Thank You - I'm A B.O.A. Trainee!

Prayers have been answered. Praise God - I got the job! Today I had my second interview with the Finanacial Advisor (herein known as FA) at the Edward Jones office right here in town, walking distance from home. The more I have been reading about Edward Jones Investments on-line this week the more I wanted to work for the company. No. 2 company in Fortune 500s top 100 companies to work for, Smart Money magazine's No. 1 pick for best brokerage firm based on client satisfaction, stock picks and whatever else they go on (I have a lot to learn about investing!); a company founded on integrity and just treatment of its associates - I seriously became more impressed the more I read.

Today was all about compatability. I needed to like the FA if we were going to be a team - as a branch office consists of a BOA (branch office administrator) and FA. The more I talked to Keith the more I liked him - we definitely share the same values on how people should be treated and how our behavior can reflect favorably or unfavorably on a person or organization. He seems to be an honest man of integrity, just in his treatment of others, is a family man, and I just really liked him - I knew we would make a good team.

He must have thought the same, as I wasn't home for even two hours when St. Louis HQ called and offered me the job. The pay is better than I had asked for, the benefits are awesome and I already have met the woman who will be my mentor and like her a lot. The training for BOAs at Edward Jones is awesome - St. Louis HQ has all the answers and are 3 touch pad taps away, and the computer program itself is chock full of answers, plus you have a mentor and a group of BOAs who help each other out.

I know my family is very happy, especially my husband, that I will be working in town again and home at night. I can soon return to putting Abby to bed at night. The job is full time so we will have to make some arrangements with "little miss" care. There are just a few more pending details, but I should be able to start work in a little more than 2 weeks!

I admit I do feel bad for the great consultant I have been meeting with at Addecco staffing agency - he was really going to bat for me and I am sure has some prospective interviews lined up for me next week. I will have to call him tomorrow - I never really expected the EJ prospect to move so quickly, and figured I would size up a few places, but there was absolutely nothing I did not like about the EJ opportunity - so I seized the moment and accepted without thought to what else might be out there for me. I had totally given this up to God, and asked him not to place the job before me if it was something too left-brained, or not intended for my greater purpose. Now that I am a BOA trainee I know God has placed me at EJ for a reason.

We have another month ahead of things being tight, but God has shown a great big light at the end of the tunnel. From the very first moment I was told my job was eliminated I had a sense of peace that God was in control. I trusted that He would take care of us and be our Provider, and He has. I am so thankful for a God who is very much alive, very much listens, and very much loves His children. I thank ALL OF YOU who have been praying - Jesus said, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." The Lord has definitely been with us through this difficult time.

On a note of difficult time, could you all please lift up my friend Elaine who learned her cancer is back today? Thank you. She's a wonderful woman and I pray it is God's will to heal her. Through all trials I know Elaine is of strong faith. II pray that through all of the trials you face that you find joy and peace in knowing that God sent His Son to die for you, so that you can spend eternity with Him. I love you all - celebrate the life God has given you and take time to dance in your journey!