Hindsight is always 20/20

Isn't it funny how when you look back on your life, you discover it is as though you were being led the whole time? Gather round while I share a story about how dreams really do come true, and God answers our prayers and the sincere desires of our hearts. 

**All names have been removed or changed for personal privacy. 

This story began in August of 2009, when I decided I wanted to work for a children's hospital. I told God, if he would let me have an internship at Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC)to make this possible, I would complete an additional act of religious service (attend the temple) every week outside of church... on top of the fact I was already overwhelmed with grad school, working, and studying.   For 9 months I continued to do this, and if I missed one week, I did two the next week. Then the big day arrived (June 2010), I got a call from PCMC to tell me: I didn't get the rotation. They chose to go with somebody else who was going to have had more medical experience. I was devastated. I went back into my class and cried (good thing the lights were off) through the next two hour long powerpoint presentation. I didn't understand. I felt so peaceful, and yet so sad at the same time. When class was over, I had 3 missed calls from PCMC as well as voicemails to call ASAP. I call PCMC and they tell me, "We've changed our mind. We feel like you are supposed to be here, so we are going to make it work. We will bring you on in January."

Thank you God. Who else can move people to make such drastic decisions, simply based on emotion?  The story continues:

Important side note from November of 2009 I made contact with a lady named "Stacy." I read her article on feeding in the ASHA Leader and loved it. I sent her an email, only to find out she was working at Cardon Children's in Mesa. Every few months we stayed in contact with an email here or there as she answered different questions I had about the field. 

Fast Forward: The following Winter (December 2010) I begin my rotation at PCMC and it was everything I dreamed of and more. Then Jason gets a job offer in Phoenix, and before I know it: Jason's moving. Wait a second Heavenly Father, this isn't in MY plan.  Are you sure about this?  It is now March 2011, and I find out "Stacy" has switched hospitals from Cardon's (small, relatively new hospital) to Phoenix Children's Hospital (3rd largest children's hospital in the country, and a free standing organization... meaning it is not tied into a large health network, but the administrators specialize in THAT children's hospital only... it's a good thing) to be the team lead of ALL the speech pathologists. One weekend, I unofficially met with her in person as well as the director of the rehabilitation department. However, they were not looking to hire any time soon (October at the earliest). With her leaving Cardon's, they had an open position. Stacy got me in contact with the director at Cardon's, and I was convinced it was a done deal. The director at Cardon's told me I had so much experience for an incoming CFY and she was so impressed.... but then after dragging me out until May (months and months), she had her assistant call and tell me they decided to not hire anyone, but to wait and see if they could find someone who was not a CFY.... but in 6 months they would let me know if they changed their mind about me. 

I was so offended. 6 months?  You expect me to wait for 6 months and then you'll let me know if you will consider me, after I have already waited 4+ months on the current go-around?  Not happening. I then (June 2011) took a job at a private pediatric outpatient clinic. It wasn't my "dream", but it wasn't half bad either! I mean, I loved my clients, I loved building supportive relationships with their families, I loved what I did, and though I would have liked more feeding experience and a few more medically complex kids. I was pretty happy, but it didn't make sense why I was SUPPOSED to be at PCMC if I then didn't get a medical job afterwards. 

Flash Forward Mid August 2011. I find out my location of the private clinic is closing, but that the new larger clinic in Phoenix would be completed the beginning of October. Accordingly, we would all have jobs (work until the Mesa office closed, and then transition into the New, larger, Phoenix Clinic). I was glad to still have a job, but super bummed at the same time. I loved the vibe at the Mesa clinic, and the Phoenix clinic was SUPER chaotic. I found myself thinking, if I am going to have to move to a new clinic anyway, get new patients, and get familiar with a new office anyway... maybe this is the time to look at other options out there. THAT night, I found out there was a job opening at Phoenix Children's Hospital (PCH). I was contacted by Stacy about this opening and invited to apply. I was so ecstatic.  It felt like things were meant to be. I went ahead and applied and was interviewed the following week by the team. I was able to skip all of the Human Resource and other prerequisite interviews because of my connection with "Stacy," and because of my current job .... but then the waiting game began. One week after the interview, I told my clinic I had interviewed at PCH (because they asked if I would be planning to transition with them from the Mesa to Phoenix clinic). I told them I would let them know as soon as possible. 

Last week of August: PCH Still interviewing other candidates

First week of September: PCH still interviewing other candidates

Second Week of September: "Stacy" tells me, "We are finishing our last 4 interviews this week, and then we will make our decision early next week. I know this is stressful, but keep faith in Phoenix Children's." Last 4 interviews? REALLY?  How many interviews have you done?  THIS IS INSANE... And keep Faith in PCH?  What is that supposed to mean? GAH!

September 9th:  My clinic director pulled me in and cancelled my last client without telling me, so we could have a "pow-wow." She told me due to the timing of me considering other jobs, and the Mesa clinic closing, I was no longer allowed to work at the Mesa office. They were afraid my clients would leave if they found out I was leaving. Accordingly, I was not allowed to say bye to my clients, and I was told I was going to be required to start at the Phoenix clinic full-time on Monday with a new case-load. However, the catch was that they would only provide me with the supervision required for first year grads by the National Organization (ASHA) if I signed a one year contract with them, and I had one hour to decide what I was going to do. WHAT IN THE WORLD???!! WHAT A MESS!!!!

So, I go outside, call Jason and cry.... and then as I thought back on all of the crazy things the clinic owner had done... {{{like: Letting 2 people go at different times because they put in their 30 day notice and she took it as a personal attack; Asked us the seek money from our already paying clients in a fundraising effort for the clinic (of which I strongly REFUSED); Promising me training and then never providing it; Gossiping about employees to other employees; Yelling at employees in front of other employees..... this list goes on and on.}}}... I decided that I would go crazy if I signed to stay there for an additional year. So I went back in and told them I was not going to sign with them for a year. They then told me I was going to have to resign from my position effective that day....... 

**In other words: They fired me because I was considering another company and would not sign a contract to stay with them.

I felt free at first..... but then I realized.... OH CRAP!  You don't have a JOB!!!!  And what Happens if PCH DOESN'T HIRE YOU AND CHOOSES SOMEONE ELSE???!!!  Oh Dang. Economically, Leaving my job didn't make ANY sense. However, I just had to keep reminding myself that I felt like it was what I should do, and I felt like things would "work out" (as ambiguous as that seemed).

The middle of the next week (5 days after leaving my other job) I got the call from PCH and EVERYTHING fell into place. Salary Matched exactly what I wanted, Full Benefits the beginning of the Month, Great Retirement Plan, Good Start Date.... PERFECTION.

I obviously fell to my knees and thanked the Lord for being so mindful of me and the things that were important to me. 

Peace continues to be such a funny thing.... and it continues to amaze me. I couldn't have imagined I would end up at Phoenix Children's Hospital in the way that I did, and yet through the whole bumpy ride, I knew that things were going to work out, and they did. It is funny to look back on your life and see the way things played out, and how they led you to a certain outcome.  Now I find myself Employed by the 3rd largest Children's Hospital in the country, with ample training opportunities, after they just constructed a new ~350 million dollar wing for the hospital.   Below is a picture of the campus map. This hospital is HUGE and I am nervous.... but SUPER excited because now I will have some INCREDIBLE future opportunities after working with Phoenix Children's Hospital!  But Hey, Maybe I'll like it so much I will be a life-er..... who knows?