Pray, Trust and Let Go.

For those who has their appointments with me postponed week after week, day after day, or I simply missed meetings, they would have known that I was rushing out a report for a Court review next Friday. I finally completed it today. 11 pages long. After the name, age and birth certificate number of child was my name and designation. "Prepared by Sandra Lim, Residential Care and Guidance Manager"

Under my breath, I went "I am utterly not used to my new designation." Boss overheard and said "You earned it, get used to it and put it down."

Ok, I am officially announcing that I have been er... promoted. Do not ask me if I am rejoicing ya? It is an entire new ball game for me. I have hesitated for a good 4 months before I took it on.

As I typed the word M-A-N-A-G-E-R, my heart felt a tug. A hesitant yet warm tug. Responsibilities increased - I learn to pray. I constantly felt the lack of wisdom - I learn to trust God. I constantly feel that I have to split myself up into several pieces to be everywhere - I learn to let go.

Yesterday, I had my first taste of what it means to be in that position. In the morning, I was asked to be the driver for the caseworker's child to the police station (fear of the child running away); In the afternoon, a child called me on my mobile (despite the fact that my 2 colleagues were already there) and cried that his parent chased him out (though it was really not the way it seemed); In the evening, colleague called me requesting for me, my coworker and my two bosses to return back to the Home because a child over-reacted and was shouting. Honestly, my first reaction for the 2nd and 3rd call - U-turn and make my way to the crying child's home to speak to the parent; After my report, make my way to Sembawang to see if the situation is under control, which I did not so I just did a control check.

Well, by 10pm, boss and myself were already very tired so we called it a day for our report and I made my way home with Geo (he was working till late also). After dinner, I received an sms from my 2 colleagues stating that the situation has finally calmed down (after more than 12 hours).

I was really tired after working not only on my report but attending to the nitty gritty stuffs at work. I was really really exhausted. I have never worked so hard before. But you know what? I truly enjoyed my job. Yesterday was a classic example of what Residential work is all about. Spending the entire day with a family is usual. Dealing with reactive children is usual. Having runaways is usual. Children in PAIN reacts. They react because they do not know any other methods of coping. Countering that reaction and DE-escalating that reaction is the tricky part. I am still learning. So often, I counter a shout with a shout but hey, isn't the other person just going to shout louder? Then, it will be a battle of who is louder than who.

I was sharing in excitement with mummy and Geo yesterday about my day at work. Mummy listened with questions. Geo simply rejoiced with me.

One report is down. Another major one will have to start next Monday. Next month another court review. I shared with Geo that in church, we will see the airport every other day or week, receiving and sending our church planters. At work, I seem to see the court every other week, receiving and sending kids. Hahaha!! What a "revelation"!

Good night.