A new normal

Well, I've been at my job for over a month now and am starting to settle into my new routine and responsibilities. Here is a small picture for you of what it looks like...

* finally not having to balance work with classes on any day of the week!


* working within a larger staff team but entirely on my own


* not having anything on my schedule before 10 am because I might not finish the tasks of the day until 11 or 11:30 pm

* having people come by my apartment with questions of any type from [Can they use my oven because they don't realize the microwave in the residence hall kitchen is also a convection oven] to [Do they have to sign in their guy friends during Open Dorm] to [Can I retrieve a mallet from a storage closet so they can bunk their beds]

* talking girls (whether one of my RAs or another resident) through disagreements or behavioral issues

* realizing that some students don't know that my home is a real apartment within a residence hall ("Oh, it's like a house!")

* reminding residents to sign out when they leave for the weekend

* watching college soccer games from a grassy hill

* being able to mentor young women consistently and discuss the questions and concerns of their hearts with them

* getting to pray with students and challenge them toward a right life with God and others



It has its own set of challenges, for sure, but I am loving it!

Beginning a new chapter

Well, it has been a while, but I figured anyone reading this could find out my big news through other means.....but that is that I finally found a job, through God's gracious and timely provision! I am now settled into my new apartment at Bryan College, awaiting and preparing for my RAs' arrival over the next two days and then the rest of my residents' within three weeks. I am in a residence hall of approximately 100 women, mostly underclassmen. The past couple weeks have been unpacking and the intake of a LOT of information and things to think about, as well as a five-day training session/retreat with my fellow RDs. I am so thankful to be here and eagerly anticipating the coming year. I know that it will be filled with challenges and growth, but I am excited to start and to see what God brings my way. :)

This is the view from my front door, looking out toward the center of campus.

I am also very thankful for the prayers of all who were supporting me throughout the past several months of seeking the next step after grad school. I have been blessed by friendships here, both old and new, and look forward to developing relationships with my girls and with my colleagues.

The summer post-travels was spent primarily at home, spending time with my family, resting, and preparing to move. It has been fun to finally set up a home for myself, finding creative ways to fill the space when I am used to living with housemates. :)

What was your summer like?

Summer, thus far...

A former student in Columbus, Ohio. A friend in Kokomo, Indiana. Family in Louisville, Kentucky. A professional conference in Nampa, Idaho. A friend and her family in Seattle, Washington. Family in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

The people and places I had visited before finally, safely arriving in Georgia to visit with my family until obtaining a full-time position. 

Well, friends, it was a busy couple weeks after graduation but definitely enjoyable. Now I am free to enjoy the summer and summer projects for at least the time being. (And 'projects' no longer including a thesis to write!) 

Thanks to those who have been praying for my continued job search! All I have to report for the moment is that I am currently following a couple trails and waiting for God to open the right door in His goodness and faithful provision. It has been a difficult few months, I will be honest, but I remain confident that something will turn out. 


I did have a couple days in Indiana (or rather, a day and a half) in between my prior travels and my south-bound drive to finish cleaning my house, packing up, and saying the last of the goodbyes. Or, as I prefer, "farewell and see you next time." With as much as I dread that word, I often wonder at my eagerness to get into a job that involves and necessitates annual farewells. 

During those between days, the evening before I was to leave, in fact, we experienced a tornado warning. That's right, a warning, not a watch. Two friends and I had been sitting outside talking and laughing and watching the lightning until we heard the siren begin - and then a second - at which point we scurried inside. One of my thoughts was that I had just loaded up the last of my earthly possessions into my car, now sitting outside. ...Not that being inside my old and thin-walled lodgings of the past ten months would have been much more secure. What humor! Thankfully, the worst of the storm passed us by untouched. 

Well, until next time! 

"Constant" -- Francesca Battistelli

I’m just a little bit afraid of where I’m going
And it feels like a hurricane is blowing over
Though I can’t find the ground below
I’ve lived enough to know
I’ve lived enough to know

[Chorus]
You’re my constant in every moment
Constant
You’ve never failed me
All my life
You have never left my side
You are my constant

Okay I really don’t like change but I can’t stop it
I’m moving forward anyway with the promise
You are the anchor for my soul
That’s all I need to know
That’s all I need to know

[Chorus]
You’re my constant in every moment
Constant
You’ve never failed me
All my life
You have never left my side
You are my constant

Before I was a thought on earth
You knew me then and You gave me worth
When all of this is said and done
You will be the One I’m standing on

[Chorus]
You’re my constant in every moment
Constant
You’ve never failed me
All my life
You have never left my side
You are my constant

Done!!!

I am now done with all assignments and work for my graduate degree! My last paper was submitted on Saturday, my last presentation completed this morning, and the final version of my thesis is also submitted. Now just two more hours of class on Thursday and graduation on Friday/Saturday. Wow...

And my family is coming in three days!!

You can call me Master...in less than three weeks ;)

Happy Spring!

It is finally spring and gorgeous here in Indiana, and I am loving the sunshine! I still find it hard to believe that I have not much more than two weeks now until I receive a diploma with “master’s degree” on it. It has been a long two years in some respects, but in other ways I am not ready for it to be over. 

...Sitting in class yesterday, laughing over something someone said, I thought yet again how much I am going to miss these times with my cohort. They are such an amazing group of people and I have been blessed to learn and work alongside them. 

...At the end of the night of a big performance my office helps put on, I was so proud of the students I get to work with and how much I have enjoyed working with them. 

...But it was a wonderful feeling to return to the room where I had just defended my thesis and hear the committee tell me that I passed. I learned a lot from that process and for the most part enjoyed it, but am not eager to undertake another project like that again just yet. :) 

"With God, delay is never denial; it is Him preparing a greater answer than our asking." -- truth which I am trying to keep at the forefront of my mind during this season 

~ Janette 

"I" Problems - an original poem by a TU student

a student that I am blessed to know who has a beautiful talent for proclaiming the glories of the King through the written word

The God of Angel Armies! (Chris Tomlin)

You hear me when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my sword and shield

Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side 

My strength is in Your name

For You alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in Your hands

I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the hold world in your hands

I'm hold on to your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

You are faithful

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

faith...assurance...conviction

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen... And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11: 1,6)

the Present and the Future

Hello and Happy almost-April!

Well, I am about halfway through my fourth and final semester of grad school. The weeks are just flying by. I am taking three classes instead of four this semester (but the usual nine credits); they are Leadership & Administration in Higher Ed, Program Development, and Assessment of Learning in Higher Ed. I’m learning so much and am eager to be able to apply it more in a future job. The professor for the Leadership class is the former provost here who recently “retired” and is now teaching in this program—he has so many years of experience and wisdom and it is an honor to learn from him.

This week is spring break here and not being away this year, I have been enjoying a quiet and relaxing time in my house, as most of my housemates are gone for the week. Although I have had to learn the benefits of quiet and solitude, I am glad to be able to carve out chunks of time to work at home. Having the biggest snowfall of this winter during spring break, however, was not something I had anticipated. J

I can finally say that I have written the final two chapters for my thesis and am getting so close to the end goal! Although I have to say I am ready to be completely done, it has honestly been a rewarding experience as I have learned so much about conducting research and doing a project of this magnitude.

The intensity of the job search process is also upon me – keeping track of open positions, applying for those that seem a good fit, and interviewing. What a relief to know that my God is in control and already knows what job He will provide for me in His timing! Although my trust in His goodness and provision has not always remained steady, I am thankful to be able to fall back on that, remembering that He hasn’t failed me yet. 

In talking about plans for next year with my assistantship supervisor,  it becomes more and more real to me that I will not be here...that someone else will take my place in the office. I've also met a few members of the next incoming cohort in MAHE and imagine them in classes and in the assistantships that my cohort currently hold. Learning how to mourn the end of a good thing while looking forward to the good things yet to come.....well, I'm just glad I have had time to get used to it. Change is never easy - and I have never said I like it - but I'm glad that the end of one adventure just means the beginning of another. J 

Blessings during this time of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord!  

-Janette

from January 2013

Hello! 

Well, this is long-delayed, but recent months have been somewhat uneventful and yet have passed relatively quickly. The holidays have come and gone, and now I am getting used to writing “2013” on forms and checks. J

I successfully finished classes for my third semester, which was a wonderful feeling. I stayed on campus for a couple more weeks as the undergrad semester wrapped up, and during that time I continued working on my thesis. I began conducting interviews and transcribing them—a long process! I visited my family in Georgia for three weeks during Christmas break, which was relaxing and a nice time to visit with some extended family members. It was, however, a little more difficult than other years, with the death of my maternal grandmother shortly before I returned home. So it was a good time to be with family and to be reminded of the uncertainty of life and the things (and people) that really matter.

Well, I am now back in Indiana for a few more weeks before the last plunge. I am currently finishing thesis interviews and beginning to think about the job search, which will very shortly be upon me. People frequently ask me about where I would like to work, what kind of school, the location, etc.—and I wish I had better answers for them. All I can say presently is that I am primarily seeking a residence life position (as a resident director) or one in student activities, and I am trusting God to guide me to the right place as I am researching job openings and applying to colleges.

At the end of this month, I will get back into my last semester of classes and am preparing for a pretty heavy schedule, so I am happy for a lighter schedule for the moment.

  

-Janette

from October 2012

Hello! 

Well, I know I have tried to start something like this many times before, with little success...but I am determined to write monthly (or so) to keep you informed on what is going on in my life right now, for anyone who would be interested in keeping up this way.  

So for right now - I am in my second and final year of grad school. It is a master's program in Higher Education and Student Development at Taylor University in Indiana. Classes are going pretty well so far this semester, but we're now headed into a busy time of the semester with only a month left. My cohort is taking a couple really good and thought-provoking classes this semester, so that especially has shaped things I am thinking about and learning. I am right in the middle of working on my thesis as well, as I have submitted a proposal to my review committee and am waiting to hear word of approval from one more member. As soon as I receive that and go through another review board, I will set to start on conducting interviews. For those who are wondering, my thesis is a qualitative study on the identity development process of pastor's kids during college; this is a two-year process as I started forming my topic last fall and will be done by graduation in May. 

The department I was working in for my assistantship last year, the Office of American Ethnic Student Programs, merged with a couple others over the summer to form an Office of Intercultural Programs. So my job is mostly the same as last year but I now work with more people (staff and students). This year I am specifically over our Gospel choir and a cultural diversity scholarship program. I really enjoy working there and have learned so much in a year and a half - from my supervisor, the students, and especially the work experiences I am having. Although I do not see myself working in this type of department immediately after finishing, I know that I will be better prepared for whatever job I do get from my two years in this assistantship. 

me with some of the great people I get to work with: a few of my student leaders and my boss (in the middle) 

In a more personal line, this year I am living with three other women, all are in their senior year at Taylor and one of whom I am very close to. We live in a house a couple blocks away from campus, and that has been a nice distance in terms of getting away but also being close enough that students can easily drop by. In a separate apartment just upstairs live four men who are also students at Taylor – three undergrads and one graduate student (in a different master’s program). It has definitely been a different housing experience but I am enjoying it.

So long for now! 

-Janette 

at the Bean in Chicago during fall break 

a common sight here in Indiana, and it took me a while to get adjusted to the flatness of the Midwest :)