Center Director training started and it was
obvious that everyone was nervous. It was the kind of excitement that wakes you
up early in the morning because every day will have a high and a low, a happy
or a crappy…simply something to look forward to. To be honest, I was blown away
with how much about being on staff I had actually retained. I remembered span
width, what R-value of insulation goes where, how to build a truss roof, etc. I
mean I definitely had my fair share of material to learn, review and remember,
but my confidence slowly build so that I could focus on learning exactly how I
was going to become a Center Director. I am going to be completely biased and
say my CD class is the best in a long time—we all were so close and we were
genuinely seeking opportunity to build each other up. Sessions were long, but
the time we had to fellowship with one another made everything more than worth
it.
Only a handful of hours later, the Porch was
full again with all the First Year and Returning staffers! The reunions,
laughter, and what seemed like hour-long hugs were overflowing from the main
area of the Porch. FINALLY! We all were back home where we belonged…in the
heart of Appalachia about to embark on yet another amazing summer in service.
Looking back on it all, every Center Director began looking at the 90 other
staffers asking the same question: “Which three will be on MY staff?!” Everyone
there was so awesome; I knew I’d be content with anyone on the Porch.
Days became busy with sessions about construction,
volunteer relations, family relations, and project and budget management. Some
were harder to sit through, others I don’t think my pen could have written any
faster as I scurried to get every word in my notes. I wanted to make sure I was
on top of my game. I had a new set of responsibilities, as well as personal
goals, that I wanted to make sure happened this summer. Needless to say in all
the worry and stress I forgot that it’s not about what my plans look like
because God’s sovereignty trumps all of it.
That trust was only in the beginning stages
of growth, as I travelled with one of my closest CD friends and our Program
Manager to county visit day. I don’t know if I was more nervous about driving
my PM’s car, or finally seeing where I was about to call home for the next nine
weeks. Luckily for me, a blessing God gave me through a friendship last summer,
it just so happened she worked (and fell in love with) the town of Mullens the
previous summer. So, needless to say, I had already bombarded her with just
enough questions to get a tasting of what Mullens was like. I wanted to keep my
mind open for the initial impact, so that I could see for myself how much I was
going to love this place.
Over nine weeks from that day, to say that I
fell in love with Mullens would be an understatement. From the facility manager
who I learned how he played the game with, to our sweet and sassy cooks, not to
mention the palace we had as our center, I knew that calling this place home
was going to come naturally and quickly. The next matter of business before
getting the summer rolling was the only thing that remained…my staff.
The day that all of us CDs knew we were
finding out our staffs, all attitudes on the Porch were heightened with
excitement and nerves. I was anxious…anxious because I didn’t know who I was
going to get, if they would like me, if we would be like a family, or if there
were going to be some struggles. I am so thankful for the staff I was put with
last summer and would not trade any conversation or memory with them for the
world, but the idea of a staff family when you are in the “driver’s” seat looks
a little different. That night, I think that is when my nerves peaked for this
entire process, which is silly because there are clearly so many other things
to be stressed about. BUT it just so happens that I literally got paired with
the Dream Team: the best three people I could honestly have ever asked and
prayed for. My returner was strong and I had known her from the previous
summer, and my two new staffers were ones I met at our Staff Applicant Weekend
and saw a lot of potential and passion for this place.
The next few days were filled with
activities to help my new family bond and get to know each other, as well as
sessions to help us get a better grasp of our job responsibilities. We were
ready. Ready to begin this adventure together. Ready to get to Mullens and be
HOME.
