27 March 2010

27 March 2010

Dear family and friends,
Again we send our report for the weeks activities. I started the week by attending the Professional Career Workshop at the Center. It is taught by Charlie Morell, did a fantastic job. We each tell about ourselves and get our 'Me in 30 Second' statements and power statement written, then we share them with the group. By the time the day was over I had a couple of people ask if I had time to give piano lessons, it was pretty funny. By the answer was no I don't.
We've had several people get jobs that have been coming into the Center for a few weeks. After helping and working with them we really feel their joy too. The only problem is, they will be too busy to come and visit us any more, but that's okay.
Wednesday we didn't have very many candidates come in but we were so busy trying to follow up or prepare on so many other things. Sometimes it seems like we are even busier when we don't have people in that we are helping. Much to do. (Much to do about something, that is.) I'm learning about multi-tasking and I'm not sure I'm very good at it. It's a challenge for me to never be able to finish up anything. Sometimes I just have to stop and write down the things that must be done for the day and then tackle them one by one in the in between moments. Somehow it's easier for me to see 8 things on a piece of paper and mark them off, rather than 8 things rambling around in my head that I'm trying to constantly keep track of. This way I can rate them as to what must be done right away or what could wait for another day if need be. At the end of the day – you just leave, walk away from it and hope to catch up the next day.
Weatherford Stake got a new Stake Employment Specialist called this last week. We went to Weatherford Wednesday evening and met with her and gave an orientation. She is excited about the calling and ready to go to work. I think she will do great, a very nice lady. Her daughter was a room mate in college to Kimberly Lyon.
We changed our P-day this week to Friday. We had some new local Service Missionaries coming in from Arlington on Thursday. Donna was out of the Center most of the week so I was asked to give them some training on the Development Specialist program. I felt like a little bird getting kicked out of the nest, seeing for the first if your wings would really work. They worked pretty good, I suppose they still need some exercise, at least there were no crash landings.
Jack has kept busy keeping the Center running smoothly, maybe you even noticed the picture of him cutting out cards etc getting ready for the game of Life this week. That is a Youth Conference game that Julie and the Center puts on.
Besides cutting things out he's also very good at helping Employers and Companies get signed on – actually he's the only one who really does it. Everyone refers to him, even the manager. He is also our go to person when anyone has difficulty at the computers – which usually isn't more than 4 or 5 times A DAY!
He has a couple of homeless friends who come in on Saturdays for showers. They sure look a lot better when they leave than when they come in, not to mention the smell. Roberto runs a little yard business and wants to buy a trailer, he was very impressed with Jack's knowledge of trailers!
It worked out good to have our P-day on Friday because that ended up being a beautiful day. We went to the Dallas nature preserve. An area where there are pathways thru a wooded area with a stream but it has been kept in its natural way. The formal gardens are beautiful but this was nice to just go on a little hike like one might just go on out in the hills. Then we drove to McKinney and visited their historic downtown area. A very nice day.
Today at church I decided to go hang out in Primary and sing Primary songs and listen lessons on my 'child' level. The Primary president has a little baby and I got a bonus treat of being able to hold him for about an hour. The second hour I ended up in the hallway visiting. The secretary of the primary is job hunting. She has 3 little daughters and has been into the Center several times. We have developed quite a bond of friendship and she was pretty discouraged today so we just visited and shed a few tears together. I know things will work out for her – I just don't know when. Her experience is in marketing with big companies but she is putting her resume in everywhere. I promised to send her more job leads in a wide range of things.
I think I told you about the Doctor that came in several weeks ago, last week his wife came in also. They have raised 8 children, she has never worked outside of the home but now is needing to try and help bring in some income. She was very discouraged and needed some help in how to put a resume together using her church service and volunteer experience as the basis for it. They have been to the Center most every day for the last week or two.
Yesterday someone asked her how she was doing. She answered, "Hey, I'm not crying. I came in a couple of weeks ago in tears but today I can smile, I've about got my resume done and working on some job leads. Things are good."
They are both working on some job leads. Jack has been able to point the doctor in an area that might work out for him. We are all so hopeful for them.
Another man that came in this was SO frustrated. He was banging on the computer and getting very upset. I was able to coax him along and get him settled down after a bit. He just wants to be able to go in to a business and talk to someone, have an interview and get a job. He's very frustrated that you don't get to talk to anyone, just submit your resume. I told him the rules of the game has changed and if he wants the next job he's got to play by the new rules. He really didn't want to however.
He was finally able to finish his resume and even submit it to several places and he left feeling very proud of himself for making that accomplishment. I was very proud of him too.
Last Sunday evening we were able to go to a piano organ concert. It was very good, we really enjoyed it. It was in a nearby Methodist Church, they have a beautiful pipe organ and grand piano. They had some beautiful stained glass windows that we enjoyed also. Tonight we are going out to the McKinney Stake where they will be performing the 'Messiah' for Easter. Charlie will be playing the harpsichord along with the string group that he has that plays together regularly. They will also have some woodwinds and............ well I'd have to tell you that later.
Since we purchased the keyboard and I have a chance to play a little through out the week, I guess I'm not so starved so I don't cry so much when I hear beautiful music.
We are learning and feeling more confident about what we are doing, but it seems that there are equally more new things to learn and do too. It is a great opportunity to be in the full time service of our Lord. We are grateful for this opportunity and enjoying serving together.
We pray that you will be blessed with good health and strength as you care for your families and responsibilities this week.
Our love,
Mom & Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, Jack & Gaye
Elder & Sister Nelson

Jack n Gaye