Currently Reading The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks see related

It has been a while since I have posted.  Life has been a little crazy....  I am an engineer at Ford.  For the past 6 months I have been working as an engineer in an asembly plant.  It has been one of the most challenging things I have ever gone through.  I have had to work 70hr weeks, afternoon shifts, and weekends.  To understand what an assembly plant is like just think of what a prison is like.  No joke.  The people that work on the line are tied to the line, they are only allowed to leave on a set break, they have to do what they are told, and little or no thought goes into what they do.  Imagine putting the same part on a truck 500 times a day, 5 days a week, ect. 

My role in all this is that I help to design and set up new tooling that comes into the plant and review new parts to determine if they are feasible for assembly.  That is the easy part.  The challenging part for me has been learning to relate to the people around me and show the light of Christ in my life as I continually work in a dark place, both literally and spiritually speaking. 

I am only one of a handful of women engineers that work in the plant.  It is so crazy to be in a meeting of 20 people and realize you are the only female, not to mention the youngest in the room.  It is a very humbling experience.  One day, a worker in the plant asked me if I was here with my Dad (a fellow co-worker) for Bring Your Child To Work Day.  He wasn't joking. 

I don't know if it is just because I have lived a sheltered life ( pastor's daughter, christian friends, ect)  but I have never been exposed to the things I have heard and seen while working in the plant.  The swearing is seriously out of control, for both salary and hourly personnel. I have heard stories of drug abuse, adultery,ect.  Going to extremes - one day I couldn't even go to work because their was a disgruntled worker who made serious threats to other employees with a weapon.  The plant was on lockdown. 

Everyday before going into work, the only way I could find the strength to go in was going before the Lord in prayer and listening to praise and worship CDs the entire way into work.  The Lord gave me the strength to perservere.  I prayed that I would find joy in my job.  About 3 months into this job, I felt my heart begin to change.  Instead of feeling defeated going into work, I felt myself having a heart of compassion for those around me.  I realted to people without comprising who I am.  Most of them still can't believe that they haven't heard me swear once.  I have had the opportunity to develop special relationships that I will treasure. 

In one week I will be staring a new position, a comfy desk job again. (I am in a leadership rotation program with Ford - I change jobs every 6 months for 3 years).   I am actually, feeling sad about leaving. I have developed a love for the plant and the people that work there.  I have gotten to do some great things and experience things that I never would have just staying in my comfort zone. Six months ago I wanted to leave during my first week there, and now I want to stay.  There is something amazing about relying completely on God to carry you through a situation, to turn things around, to transform the valley into a mountain.  Now it is time to move onto something new for the time being.  But I can't help but wonder what is in store for me in the future...Maybe I will return to plant life... Whatever the Lord's will is....

Currently Playing Carried Me: The Worship Project By Jeremy Camp see related

I'd like to introduce everyone to my dog, his name is Bursley.  He is a 1 year old beagle.  Yes, for all you UofMers he is named after the best dorm on campus.  Dustin and I thought it was a great name for a dog.  The funny thing is, most people don't "get" his name.  Unless you are familiar with the UofM campus, it is most likely that you have never heard this name before.  Our neighbors and friends can never get his name right.  Bursley has often been called; "Beezley", "Grizzley", and even "Bosley".  All our our neighbors call him Beezley.  Dustin and I just can't bring ourselves to correct them.  So now, he responds to Beezley. 

I never knew I could love a dog so much.  Growing up, we had a dog named Gidget.  I never cared for her much.  All she did was lay around and whine.  Now, Bursley is completely opposite.  He is so full of energy, spunk, and love.  He will give you attitude when you tell him he has to go to bed in his crate.  He literally makes you chase him around the house, while he makes funny noises that sound exactly like Chewbaka from Star Wars.  (no joke)  Then when he is out, he thinks he is a lap dog.  Even though he is 40lbs, if you are sitting on the couch he has to sit on your lap.  He is definitely a part of the family!

Currently Reading Streams in the Desert By L. B. Cowman, James Reimann see related

I don't know who will read this... 

 I figured it would be good to have something posted.  First, I want to thank Emily and Erik.  It is because of their wonderful and entertaining postings that made me want to join.  Emily first told me about Xanga in October.  I bookmarked hers and Erik's Xanga sites. I really forgot about it, until one day I was going through my bookmarks and checked out their entries for that day.  When I read Erik's entry about pfed, I honestly couldn't stop the laughter. 

That got me thinking about great college times.  I figured Xanga could be a good way to help stay connected.  Hello to my UofM friends. 

So here is a question for the masses - are there any Xanga etiquette items I need to be aware of before I become a full time Xanga user?