Guess what! I'm in a photo on the Moody Bible Institute website and I didn't even go there! Check it out!
The picture is actually taken on one of the beaches of Lake Michigan in Chicago. Melanie, a Moody grad, is the girl next to me whom I met the previous summer while out in the suburbs. The other girls are her friends I met while I interned in Chicago.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Oh, Lifeway
I had a customer ask me if we had any copies of Gospel Today Magazine available in the store. Upon a quick search of our inventory, I told her we did not. She replied that they were most likely bought out from our store, "Probably because of what Lifeway pulled."
Being a Campbell University Divinity School graduate, I had to know more. She continued to explain the basics of what is found in this article.
Gospel Today's current issue features five women ministers on its cover. Many people will realize that Lifeway is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, which does not support women in many church leadership roles. According to the article, Lifeway stores chose to remove the magazines from the main sales floor and opted to keep them behind the counter.
I found this situation interesting. While I may not be as liberal in my theology as past fellow students I have known (and whom I greatly respect), I am still thankful for attending a divinity school that supports women in the ministry.
Being a Campbell University Divinity School graduate, I had to know more. She continued to explain the basics of what is found in this article.
Gospel Today's current issue features five women ministers on its cover. Many people will realize that Lifeway is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, which does not support women in many church leadership roles. According to the article, Lifeway stores chose to remove the magazines from the main sales floor and opted to keep them behind the counter.
I found this situation interesting. While I may not be as liberal in my theology as past fellow students I have known (and whom I greatly respect), I am still thankful for attending a divinity school that supports women in the ministry.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Bookseller
Today was a crazy day at work. I hesitate to say bad day because it was actually pretty good. I am so thankful to have a job that does not involve washing dishes.
So, I stepped behind the register and the madness began. The new manager-in-training arrived today and my manager spent most of the day training her. That's all kind and lovely, but that left me...one week into the job....alone with a growing line of customers.
That wouldn't be hard except the phone was ringing, the line was growing, and the computer stopped working properly. So, I meandered through it as best as possible. One lady must have decided she didn't want me to scan her purchase, because she put her book down and walked out. I'm so glad my manager didn't see that.
I am supposed to meet a 90% goal on customers who use our Family Perks card. A lot of the individuals during my mini-rush didn't have one. Since it was taking so long already, I decided not to ask for their names and addresses. That's one quota I did not meet today.
Things improved and I even got some coffee during my break. But then I spilled it on my white shirt...twice.
I went back to work and found out a man I had talked to on the phone earlier in the day had come in for the books I told him we had- which the computer showed me we did. But none of the sales associates could find them and he left before I came back. Ok, so I learned my lesson about basing inventory on a computer and telling customers we have items in stock without physically going to the bookshelf and looking.
That would have been a great lesson to learn before I did it again. The ladies had come all the from Raleigh. Earlier in the day the computer had shown that we carried 6 of the item they were looking for. Usually with a number as big as that you can assume they are there.
So in the ladies came and no, no one could find the boxes of cards they wanted. A co-worker called various stores, another co-worker and I scanned the shelves and the computer and there appeared to be no indication that the cards were in the store. I felt rather embarrassed and apologized more than once. Finally, when all seemed to be gone in the hopes of finding the cards, one of the ladies found them in another section of the store. I was relieved.
I ended up doing better with my MO (member only items) sales than I expected. We're supposed to meet a goal of 25% with those and I earned about 44%. That made my incredibly low Family Perks card number not look so bad.
With all the craziness of the day, it's not to say there weren't some funny points. For instance, I was carrying a stack of books to the teenage section when I read that the forward was written by Chuck Norris. I stopped in my tracks and laughed. The book's title? "Do Something Hard" which of course is even funnier because that's exactly the kind of title Chuck Norris would write a forward for! (FYI: it was a book about battling mediocrity in the teenage years. But I could still see Chuck Norris staring straight into a studio camera and saying...."Don't be average. Do something hard." It's just funny that it wasn't...."Be Your Best" or "Living Without Limits." Nope. It was straightforward- "Do Something Hard.")
I also gasped out loud twice when I got excited about two new books. Rob Bell came out with another title. I never either of his first two, but I was excited.
Anyhow, I rather enjoyed my day at the bookstore. In my Dr. Scholl's shoes from Wal-Mart, I experienced a day free of foot pain.
Yea, I think I'll go in for another shift.
So, I stepped behind the register and the madness began. The new manager-in-training arrived today and my manager spent most of the day training her. That's all kind and lovely, but that left me...one week into the job....alone with a growing line of customers.
That wouldn't be hard except the phone was ringing, the line was growing, and the computer stopped working properly. So, I meandered through it as best as possible. One lady must have decided she didn't want me to scan her purchase, because she put her book down and walked out. I'm so glad my manager didn't see that.
I am supposed to meet a 90% goal on customers who use our Family Perks card. A lot of the individuals during my mini-rush didn't have one. Since it was taking so long already, I decided not to ask for their names and addresses. That's one quota I did not meet today.
Things improved and I even got some coffee during my break. But then I spilled it on my white shirt...twice.
I went back to work and found out a man I had talked to on the phone earlier in the day had come in for the books I told him we had- which the computer showed me we did. But none of the sales associates could find them and he left before I came back. Ok, so I learned my lesson about basing inventory on a computer and telling customers we have items in stock without physically going to the bookshelf and looking.
That would have been a great lesson to learn before I did it again. The ladies had come all the from Raleigh. Earlier in the day the computer had shown that we carried 6 of the item they were looking for. Usually with a number as big as that you can assume they are there.
So in the ladies came and no, no one could find the boxes of cards they wanted. A co-worker called various stores, another co-worker and I scanned the shelves and the computer and there appeared to be no indication that the cards were in the store. I felt rather embarrassed and apologized more than once. Finally, when all seemed to be gone in the hopes of finding the cards, one of the ladies found them in another section of the store. I was relieved.
I ended up doing better with my MO (member only items) sales than I expected. We're supposed to meet a goal of 25% with those and I earned about 44%. That made my incredibly low Family Perks card number not look so bad.
With all the craziness of the day, it's not to say there weren't some funny points. For instance, I was carrying a stack of books to the teenage section when I read that the forward was written by Chuck Norris. I stopped in my tracks and laughed. The book's title? "Do Something Hard" which of course is even funnier because that's exactly the kind of title Chuck Norris would write a forward for! (FYI: it was a book about battling mediocrity in the teenage years. But I could still see Chuck Norris staring straight into a studio camera and saying...."Don't be average. Do something hard." It's just funny that it wasn't...."Be Your Best" or "Living Without Limits." Nope. It was straightforward- "Do Something Hard.")
I also gasped out loud twice when I got excited about two new books. Rob Bell came out with another title. I never either of his first two, but I was excited.
Anyhow, I rather enjoyed my day at the bookstore. In my Dr. Scholl's shoes from Wal-Mart, I experienced a day free of foot pain.
Yea, I think I'll go in for another shift.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Another Interview
I had the final phase of my interview with Caribou Coffee today and I had a lot of fun. I went in this morning and worked behind the counter, even though I had never been trained on anything. I picked it up pretty quick. Each employee working the register or drive-thru has a quota of specific coffee beans they have to sell. The manager was impressed because he said that he had never seen someone in an observation interview actually take a swing at selling the coffee.
I had a great time being a quasi-employee for about an hour and a half and at the end was offered the job. I would love to take it, but I don't think that the schedule can work with my Family Christian Stores schedule. Neither job has set days, since shifts and days vary each week. Both places want me more in the afternoons and evenings, so that doesn't work. So I'm gonna work Family Christian Stores, Bojangles on days off from Family, and try to find a career-oriented job! Seriously, if I am gonna get a dent in this debt, I gotta work more than part-time jobs!
But I do love working at the bookstore. It's totally my thing and I love discussing with customers about the authors they are buying as well as recommending products. If I could, I would work the next year just at these fun people-oriented jobs and then start a career. But alas, student loans call. So, please keep me in prayer that I can find something full-time.
I did pull an 8 hour shift at the bookstore today and I really enjoyed it. My brother and sister-in-law have been great for allowing me a key to their place in Cary so I don't have to wonder where I am gonna go for a few hours in between interviews, appointments, jobs, etc.
Anyhow, those are some updates for now.
I had a great time being a quasi-employee for about an hour and a half and at the end was offered the job. I would love to take it, but I don't think that the schedule can work with my Family Christian Stores schedule. Neither job has set days, since shifts and days vary each week. Both places want me more in the afternoons and evenings, so that doesn't work. So I'm gonna work Family Christian Stores, Bojangles on days off from Family, and try to find a career-oriented job! Seriously, if I am gonna get a dent in this debt, I gotta work more than part-time jobs!
But I do love working at the bookstore. It's totally my thing and I love discussing with customers about the authors they are buying as well as recommending products. If I could, I would work the next year just at these fun people-oriented jobs and then start a career. But alas, student loans call. So, please keep me in prayer that I can find something full-time.
I did pull an 8 hour shift at the bookstore today and I really enjoyed it. My brother and sister-in-law have been great for allowing me a key to their place in Cary so I don't have to wonder where I am gonna go for a few hours in between interviews, appointments, jobs, etc.
Anyhow, those are some updates for now.
Monday, September 8, 2008
New Job
I started a new job today and I loved it. Of course, I love being around books. One of my biggest struggles is not stopping what I'm doing to read the back cover of an interesting novel.
I feel a million times better- and cleaner- working at Family Christian Stores as opposed to Bojangles. It doesn't take 2-3 hours to close the store and there is no grease.
I actually feel somewhat challenged (if not much) because I have sales quotas in several areas that I am supposed to meet. It's nice to have goals and more responsibility than just shoving bags of chicken out a drive-thru window.
My co-workers seem fun. There's one who got a full ride to Duke Law School! The only problem is that I'm new and didn't have the inside scoop on the inside jokes so I had to choose between making myself a part of them or stocking the shelves; I wanted to try both, but I think I succeeded most with the latter.
So, if you're hanging out in Cary, come on by the Family Christian Store..and please, use your Family Perks card and buy a members only offer.
I feel a million times better- and cleaner- working at Family Christian Stores as opposed to Bojangles. It doesn't take 2-3 hours to close the store and there is no grease.
I actually feel somewhat challenged (if not much) because I have sales quotas in several areas that I am supposed to meet. It's nice to have goals and more responsibility than just shoving bags of chicken out a drive-thru window.
My co-workers seem fun. There's one who got a full ride to Duke Law School! The only problem is that I'm new and didn't have the inside scoop on the inside jokes so I had to choose between making myself a part of them or stocking the shelves; I wanted to try both, but I think I succeeded most with the latter.
So, if you're hanging out in Cary, come on by the Family Christian Store..and please, use your Family Perks card and buy a members only offer.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Memories That Make Me Smile
~Saturday night TV with dad and falling asleep before Walker, Texas Ranger was over
~the reaction of people when I showed up at the Jr/Sr with makeup on and my hair up
~the surprise birthday party at midnight during an overnighter at Camp Sonshine
~Friday afternoons in middle school
~Tuesday happy meal nights with Erin in college
~getting stuck in a library stairwell for 45 minutes at NC State
~phone operas with Jennifer
~an amazing walking tour in Charleston with Tiffany....and Brandon
~toilet papering a house with my best friend and our moms
~seeing Master of Divinity in a frame
~evening walks home in Waco with a friend
~trips to Oak Park, IL
~February 3 of my senior year of high school
~that week to myself back in the summer of 2004
~a trip to the Duke Chapel
~the ministry of books during that semester off
~multiple summers
~getting that first paycheck
~dancing with that guy in a bookstore in Maryland
~catapulting grapes off Grandma's deck with David
~games of war as a kid with the boys
~many other blessings God gave me
Just thinking about how awesome things have been so far and that they will continue to be. It's the little stuff, all added up together, that make a lifetime of memories.
~the reaction of people when I showed up at the Jr/Sr with makeup on and my hair up
~the surprise birthday party at midnight during an overnighter at Camp Sonshine
~Friday afternoons in middle school
~Tuesday happy meal nights with Erin in college
~getting stuck in a library stairwell for 45 minutes at NC State
~phone operas with Jennifer
~an amazing walking tour in Charleston with Tiffany....and Brandon
~toilet papering a house with my best friend and our moms
~seeing Master of Divinity in a frame
~evening walks home in Waco with a friend
~trips to Oak Park, IL
~February 3 of my senior year of high school
~that week to myself back in the summer of 2004
~a trip to the Duke Chapel
~the ministry of books during that semester off
~multiple summers
~getting that first paycheck
~dancing with that guy in a bookstore in Maryland
~catapulting grapes off Grandma's deck with David
~games of war as a kid with the boys
~many other blessings God gave me
Just thinking about how awesome things have been so far and that they will continue to be. It's the little stuff, all added up together, that make a lifetime of memories.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What Do I Know?
I'm going to be brutally honest here: I don't know what I'm doing.
I go between confidence in God's plan and depression. I know it's not always great to be so emotionally vulnerable, but I express myself in writing. Some people express themselves in dancing (I tapped for years and am not sure I exactly get that....to me, it's just fun).
The truth is, I don't know what to do. I don't mean this in the "I have a lot of options and I just don't know which one God would have me do" way. I don't even mean it in the, "I am not sure what I want to do, so I think I'll just take some time off for a while and just chill" kind of way. I mean it in the "I really, really messed up. I messed up so much that I gave up a great job because I couldn't afford to keep it. Now I'm back home and no one cares that I have a PR degree. Nobody is impressed with my efforts. I can't land a good job and I am facing the prospect of juggling part-time jobs at a coffee shop and a bookstore."
Right now I'm working in fast food. You wanna talk about humbling? Have the Assistant Dean, who was in your exit interview from divinity school, come through your drive-thru. Serve chicken to a few divinity school students who are already involved in sucessful ministries.
Some days I go into work and I want to cry. One day I did. It's a lonely thing because no one else I know is in the same spot. I read about old friends buying houses and looking forward to the weekend because they will have a break from work. I want a job where I look forward to the weekend.
People ask me if I found any jobs and after I reply "no" they smile and tell me that "something will come along" or "this is happening for a reason." I get tired of those answers. I should have tried harder. I should have been smarter.
I feel rather alone right now. My poor parents get the brunt of it. I go from being exceptionally high-spirited and optimistic to being edgy and despondent.
I don't even know what I want anymore. Not for now, anyway. Eventually I want to be back in the city. I want to live simply and work for biblical social justice....but let's face it, I can't even give up trips to Starbucks. What do I know about living simply?
I go between confidence in God's plan and depression. I know it's not always great to be so emotionally vulnerable, but I express myself in writing. Some people express themselves in dancing (I tapped for years and am not sure I exactly get that....to me, it's just fun).
The truth is, I don't know what to do. I don't mean this in the "I have a lot of options and I just don't know which one God would have me do" way. I don't even mean it in the, "I am not sure what I want to do, so I think I'll just take some time off for a while and just chill" kind of way. I mean it in the "I really, really messed up. I messed up so much that I gave up a great job because I couldn't afford to keep it. Now I'm back home and no one cares that I have a PR degree. Nobody is impressed with my efforts. I can't land a good job and I am facing the prospect of juggling part-time jobs at a coffee shop and a bookstore."
Right now I'm working in fast food. You wanna talk about humbling? Have the Assistant Dean, who was in your exit interview from divinity school, come through your drive-thru. Serve chicken to a few divinity school students who are already involved in sucessful ministries.
Some days I go into work and I want to cry. One day I did. It's a lonely thing because no one else I know is in the same spot. I read about old friends buying houses and looking forward to the weekend because they will have a break from work. I want a job where I look forward to the weekend.
People ask me if I found any jobs and after I reply "no" they smile and tell me that "something will come along" or "this is happening for a reason." I get tired of those answers. I should have tried harder. I should have been smarter.
I feel rather alone right now. My poor parents get the brunt of it. I go from being exceptionally high-spirited and optimistic to being edgy and despondent.
I don't even know what I want anymore. Not for now, anyway. Eventually I want to be back in the city. I want to live simply and work for biblical social justice....but let's face it, I can't even give up trips to Starbucks. What do I know about living simply?
Monday, September 1, 2008
I'm Pretty Sure God's There
So, I saw this t-shirt once that tried to make a point. A student's prayer was written on it in which the youth asked God why so many bad things were happening in schools today. God's response was that he wasn't allowed in schools anymore.
At first I thought it was clever, then I thought it was absurd. Most Christians believe God is omnipresent, and yet we talk about him as if we can decide where he can and cannot go.
God not being allowed in schools? I don't think a man-made law can determine that. God is everywhere. It's kind of like when people say, "We're going to make a difference. We're gonna take Christ to [insert geographical/cultural location]." I don't think we take Christ anywhere he already isn't. I'm pretty sure God has been where we are going long before we started fundraising for the trip.
I realize most people don't think of the theological implications of such statements, but maybe that's the problem. Maybe we're a culture of people who don't think things through.
At first I thought it was clever, then I thought it was absurd. Most Christians believe God is omnipresent, and yet we talk about him as if we can decide where he can and cannot go.
God not being allowed in schools? I don't think a man-made law can determine that. God is everywhere. It's kind of like when people say, "We're going to make a difference. We're gonna take Christ to [insert geographical/cultural location]." I don't think we take Christ anywhere he already isn't. I'm pretty sure God has been where we are going long before we started fundraising for the trip.
I realize most people don't think of the theological implications of such statements, but maybe that's the problem. Maybe we're a culture of people who don't think things through.
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