Tonight, I went to my first meeting for our newly established Refugee Resettlement Steering Committee at our local parish.

Father Dave’s announcement (our pastor) 2 Sundays ago caught my attention. I reached out to him and thought perhaps I can volunteer with one or two task like taking someone to SSN office to establish their identity in the US or to the bank and such.

After a few introductory emails, and a personal interview with Father Dave last Thursday, suddenly, I’ve found myself with a new role: comittee member of the Refugee Resettlement Ministry.

Father Dave sent our a very warm introductory email to all the stakeholders. In reply to his welcome message, i wrote:

“Although my experience might be obsolete by today’s standard as I was a refugee 30 years ago. I hoped my refugee experience or the challenges I faced when I first arrived to this country can be of added value to our newly form Refugee Resettlement Ministry.

I look forward to contribute as best as I can to our committee. Also, I am grateful for the privillege to reciprocate and pay forward the kindness I rec’d from the samaritans via the Catholic ministry years ago”.

Besides working quietly in the background for the underprivillege Vietnamese in Cambodia & disable artisans in Hoi An, and with minor involvement with a few local non profit organizations, my calendars at the moment are filled with job search and job interview responsibility.

I desired for full time employment so I can be productive and a mean to earn my wage and pay my bills. But being a contributing member for the better society such as above, is hopefully, part of leading a purposeful life.

Today, I count my blessing and feel grateful to the lord and our parish, for given me the opportunity to pay forward, what I have benefited, as a refugee many years ago. Once again, I feel privillege, to take part of this committee, to serve and to transition and resettle new refugees.

With gratitude,
Aisa

Last night was an Apple night at Career Closet. I volunteer as a dresser/stylist after getting an email plead from the coordinator for the lack of volunteers in the evening hours.

Once a month, Career Closet will have volunteers from Apple Computer, who will shadow with us, the veteran volunteers with Career Closet to learn the in and out of the role.

After this shadowing session, the new volunteer can then be comfortable in dressing Career Closet’s clients for their upcoming interviews.

My client from last night was a former military personnel who just got off disability and recently relocated from Kansas. OMG, after a new pair of bra and a ton of career clothes, the woman confidence just shoot up the sky.

I wasn’t my usual bubbling self or very confidence because I am also job hunting and is faced with many bills to struggle with. However, upon seeing my client’s confidence and self esteem shoot up, her cheery and sunny attitude really rub off to me.

I just thanks the lord and Career Closet for sending the email so timely. I could have stayed indoor and felt miserable and just spiral down on that negative side of the scale. Instead, I opt to volunteer to off load my mind with my employment dilemma and felt productive and an opportunity to practice my stewardship too.

This thinking brought me back to where I felt I’m productive and employed (temporarily without pay) but I know the lord is working his magic on that perfect job for me. Soonner or later, I will land that job that I desired for, and be well compensate for it.

In the mean time, I help uderprivillege clients dress for the success of their interview. I also help myself esteem dress for successful interview with that wonderful employer of mine.

I am dressed for and ready to accept that HR Analyst job, my lord.

In gratitude, for another productive day,
Aisa