Finding Blessings in Disappointment

For those who don't know, I applied to be a resident assistant for the GGC dorms. The job of a resident assistant is to, well, assist the residents. I would be the go-to person if a resident is having issues regarding school and life. Also, the resident advisor is to plan events that unite the residential community. Events such as: pizza parties, board game nights, and other interesting fun things to encourage fellowship. This would be a very busy job, which would not be an easy task given that I am taking 6 classes this fall, it would still be rather rewarding. Despite the hard work involved, this sounded like something that I would definitely be good at and enjoy. (Please pay no attention to the fact that the room would *possibly* be free if I got the position. :P Ok, that actually may have something to do with my interest.)

About 4 weeks ago, I attended an information session about how to become an RA and what was expected of them. I received the application finding that I had only 4 days to finish the application, create a resume, find 2 letters of recommendation, and print my transcript. I got all the necessary documents and submitted the application on time. I was informed that there were more positions than candidates, so my initial thought would be that they would cancel the group session that I was somewhat concerned about. I was called back to attend the group session. I felt that I had done well considering that I'm generally pretty shy and this time I tried to get out of the proverbial box. I was called back for an interview, which would be the final step. I dressed up very nice for the interview and did the best I could. I felt like I had done well enough despite having little job experience. I was fairly confident that I would get the job.

Yesterday (Monday), I was told by fellow RA hopefuls that the housing office was calling the candidates. My programming class was about to start and I mentioned to my professor that I was expecting the call and asked if I could answer when they called. During class, my phone rang. Unfortunately, it was only my father who forgot that I was in class. The phone rang again. It was my dad again. Class ended with no phone call from the housing office. I waited at school to make sure they didn't call while I was driving. I left the school thinking that the office is closed and they would call me the following day. I left the school parking lot and checked my phone at the red light; they had called. I immediately called back, but no one answered. I called back this morning and was told they would call me back later.

Then I got an email.

I didn't make the cut. I apparently was not qualified enough for the position, despite my SGA and Students 4 Christ interactions. I was devastated. I worked hard to put everything together and was looking forward to working the position, but alas, it goes up in smoke. Also, I was really, really looking forward to living on campus. I had been wanting to live in the dorms since I heard they were supposed to be up in 2008! Now they are built and I thought I had a way to live there without it taking a huge chunk from our budget. I thought wrong. All day I've been thinking about that interview and finding things that I wish I had thought of at the time.

Despite the disappointment, I find that there are blessings spread out in this story. I was thinking about my load in the fall: 6 classes, being president of Students 4 Christ, and probably being senator in SGA, all in addition to the RA job. This was going to be a hectic semester. Classwise, I have an ok load (Brit Lit, Badminton, Renaissance Lit, Operating Systems, and Spanish 3), with one difficult class (Advanced Programming with Dr. Jenkins). I was concerned about my programming class because it would be very difficult and require lots of time. The more I look at it, the more I realize that a burden has been lifted from me. I feel better about taking the programming course now that I am not going to be an RA. Plus, this will guarantee that I put all my other priorities first.

Another blessing is that I feel that God has been calling me back to youth ministry, but with Bay Creek. This semester I mentioned youth ministry to Steve, the youth pastor. However, I then realized that the time was bad due to the fact that I live so far away from the church. If I was to live at GGC, then I'd be a lot closer to Bay Creek, and the drive wouldn't be as bad. However, with the RA position, I wouldn't be guaranteed free time to do said youth ministry. God somewhat also put the idea in my head that if I don't get the position, that would be why. I've been praying that if God wants me to do youth ministry, to please open the doors because I cannot move them on my own. Perhaps this is a door opening. Mind you, I'm still at square one regarding the distance of the church, but I have a feeling that God isn't done opening doors for me.

I'm still trying to find options that I can use to live on campus. I'm gonna try to find any sort of financial aid available to help pay for it. I may have been knocked down, but I'm not a quitter. I was turned down last year when I applied for a vacancy in the SGA, but I worked my tailbone off to be the highest vote-getter in my school. I was turned down for GGC Idol, but was able to compete in a dance competition and won free food! This is starting to be a recurring theme. Maybe it will continue.