On the afternoon of July 9, 2009, I stared down a tan packet from across the table in my executive editor’s office at the Springfield News-Leader in Springfield, Missouri.
The contents of that packet stated I had been involuntarily laid off as part of a corporate restructuring that affected 1500 employees across the Gannett Corporation, the owner of the N-L and many other newspapers across the nation and world.
That day, I bade my colleagues and friends farewell and wished God’s blessings upon their lives. One month later, I began a journey back to the Northwest.
After living with a friend for a few months and desperately searching for a job that would enable me to get my own place in Vancouver, Washington, I found employment with a company that contracts for Verizon Wireless to provide in-store technical support. The pay is not bad, the people are great, and hey — I have my own apartment, wouldn’t you know.
Through seven months in Vancouver, I had tried to keep my eyes and ears open for any multimedia job opening in the Portland metro area but none came open. As a videographer for the past six years, surely I should be able to find work in my field, right?
No dice. I began to resign myself to the thought that maybe the Lord didn’t want me to work in journalism and simply wanted me to be happy where I was, even though my first love was video and photography work during my career.
Little did I know that He would open a door through friends with whom I spend many a Saturday night playing poker — eighty miles north in a town called Centralia, Washington. Never heard of it? You’re not alone.
I spent the night with friends up there a couple of Saturdays ago and attended church with them at Life Center the next morning. I thoroughly enjoyed the service, and I began to get an odd feeling that I would like to potentially live in Centralia.
We went to lunch afterward and one of my friends mentioned the fact that the local newspaper had an opening for a reporter position. They didn’t know how they found out, but they did just the same and passed the word onto me.
After I went home that evening, I checked for a job listing for the Chronicle, the daily newspaper in Centralia. It had a reporter/photographer position open, the one my friends told me about.
And the application closing date was the next day.
I polished my resume, sent some writing samples in, and was granted an interview last Friday where I met many staffers of the Chronicle. The interview went very well, and I wrote a story and turned it around in less than four hours — then stayed through the evening to play poker with friends, naturally.
All throughout the past week, a concert of prayers and support went up for me, and it bears saying that the only time I received this much vocal support and prayer was during my time in Iraq in ‘05-’06. I did plenty of praying of my own that if it were the Lord’s will, that I would walk straight through the open door in front of me.
And walk straight through I did. Yesterday I verbally accepted an offer to be a print reporter for The Chronicle in Centralia, Washington, and will begin my job February 8 at 7:30 a.m.
It is my belief that the Lord had His hand over all this from the start. Considering the fact that I do not hold a college degree, and that 99% of my professional work has been photo and video, the fact that I have landed a job as a print reporter is nothing short of absolutely amazing. I know I can do the task set before me and I’ll tackle it with all my might — I love writing and this is the perfect opportunity to prove such.
My friends at the Springfield News-Leader have helped me tremendously. From letters of recommendation to conversations we’ve had over e-mail, the phone and even Facebook chat, I am blessed and honored to know that they have stood behind me and rooted me on during this time. I remember my last day in the newsroom there in which I was told by many an editor that I would land on my feet.
My parents have been tremendous as well. They have been praying and hoping for me to land a media job ever since my move back to the Northwest. Mom and Dad, I will definitely continue to return the favor, and you know what I mean.
All of my friends, Christians and non-believers alike, have helped me as well. The sheer number of prayers and well-wishes sent on my behalf have been unbelievable.
The last seven months have been a time for me to really reflect and refocus my faith in the Lord, and realize that every good gift comes from Him and Him alone. It is He that opened this door, and through the collaborative efforts of some very good people, my career has been resurrected.
Centralia, you had better fasten your seatbelts, lock the doors, and please keep your hands inside the vehicle until we come to a full and complete stop.
This is going to be good.
THE BACKSTORY
Read the below referenced articles for the full 360-degree view of what’s going on.
“My Career At The Springfield News-Leader Has Ended,” July 9, 2009.
“Adios, Springfield, It’s Been Fun,” August 6, 2009.
“The Cat’s Out of the Bag, So To Speak,” November 9, 2009.
“2010, Won’t You Hurry Up and Get Here Already?”, December 27, 2009.
“Open Doors, Open Mind, Open Heart,” January 17, 2010.
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