Thursday February 20, 2020
Tomorrow is the annual Father/Daughter Dance at her elementary school. It will be the fifth time for my family to attend. I’m excited to be able to spend time with my daughter while she is still young and wants to be around her father. Every kid goes through that phase of not wanting to hang out with their parents so I have a small window left that I want to capitalize on. My wife takes her out every year and buys her a dress and me a tie so we match. I take her out to eat beforehand. We have gone to Pizza King for a few years but the last couple times she really just wants to go to Wendy’s. It’s her choice so that’s the place we will go to.
Normally people will send in their daily routine or what they did that day, but in my situation I am going to explain the journey this week has been. A work opportunity finally came up for a CNC Lathe machine that I was passed over for a couple years ago. I found out a couple days ago that it was given to another coworker who had already been offered it before it came available to anyone on my shift, so that part was frustrating but as an Employer I would evaluate him as a better fit for that job, so I am not going to complain about that decision or bash him in any way. That created an opening for the job that that worker did. It is a CNC Monarch VMC. I have probably four years of experience on that. I felt very confident that among everyone on my shift I would be the highest rated worker for that opening. Multiple workers dropped off the list when they saw where this opening was for, so my odds got better in that regard as well. I came in the next day and found out that a worker who has been given multiple stints on that very machine (and not done well in any of them) had been given the job over me. That one really caught me completely by surprise. At this point I could have been devastated, but my faith is in GOD. I have prayed for any obstacles to be removed from my path so I may be able to be with my family through the week and not only spend time with them on the weekends as my second shift current schedule only allows me.
Being faithful in my walk prepared me for the follow up news that the second co-worker’s position would be replaced on dayshift as well. I put my name on the list and again others dropped from the list. This time it is due to what the job entails. I would be giving up a CNC job for a foundry job. So, basically putting a sand mix into a box that has a mold carved out of the inside, then putting it in an oven and once it melts and cooks it is pulled out to cool down and then the box or fixture is opened up and sometimes grinded on to get the rough part that we machine and turn into a final product.
As with JOB in the Holy Bible, he was tested along his path, but his faithfulness was rewarded. I believe I am about to receive my next blessing. I have a coworker who has prayed with me daily for more than year straight, so I am very dedicated in my faith walk.
I was ready to send this part of the letter but I thought I would wait until after the weekend so I could update the reader and not keep them in suspense any longer. I came in and found out that I had the job and would be going to day shift to train on the job the following Monday. I have said I would push a broom to be with my family on day shift, so even though this job is dirty and not my ideal landing spot, I will accept it while being full of happiness. I have promised to take that praying coworker out for a steak dinner to celebrate as well. This is truly a blessing as I will be able to physically spend time with my family and work on projects around the house. We are replacing a ceiling, fan, light, heat source all in one room, so I need all the day light I can for that job. Also I will be more able to be an example to my daughter as to what a man of GOD looks like and acts like. I can also be there through the week to help my wife when she had to help my daughter with homework, get her to take a bath, cook dinner, run errands, etc. all by herself. The stress burden will be partially lifted for sure from her. So, with great happiness I can conclude this entry.