A Resignation and a New Destination

Earlier this year I was having a ladies night with dear friends Sarah and Lorraine.  They encouraged me to make a 'vision board'.  It took a few months but in between my trips this year I finally found a weekend to think, pray about and finally create MY Vision Board.  When I showed My Vision Board to my favorite colleagues, John and Judy, they were surprised to see "dream job" and John asked, "I thought you were already at your dream job!" I was ... I thought the same thing when I read the phrase but something in my spirit nagged me ... "Could it REALLY get any better than this, Lord?"  Yes, I was mentally exhausted as I alone was doing the job of 2 people, but I love the job.  Yes, I was traveling much more this year than I have in the past (83.4% this year!) but I have seen more of the world than I would have ever seen on my own financially and yes, I felt as though I needed to learn 'more', do more ...  But I pushed those thoughts aside and actually wondered if I was being ungrateful for the opportunities which God had blessed me with on this project.  I cut out the phrase and thoughtfully glued it to My Vision Board. That was March 18, 2014. 

My Vision Board

I joined SCMS on June 18, 2007 and today I turned in my resignation. It was a bittersweet moment because I've grown so much on this project!  I started as a Supply Delivery Coordinator coordinating shipments of HIV/AIDS commodities to our focus countries (thank you Laura for referring me!  Thank you Lourdes for hiring me!).  A year later I'd be a Buyer procuring HIV/AIDS lab commodities for Nigeria, Haiti and Rwanda. My education is in Education so when we were mandated to decentralize procurement activities to the field they required training.  I was not an original trainer but as God would have it my supervisor at the time requested I take his place to provide training.  That was June 2009.  By the end of that year I would be leading training sessions in South Africa and Vietnam!  When my new (amazing) boss, John, decided to slow down with all the travel I decided to apply for his position.  I was promoted in 2012 to Senior Procurement Advisor providing training on USG Procurement Regulations as well as operational and strategic procurement guidance to the 60+ procurement staff located in the 13 field offices managing procurement in country.  Since 2009 I have been blessed to see the world (you can see where I have been in this blog) while working and meeting amazing people!  At SCMS I have grown professionally and personally.  I have learned when to speak, when to 'fight' and when it is better to stay silent and let some things go, to look at the bigger picture.  I have learned that there is no way I could work in an environment where the people are not passionate about the company or project mission, where I cannot hear laughter or be able to say I met some of my best friends here.

I decided to pursue a career with another organization.  Since the end of September I was struggling (no, for real struggling) with God's timing.  Not that I don't trust His timing ... I just wanted Him to move a bit faster - every day after the interview I wanted to know if I was going to get an offer.  Then I received the offer, now to complete the background paperwork.  Then to complete medical exams.  Then to turn those forms in and then to wait.  Simply wait.  Waiting was the hard part.  I wanted to plan my life, share the good news!  I then became antsy.  "It should not take this long ... why have I not heard anything ... why are they delaying this or that?"  It was this worry that kept me up some nights, that would cause me to simply stare out the window, unfocused.  Then last Sunday my Bishop, Dr. Derek Grier, spoke on the importance of perspective, going through, knowing the blessing is on the other side and to trust God's timing.  What He does is as our Father - to protect and bless us.  In my chair, I whispered to myself, "Ok God, this is the second time (Chryste offered these wise words earlier in the week) in a week I have heard this so I sincerely give this issue to you...for real this time...pinky swear."  And 24 hours later ... TWENTY FOUR HOURS LATER GOD MOVED!  I received formal notification of my clearance!  I could share the good news!  I could celebrate! 

As of February 2, 2015 I will be working for USAID | Global Health Fellows Program.  My new position will be located in Lusaka, Zambia.  Yes people ... I AM MOVING TO ZAMBIA!  The term is 2 years ... yes people ... I WILL BE LIVING IN ZAMBIA FOR 2 YEARS!  So COME VISIT ME! (Your visit can possibly justify a long weekend in Cape Town *hint hint*)

My last day at SCMS is January 23, 2015. I fly to Zambia Monday February 9th with my first day at work being February 11! I could not be more grateful to SCMS for all of the opportunities and experiences which I firmly believe prepared me for this new position.  I could not be more grateful to my colleagues and friends who have supported and encouraged me.  2015 is going to be an amazing year.  A year of personal and professional growth and I cannot wait to experience every single moment!

Celebration! .... in moderation haha