New experiences!

I decided to accept Merck's offer this morning. I worked on the paperwork yesterday morning, finally telling myself that taking the job at Merck would be the best for me. Although I was completely content and comfortable with the atmosphere at Genentech, I didn't actually do any biotech things there. I feel that I often don't stretch out of my comfort zone enough and that God was calling me to do that very thing in this situation.

This reminded me all too much of what Ms. Pichon had said in our first Gifts, Spirituality, and Leadership class. She gave us all rubber bands and explained that its purpose was to stretch out. If you leave it there, it doesn't grow, but if you stretch it out too far, it'll break. In a way, we're like that. In order for us to grow, we need to stretch out a bit further than we're comfortable with.

That analogy applies to many things in my life this year. Starting in January, I made a pledge between myself and God that I would get to know Him better and return to (or even surpass) the relationship I used to have with Him. I used to be so passionate and in love with Christ - my mom would say that before anything else when introducing me or talking to her friends about me. After three years of struggling with my faith, I even left the church in which I grew up for better things. And though things at EVC aren't perfect, I'm trying to get back into youth ministry by testing the waters at the Tuesday worship nights. I feel so much better already just talking to God and spending those few moments every night with Him and His word. I know that He never turned His back on me, even when I strayed away from him.

All the same, it's also only thanks to Him that I was able to land that interview with Merck. What did I write on my resume that stood out to them? I'll never know, but I suspect it has to do with my work at Genentech. Although I don't have special honors or a high GPA like many other people do, I still got the full-day interview with them! I know for sure that I will learn many things through this internship at Merck. So far, the people there have been so kind to me, and I already feel so warmly accepted by the group. I thank God again for giving me this opportunity at a time where it's so hard to obtain and maintain a job. He has been so kind to me, even though I can't ever do anything for Him in return.