It didn’t play out like I’d planned.

2 am phone interviews across the ocean didn’t materialize into jobs.

Floridians weren’t clamoring for a chance to host my therapizing.

Job searches through one travel agency, then two, then four, turned up promising prospects that filled before my resume crossed the table.

I’d planned to embark on a wild adventure, then return to “real life” and work.

I simply returned.

Three weeks had passed since landing stateside, and five days since arriving back at my parents’, and still no employment prospects. There’s something demoralizing in telling others – and yourself – that you’re 29 years old, jobless, and living with your parents. Dramatic, perhaps, but three months’ vacation is enough. Admittedly, I was being quite selective in my job search: the entire state of Wisconsin, and within a 200 mile radius of Orlando. An outpatient opportunity – my preferred setting – was listed for Arcadia, FL, and I eagerly offered my interest. I was told to expect a phone call for interview.

I waited, never leaving my phone out of reach.

I waited 24, 48, 96 hours.

“They’ll call!” my recruiter said repeatedly.

By Tuesday morning, I was scrolling through listings for holiday season retail and food service jobs in the Orlando area, because anything is better than nothing. I considered “Layaway Associate” over “Table Bussing”, then moved on to other projects as I left my Gideon’s Fleece to gather dew.

The telephone rang.

It was the recruiter.

“Hey, Jessica, I know you were only looking in Wisconsin and Florida, but would you be open to Iowa?”

“Uh, sure.” Iowa sounds nicer than table bussing.

“Great! They’ll call for interview within 5 minutes.”

Whoa! Blindsided. I’d barely hung up when the phone rang again. I bumbled through the interview, then checked my voicemail for the call missed while interviewing.

“I’ve gotten in contact with Arcadia! They’re calling within the next 30 minutes.”

I waited. 30 minutes, 60 minutes…

The phone rang. I interviewed again, then hung up to ponder my options.

Both facilities offered me a position.

Going from zero prospects to two offers in the span of a couple hours?

God is gracious.

Long story short? I’m off to Iowa! After a week of hoops and signatures, I’ve gotten a license to practice in the Hawkeye state.

Wisconsin, Florida, Iowa; perhaps I’ll go for 50. Three down!