Participating

I am participating in a 5-question interview that I read about over at Moments of Perfect Clarity . The questions Julie asked me are all so thoughtful and insightful that I decided to do a series of posts with my answers. Plus also, I always hated those really long papers I had to write in school. I was always better at biting off little chunks at a time.

First, the rules:

1. If you too would like to participate, leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.



It is kind of a fun thing and I would love to ask any of you interview questions...so comment away!



Julie's first question is:

1. if you could have any job, without worries about the logistics of family/pets/expectations of others, what (and where) would it be?

I love this question as it is something I really do think about quite often. First, I have to say that I have the best job in the whole entire world. I have worked for Propane Central for the past 8 years (longer than I have done just about anything in my whole life, by the way). I work for a family who have become MY family. They successfully raised 3 boys while running their business, all the while encouraging, developing, and being family to all of their employees. The business has grown tremendously over the years, all due to the way they treat both their customers and their employees (plus also buying out some other companies along the way!) We now have about 70 employees.

I have the freedom to come and go as needed. I am encouraged to attend my kids' activities. I am asked to participate in community events and organizations, and I get to do a little bit of travel. I am challenged at my job daily. Sometimes I don't love the challenges, but they are there. If I get overwhelmed, I can say so. If I am bored, I let them know. In short, I love my job and the people I work for and with.

That said, it is a little hard to think about what job I would have if I could have any job. After thinking on it for a few days (while running of course) I know that I would have a job which would involve the following: travel (both in the US and overseas), mission work, my family, outdoors, conservation/sustainability, and education. I have always wished that I worked in the mission field(s) after college (and before "real life" began). I see myself working with families and children, perhaps teaching about farming and agriculture. Maybe I would work to establish family gardens for malnourished families. Maybe I would help to start "school gardens" at elementary schools around the country. Maybe I would help families learn about crops in their area to raise and sell for hope for their future.

I love thinking about this stuff and one day will do something like I described above. Maybe it won't be my "job" per se, but it will be my activity for a period of time. I would love to block out a whole summer in which my kids and I could be gone from home and doing these kinds of things. You see, I feel so fortunate to be able to have the life I do. I only want for others to be able to have that feeling too.

Next post:
2. how is it to live in the town you grew up in? (i'm asking this because i occasionally try to picture myself in my hometown and envision what my life would be like.) what are the pros and cons?