Thursday September 16, 2004

New Job

I do not mind the commute to work each day especially when I stop to think why I am commuting and the events that led up to our move to the Emmitsburg area. Where I work each day, "hometown" or Manassas depends on my work load and what needs to be done. I like the freedom of being able to be in either location but it is a lot of driving especially if I need to come to "hometown".

Originally before we moved I planned on working in Manassas most of the time because much of the work I do can be done from either location. In theory that was fine but I actually have found myself needing to be in "hometown" more and more. I usually will start my day in Manassas and sometime during the day end up in "hometown", usually around lunch time and at the end of the day drive back to Emmitsburg. If I only have to go to Manassas it makes the commute much easier. Our Lady of Emmitsburg took care of this problem.

I got up this morning and left to go to work in "hometown". On my way I stopped at St. Joseph’s to say a quick prayer. I arrived and the time was 6:13. I drove to "hometown" to go to mass but when I arrived I discovered there was none. This surprised me because usually if there is no daily mass at "Parish Church" it is on Wednesday when Fr. ___ has Tribunal duty. I then went to work and made copies of the latest packet of papers. When I finished I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.

Later in the morning I needed to go to Manassas to do a part of my job that can only be done from Manassas but I had to wait until a certain email arrived so I would know what to do once I got there. The email arrived at 11:13. As I was leaving I was stopped by a co-worker informing me of Carl Cressman’s death. Carl was a former manager at SWIFT.

On my way to Manassas I stopped at "Parish Church" to drop off the latest pack of papers. When I arrived I glanced at my watch as I walked in the door and the time was 11:33:13. I dropped the papers on the table and at that instant I felt the peace. I again looked at my watch and it was still 11:33. I then prayed the Luminous mysteries of the rosary and when I finished I glanced at my watch at the very instant I kissed the crucifix and it said XX:XX:33.

I then drove to Manassas and I was not planning on going to All Saint’s before arriving at work but a very sudden and strong thought caused me to change my mind. I arrived at All Saint’s and prayed the Joyful mysteries of the rosary and when I finished I glanced at my watch and the time was 1:13.

I went across the street to go to work and very shortly after arriving my manager came up to me and said he wanted to talk in private. I had no idea what he wanted. We talked and he offered me a much more advanced job than the one I currently have. It left me stunned and I did not immediately accept the job. I told him that I would consider it and get back to him. Later I felt like I was in a dilemma and did not know what to do. I said in prayer “I need you God” at that very instant I felt the peace and glanced at my watch and it said 2:33:33.

I did my work and a little later I ran into the person I will be replacing if I accepted the job and he built my confidence and said he thought I would be perfect for the job. We finished talking and I walked away. I glanced at my watch and the time was 3:33.

I still had mixed feeling about the job because of its advanced nature. When I got off work I rode over to All Saint’s to pray about it and ended up praying the rosary. When I finished the rosary I glanced at my watch and the time was 5:13. I then drove back to Emmitsburg and knew I still needed to pray more. I stopped at St. Joseph’s and arrived at 7:13. I prayed the Glorious mysteries while sitting out in the car. When I finished I looked at my watch and the time was 7:33. I then drove home and told S.C.C. and C.R.C.. C.R.C. then asked me if I was going to accept the job. I said to him “I guess I am” at that instant I felt the peace hit me again. I looked at my watch and the time was 8:13.

R_____ C___

Sep. 29, 2004

10:33 Pm