  Meeting new people is NOT  usually on my list of likes.  However, I was at a July 4th party once, and saw this young man with the style dress of pants down in the typical "below the hips area".  I decided I needed to introduce myself to him, and "pick on him just a little", took a very deep breath and dove in.  I can't remember exactly what I said because I was so nervous at the prospect of meeting someone new.  But, I took that first step.  Never be ashamed to step out and try.

  I ride a motorcycle and one thing that I fear with the "CZ" in this area is related  to the ministry my husband and I do.  I still have growth areas and expansion needs for myself.  I hope you have gotten something out of this.  Even if it just a glimpse of my past and a hint of who I am.  It has been an experience writing this.  the experience was indeed sometimes not easy...not easy letting you in, not easy letting me out.