My journey as a grant writer...

My journey as a grant writer officially started in November 2011. The thought had been on the back burner of my mind for several months before our return from Germany. It was more of a thought of “now what?”; the “what to do with the rest of my life” question. We had just returned from a fantastic chapter in our lives, the kids are growing up and do not need micro-managing and college tuition is looming on the horizon, plus the fact I am still young.

Fortunately, I am blessed to have great, wise and insightful friends that are not afraid to share their thoughts. In one week I had three of them come at this question from three different angles. Unknowingly, they all had me heading in the same direction, the direction of working in the non-profit area of grant writing and development.

With that I was further affirmed by being offered a position at Jacob’s Ladder, Inc, a social, cultural, and educational enrichment program for gifted, at-risk children. The program has been around for twenty years helping kids in the fourth through eight grades get a handle on life and to realize the potential they have and that things can be different for them.

The program is great and solid, so I am walking into a place where I can learn tons and also help at the same time. I am getting into the rhythm of how to manage my time to meet deadlines and how to organize my Mac, all the while still being head taxi mom, cheerleader, homework checker and the other duties that go along with aforementioned.

As with any new endeavor there is a learning curve. The biggest challenge of this job could seem to be finding the correct grant match for the program or it could be the waiting to see if you have won the proposal, but I am finding the hardest challenge is the writing itself. How do you find fresh easy words to describe your wonderful program to the same people that have been reading the proposals for the last twenty years and already know and support your cause? How do you find the words to describe your wonderful worthwhile program to people who don't know you at all? How do you write “150 or fewer” clear, descriptive words that all can understand? These are major parts of my new learning-curve climb. But not to fear, I am finding that when it comes to this writing subject, greater minds and talents then I have had struggled with the same problem.

Thus I end these thoughts and continue along my journey knowing that I am in good company, for as Nathaniel Hawthorne once said, “Easy reading is damn hard writing.”

After 67 years, French village still cherishes ultimate sacrifice

After 67 years, French village still cherishes ultimate sacrifice

Advent thoughts

Advent is - for many - a time of waiting, of expectation, of hoping and (dare I say) a time of yearning. For some people, the waiting, expectation, hoping and yearning may center around the "waiting in lines" on Black Friday ... and the X number of shopping days after that before Christmas. For others, it may be the waiting for visits from family, friends or relations.
Our "expectations" may be about what we expect from others - the gifts we get and give (did I get the right size? will he/she like my present? did I spend too much? did I not spend enough??). We may have hopes such as "gee, I hope it's not like last year when Uncle Johnny drank too much eggnog, the cat got sick and the tree caught fire", and if we are "of an age" we may be yearning for the Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle ("you'll shoot your eye out, kid").

Confession time. For me, this year, it has been a lot about waiting for "the" job. Granted, this has been a time of "active" waiting, yes - hunting, searching, scouring, networking, interviewing, - but primarily waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ....
I thought that I would have work within six months of returning to the States from Germany. Instead, from the date of our arrival (31 August, 2010) to the date that I start my new job (12 December, 2011) it will be 469 days. That's a lot of waiting time.

When I look back on the last 460+ days (from then to today), I am not sure if I have been looking at it from the Advent perspective. Was my waiting hopeful? Certainly. Was it expectant? Yes. Did I yearn for work? Dern tootin'. But what else does Advent mean?

Advent is from the Latin, adventus, meaning "arrival". It is about arriving. It is not about what we expect, not about what we hope for or yearn for; Advent is about getting to where we are supposed to be. The adventus for me is a job in a place where I had never been prior to my interview, doing something that I also did not anticipate, and working for a school that I did not even know existed until I found the listing online.

So while I prepare for my own adventus, I will keep in mind that it is no coincidence that my own waiting-time is almost over. I truly have nothing to be anxious about and all will be revealed when the time is right.

Happy Advent to all. May the arrival come with joy, thanksgiving, and peace.

Cool Cars with some Kool Kats

Classic Car Days in Chatham

Good time on a short visit with the girls. This was an evening of small town fun. The town's main street is shut down to regular traffic and the classic cars come out to shine.

First Day of Fifth Grade

First day for the Fifth grade, and first day for American schools.  Looking very sharp to tackle the new experience. All in all the first day was a success. I think it is taking him some time to get used to the fact that it is all English!

Band has started and Wils will be trying out the percussion section.Pictures to come and perhaps a sound bit or two.

Dear All,

Yesterday was a big day for me, for us., August 31st.  As I awoke it was on my mind, even though I did not say anything till late in the day and that was to Paul.  Vaden called late last night and when I asked how her day was she  just to said "well, this day was 365".

Yep, it sure was that, 365 days since we left Germany.

From here on out I am not just returning to the US, I am now living in the US.

As I know from experience it takes three years to get settled. This first one is always the hardest, full of transition and getting to know the way around;  the second you get to know your routine and acquaintances become friends;  by the third year you are just about set and planted, or you are ready to move again before you get too set.

As we enter year two, the girls are settled in their school, Wils will be heading to the local public school for 5th grade, but the big question of jobs and home still remain in that transition stage. Life is such a balancing act and one needs to make sure they count their blessings along side their trials. 

Willkommen in Lörrach

This area was our home for almost five years. The kids school, FES, Freie Evangelische Schule, is featured in this video. If you ever are planning a move to Germany, this is a wonderful place! As in America, you get your Southern hospitality here!

Old and New World Connections - the French view

Today is a special day in Mouaze, France, and a special day for three members of Madge's family who are there. Vive la France!

Cérémonie du 10 Juin 2011

(of course, you will need to be able to read French to get it all, but Google Translate does a pretty decent job for those who cannot).

Old and New World Connections

A local paper in Newport News, VA, carried this story today:

67 years after D-Day, the French honor a pilot from Newport News

We felt so blessed to be there in 2010, and are so happy that Madge's grandmother and great-aunt are making the trip this week. Pray for safe travels.

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