Celebrating the little things (unless those little things are roaches)

In just a few hours, I'll find myself at work, and I'm sure several people will ask "How was your weekend?" Instead of just "good" or "fine", I though I'd take a moment to remember what actually transpired this weekend.

Saturday morning I asked my husband if he wanted to go garage sailing with me.  He did, and we set off just before 8am.  After a half-dozen busts, we came to a home selling a lot of high end audio equipment and hit a big "score", finding quality tower speakers for a fraction of retail cost.

Then, we headed home to clean up, as I had a date with my younger daughter to attend New Mexico Fashion Week.  We had bought tickets to this event for her birthday.  She loves fashion, and wants to find her niche within the industry one day, so I thought this would be a great exposure for her.

I must interject a story about my view of the fashion industry at this point.  I don't much care for it--and I often don't agree with it.  After all, it seems to me that a few high powered individuals gave permission for the 80s to throw up on the 2010s and make everything that was wrong about my middle and high school years popular with my children!

But, all joking aside, it does seem a strange industry for anyone of faith to be involved in--until I got an "ah ha" moment when hearing John Stonestreet speak a few years ago.  He relayed a conversation that he had with two college age women who wanted to pursue careers in the fashion world.  When he asked them why Christian women should be part of that industry, they answered: "Because the fashion industry tells women what beauty is." To have women (or men) of faith who can interject the truth of where real beauty lies, is a gift this world needs.

So, on to the fashion show we went.  My daughter was so happy, and I was glad I made the effort to spend time doing something out of my comfort zone, for her sake.  We saw some remarkable creations and got to experience our first runway (which was neat with a dose of strange).   

 

 

Sunday was our weekly lunch with my husband's family, which we love.  A meal, cooked by my mother-in-law, and a chance to sit together and talk and experience life together is indeed a precious opportunity.

The afternoon hours were filled with packing bags and getting necessities for a short youth trip that our girls are taking with church.  Off they went, and then we go the bonus gift of a date night!

Now, Monday morning is here, and I woke early which allowed me some time to write.  The weather has turned warmer, and while I'm 99% thankful for that, with it come the return of the bugs--and notable, the cockroaches!  While blogging this morning, I had to get up and kill 5.  But, that in turn makes me thankful for bug spray and a husband who will take care of the bug problem.

May the Lord bless your week, my friends.  I pray that as you reflect over this last weekend, you too will find things to be thankful for.  And, when you get asked the inevitable question of "how was your weekend?", the answer might be a heartfelt: "Blessed!"

Old Desk, New Desk

Last Wednesday I had my final broadcast on KDAZ AM730.  It closed out a 5 day run of guests whom I had purposefully scheduled to come in and help me "talk out" my last days at a station I love.  Friends and ministry partners came in and wished me well, and we talked about our heart(s) for Albuquerque and why it matters that we choose to engage and love on/in our community.

The final hour of the program was spent with a dear friend, Chuck Elmore, who prayed for me and commissioned me onward and upward.  Son Broadcasting President, Annette Garcia, also came in to speak a word of blessing and to send me into my next role. It was a sweet and treasured hour.  I'm kicking myself for not recording it, but perhaps my forgetfulness was God's way of encouraging me to rely on the mental imprint, rather than digital playback.

It wasn't until a few hours after the broadcast ended that the finality of what had transpired really hit me.  I was cleaning out my desk, and the tears began to flow.  Sorting through books and business cards, tea packets and notepads, it was a moment of realization that my little corner desk wasn't going to be mine anymore.  My belongings would be removed and the space would be vacant.  I took my big blue yoga ball, and my few remaining items and packed them into my car, and really cried. 

I don't question my decision to move into a new professional role. God had been working behind the scenes long enough, that I knew the timing and situation was right for me to make the change.  But just because God is behind (and in) the change, doesn't make it pain free.

I must take a moment to be candid.  My husband gave me advice that I didn't heed.  He suggested that I take some time off between jobs to just rest.  Thinking that I had to make my schedule work out in a particular way, I charged ahead.  I ended my job at KDAZ on Wednesday, and then arrived first thing Thursday morning to start my new position.  Looking at my new desk, tears welled up in my eyes.  I hadn't given myself the time I needed to process these big changes.

There is an excitement that comes with this new job.  I'm eager to see what God is going to do in and through me.  The beauty of working in ministry is, that though I may be at a different station now, we all serve the same Captain.  Together, our respective teams play out our roles as we advance toward the finals. 




 

Saying Goodbye

Today I shared some big news.  After more than 7 years with Son Broadcasting and AM730 KDAZ, it is time for me to say goodbye.  Having spent much time in prayer and consultation with friends and family, I have accepted a position working with another ministry in the Albuquerque area.  It will be hard to part with my working family as I feel that I have grown up at KDAZ, in many different ways.

I am exceedingly thankful that Jim Sandell took a chance on me when he hired me to co-host The AM730 Morning Show all those years ago.  I have loved the tremendous opportunity I've been given to work in radio.

 

 

I have learned so much, and have been given the opportunity to meet some remarkable people along the way.  From national radio host Janet Parshall, to Congressman Steve Pearce, there have been many individuals of influence and authority who have been gracious, patient and kind to me. 

The Son Broadcasting staff have treated me like family and I will miss them greatly!

 

 It has been a fun journey and this goodbye is not the end.

 

 

In closing, I have to thank two specific people, who have impacted me in a very special way:

 

Annette Garcia, President of Son Broadcasting, has been a constant in my broadcast career.  From the time I was hired, she has showered me with her love and support.  On many occasions we have laughed and cried together, prayed and stood in faith together.  But above all, we have loved the Lord and trusted Him with our choices.  She is Godly woman, and has taught me much.

 

And finally, Dan Rosecrans--oh where to begin?  When he came on board as Program Director, I thought he was a little crazy and didn't know how we would ever work together.  Yet, it didn't take long before he taught me how to loosen up and have fun along the way.  His love of life and laughter is infectious and there is no doubt that he chose to propel me forward, even if it meant that he would stay behind.  I will greatly miss my radio buddy, and to him, I give my heart felt thanks.

 

The beauty of the work that we do, is that in working for the King of Kings, we are all in the same business, we just have different roles. There is no doubt that our paths will cross again.  So this goodbye is really just an "until next time".