Hey everyone, it’s Ann, thought I would take this opportunity to sneak onto Dean's Blog and tell you what’s on my mind, since I don't have my own blog,  and he's not here to tell me not to. Okay, so I didn't sneak onto his blog, I was invited, thank you Dean for the opportunity.
 
I want everyone to know how loved and appreciated I felt hearing so many of you tell me how happy you were when Dean announced hiring me. It really meant a lot. And for those that were afraid Dean might run me off, I don't see a chance of that happening. Not trying to get brownie points, but working with Dean, Tim and Michelle has been such fun and very enlightening. Seeing and feeling their passion for the church and its people has made me realize that I have definitely made the right decision in making a career change.
 
Making that career change was scary. After 9 years on the same job, it created a comfort zone. My battle began in Sept. For those that know me, I love to read. I’ve had to curb my book expenses, but that’s a whole other story. The material I read from Sept until mid-Nov caused me to rethink the direction my life was going. I felt I was being pushed to do something. I didn't know what, but felt I could find it in the books I was reading. I was up journaling late into the nights, searching for the answers. I also prayed and prayed on it. Friends and family knew I was struggling with something, but not sure what and I couldn’t explain it to them either. One night at 2am it was like a light bulb went off. I just knew. I knew I wasn't happy just crunching numbers any more. I found early in life that paperwork, numbers and accounting came easy and I excelled at it, but I always enjoyed working with people more.

So, I talked with Mike and became even more excited as I told him my plans. His comments of my being one more promotion away from his retirement, was fading fast. What a wonderful husband, very supportive, encouraging and I love him more every day. We just had to figure out a way to make it happen. We were led to the decision to step out on faith.
 
I emailed Dean, told him we needed to talk, and he asked me to call him. I told him no, it had to be in person. I think Pastors hate to hear that, why? I think I scared him. He thought something was terribly wrong. Anyway, after talking with Dean then and the Elders a week or so later, plus Deb’s blessing, they all helped make my dreams come true. I was going to able to work with people and still do what God blessed me with.

Change is scary. Stepping out on faith can be scary too. I think God wants us to get out of the box that we put ourselves into and be person he designed us to be. Sometimes he does that by making us uncomfortable, unhappy or just downright miserable, until we finally get it. Finally listen and obey.