It’s been a while since I updated the world wideweb on my life. Honestly…I’ve not been able to be forthright. I had to wait until an announcement was made…which was made yesterday. Yesterday my new position was announced. After the first of the year (and after my boss finds my replacement) I am going to be the AIC Coordinator for the US. What that means is that I am going to in charge of the standardization of dental implant training for my company. Today I got a letter that I have been waiting for since August. We got approved to offer CE credits through the AGD. This was no small feat. Now I can sleep tonight, knowing that my dentists will get the credits that we’ve been promising. Thank God.
What does the new job mean for me? I will be traveling throughout the US to our nine offices, helping the current branches with their current training programs. I will help the new branches develop their training programs. Essentially it is going to mean LOTS of work and LOTS of travel. Did I mention that it is going to be LOTS of work?
But, I have a secret to tell you. I love, LOVE this part of my job. I love the dental industry. I love working with dentists, watching them learn new techniques. I love watching them use the new techniques to improve the health of their patients. I love working with the managers, making their lives easier. All in all, I am really excited about what the new year will bring.
Having said all of that, I have to give credit where credit is due. Three weeks ago, I went to church for the first time in a while. Two weeks ago, I didn’t go. I thought that there was a catch…I didn’t want to jump in too quickly. I wanted to see if, after skipping a week, I’d be judged or accepted. I wanted to know that God wanted me there, that I wasn’t walking backward, but stepping into the flow of what God has for my life. This Sunday was a crappy day….freezing cold, rainy, the perfect day to stay in bed all day.
But…at 8 AM, I found myself awake. I knew that I was supposed to head out to church. I got ready, but there was a sadness that permeated my being. I felt like Fontaine in Les Miserables. God placed a dream in my heart, but it seemed for a time that had already passed. The dream felt dead. But, I went to church, and it was obvious my pastor had read my journal. (And y’all know I’ve not posted anything for a while, so don’t send me the duh, that wasn’t too hard since you blog emails…lol) Long story short…I made a commitment to God on Sunday…something just for the two of us. Then yesterday, my boss and his boss announced my promotion. Then today we received the certification that we really need for our business to thrive here in the US.
The thing is, God promotes you when you are where He wants you to be. I’ve had quite the journey during the past two years. Those time have been some of the best times in my life, and frankly, some of the lowest times in my life. But, through the grace of God, I’ve survived. And today, I find myself back where I started the journey, at the church formerly known as River of Life. Only, I’m not the same person that I was when I left a little over two years ago. And the River is a different place than it was when I left. We’ve both grown…but the heart for Christ has not changed. Jesus Christ is the driving passion that glues it all together.
Looking forward into 2008, I see bright possibilites. I have a job that I love. I’m back home in the church that has formed much of who I am. Who knows. Maybe Prince Charming is out there, on his white horse in his shining armour waiting to sweep me off my feet. Or maybe I’ve got another year of training before I meet him. All I know is that I am looking forward to 2008. The best is yet to come 🙂
Deneen White 