Life is full of challenges

I realize that it's been a while since my last post. Things have gotten even crazier, and this week has been no exception! My boss is out working in Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. That has left me running things on my end of the building pretty much alone. Our evening shift manager has had some struggles, so I have come in and helped him out some. We got things under control, but not before a sixteen hour day or two. All in all, things have gone very well though.

Wednesday was the absolute biggest challenge I have ever faced in my days with FedEx Ground. One of our trailers flipped over on its way from Atlanta. Thank God the driver was okay. Praise Him for that!! The trailer didn't show up here (it was literally reloaded on the Interstate by our crew in Birmingham) until 8:00 and we didn't finish with getting it unloaded until almost 9:00. Keep in mind that we normally get our drivers out of here by 7:00. Well, despite a two hour late dispatch, our drivers pulled together, helped not only me out (by loading their own trucks because my package handlers had to leave because of their class schedules) but helped each other out and trading packages to make each route run easier. I was seriously expecting service to be in the tank, but they pulled off a 99% service!!! I have never been more proud of a group of workers than I was Thursday morning. I bought everyone breakfast and personally thanked everyone in the building. They really came together and made it a hugely successful day despite what easily could have been a throw your hands up and say forget it day! This week has gone very well and bodes well for my ammo for a promotion soon!

The other challenge that I have faced lately has been more important. A few weeks ago at our Single Adults Bible study, the gauntlet was thrown down by one of the girls. She said that in her opinion, the guys in the group needed to step up their leadership roles. She was 100% correct and what she said really hit home. I have taken it to heart. I've been spending a lot more time in study and prayer, and have even helped to start a Single Guy's Bible study that myself, a couple of other guys from the group and a group from another local church are attending. I think that it is going to be a great thing! She said what really needed to be said and I thank her for that.

Other than that, next week I am going to Atlanta for a training class...will work for a week back in Tuscaloosa and then I am on vacation for a week!!!! I am going home to Texas. I am going to pick up my dad and we're going to Austin to see my babies!!! I am FINALLY going to get to meet Olivia, my now six month old niece. I am really excited about that. This will be my last chance to take vacation before the wonderful season known as Christmas makes me a virtual stranger to the normal world. Thank God I love my job! LOL

I hope that everyone is doing well and that this reaches you in good spirits and health.

~God Bless~