Not sure where a post like this should start! But as you can tell by the title this may take a bit of explaining as a major life change is coming for our entire family. It started early this year but AB and B, MItch and I decided we wanted the girls to visist different schools in the area. We had talked about this for some time but the girls seemed open and ready to see what was out there and we knew that the timing was right for everyone. We toured several school districts throughout the year both locally and out of town. The girls were so surprised to see all the difference among the schools we visited. We were trying to decide what we wanted for the future but the more the year went on the more confused I think we all felt. Mitch and I wanted the best for the girls and at some point towards the end of the school year we decided that this decision counldn't be ours alone to make. We put it in God's hands, we prayed each day that something would come along that the path would be cleared wide open So we started praying and praying because it was now May and we had to make a decision one way or the other. And then it happened kind of like it was in the plans as sometimes it does God gave me an oppourtunity that I didn't see coming. The CALL reached out to me and wanted to talk about my development expereince. They were looking for a Development Director for the state of ARkasns and as we began talking and they began praying for me I came to realize that this was an oppourtunity that I couldn't pass up. THey were so sweet to allow me to stay on at the college for the next 6 weeks to finish up several projects I had been working on there. ALong with being open to the fact that we would move to Hot Springs, not LIttle Rock and I would work from home a few days a week and drive back and forth the other days. It was then that we decided to move into our lake house and begin life in Hot Springs that summer. I must say that all this change coming made our last few weeks this past summer in Hope even more special as we went around telling friends and family of our decsion and saying goodbyes. It was a tough decision and leaving our friends made it all that much harder. But we were excited for the future and Mitch and I have always loved our time in Hot Springs and hope that this move will be good for us all. I hated more than anything to leave my position at the college that I had held for almost 6 years. It truly was some wonderful memories with some of the best people but I also knew that this calling would be one that would not only callenge me but serve as my life's mission to better the lives of children in foster care. I have always dreamed of adoption for my family one day and though that hasn't worked out yet (keyword) this was my chance to help the over 8,000 children in Arkansas that spend time in foster care each year. I may not affect that one child I had orgiianlly hoped but if this position allows me to do God's work here on earth and continue to grow spiritually in the process, well I couldn't think of anything better! The pictures in the post followe some of our last weeks in Hope. Our friends threw us a going away party (which apparently I didn't take any picture at) and we spent some time with family and freinds enjoying the pool and the lazy days of summer. I took a few pictures of the house even though by this time we were already starting to move furniture and pictures off the wall. So some of the pictures are not as they would have been but I wanted some photos to remember the house the way it was. We will be selling the house this next year but want to hold on to it a bit longer as we will always need "home" to come to...
The college did a great job of throwing me a going away party last week at the office. They were so sweet to invite some of the most wonderful people that I have had the privledge to work with over the years. I made so many new friends and found my place in this community through this college. I had spent so many years on the road doing pharmaceitucal sales that I had never had the oppourtunity to meet some of the most wonderufl people that lived there. When I began my career at the college as the Director of Advancement and Executive Director of the UAHT Foundation it was all new to me. I had never had a position in an office like this, running an office staff or putting on large scale events but luckily the board gave me a chance and I spent the next 6 years trying to do the best job I could to advance the college and raise funds for scholarships for some pretty remarkable students I had the pleasure of meeting through the years. It really was an amaing oppoturuinty, not to say it wasn't very stressful some days or even chaotic trying to raise two little girls and be there for so many events and moments but my whole family, including my parents were there for the ride with me. I spent many late night surrounded by my whole family helping to pull of that last event or set that last table for the big program. It was a family affair and I couldn't have made it all those years without them.
My friend Jen, I am going to miss this girl she is my go to for so many reasons and I just adore her!
John and Kim Hollis..these two are the whole reason I made it through those 6 years. John was a co worker and the most fabolous decorater I have ever known. He made every event I ever did look ten times better and Kim served on every committee making sure that it was a success. I adore them both!
Mayor Ramsey...always a wise counsel and sincerely the most Hopeful person in our community.
Mrs. Twyla, not only did she serve as my assistant for most of my time at the college but she also served as my boss! She ran my office way better than I ever could have...she challenged me, councseld me and made me a better boss becuase of it. I can't thank her enought for beleiving in me and sticking by my side through several years until her retirement. I know coming into that office I would never have had the success that I did without her by my side. So thankful for her investment in me and always keeping me on my toes!
Bitsey..my floral guru and go to that made me look better than I deserved on many occasions!
The good chancellor...my friend and boss man Chris. I knew when I took this job that he would make me a better development officer and with his vision we would have lots of opportunities and boy did we ever! He is a visionary like no other and some of those wacky ideas I laughed off became some of our best ever! We had some great laughs together and I really can't thank him enough for the opportunity to learn and grow. I even had the chance to leave the college for a different career early on and as we sat and talked about it he assured me that he would invest time in helping me grow professionally and that if I stuck around we would take on many endeavors that would help me expand my professional experiences...and he was right I spent the next several year putting on concerts, galas and lobbying in Little Rock and I never would have realized how much I still had yet to learn. Thanks for always listening, always guiding and always dreaming!
Hsi precious wife, and my good friend Penny!
My number 1 crew minus AB who had already left for Kids College that afternoon.
My dearest friend Mr. Rowe, who began this college over 50 years ago and still is one of my favorite people. I loved our chats and all the history he brought with him every time we talked. His heart was and always will be with this college.
Mrs. Judy is another one of my favorite board members and friends!
And the two people who ahve always been my biggest cheerleaders and super fans, my parents. THey never missed an event or clean up session after one and they never quit challenging me to stay the course and help to pave the way for others in my community. They have always challenged me to do more, be more and for that I am so grateful. Now on to another adventure and to see where that will take us all!
My new friend, Amanda who has spent the last several months in my office helping to make me look better and keep me sane!
Anna, my friend and now the new director of advancment. She will do a great job and I wish her the very best!
Just a few of my campus friends...
My bestie, and overall one of my favorite people in the whole wide world! THis girl was the first one I told and her reaction was just the best. She cried and then she said "oh jill, this oppoturunity has you written all over it. I just don't know how you can pass it up." It was later that she sent me flowers that night after our conversation the day before when she told me through the tears she couldn't let me know how happy she was for me. A true friend always builds you up and stands by you even when they may not like it...I found that true friend in this girl and I a forever grateful for her in my life!
Dr. D, my board member, my children's favorite doctor and one of the coolest men in Hope!
That afternoon we spent picking up AB from Kids College and packing up the office.
Followed by a Vacation Bible School program from Britann!
Just a few of the many awesome flowers I recived that day at the reception. I even had some coworkers bring me my favorite candies, as I was notorious on campus for sneaking candy out of their jars!
Saying goodbye to a week with our friends from NWA...it is always a good time when these two come to town!
Libary scenangins!
And a weekend on the lake to end it all off!
The next Monday would be my last day, June 30th. I spent the day cleaning out the office and saying goodbyes!
I always loved my campus view out my window in my office!
I am ending this post with some of my favorite memories from the eyars. This one from one of the BBB events I put on..it was a black and white party celebrating 10 years of success.
The McLarty gala event
Several opportunites to work with the wonderful Mike Huckabee.
Leadership Texarkana gang
My time on the "40 under 40 " list in Texarkana.
The grant I wrote for an ambulance simulator for our Texarkana campus and a visit from the director.
And mixed in with those photos is this one on the day my Julie moved
My sweet Aimee reached out to me wanting to apply at the college after her wedding. Luckily, it all worked out and this girl is about to do some amazing work on this campus. So glad we got to work together for like a whole week!
Casey and I spent 6 long years together and I am sure I drove him crazy most of those days. But he was also one of my best friends on days I needed a friend and one of my favorite bibilical mentors on days when that was what I needed to hear the most. He is such a great guy and I am so glad our paths crossed because I learned so much from him. Right, boss? (By the way I tried to get in a quick hair appt. that day and came back to the office with wet hair, per usuaul right Jennifer) So just in case you thought I liked the slicked back look, I wanted to clarify.
My business office buddies, we wanted to pull our hair out most days but also had some great laughs!
And somehow Mrs. Debbie got moved down here from the reception but she is such a wonderufl lady and has been such a wonderful mentor and cheerleader for me for many years. I will miss her positive attiude and always her wonderful dinner parties!
The week before I also got to say goodbye to this sweet lady, Lorena, spent time in the office. She left to pursue home life working for the family business but I was so excited to get to spend the day celebrating her wedding this summer.
And now for a few more memories from the past..this one with one of my business partners that supported me for many years.
And one of the many endowments I had the oppourtunity to begin in my time at the college.
Our BBB lady legs that followed us whereever we went!
The Roast and Toast I hosted in Texakana for Rep. HIckerson.
The golden gala I hosted to celebrate our 50 years!
One of the coolest expereiences of all the concerts I put on over the years, my childhood favorites the Oak Ridge Boys.
I love this guy, he really is the sweetest, Mr. Buddy Jewell
Some of my favorite ladies at the BBB event one year.
Sammy Kershaw
Tracy Lawerence
The whole BBB gang!
The Governor Asa Hutchinson at the roast and toast event.
My favorite supporters!
Joe Diffie
My last BBB event as a casino night at the airport and the decor was to die for! Such a fun night!
David Nail
Mercy Me
Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee
Buddy Jewell
So many great memories! I can't sum them all up even in one post but so thankful for my time and the college and even more excited about what is to come for my whole family! We are excited to start a new chapter and will always have a place called Hope in our hearts!!
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