“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.”
This evening at 5:00, I will turn off my computer, walk out the door, and say goodbye to a place that I've called my 'home away from home' for almost three years. In fact, I've probably spent more hours in this place over the last few years than I have at home.
I began my job at Martin Advertising less than three months after I graduated from college. My first day on the job, I was 22 years old. I was dating a guy name Jason Morales. I had just moved into my first apartment. I was practically a baby.
I accepted the Account Coordinator position without giving much thought to what I'd really be doing. If I'm honest, I had no idea what my job description was on my first day of work. I needed a full-time job with benefits that was in my field of study, and that's exactly what Martin offered me. So, I guess you could say that I took the job for the 'perks', however, I had no idea the impact that working at Martin would have on my life.
I have worked under great leadership for the last few years. I've seen the department that I came into grow from less than 10 people to having our own wing in the office building. I've made friendships that I hope and pray will last a lifetime. I've seen co-workers and friends become moms and dads for the first, and even second time. I've been included in the many name changes and marriages among office friends. I've learned way more than I knew possible. I celebrated, laughed, cried, and so much more within the four walls of this beautiful red brick building. And thanks to the snow back in January, I've even spent the night here...and so has Jason.
My parents used to tell me that when it came to leaving behind a season of life and stepping into a new one, it's best to 'leave everything on the field'. I'm pretty sure that was a football analogy at some point in my dad's life, but it still reigns true today.
Martin has offered me so many things, knowledge, a salary, friendships, and a place to belong. I've become an adult here. The last three years have been a nonstop rush of changes for me, and Martin has been the stability that I needed. This place is more than a job. I know that has to sound cheesy to anyone who reads it and doesn't work at Martin, but if you do work here, then you know what I mean.
I've given my job my all, and I've gotten so much in return. I'll forever be grateful for those who made the decision to take the chance on a fresh-out-of-college-22-year-old girl.
Where it all began...
We do Halloween pretty big at Martin - Halloween 2012
Halloween 2013 - Team M
Cow Appreciation Day with these special friends!
My work wedding shower in 2012
Tacky Sweater Christmas Party 2013. Obviously I was confused about where to look.
So, what's next for me? That's a good question.
I'm so excited about the big career change that's in store for me!
As of April 1st, I'll be the Development Coordinator for Grace House Ministries in Fairfield, AL. Grace House provides a home for girls from crisis backgrounds. They seek to love, nurture, and encourage these young women to become mature, godly women. This ministry's mission is so in line with what my heart's desire is, and I'm so excited to be a part of it!
It's incredible to see how the Lord has worked in my life over the last few years at Martin, and I can't wait to see how He'll choose to use me at Grace House. The seasons are changing, and one chapter is closing, but I hope and pray that this new chapter brings the same grace that I've been afforded all along. I'll say a bittersweet "see you later" to many friends today, but in many ways, it's hard to be too sad when I know that the Lord is calling me to serve such an amazing ministry. My desire has always been to be His hands and feet, and my prayer is that He works through me to enhance the lives of so many young women.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
