The Grand Finale #81-100

We left this story with my roommate heading back to western Kansas to be closer to her home. I was left to fend for myself in this somewhat ingrown community.

81. My expenses immediately doubled. I know - doubling $30/month doesn't sound like much. But double the utilities as well, and factor in the fact that I wasn't making much, it was a blow.

82. I had spent the summer in Colorado, counseling at 2 camps. There I met a pastor's wife who was eager to introduce me to THE bachelor, a rancher, in their church.

83. We met and spent the rest of the summer going between his town and mine, getting acquainted, trucking around in his big green Ford pick-up, and falling in love.

84. I went back to my teaching job, more lonely than ever - no roommate and a new boyfriend back home.

85. I did enjoy the little church there, sang in the choir, and got invited over for meals. I'll never forget getting the flu and being so sick all by myself - a girl is never too old to wish her mom was there to take care of her when she's sick!

86. "The Rancher" and I wrote letters and talked on the phone - often. I actually traveled to cattle shows in Kansas City and Tulsa. You should have seen me holding the rope for this huge white bull, who knew I was afraid of him. It could easily have been the end of me! My brothers couldn't believe it!

87. It wasn't all bad - I wish I had all the letters I wrote "the rancher" because they were basically a journal of all the cute things the kids said to me every day. They did keep me laughing much of the time.

88. I went home for Christmas. He tried to tell me he wasn't ready to settle down. I didn't believe it.

89. I had resigned my teaching job mid-year, which turned out to be a terrible mistake. I moved back home at the end of the semester, and he promptly broke up with me 2 weeks later.

90. Now I had no boyfriend, and had to move into my parents' house after being in my own place for a year and a half. We got along fine, but I felt really cramped and stifled and lonely.

91. I directed the day care center operated by the church Dad pastored. It turned out to be a poor fit for me.

92. I couldn't get a teaching job - no wonder - would you hire someone who had quit in the middle of the year?

93. I must have been really awful to be around. I was so unhappy and was sure "the rancher" would come to his senses and realize how much he missed me and how wrong he had been.

94. I had presented God with a plan and asked him to sign the bottom line. I ran ahead of him. I am so thankful that He is a redeeming God and can make something beautiful out of the messes we make.

95. I eventually got a really good job as a personnel secretary in a garment factory, driving 100 miles each day in my little green Mustang. I think I've mentioned it before, and it was a wonderful time of growth for me.

96. I was trying to make the move closer to my job, just when I met DC. I suddenly wanted to stay right where I was. My folks had moved into a different parsonage and the church had my dad build a little apartment in the basement to be able to house missionaries and evangelists. I got to live in it for awhile, and it was a blessing.

97. God has such a great sense of humor and timing - 35 years after the heartbreak, God brought DC and me into contact with "the rancher" in a most amazing way. He and his wife have a son who had been miraculously changed through Teen Challenge. Their son was instrumental in getting Kev into the program. "The rancher" and his wife even helped us financially.

98. When DC found out I drove such a long ways to work every day, he couldn't believe it. When we got married, I decided not to drive so far any more. I got a job in a bank in the town just north of us, in marketing. My typing skills carried me a long ways into jobs that I really enjoyed.

99. I quit working when Kristen was born and was a SAHM for years afterward. I loved every minute (well, almost every minute). I was blessed.

100. I am going to stop now - this could go on forever. I never thought it would be so much fun to come up with these 100 things. It has given me ideas for many more posts to come. Thanks for coming along.