A Divine Opportunity

Some of you may or may not know how our journey here began, so thought I’d share the means that God used to bring us here.

I’ve worked at Hickam AFB since my first year in college and it was there that I decided I would pursue a career in Human Resources.  After graduating from UH, I remained at Hickam in the Civilian Personnel Office and thought I would be working there forever.  It got to a point where I realized I couldn’t see myself working HR in the federal government anymore.  I was so unhappy I started letting my supervisors know and just prayed God would show me what I should do.  It was scary to do both of those things, but I was so desperate.  There were nights where I would come home and cry, venting to Justin.  God never fails us; He definitely started making a way out for me.  My supervisors shared with me that the squadron commander for the Contracting Squadron was looking for potential Contract Specialists and were creating positions that started from the entry level with promotions every year built into them until the maximum performance level.  This was a completely different career field that I really didn’t know too much about.  I got to experience my first interview in front of a panel of four supervisors.  I got the job and this year made three years in that office.

I loved this new job!  I went from working in an office where customers are constantly coming in, your phone ringing off the hook, and your email blowing up to the complete opposite.  Your only customers were for the contracts you were working on instead of the entire base population.  My job consisted of pre-award and post-award functions of a contract between a company and Hickam.  This career field requires you to maintain contracting course credits which you obtain from the Defense Acquisition University.  These courses are a combination of online and classroom training.  The DAU courses are sometimes at Ford Island or off-island. 

I’ll say it again; I loved my job and my coworkers!  Again, I thought I would be there forever!  I was advancing in the career field, obtaining my levels (from completing sets of those courses) and working my way to becoming a Contracting Officer, where you take a test and can sign the contracts, obligating the federal government monies.  Actually, becoming a CO wasn’t and still isn’t my goal.  I love being just a Contract Specialist because there’s still so much to learn…and I don’t want that huge responsibility and liability.

My heart started changing when I was able to go to San Diego for two DAU courses.  Both times I got to drive up to Simi Valley and visit my relatives.  I completely fell in love with California.  I vacationed in California so many times, especially when my sister, Erin, and her family lived there too.  When I returned home in May I got really depressed and yearned to go back.  It was so strange and so I started praying and asking God about it.  I kept sharing with Justin and based on his reactions it seemed like I needed to get over it because nothing was going to come out of it.  However, my feelings never changed and when I continued to talk with Justin, I was saying things that I hadn’t planned, but it was such things that started speaking to Justin.  In one conversation he randomly just pulled up his company’s website and found there was an opening in the Calabasas office.  I was so excited because I had already been praying about the situation and felt like God was providing an answer.  I wanted him to apply, but of course he didn’t.  Later he found out he could transfer instead.  Long story short, he said if I could get a job, then we’ll pursue it. 

I knew in my heart the right thing to do was talk with my supervisor that I was going to start applying.  He’s been really good to me thus far, one of the best you could ever ask for…always encouraging me, rewarding my efforts, and wanting to make sure I’m happy.  The last thing I wanted was for him to find out I’ve been applying by a phone call from someone who saw my resume.  In my daily reading for that day I was on Psalms 32.  When I finished verse 7, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”, I closed my eyes and prayed over my future conversation with my supervisor and naturally worrying about how I’ll be treated after people find out I want to leave.  When I opened my eyes this is what verse 8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”  Can you believe that?!  I couldn’t!  The conversation went really well and he’s been nothing but kind and supportive.

I immediately started looking, but whatever I could find was in the LA area and Justin didn’t approve of that because of the traffic.  The jobs I could find away from LA were for the Navy and those job announcements are opened for like 6 months and when you submit your resume, you don’t know if and when you’ll hear anything.  I continued to pray; I didn’t pray for God to give me a job, but asked God to reveal what He wanted me to do.  Late one night as I was getting ready for bed, I was moved to check the website.  When I did, a job announcement appeared and was only open for 10 days (indicating to me it was a valid vacancy), in Santa Barbara (away from LA), and the same GS grade as I am!  I was too excited to read the job announcement carefully and just applied.  Several weeks later I was contacted for a phone interview.  After this phone interview, I felt HORRIBLE!!!  I was so nervous and it was so long.  45 minutes is a long time to talk about yourself!  I wish I had spoken eloquently and was just so embarrassed for not coming up with better answers.  I was so sure I didn’t get the job (I wouldn’t have chosen myself!)  I was telling God, “I wish I could say I did my best, but I didn’t!”  Oh, me of little faith… Several weeks later I found out I was tentatively selected!!! It was July 13 to be exact.  That morning, I was selfishly asking God that Justin and I would have something to celebrate besides our anniversary in two days.  Those days of waiting were difficult for us, but God was still speaking.  We would occasionally read Henry Blackaby’s, Experiencing God, devotionals and on July 11 the topic verse was on Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”  The next day, July 12, it was on Psalms 27:14, “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”  Then July 13 was the day we got the news.  Isn’t God both amazing and humorous?!  Another HUGE praise was that I learned that the job paid for the moving (PCS) costs for both of us!  When I looked back at the job announcement, it did say that, but since I didn’t read it carefully I missed it.  I didn’t know too much about the job, except for what the job announcement described.  I didn’t know anybody that specifically worked in the Goleta (Santa Barbara) office, but fully trusted that God prepared this for me and rested in that.

I can’t tell you how much He has provided and worked out every detail for us in getting us here.  It’s always easy for me to get anxious and nervous about the unknown, but every time I end up realizing I worried for nothing!  Believe me; I can get worked up over silly details.  The day I reported to the Sepulveda office I wore my first blazer!  Thanks to Erin and Jeannette with my wardrobe and potential outfits.  I’m glad I wore what I did because the majority was what us local folks describe as “dressed up.”  Everyone was so nice, but what amazed me the most was that there were a handful of Hawaii natives!!!  In fact, one of the supervisors in my chain is from Hawaii.  Being from Hawaii with experience in the AF created positive reactions.  It was also nice to hear most genuinely say that I’ll like the Goleta office and its people.

I haven’t been working for almost 3 weeks, so reporting to work has been a nice change.  My supervisor will not be physically located with me in Goleta, but is located at Port Hueneme.  This is where I’ve been working from and will continue to until sometime this week when he’ll take me to Goleta for the first time.  I’m excited to finally go there and see what God has in store!

Did I know this career would take me places, like to California? No. 

Am I ambitious or career-driven?  No. 

Do I have confidence, like most people in this career field have?  No.

What I do know is that with God, He’ll take me places, He’ll give me a sense of purpose, and now more than ever, I’m confident in Him.