carolyn
To such loving, praying, and faithful family & friends,
I would much rather prefer sharing with each of you in person about the current changes that are taking place in our lives. However, with emotions, energy, and time wearing thin, I realize that I am doing a poor job of keeping you all informed and updated - so I decided to start an email. Brad and I greatly need and appreciate your prayers, your encouragement, and your support during this next phase of our lives, so I am going to do my best to explain Brad's career with Chick-fil-A at this point to hopefully give you a better understanding of what's going on- - and to brag on the dedication and hard work of my sweet husband who I couldn't be more proud of!
Brad went through a series of interviews with business consultants and Human Resources (HR) in the Spring, and submitted his application to enter into the July 11-30 Interim Manager training class. After interviewing with about 30 guys at headquarters in Atlanta on June 23rd, Brad was one of 14 guys who got accepted. It has been re-iterated several times how great of an accomplishment this was. So Brad reported to Atlanta on July 11th- which was his birthday- to begin his Interim Manager (IM) class, and I moved to mom and dad's with Murphy and my clothes :) In the meantime, I was offered a 5-day K4 teaching job at Briarwood that I graciously declined. This was something extremely difficult for me, and my heart has transformed from anger, self-pity, and sorrow to gratefulness, joy, and contentment. I know full well that this is solely the power of the Holy Spirit working within me, and I have already learned SO much about submitting to the Lord's will for me. Through this process we have experienced a great deal of the unknown, waiting, anticipation, and just taking it one day at a time. My dear principal and friend, Liz Whatley, reminded me of something so true- that being in the unknown is exactly where the Lord wants me because my only option is to trust in His will and plan for us.
Week 1 of Brad's IM Class is complete- and let me tell you, it was a long week for me! I cleaned out my classroom, ate lunch with my wonderful K4 team, worked at Mulberry, and moved almost everything out of our apartment into our storage unit on 280! I am so very grateful for our amazing parents- mom, dad, Mark and Jennifer, Miller, Mitch, David, Wes, Arrington, Wes' friend Adam, and our sweet Samford friends Jessica and Josh. I don't know how else I would have gotten our furniture, washer and dryer, etc. down those stairs!! It has really bothered Brad that he isn't able to be here to help, and he is tremendously grateful for our family and friends as well! But Brad is so busy he barely has time to blink! A typical week for Brad includes getting up early to drive 45 minutes in 2 Chick-fil-A vans with all the guys to class which will last usually until 6:00 with a couple of short breaks. They take several tests, so nights include study sessions and sometimes homework. The wives (and children) are welcome to visit on the weekends, and I am SO grateful and glad I was able to go to Atlanta this past Saturday and Sunday. CFA took us to dinner in Stone Mountain, and then to a laser/light show on Saturday night. We all went to early church with Craig Carter (head of IM classes and the CFA IF Marketing Teams.... a.k.a. BIG WIG!) on Sunday, and then they took us to the Braves game where we sat up in Club Level and I didn't even break a sweat :) Then Sunday night Brad and I were able to go to Piedmont Park and eat dinner at Park Tavern together- we enjoyed this so very much! I was SO glad to be able to meet all of the great guys and some of their sweet wives, and to meet some of the CFA Corporates! It was tough leaving Monday morning- but thankfully Brad will be home Friday night to help finish packing up our apartment and spend time with me!
What you can be praying for this week is for strength, endurance, and rest for Brad as they have been told this is the longest week for them because every single day all they will be doing is food prep from 8:00 until 6:00. They will also be taking tests, and they are standing on their feet all day long. Also, Brad was told that they will be finding out their placements probably this week instead of next week. We have requested the South East, but it is still very up in the air. They will also be told whether or not they are going on August 1 or September 1. Once we go, they will give us a completely furnished apartment that they choose. During Brad's time as an Interim Manager (also known as a Temporary Operator), he could possibly move around a few times- all depending on where CFA needs him. The average stay for an IM is 1.5 years. We know guys who have gone for 6 months, and we know guys who have gone 2 years. It just all depends...
I realize this is lengthy, but I felt that it is important to share with those who are so important to me. I will let you know where the Lord is taking us as soon as I am able to. Again I thank you more than you know for lifting us up in your prayers, and for loving us!
We sure love you!!!
Holly Nichols
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act."
Wow!! Such an exciting/busy time for you and your family! So proud of Brad and Holly. It is exciting to see where the Lord is taking them...but MOSTLY
ReplyDeleteso good to see how they are responding to HIS leading. I am praying with you that they will end up somewhere close by (hwy 280 would be nice!) Ha! but also confident that where ever they end up, it will be EXACTLY where God wants them!