Exciting News!

 

            I love days like this one. I love sharing good news, and today is a good news sort of day!

            While you know I love a good story, I’ll start with the news and backtrack to the story. How’s that? Today I am so pleased to share that Ryan has a new role at work, and I am simply bursting with joy!

            For those of you who might be newer here, let me give you a little background and perspective. When we moved to this area in the spring of 2022, Ryan found a job as the director of a local nonprofit and was there for about nine months. It became clear in that time that the organization was already past the point of being viable and surviving in this area, so Ryan felt it was best to resign. Shortly after his resignation, the board voted to close the affiliate entirely.

            That was a hard season. Ryan is a hard worker and passionately gave his all to trying to bring new life into the work, and it was hard to walk away and harder still to see it close behind him. But when he left, the Lord opened the door for him to become the Transportation Coordinator at Swiss Village. Though he had never done that exact kind of work before, his history in therapy and working with older patients definitely served him well.

            He purposed to bring fresh life and organization to the department and also made a personal goal to meet the residents, learn all their names, and get to know them. And for a year and a half, he has met all those goals. He is well loved by the residents. They trust him, they enjoy his fun-loving nature, and they all know him, even if he hasn’t driven them anywhere. He is so much more than a driver even to those he has transported. I’m proud of the ownership he took of the role, doing it the way he knew in his heart it should be done to honor and serve the residents to the fullest.

            It has been so inspiring to watch from the outside. I have loved seeing him soak up the opportunities, volunteer to help wherever and however he can, and establish rapport with the residents, their families, and the employees there, too.

            This month he had the opportunity to step into a new role in the same organization, and I think I cried for about a day when he told me it was really happening. I cried because I am so proud of how hard he has worked and how God is redeeming the hard seasons in beautiful ways. It truly has been an answer to so many of my prayers for him!

            Currently, he’s working both roles to an extent, but he has officially started in his new capacity – as the Sales and Lifestyle Coordinator. He will work with those who are considering a move into independent, residential, or assisted living, and will assist them throughout the application and move-in process. He’ll continue to oversee the transportation department and will assist with activities and social services, too.

            He’s SO excited to use all the things he’s been learning over the last year and a half, and I’m so excited to decorate his office!

            He’ll do a wonderful job – and has already started doing so. I can’t wait to hear the great ideas he comes up with and see him thrive in his new responsibilities.

            Ryan, I’m so proud of you! I don’t know that I’ve ever been happier for anyone – EVER – in a new job! God has gifted you in so many ways, and I am thrilled you have a chance to use them and invest in so many lives as you go!