Everyone that knows me knows I am a planner. As a Christian who knows she should be dependant on the Lord, these things are in conflict sometimes. I plan, the Lord throws a curve ball, I plan again, He throws another curve ball, and this cycle is repeated while any previous lessons learned are quickly forgotten.
This was the case in Jason's search for a new job. Depending on where/what he picked that would affect my career and our life plans. As Jason got closer and closer to accepting a position, I began forming my mental plans on how that would play out. It looked amazing to me and I was excited to get the Lord on board with my plans! Yeah, right. Enter God's curve ball - Norway was still on the table!
You'd think after all this practice that I would stop trying to plan things in my life. However fantastic I think my plans are, His are ALWAYS a million times better. And that was exactly the situation with ConocoPhillips and my job.
A lot of people have asked what I am going to do in Norway and if I have a job yet. It's strange, but I've had a real sense of peace that if God wants me to work, then He will open that door. It's not that I am apathetic regarding my job. I would love to continue working, but I know that it's completely out of my control at this point.
I was hoping to hear some news a few weeks ago because our reservoir engineering talent management team (group of reps from around the world who discuss promotions, moves, etc) was having it's quarterly meeting. Unfortunately the rep from Norway was on vacation and didn't call in. My rep told me "We have a plan, but until we get a chance to work out the details, I don't want to say anything to you." Fair enough. More waiting. :-)
Then a couple weeks ago my boss's boss stopped by my office and asked if I had a few minutes to talk. He told me that they were considering a swap between engineers. He went on to explain that there was another reservoir engineer in Norway with about the number of years experience as myself and about the same grade level whose husband just accepted a position with ExxonMobil in Houston.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! Another couple in pretty much the exact same position as Jason and I, looking at moving in a similar time frame, and about equal in terms of a swap in job placement for COP?
Now that is a GOD thing!!
This past Friday I received a phone call from one of the managers in Norway. He talked to me about the position they have for me in Norway and said that they would get started working on the HR process immediately to try and meet the Nov. 12 start date that Baker is targeting right now. I also mentioned to him that we would be doing our house hunting trip in October and he said that was brilliant and he would introduce me to my group while we were in town.
The job sounds absolutely amazing and I couldn't be happier. I feel SO blessed and fortunate that the Lord has created this opportunity for me to continue working and that ConocoPhillips has been such an amazing company working with us to allow me to stay with them. God is good!!